Our God Reigns!

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" -- Isaiah 52:7

801 souls gathered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA for the opening worship service of the 49th Annual Lutheran Women's Missionary Society (LWMS) Convention. What an amazing experience to come together as such a large group and partake of the Lord's Supper with our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Each year, this dedicated group of ladies (and men) comes together to support mission work. The group is organized into 61 circuits which represent 884 WELS congregations and four individual members. This year the Heritage Circuit hosted the convention. A record breaking 155 participants were first-time attendees, one being my husband, Natán. 

I have attended many LWMS conventions in the past, in a "behind the scenes" role and more of an encourager. This was my first convention participating as a missionary, being the one encouraged. Wow! Tears fill my eyes when I think of all the hugs and encouraging words we received from these loving sisters and supporters.

My husband and I immensely enjoyed the mission presenters from around the world, sharing how God is reigning in their ministries from countries like Antigua and Mexico; the Apache Nation, WELS Military Services and Sure Foundation in the USA; all the the way to Malawi, Africa, and various places in Asia. We also had the opportunity to share how WELS is taking seminary training across borders through our Latin American Traveling Theological Educators (LATTE) team.

We were delighted to connect with many women from Latin America, many of whom have migrated to the USA and are active members of WELS congregations. Some of them have ties to our mission congregations in the Caribbean. We hope to reach out to their family members who continue to reside in the Latin American countries where we serve.

We thank each dear member of LWMS. May God continue to bless their efforts as they continue to support home and world mission work and prepare for the upcoming 50th Annual LWMS Convention in La Crosse, Wisconsin... where it all began. 

Click here  for additional details about our convention experience.

LATTE Mission Kits

Great news! Three updated LATTE Mission Information Kits are available for use in your congregation, school, LWMS, OWLS, WKW, and other WELS-related groups.

LATTE Kit - Some Sample Items

What is a Mission Information Kit?

Each display kit provides information on a specific WELS mission field.  As LATTE works with missions in North America, The Caribbean, and South America, each LATTE kit includes handicrafts, flags, musical instruments, and other materials from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and the Caribbean; including a book that reveals details of LATTE's work in ten countries of Latin America.  

How do I use a Mission Information Kit?

These display kits give WELS members a hands-on experience to items available on a mission field, giving a little insight into the lives of the people we are serving in that mission. The mission kits are used at congregational mission festivals, Christian day school, high school, college and Sunday school quarterly projects, LWMS rallies and conventions, WKW workshops, ladies group outings, OWLS, and other WELS-related events.  Groups normally use a kit for two - four weeks. 

How can I access a LATTE Mission Information Kit?

The mission kits are stored at a centralized location called WELS Mission Information Center (MIC). A LATTE kit can be ordered online or by telephone 414/771-6848 or 1-800-466-9357 or fax 414/771-6130.  It is recommended to order your kit as soon as possible as orders are processed on a first come, first served basis.  Allow 2 weeks prior to your event for shipping.

How much does it cost?

The group requesting a kit is responsible for shipping costs to return the kit to the MIC.  A $10 donation is suggested for the shipping from the MIC. 

You can also request a mission speaker on LATTE at www.wels.net/speaker-request-form.

Work in Brazil

Mission Established: 1987

LATTE Service:

• Professor Natán begins regular teaching trips in 2003

• Professor Natán becomes WELS Friendly Counselor to the Igreja Luterana Brasileira (Brazilian Lutheran Church) in 2009 to assist in maintaining their current ministry and provide training for future church leaders at local and national levels

Work in Mexico

Mission Established: 1969

LATTE Service:

• Professor Larry (and Marlene) continue to reside in Puebla in 2003
• Professor Ralph (and Roxanne) continue to reside in Sonora in 2003-2006
• Professor Philip (and Kathy) relocate to Puebla in 2003-2006
• Professor Larry (and Marlene) relocate to Torreón in 2005
• Professor Natán (and Julia) relocate to Torreón in 2009
• LATTE families relocate with Mexico Mission team for security concerns in 2010
• LATTE-trained seminary students graduate from Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Confesional (Evangelical Lutheran Confessional Church) - Carlos (2004), Israel (2005), Juan (2007), Alejandro (2009), Carlos (2010), and Jorge (2011)

Work in Haiti

Mission Established: 2010

LATTE Service:

• Professors conduct teaching trips to Port-au-Prince in 2003
• Teaching trips discontinue due to security precautions in 2004
• Professors train Haitian students in the Dominican Republic 
• LATTE-trained Pastor Rona begins mission outreach in Cap-Haitien in 2010

Worship Conference

The WELS National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts has been held every three years since 1996 and has become the largest conference in the US focused on worship themes--not just of Lutherans, but of all Protestant denominations.  This year was no exception with over 1000 people participating. I had the opportunity to attend this year, July 19-22, and was not disappointed.

