Hope in the Lord

Pastor Elcy completed his colloquy in 2007 and currently serves as a pastor at Jesus Salvador Communidade (Jesus Savior Congregation) in the city of Gravataí, located in southern Brazil.  

 Pastor Elcy & his wife Noeli

Tell us about your congregation:

It is a small, but important Evangelical Lutheran congregation, located in southern Brazil, in the metropolitan region of the capital Porto Alegre, in the city of Gravataí.  At Jesus Savior Church, the Word of God is preached, the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper are administered, and sinners who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are welcomed.

Church Exterior

Church Interior

What are your goals or plans for the future?

To expand ever more the knowledge and location of Jesus Savior Congregation as a place to come together to hear and study the Word of God and the Sacraments.

Celebrating Birthdays

What is your favorite Bible verse?

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31

Children of the Congregation

The Joy to Teach

 Seminarian Jairo lives in Medellín, Colombia. He serves as the president of La Santísima Trinidad congregation. Currently, he receives his seminary training by visiting LATTE professors along with online education while continuing to serve in his congregation.

Tell us about your congregation:

My congregation is Most Holy Trinity, located in downtown Medellin, Colombia.  At Sunday worship we have an average attendance of 95 to 100 people.  On Mondays, eight (8) men attend a men's Bible Study; and on Wednesdays, 25 attend the study on the Old and New Testaments and devotion.  We have two (2) pastors, two (2) Bible study teachers, five (5) female teachers, one (1) student in the Bible Institute, fifteen (15) in the youth group, fifteen (15) children, and fifteen (15) women in the ladies' group.  We have a church council and participate in the national church council.  One of our pastors, Henry, also serves as a missionary.  Our other pastor, Tonny, works as an industrial mechanic at a business.

What are some of the joys of your studies or ministry?

Knowing that GOD is always with his children, sustaining us.  I have professors who teach me the correct doctrine.  There is unity among the brothers.  But my greatest joy is being able to teach.  I teach a class on the New Testament, and I am studying to become a pastor -- all by the mercy of God.

What is your favorite Bible passage?  And why?

Because it tells me that I am saved by grace, that I cannot do anything to gain my own salvation.  Because Christ died for my sins.  -Ephesians 2:8, 9 

What great joy it is!

Learning and Serving

Seminarian Raul is a student-pastor in Quibdó, Colombia. He serves Our Redeemer Confessional Lutheran Church. Currently, he receives his seminary training by visiting LATTE Professors along with online education while continuing to serve his congregation members.

How did you become a member of the Lutheran Church?

Due to the fact that God's love, grace and mercy for lost, miserable and condemned human beings is immense, and that his decrees are unchangeable, today I am a member of the Lutheran Church.  I will tell you how it happened:

I became a Christian when I was 14 years old as a Baptist. Later we [my fellow Pastor and I] met a Presbyterian pastor with whom we studied and found that we had many doctrinal errors, the main one being that we were teaching salvation by works.  Having become aware of this delicate situation, we broke ties with the Baptist church and became Presbyterians. Finally -- thanks to the love, grace and mercy of God for us -- our Pastor, Elkin met two confessional Lutheran pastors of Most Holy Trinity Church in the city of Medellín. God used them to teach us true Biblical doctrine, and thus we realized that even as Presbyterians, we still had subtle doctrinal errors, for example: the belief that salvation can not be lost, that once a person is saved, he is always saved, that God has to save even if someone lives in impenitence.

The truth is that it was very hard for us. We were worried. We had already been the objects of false doctrines on many occasions, and at first we were afraid that the confessional Lutherans would also teach false doctrine. But God, in his Word, through a long process, taught us that they were really teaching the true doctrine, which we checked and confirmed with the Bible open.  We were convinced, since the truth prevails and the lie is defeated.  From that moment we identified ourselves with Lutheran teachings, confirming that they were Biblical, and of course we identified ourselves with confessional Lutherans.  We began to study with Pastor Henry, and were later confirmed "en masse". We have been confessional Lutherans for about three years now. Our congregation in Quibdó, Chocó, Colombia is called Christ Our Redeemer Confessional Lutheran Church. We have more than 40 members including adults and children, plus regular visitors.

How does your training in the seminary influence your ministry?

