The mission of the church has always been the faithful preservation of the means of grace to edify the church and to proclaim the Gospel to the world. Our work centers on people, speaking with them, preaching to them, teaching them, and having mercy for them. We invite you to partner with us in this work. Click on a project that interests you. Learn more about it from the stories and updates. And then partner with us through your prayers and financial support.
Luke 6:36 reads, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Showing mercy is part of our identity as Christians. Therefore, it makes sense that Lutherans in the Latin America & Caribbean region would intentionally focus on showing mercy in close proximity to the preaching of the Gospel and the planting of Lutheran churches.
The Confessional Lutheran Church – Malawi Synod (CLCMS) partners with the LCMS in the construction of their church buildings in rural areas.
Since its inception in 2017, Concordia the Reformer Seminary has focused on preparing men to be evangelists, shepherds and teachers. In that time, numerous well-trained theologians have graduated and are pastoring congregations across Latin America and the Caribbean. Some 50 men currently attend residential and online pastoral formation classes. The deaconess program has produced nearly 100 graduates, with 70 more women enrolled. In addition, online pre-seminary courses are ongoing, and a Lutheran teacher training program is planned.
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.
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.
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.
With the 500th Anniversary of Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses, the Lutheran Mission in Spain pursues a unique second chance to bring the truth, freedom and joy of the pure Gospel to Spain, five centuries after the first Lutheran Reformation in Spain was snuffed
out by the Spanish Inquisition.
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.
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.
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.
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