Latin America & Caribbean

Mission and Ministry work in Latin America & the Caribbean

Project: Venezuela Mission

The Venezuelan Lutheran Church faces many challenges due to the ongoing socio-political crisis. Millions have migrated to other countries, including well-educated and professional Lutherans. Nevertheless, the Church remains a bulwark to encourage those who stay and struggle to feed, clothe, educate and care for their families. Through Juan de Frias Bible institute and Concordia the Reformer Seminary in the Dominican Republic, the Church forms new pastors and church workers.

December 5, 2018

Project: VDMA-Translation Team

VDMA is a Latin acronym that translates, “The Word of the Lord endures forever.” During the Reformation, this motto united Lutherans in solidarity against their adversaries. Five hundred years later, the VDMA Project unites a different group of Lutherans: Spanish-speaking pastors and seminary students throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

December 5, 2018

Project: Uruguay Mission

LCMS efforts in Uruguay, known as South America’s most atheistic nation, began among German and Slovenian immigrants in the 1930s. Current team efforts consist of Alliance Missionary Maicon Schieferdecker who works with a local parish pastor and a Brazilian school chaplain. The Lutheran landscape is a mix of urban, rural, and school ministries.

December 5, 2018

Project: Seminary Scholarships

Concordia the Reformer Seminary and Mercy Center (CMSCR) in the Dominican Republic, opened its doors in 2017, paving the way for an influx of new Lutheran pastors for Latin America. The institution, noted for its rigorous coursework and practical, church-planting emphasis, draws students from countries across Latin America.
These future pastors have left homes, families and livelihoods behind for the sake of the holy ministry.

December 5, 2018

Project: Puerto Rico Mission

Four church-planting pastors and a vicar work with an energetic young missionary team to grow current congregations in Mayagüez, Ponce and San Juan. In Mayagüez and Ponce, each congregation operates a mercy house where members and missionaries do extensive community outreach. In 2022, the mercy houses installed solar panels to meet the need for consistent electricity during regular power outages.

December 5, 2018

Project: Peru Mission

The Lutheran Mission of Peru, established in 2010, is the umbrella organization for church planting in the country. The mission is served by a seasoned Alliance Missionary Pastor from Brazil and a Peruvian pastor. Together, they serve three growing church plants in Los Olivos, La Victoria, and San Borja, as well as a preaching station.

December 5, 2018

Project: Panama Mission

LCMS mission work in Panama began with service to military personnel during the Canal Zone era, as early as 1941. The ministry expanded and led to the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Panama (IELPA).

December 5, 2018

Project: Mexico Mission

Mexico City’s Martin Luther Institute works with North American missionaries and Concordia the Reformer Seminary to form pastors and deaconesses. The Mexican pastorate, which previously numbered three, has more than tripled since the opening of the Dominican seminary, with ten ordained men. Twelve more are in the pastoral formation pipeline. In addition, thirty new deaconess graduates bring the total number of current church workers to 40. Twenty more are studying.

October 24, 2018

Project: Luther Academy Conferences

The Luther Academy mission statement is as follows: Luther Academy promotes genuine, confessional Lutheran theology and research through conferences, scholarly exchanges, and publications that assist the Church both to preserve and to proclaim to the world the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the only saving faith.

October 24, 2018

Project: Jamaica Mission

Lutheran Hour Ministries radio contacts in the 1990s helped begin LCMS efforts in Jamaica. Alliance Missionary Pastor Obot Ite, from Nigeria, has faithfully served the missions since 2007.

October 24, 2018