More than fifteen years ago, St. John Lutheran in Ellisville, MO began sending short term mission teams to Belize. There, they established relationships that grew and eventually led to the formation of the Belize Mission Society. They sent more short term teams to Belize during the off-season months, because the rates for lodging were less, and the opportunities to serve the locals were greater. Leaders of the Belize Mission Society realized they needed a “flip flops on the ground” missionary who could foster the relationships they had established, and build a permanent presence in Belize. In partnership with the Belize Mission Society and other LCMS affiliates, the Belize Mission seeks to plant a new Lutheran church in the country and expand to other locations in Belize. Outreach includes family Bible Study, men’s and women’s Bible Study, and Vacation Bible School. Mercy ministry includes scholarships for students in Seine Bight and Belmopan, a nutrition program for students at St. Alfonsus School in Seine Bight, Griefshare and hospice programs. They also work to establish a physical therapy program for the country in general and dental and health programs for the village of Seine Bight. This new twist on church planting provides opportunity for hands-on participation by teams from the U.S. to soften areas for further evangelism, Bible training and outreach, and multiplies the efforts of our valuable missionary families.

New Director at the Helm of Concordia the Reformer Seminary

On Sunday, September 10, Concordia the Reformer Seminary in the Dominican Republic celebrated the installation of her new director, Rev. Sergio Fritzler. Pastors from five countries participated in the special service, with seminarians, missionaries, deaconesses, Dominican Lutheran Church members, Concordia Lutheran school children and faculty joining in the festivities.

Four Countries, Eight Days

After years of hard work, patience, and coordination, the Spanish Lutheran hymnal, Himnario Luterano, arrived in Guatemala. The hymnals were published by a group of dedicated Lutheran pastors throughout Latin America, who considered the many cultural differences among the Spanish-speaking countries. Thanks to a generous gift from the Lutheran Heritage Foundation, a large portion of the printing and shipping costs were covered, making the hymnals affordable for our sister churches.

A Snapshot – Belize

For several years, church services in Orange Walk were held in the home of Roldan Rojas. Now, what was once an abandoned woodshed has become our newest church for a growing congregation in the north of Belize. Situated on a 1.5-acre lot, the church has room for expansion, and soon, there are hopes of adding running water, plumbing, and a bathroom to the church property.

English Classes in Belize

After months of planning and preparing, English as a Second Language classes started the weekend of January 28-29 at El Buen Pastor Lutheran Church in Valley of Peace, Belize. The classes commence with Alliance Missionary Pastor Benjamin Flores leading a 10–15-minute devotion, then Missionary Jordan Logston teaching the two-hour long class.

A Week of Intensive Pastoral Formation

Concordia the Reformer Seminary welcomed distance-learning Formación Pastoral Hispano (FPH) students and pastoral mentors from several Latin American countries to a week-long symposium in January. The FPH program is similar to the SMP program at our LCMS seminaries in the United States. This program consists of sixteen courses with the students taking four courses a year, with pastoral mentors assigned to them. The focus of the FPH program is on the pastoral acts.

Giving Thanks for the Lutheran Heritage Foundation

The Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF) is a great help for the mission work in Latin America. We are grateful for their excellent work and congratulate them on thirty years of service to the Lord’s Church worldwide.

Mercy and Gospel in Belize

On Saturday and Sunday, October 1 and 2, the LCMS Belize Mission group was blessed to host and help a six-person team from the Belize Mission Society (St. Louis) with a two-day eyeglass clinic at El Buen Pastor Lutheran Church in Valley of Peace, Belize.

Thank you, Courtney!

Today we said farewell to a valuable member of the Latin America & Caribbean missionary team. Courtney Zalmanoff, a GEO missionary arrived in the Dominican Republic on September 30, 2019. Armed with degrees in Spanish and Psychology, she faithfully carried out her role as assistant volunteer coordinator for over two years.

Fresh Beginnings in Belize

When one thinks of the Lutheran Church of Belize, they can’t help but think of the many ways God’s hand has blessed the ministry there. The country is bursting with opportunity!

Rapid Response to Hurricanes Eta and Iota

The countries of Belize, Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama have been hardest hit by back-to-back hurricanes. Eta made landfall as a category 4 hurricane in Nicaragua on November 3rd, then lingered for two days over Central America before intensifying and moving on to Cuba, where flooding was already a growing problem.