The general focus of the conference was on "passing the torch to the next generation" and that fit nicely with my role as liturgy/worship professor.  I attended workshops on Worship Education, Enhancing the Liturgical Year, Church Design for Worship and Outreach, and Freshness and Variety in Proclaiming Law and Gospel.  I enjoyed visiting with others who share my desire to offer God our best as we declare his praises.  Above all, I was strengthened and built up as more than 1000 fellow believers joined together for five worship services (focusing on Holy Week and the Easter season) and two concerts during the four days of the conference, at all times keeping the focus on God's Word and the Sacraments and telling what great things the Lord has done to save us.

Having experienced just "a little foretaste of heaven," I am refreshed.  Now I look forward to passing the torch of excellence in worship to the men training to be leaders of worship in Latin America.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.  One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.  --Psalm 145:3-4 

Photo provided by WELS Communication Services.

One in Mission

This week over 400 pastors, teachers, and congregation members gather at the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) 61st Biennial Convention (click here for details) in Watertown, Wisconsin to work together as one body to review, plan, and prepare ministry efforts of the synod. LATTE Professor Natán is one of the world missionaries participating as a delegate at this event. Follow his daily blog for updates.

The days are full of devotions, special events, discussions, proposals, and resolutions with fellowship in between. Some highlights for Latin America:  

Declaration of fellowship 
with the Lutheran Church of Puerto Rico

LATTE seminary student Eligio attended as a representative for the Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Cristiana of Puerto Rico (IELC - PR). Former LATTE Professor Ralph and Roxy also attended this special event.

LATTE Presentation

Professor Natán shared an evening presentation on the work of Latin American Traveling Theological Educators with the delegates.

In addition to the work in Latin America, many presentations and handouts feature mission work in other world mission fields-75th year anniversary in Nigeria, 50th anniversary in the Central Africa Medical Mission, updates from Zambia and other places around the world.  A great opportunity to share and learn!

Work in Colombia

Mission Established: 1974
LATTE Service:

• Professors provide long-distance training by phone, e-mail, and fax in 2003-2004
• Professors begin to make periodic trips for continued theological training of leaders of Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Confesional (Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church) in 2005
• Professors help maintain contact with ministry leaders, fostering fellowship, and assisting with continued theological education
• Seminary students also serve as pastors of local congregations and train others
• Students participate in online education through the Internet

Work in Puerto Rico

Mission Established: 1963

LATTE Service:

• Professor John (and Barb) continue to reside in San Juan from 2003 until he is recalled due to reduced funding in 2006
• Professor Ralph (and Roxanne) relocate to Caguas in 2006 until he is recalled due to reduced funding  in 2008 and accepts a missionary call to Mexico
• Additional professors teach classes on a rotating basis
• Seminary students also serve as pastors of local congregations and train others
• Professors continue to serve a seminary student in 2011 with online education and occasional teaching trips

CELC

Pastor Robert Smith comments on his experience at the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) held this past June 2011 in Minnesota, USA. Pastor Smith serves as the Liaison for LATTE and as the chairman for the WELS Administrative Committee for Latin America.

Pastor Smith Participating in a Small Group Discussion

At the CELC conference, I had the opportunity to join in worship services with our fellow Christians around the world. On Sunday morning, we had a worship service at the chapel on the campus of Bethany Lutheran College. This was a truly memorable experience. Each Scripture reading and prayer was read in a different language by men from different parts of the world. The hymns were accompanied by choirs and brass instruments. More than 400 voices joined in the singing.

Participants from Around the World
Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America

I believe that this worship service is a foretaste of the worship services we will have in heaven. It reminded me of the Bible passage from Revelation 7:

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Participants from Latin America

Photos provided by Martin Luther College. 