My training in the seminary does not affect my ministry negatively at all. To the contrary, it affects me positively, since currently I am a co-pastor in my church, teacher for an adult Bible study, and an evangelist.  The training is a great blessing for me and very useful because it enriches my knowledge of God's Word, providing me with new knowledge, and reinforcing what I have already learned so that I can offer better service to God. Even though the instruction is very demanding, I thank God because he has strengthened me and kept me balanced.  It is my desire that he continue to help me in this way.

Sharing Peace in Jesus

Seminary Student Eligio and his wife, Noemi

 Eligio was born into a family that was very religious, and as such he participated as a young person in many of the activities that his church offered. However he did not know peace with Jesus until years later when he was sitting on the front step of his house when a WELS missionary named Paul Hartman came walking up to him and asked if he could talk with him.  Eligio was struck by the Bible teachings that he learned at the new mission, and he continued studying any Bible course that was offered. So he now says that he began studying for the ministry without being aware of it. When he recommended to his pastor that a different member of the church would be a good candidate to study for the ministry, he found out about the Bible Institute that the mission was offering and signed up to take some classes.

Eligio has served in his congregation in many ways, giving the liturgy, learning how to preach sermons, teaching Sunday school and VBS classes. He has already served as a student pastor. His greatest joy in the ministry has been when he was privileged to preach to larger crowds of people about the wonder of God's grace and the peace we have in Jesus' forgiveness. 

His goal is to retire from the police force (he is a detective sergeant in the municipal police force) and offer his full-time service to the church by the end of this year. Eligio has almost finished his seminary studies with LATTE and should soon graduate from the seminary. We pray that he would continue to be a blessing to the church in Puerto Rico, and that God richly bless his continuing ministry in His name.

Training to Teach

Seminarian Henry is a student-pastor in Medellín, Colombia. He serves Holy Trinity congregation and assists in training ministerial leaders. Currently, he receives his seminary training by visiting LATTE Professors along with online education while continuing to serve his congregation members and teaching others.

Why did you decide to prepare for the ministry?

In the plans for my life, I never had the idea of being a pastor. When God called me through the church in 2004 to be pastor of my congregation, I began to prepare for the ministry.

How are you putting your seminary training into practice?

Currently, I am instructing the brothers who have been called for the public ministry.

How do you hope to serve?

I hope to serve with love, and I ask God that I never become disconnected from Christ. In my prayers, I pray that God would have me serve him wherever he puts me.

What is your favorite Bible passage?

God shows his love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

And Why?

I like this passage because it reminds me that I am a sinner and that at the same time I am forgiven.

Committed to Serve

Seminarian Carlos serves a congregation in the Caribbean as a Student-Pastor. Currently, he receives his ministerial training by visiting LATTE Professors while continuing to serve his congregation of 41 members, of which four are children, 31 women, and 10 men. 

Student-Pastor Carlos & LATTE Professor Natán

Tell us about your congregation. 

I have a beautiful congregation named Gethsemane. Our worship services are at 10 am, and Bible studies are carried out three times a week. We also have a Bible institute with five students. The services are offered in the Pastor's house. We have a Board of Directors, with a President, Co-pastor, Secretary and Treasurer. Every December 25th we hold a special service with various activities. 

What are your goals or plans for the future? 

My plans and goals en the future are to establish a new congregation in a larger city, since I plan to reside there in the future, and thereby have a central house of the Lutheran Church in order to then establish new missions. All of this with the help of the Lord. 

How do you hope to serve? 

My plans for future service are to work full-time as a Pastor and relocate to the larger city, which is where right now there is a need to work with more effort. 

My favorite Bible passage: 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
-- John 3:16

Motivated to Serve

Seminarian Eric serves two congregations and a remote group in the Caribbean as a Student-Pastor. Currently, he receives his ministerial training by visiting LATTE Professors while continuing to serve his congregation members. 

Why did you start training for the ministry?

The motive for me to begin training for the ministry is the desire to win souls for Jesus Christ.

Student-Pastor Eric

How are you currently serving?

In these moments, I attend to two congregations directly and to one group of brothers that are in another city be means of letters ("snail mail") and e-mail.

How are you using your seminary training now?

The classes have been key in the effectiveness of my ministry since they have given me the possibility of knowing how to distinguish between the law and the gospel in the Word of God, bringing sound doctrine to my brothers in the faith; also the ability to carry out a more effective evangelism program.

