The Bishops Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN),  Dr Gideon Niitenge (56) and Rev Hilja Nghaangulwa (53) were consecrated on Sunday 16 February 2025. The consecration was conducted by a bishop of Espoo Diocese Kaisamari Hintikaa, from Finland who leads the delegation of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Finland.  She was assisted by eight (8) local and international Bishops such as Bishop Sageus //Keib from ELCRN, Bishop Frank Schutte from GELK Namibia, and by bishops from Southern Africa, Finland, USA, Tanzania and other countries.  ELCIN General secretary Dr Johannes Haufiku conducted the swore in of both bishops. Bishop Hilja Nghaangulwa was a preacher of a day.

Dr Gideon Niitenge  is a current  presiding bishop of ELCIN, and a bishop of Western Diocese, whilst Rev Nghaangulwa a bishop of the Eastern Diocese, who became a first female Bishop in ELCIN, or in Namibia and a Second in Southern Africa.

Prior to the Consecration, Bishop Matti Repo in his  biblical reflection, outlined the duties and responsibilities of bishop.

The Consecration was witnessed by the delegations from churches and organizations local and across the world. Churches and organizations represented were:  ELCF represented by Helsinki bishop Teemu Laajasalo; FELM,  Ms Treesa  Juhaninmaki and Dr Sakari Loytty; ELCA,  Bishop, Leila Ortiz;  LUSCA, Bishop Kenneth Simbanda; CCN, Rev. James Fredicks; ELCRN,  Bishop Sakeus //Keib, Momentum – Metropolitan  and others.

Retired bishop of ELCIN, six (6) out of seven (7) were present such as Bishop Dr Kleopas Dumeni; Bishop Apollos Kaulinge; Bishop Dr Tomas Shivute; Bishop Johannes Cindano ; Bishop Dr S V V Nambala; Bishop Dr Veikko Munyika.

ELCIN had been without a Bishops as a result Bishop Dr S V V Nambala of Eastern Diocese (presiding bishop), and Bishop Dr Veikko Munyika their term ended in the ordinary Synod XXIV  (24), gathered in Ongwediva ELCIN Centre 17 August 2021. The Synod was day one due to a COVID-19. They elected Bishop Dr Martin Ngodji of Eastern Diocese, and Dr Gideon Niitenge a Moderator of Western Diocese, unfortunately Bishop elect died on 17 September 2021, before his consecration as a bishop.

In the continuous ordinary synod XXIV gathered on 29-30 November 2021, the Synod appointed Rev Hilja Nghaangulwa a vice chairperson of the Diocesan Council, to lead the diocese in the absence of the bishop to the next ordinary synod XXV on 12-15 August 2024. The synod elected a bishop Dr Niitenge and Rev Nghaangulwa, and consecration took place on 16 February 2025.