Advancements Affect Mission Work

BRAZIL

Technology

How times have changed! What a wonderful tool the internet and Skype can be! Pastors in more remote areas are being trained using Skype and missionary families can talk daily with their relatives in the U.S. Yes, how times have changed!

Population

In Dourados, Brazil, some of the results of the 2010 census are being published in the media. These first results really underscore how times are changing in Brazil. For instance, the current population is 190,732,674. Brazil is a big country in area and population! But for the first time, the number of people above the age of 65 is more than the number of children below 5 years of age. Families are limiting themselves to 2 or 3 children, and many opt for just one child. What a contrast to just a few years ago when families of 7 or 8 children were common! What has brought about this change? Strange as it may seem, the changes are due to an increased standard of living for many people, and more education, as well as better health care which is extending life for many people.

Economy

Again, these are drastic changes. Whereas a decade ago 90% of the population earned less than $340 per capita per month, that number has now been reduced to 60%, thanks to aggressive government programs to reduce poverty and a stable economic climate. Brazil has an emerging middle class which understands that it is possible to have a decent life, free of economic misery, but it means limiting family size. These government programs also are only available to people whose children remain in school and where any adult who is still illiterate must also attend literacy classes at night. Meanwhile the government encourages employers to insist on an education in its employees. These days, you can't even be a sacker at a supermarket unless you have finished 8th grade.

The level of abject misery in the country of Brazil has dropped to only 16 million people. Abject misery is defined as a family who earns less than $44 per capita per month. And the present administration is trying hard to lower this type of economic misery in the country even more.

Education

Besides this, the government is opening more and more free courses for people to train for a profession. For instance, one of our congregation members, as a high school graduate, entered a one year free course for learning to sew, to make patterns and all about style and the marketing of clothing. Today, newly married, she has a good job in the clothing manufacturing industry, and the chance to attend more free courses to upgrade her skills.

What do all these advances mean for mission work?

Sad to say, the picture is not so rosy there. For one thing, Satan has used this new-found economic up-turn to tempt people to over-reach themselves. Credit cards appeared on the scene a number of years ago, and their abuse is also very common. As one of our church council members said, "People get themselves in over their heads with easy credit purchasing and then have to pay their bills and have no money for offerings." Actually, offerings are better than they used to be, mostly because all our members are working. But they are not nearly what they could be. Sound familiar? Satan knows how to use even the improvements in life to test us! And it is so easy for people to think that money will make them happy, and see less of a need for God in their lives.

Another thing is that many of the established churches are offering much more glitzy services - mega-churches are booming, and the Gospel bands and singers are making good money in all these churches. So people begin to desire to see this same level of "entertainment" in all churches. "Your church doesn't have a band?" is a not uncommon question. What need is there for the pure Gospel, if you can have not only a rousing, rhythm in church service, but picnics, special speakers, health care education, retreats, etc... Mission work is more difficult today than it was 20 years ago.

But, the Lord is still calling His own, and we are still His tools to spread the Word of salvation. And that Word will bear fruit, as the Holy Spirit works in hearts. There are still baptisms regularly, there are people in instruction to be confirmed, there are hearts willing to give their hard-earned money to the Lord, and God's people are still carrying His message to others around them. And we are all working together in this endeavor.

An adapted mission update from Retired Missionary Charlie and Beth continue to serve Igreja Luterana Brasileira – The Brazilian Lutheran Church as active volunteers, residing in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul.

Work in South America

Bolivia

Contact with concerned Christians in Bolivia started in 2007. Nine LATTE teaching trips have been made to teach main doctrines of the Bible. There has been significant growth in understanding Scripture, including the ability to distinguish between law and gospel. There is still much to be done, however, especially in the area of practice where we have not had a physical presence in Bolivia to help with the follow through. A LATTE professor and his wife on site for three years will be a great blessing to the work of determining whether a confessional Lutheran church can be established in this country.

Brazil

Brazilian Lutheran Church (ILB) has decided to continue its mission efforts in Presidente Prudente in southern Brazil.  Another six baptisms and three adult confirmations in Dourados and Gravatai show God's grace in action. WELS and ILB representatives plan to meet in November to discuss how to support the development of the Brazilian Lutheran Church's gospel ministry and direction for the future.  One semi-retired missionary and two national pastors serve the two congregations. One LATTE Professor continues to serve as Friendly Counselor to Brazil and provide theological training in Portuguese as requested.