What are your goals or plans for the future?

The plans or goals for the future is to continue to win souls for the kingdom of God, as well as to be able to raise up congregations in other cities of my country for the glory of the Lord, for which it is of vital importance the Bible knowledge which our professor imparts with such excellence.

My favorite Bible passage is: 

"For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” - Romans 1:17.

Dedicated to Serve

Seminarian Carlos serves a congregation in the Caribbean as a Student-Pastor. Currently, he receives his ministerial training by visiting LATTE Professors while continuing to serve his congregation members as their called shepherd. 

How did I come into contact with the Lutheran Church?

"Towards the end of 2005, I met Pastor Frank who taught me to know the pure doctrine of the Bible, which I still take and share with many people. Motivated by the instructions I received, in 2008 I received the call to be a Student-Pastor. I continue to labor in this ministry with love and determination because there is no greater satisfaction than to serve the Lord every day. Among the plans we have for the future, the most important is to prepare ourselves more every day in the Word of God, preach it to every creature and thereby win souls for the Lord." 

LATTE Professor Natán & Student-Pastor Carlos

My favorite Bible passage is:

 “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." - Luke 10:2.

 

Serving with Zeal

Seminarian Gerardo previously served the congregation in Ciudad Juarez as a student pastor.  In the fall of 2010, he and his family relocated to study full-time in the seminary.  Currently, he is continuing his training in Torreón where he is working with a mission congregation and studying under Pastor Esequiel.

Why did you decide to study/prepare for the ministry?

"That is a question I often ask myself.  I think... in the beginning when, I met Rosa [my wife], and she's the one who introduced me to the church in Ciudad Juarez.  At that time, Pastor Guién was pastor -- who is now in glory.  He constantly invited me to become a member.  It took a while because at first I didn't want to, but finally with his encouragement I became a member of the congregation.  I slowly got more and more involved.  After Pastor Guién, there was Pastor Marío.  And I kept getting more and more involved because there was a need in the church.  It was Pastor Guién who especially convinced me to enter into the ministry.

At that time, we went to a conference in Puebla.  And there, I felt that it was possible, and Pastor Guién kept on encouraging me by saying, 'You are the one...' and inviting me to serve the Lord.  Finally I answered, 'Yes.'

I attended various conventions, and Pastor Esequiel said yes, I would enter the seminary.  But there was a lot of back and forth, and time went by.  I went to more conventions as a delegate, but they didn't accept me in the seminary right away...

Well...  what more can I say?  I moved here [to the seminary] and that is how I am here -- by the grace of God."

What are you currently studying?

"I am studying -- thanks to God -- and thanks to my professors, Pastor Larry, Pastor Natán and Pastor Mike  [They] are instructing me in the Word and in doctrine in order to save souls and preach the gospel.  Learning in order to teach."

Which courses?

"Liturgy, Catechism, Teaching the Faith, Sunday School, Genesis, Shepherd under Christ, and  Preparing Devotions."

How do you plan to serve in the ministry in the future?

"I want to serve wherever you place me, wherever you think there is a need, and wherever you consider me apt to teach.  I will do all I can with what I have learned and what I continue to learn throughout my ministry."

Continue to keep Seminarian Gerardo, his family, and his ministry in your prayers as he continues his training to serve.

Seminary Graduate in Mexico

This month, one of LATTE's students graduated from the IELC (Evangelical Lutheran Confessional Church) seminary in Mexico.  Seminarian Jorge completed four years of ministerial training, including his recent vicar year.

Seminarian Jorge, IELC President Esequiel, & LATTE Professor Larry

A comment from Jorge on his seminary training--

"Well, my studies in the seminary were very interesting.  There were difficult moments with the courses, but thanks to God, I had good teachers who had much patience and helped me alot to prepare for my ministry. I believe that one of the classes I enjoyed the most was Hebrew.

From the LATTE team, I only had Pastor Larry as my teacher. I learned much from him as he instructed me in the Word of God. Also, Pastor Mike was my professor.

I enjoyed my time very much as their student.  It was very edifying, because they were not only my teachers, but also my family while I was in Torreón. 

  

I am very thankful to God for the opportunity that He gave me to be instructed in the seminary, through good teachers and friends, whom He used as faithful tools.

