Rev. Lucas Elberhardt, a church-planting pastor in the Dominican Republic, serves a mission congregation and a preaching station in Santo Domingo. Pastor Lucas leads worship services, teaches Bible classes, makes home visits, and works diligently to build bridges into the community. His robust youth outreach efforts include sports camps, youth days and music lessons, all of which include a devotion or Bible lesson.
Brazilian Alliance Missionary Pastor Rafael Milagres is called to serve as a church-planting pastor in Lima, Peru. Currently, he brings Word and Sacrament ministry to three congregations and does outreach activities to bring in new members from the community. Pastor Rafael works alongside a Peruvian pastor and an LCMS deaconess.
Venezuelan native, Rev. Gustavo Maita, grew up in a Lutheran home. This firm foundation served as a launch pad for formal theological studies, which began at Juan de Frías Theological Institute in Venezuela and continued at Concordia Seminary in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He served his vicarage in the Dominican Republic and graduated from Concordia Seminary in Argentina.
Pastor Benjamin Flores is a church-planting pastor serving in Belize with his Norwegian wife, Karina, and their sons Lukas and Matheo.
The Abundant Life Project (John 10:10) is an effort by the Latin America and Caribbean Region of LCMS International Mission to respond to life issues around Latin America. This is a region-wide effort to provide Spanish-language materials and resources, encourage life-affirming conversations, and stimulate a response in mercy for a variety of life topics and issues. Lutherans around Latin America have identified five topics to prioritize: marriage and family, homosexuality, abortion, gender issues, and health. Resources provided by the Abundant Life Project can be found here: https://www.ielco.net/resources
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.
The LCMS first established itself on the Isle of Pines, known today as the Isle of Youth, 31 miles south of the Cuban mainland, in 1911. Current theological projects are aimed at shoring up and encouraging the existing pastorate while also seeking others who desire a theological education.
Four refugees were ordained as pastors to serve in the office of the Holy Ministry.
Project 24 student is accepted into one of Kenya’s most prestigious national schools.
Many pastors and seminary students in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region are expressing their thanks and gratitude for another great resource provided through the VDMA Project: The Lord’s Supper by Rev. Dr. John Stephenson.
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