Colombia

The membership growth of the church in the Medellin and in the Quibdo and Pereira areas is encouraging. The willingness of the church of Medellin to relocate Pastor Henry and partially support him shows the seriousness with which it considers mission work. In contrast, the growth in Bogota has been very limited in spite of mission opportunities. The need to work with the Bogota congregation is urgent and to that effect a visit by WELS reps has been planned for this year. LATTE continues to provide seminary training with both onsite visits and online classes depending upon the course and availability. 

Work in Mexico & Theological Education

Mexico

God continues to bless and refine His church as they deal with challenges related to the ‘drug wars’ affecting significant portions of the country. During the past few months, the national church has begun outreach in a new region of the country (Costa Maya) and increased outreach in their home base of Torreón as well as in their new outreach effort in a new city. In the past 12 months mission work being done by nationals has spread from five regions to eight different regions in the country. LATTE continues to teach onsite  in México and offers online courses for a student in Puebla.

Seminary Training Throughout Latin America

The LATTE professors are continuing to carry out teaching according to the scheduled plan drawn up in September of 2010. Teaching trips have been made to Bolivia, the Caribbean, and Colombia. National churches were encouraged in their evangelism efforts and were provided with the theological education that they had requested. A plan for finalizing the seminary training of a student in the Dominican Republic and in Puerto Rico is still being formulated.

LATTE in Bolivia

What does is mean to be "confessional"? Do I understand what my church teaches? Do I believe the same teachings that other confessional Lutherans profess and proclaim? How can I know when someone is teaching false doctrine? 

These are all questions that people in La Paz, Bolivia  have about their faith. Our focus here is to teach the truth but also to help the people discern false doctrines they have been taught in the past. The LATTE classes have a double focus: teaching the truths of the Scriptures and at the same time helping the people identify where they have gotten off the path onto false teachings. Our prayer is that with the Lord's help the students will believe the clear teachings of the Bible.

For now, most of the work has been focused on the pastor of the congregation. He has a deep desire to be confessional and to teach true biblical doctrines to the people. Missionary Philip has spent many hours talking with Pastor Julio, learning the history of the congregation, sharing doctrinally sound materials, clearing up doubts that Pastor Julio has and teaching him biblically sound teachings.

There have also been other opportunities to share the basic law and gospel message with other groups that are active within the church. Many of the members are still confused about the basic message of salvation and when questioned frequently mention some type of "works" as necessary to be saved.

Philip has had many opportunities to clear up peoples' doubts and when they hear the clear message they realize how the idea of works righteousness had become a part of their beliefs and they are thankful to hear the message of salvation by grace-without works-by faith in Jesus.

The Lord has already blessed the work here as people begin to appreciate all that Jesus has done for them and we ask the Lord's continued blessing as we begin regular classes with the other leaders of the congregation.

Work in the Caribbean

Dominican Republic

The Lord continues to bless the work being done presently among the members of the congregation in Moca, near Santiago. The Dominican believers and their LATTE Trained Pastors seem very energetic and passionate for the gospel and for sharing it with others. Although numbers are small in comparison to other mission fields, great outreach work is being done in this country. 

Haiti

Despite the many problems that face the country of Haiti presently, the Lord continues to work through pastors, like LATTE Graduate Pastor Rona, who have a strong desire to share the Word in its truth. The possibility of an orphanage could be a way to share the gospel with young souls.  Humanitarian aid efforts by WELS Christian Aid and Relief Committee  have created bridges to an orphanage association in Haiti.  Seven of nine orphanages visited invited our expatriate missionary and national pastor to work with them in providing a religious education to the orphanage directors, staffs, and children.  There are 12 more orphanages in the association yet to be visited.

Puerto Rico

The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church of Puerto Rico, a World Mission field for over 40 years will formally ask at the convention to be recognized by WELS as an independent sister church.  Partnership with this independent Lutheran church will be maintained through regular contact with the Commission on Inter-Church Relations (CICR).  A former missionary to Puerto Rico, is the CICR’s current contact man for this ongoing partnership. LATTE continues training Seminary Student Eligio through online education. 

