Above photo: Rev. Isaac García, President of the Lutheran Synod of Mexico, and his son, Neftali, who was recently ordained. (Photo: Inglehart)

Isaac Neftali García Guevara, a graduate of Concordia the Reformer Seminary in the Dominican Republic, was ordained and installed as Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mexico City this past Sunday. Neftali is a native of Rio Bravo and the son of Rev. Isaac García, President of the Lutheran Synod of Mexico.

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Jeremiah 3:15 KJV

Neftali began his pastoral formation in 2012 under the tutelage of Rev. Richard Schlak, followed in 2013 by Rev. Steve Morfitt. He received a scholarship from the LCMS Latin America and Caribbean Mission in 2015, which allowed him to begin formal seminary studies at Concordia Seminary in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

After two years of study there, Neftali served a six-month vicarage at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Mexico City, followed by two more years of pastoral formation at Concordia the Reformer Seminary in the Dominican Republic. In July of 2019, Neftali began a vicarage serving three congregations in Mexico City, Good Shepherd, St. Paul and St Peter Lutheran Churches.

Pastor Nefta, you are my brother in Christ, and today, my brother in the Office of the Holy Ministry. It was a pleasure and honor to participate in your pastoral formation in the Dominican Republic.

Rev. Joel Fritsche, President of Concordia the Reformer Seminary

Though Pastor Neftali has completed all requirements of the seminary and is now ordained, his formal graduation has been postponed until May 2021 due to the pandemic.

Rev. Isaac Neftali García Guevara (Photo: Heidorn)

This past Sunday, November 15, 2020, was one of the most important days for our family and also for me as a father, a pastor, and President of the Lutheran Synod of Mexico, because God gave me the opportunity to officiate the ordination and installation of my son, Isaac Neftali García Guevara, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mexico City.

Rev. Isaac García Castillo, President of the Lutheran Synod of Mexico

We thank God that He has provided another faithful worker for the harvest field. May He bless the work of Pastor Neftali García and St. Paul Lutheran congregation in Mexico City.