Project ID: CL0001-65301

The LCMS involvement in Chile began in the 1960s in Valparaiso, a port city. Since the late 1990s, LCMS Disaster Response efforts have helped extend the reach of the Gospel. The Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile has ten congregations in Santiago, Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, and El Maule.

The eight pastors serving the Chilean church are stretched very thin. For example, Pastor Obed Coronado serves with Rev. Marcelo Rivas, a 2022 Concordia the Reformer Seminary graduate, to provide spiritual care for more than 1000 students attending Lutheran schools in Viña del Mar and Valparaiso. They also pastor local congregations.

Intentional outreach to the local communities has borne much fruit. For example, in Valparaiso, wildfires in early 2024 continue to provide an opportunity to assist those impacted by the disaster and share the Gospel with them. A new clinic located in the church facility in Cerro la Cruz provides medical and dental care for the local community. Also, it offers spiritual care and outreach opportunities through the on-site Lutheran pastor.  

The Chilean church is seeing rapid growth. With that growth comes the challenge of identifying and nurturing future pastors. Rev. Rafael Flores and his wife, Deaconess Jamielynn, arrived in late 2024. In 2025, Rev. Kevin Orihuela Franco, a Concordia the Reformer Seminary graduate, was installed to work alongside the pastors in Viña del Mar. We pray the Lord will bless His Church with workers for the ripe harvest fields.

Chile Mission

Checks should be made out to Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod or LCMS Memo Line: CL0001-65301
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Mission Advancement
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-6861
FORO Contact: ted.krey@lcms.org

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