The ministerial training work continues to be done among the leaders and members in the various congregations throughout the Caribbean by LATTE.  As in past years, there are some government and cultural obstacles toward the work of the church. Despite these challenges, the Lord continues to provide believers and to bless the work being done in some countries.

Spring Update - 2011

At the beginning of November 2010 LATTE met with the Latin American Administrative Committee. This meeting was a blessing in many ways, principally in improving communication and planning the work and how best to do it. LATTE professors will be able to continue the course delivery that had been planned in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean, Colombia, Bolivia, Puerto Rico, and Brazil. 

Henry, a student in Colombia has also been included in the training done in the Dominican Republic by SKYPE so fewer teaching trips will be needed in the coming year. A final trip to Puerto Rico to finish the class work with seminary student Eligio is planned for mid 2011. After that no trips will be planned except at the express request for continuing education by the Puerto Rican church and the Commission on Inter-Church Relations liaison to Puerto Rico.

Not all LATTE teaching sites are listed on the map above.

Steel Sharpens Steel

Today I'll be joining together with the three other missionaries who reside in México for our monthly pastors' study group.

Two of us serve on LATTE, focusing on ministerial education in Mexico and beyond. Two serve as local missionaries, focusing on outreach and the development of the Mexican national church. But all four of us want to hone our skills in the study of our Savior's Word and seek each other's input on plans and ideas to improve our service in God's kingdom.

So today, we'll continue our exegesis of 1 John from the Greek, we'll discuss a paper we're reading on being Confessional Lutherans, and we'll encourage each other as we make plans for the next few weeks.

As steel sharpens steel, so one man sharpens another. We want to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).

Online Teaching

Some time ago, the WELS Board for World Missions mandated online courses to save travel expenses. It does!

The asynchronous Moodle platform allows me to reach Spanish speaking students all over the world, regardless of time zones or the work schedules of my students. I have students in Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Chile, Mexico, and the USA.

I teach dogmatics in Spanish using the Moodle platform. So far I have developed and taught 3 courses: Anthropology, Christology, and Soteriology 1. Each lesson has 5 reading assignments from our 2 dogmatics texts. There are then five graded forum assignments where the students have to write on assigned topics, read what other students have written, and then respond to what two others have written. Each lesson has review questions that are requested and then returned to the professor for grading. The course is designed for student pastors, seminary students, and church leaders including Sunday school teachers.

One advantage of methodology used is peer teaching. I am often gone for LATTE teaching trips to other countries, where I do not always have Internet service. But the students can continue studying, learning from one another. My wife functions as my assistant and sends out the end of the lesson questions for me.

Online teaching also has some disadvantages.  

• First, there is a high drop out rate. 

• Second, I have not met all of my students face to face.

• Third, we do little exegesis in the original Biblical languages. It is difficult to do using this methodology. We have also opened the course to students who have not studied Greek or Hebrew.

Decision Made to Move LATTE Professor to Bolivia

As many of the readers of this blog know, trips to Bolivia have been made twice a year by LATTE Professor Lorenzo since November of 2007.  These trips began because a group of Lutherans in Bolivia has expressed its desire to become confessional Lutherans in fellowship with the WELS. 

Significant progress has been made as a result of the trips made by Lorenzo.  However, the desire was expressed to be able to advance more rapidly in conservative theological studies.  For this reason, in a meeting of LATTE professors and the Administrative Committee for Latin American Missions in November of 2010, Professor Philip was asked to move with his wife Kathryn from the Dominican Republic to Bolivia early in 2011 in order to continue these studies with the Lutheran leaders in Bolivia full time.  

LATTE continues training in the Dominican Republic

On Wednesday and Thursday of last week I traveled to the Dominican Republic with Pastor Robert Smith, the new chairman of the Administrative Committee for Latin America. We met with Missionary Professor Phil and the men with whom he is working there, training them for ministry. As you will have seen from previous blogs, the budget crunch in the WELS almost lost us Phil's position and we wanted to speak with him and his students to assure them of our continued support and of their professor's continued presence with them to finish their seminary training. The second picture shows student-pastor Alex speaking with Prof. Philip about the progress on the work on their new church property. Look for more pictures of this trip in the coming days.

(Posted by Larry)