Now that I have graduated and have seen everything they have done for me, I am filled with happiness since I feel prepared for the work which God has given us to do."

Jorge & his fiancé Kerry

Jorge and his fiancé Kerry are planning to be married in mid-February and will be moving to serve a new mission in the Mahahual area located in the Yucatan Pennisula.


Jorge is also the web administrator for the IELC's Spanish website http://www.luteranosmexicanos.net.

Blessings experienced

In the lower photo are Pastor Freddy (right) of Santiago in the Dominican Republic and Juan. Juan is the leader of a small group of Christians (whose chapel is in the upper image) who were looking for someone to help them understand the Bible and to grow in their knowledge of God's Word and promises for them. Juan contacted Pastor Freddy and he agreed to study with Juan and his group. Juan and his group are nearly ready to join our Santiago congregation. Pastor Freddy is an example of what LATTE is trying to accomplish with our work of training nationals to be pastors and leaders of their churches. He has been trained by us so that he is now anxious and able to go out and teach and train others. God be praised.

New Bible Institute

Bolivian church leaders of F.I.E.L. (Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Bolivia) are making plans to begin their own Bible Institute starting with the first classes in January. While there on this trip we were asked to help them set up a curriculum to train their church leaders in Biblical doctrine as well as the practical aspects of Christian ministry.


The F.I.E.L. is unique among the Lutheran churches with whom we work in Latin America. It is a bilingual church with services and church work and evangelism being carried out in both the Spanish and the Aymara languages. In the photo Pastor Fructuoso, one of their bilingual pastors, is speaking with Prof. Lorenzo.

(Posted by Professor Larry)

Where would you have me serve, O Lord?

Rona Abraham is our first seminary graduate in the Dominican Republic. (Read more about him at our sister blog "WELS in the DR" by clicking here.) He graduated in July and was so excited about returning to his home country of Haiti to share the life-saving Gospel with so many who are still lost in sin and unbelief. But...

Rona may not be able to carry out his plans. He intended to return to Haiti and start a "tent ministry" -- sharing the Gospel while supporting himself with a secular job. With his seminary diploma giving him the title of "licenciado" (equivalent to a bachelor's degree), he planned to get a job as a teacher. But...

He recently found out that since our seminary is not yet registered as an "institution of higher education" with the Dominican government, his degree is not recognized. Without a degree, he cannot get a job. Without a job, he cannot support himself in Haiti. So...

In the DR, we are looking into the requirements to register our seminary so that we can confer degrees that will be recognized and accepted. In the meantime, we ask for your prayers:

• that the Lord would bless our efforts to register the seminary
• that the Lord would guide Rona to know where and how He wants him to serve
• that the Lord would direct us as we consider other alternatives

James reminds us to say, "If it is the Lord's will" when we make our plans for the future (James 4:15). We know that all things are in His hands -- His good and gracious hands! We, therefore, trust Him to bless Rona's ministry wherever that may be.

Freddy Antonio Aquino

Freddy Aquino is a young man studying at our seminary in the Dominican Republic. Raised in the Pentecostal church, he was studying at a Nazarene institute when he met Julio, another of our seminary students, back in 2002. Through Julio, Freddy studied the Bible and was confirmed in the Christian faith in 2003. He immediately began Bible Institute (pre-sem) studies, which he finished in early 2006.

As an example of his love for the Gospel and desire to share its life-saving power with others, Freddy left his job and "comfort zone" of family and friends in San Pedro and moved with his wife Elizabet and infant son Freilin to Santiago (where they didn't know anyone) to attend our seminary. It was a major change in their life, but they have settled in and enjoy the support of their "new" family, fellow Christians in the seminary and local congregation.

We pray for the Lord's blessings on Freddy's growth in the Word, his service to God's people and his family's joy and contentment.

Seminarian, family man, policeman

Eliigo is one of the seminary students taught by our LATTE professors. Eligio leads a very busy life; as a father and husband his family responsibilities are many. But his full-time employment is that of a police sergeant in charge of the night shift at his police station. In spite of that already busy life, Eligio is studying seminary classes nearly full-time. He has scheduled his classes for four hours each morning. You can imagine the stress that he has placed himself under. Please pray for Eligio and his efforts to prepare himself to serve the Puerto Rican national church as pastor.


(Posted by Professor Larry)