A Faithful Servant Retires

Missionaries Mark, Lorenzo, Larry, Roger, & Ernie (1977)

Professor Larry and his wife Marlene began serving souls in world mission fields in 1977. Prof. Larry, Marlene, and their three children moved to Colombia where Larry led theological education and evangelism/church planting in the formative years of the mission work until 1983.

The family relocated to El Paso, Texas to train ministry leaders in Mexico from 1983 to 1990, with seminary students studying there as well as traveling into Mexico approximately ten days out of every month.

In 1990, Professor Larry accepted a call to Nigeria help establish a seminary for the national church, teach nine students, and train a national pastor to take over the direction of the seminary. He and Marlene served in Africa for three years.

Preaching in Mexico (2011)

They moved back to Latin America in 1993, when Prof. Larry accepted a call to train seminary students and assist with local ministries in Mexico until 2004. In 1995, he was additionally called to serve as field counselor for Mexico.

Mexico (2009)

Mission Team (2010)

Mission Team with Seminary Students (Christmas - 2010)

Mission Team (2012)


Serving Together (always)

For the past 11 years, Prof. Larry served as coordinator of LATTE, Latin American Traveling Theological Educators, based out of Mexico. He trained students in Bolivia, the Caribbean, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Some of the training took place during onsite teaching trips, while others were taught through online courses through the Internet. Prof. Larry also participated in several exploratory trips to visit contacts and research new mission starts.

Professor Lorenzo shares, "Larry has been zealous to train our national workers to 'rightly divide the Word of Truth' -- 2 Timothy 2:15."

Seminary Students from the Dominican Republic and Haiti (2008)

Pastoral Workshop in Mexico (2011)

Fellowship at a Pastoral Retreat in Mexico (2012)

Teaching in Colombia (2014)

We thank our gracious God for allowing Missionary Larry and Marlene to serve him faithfully in world missions for 37 years and wish them the Lord's richest blessings in retirement.

Conference in Colombia

Back in April, I had the opportunity to be one of two presenters for a Pastors Conference in Medellín, Colombia. Since this was my first time ever to go to Colombia, I went a few days early in order to spend time with some of the pastors and congregation members and attend Sunday Bible class and worship. What a blessing!

Pastors Elkin, Henry, Jairo and Tonny, and the members of Holy Trinity congregation were excellent hosts. Ten pastors--eight from Colombia, one from Bolivia, and one from the Dominican Republic--together with 23 members participated in three, six-hour days of Bible study and discussion. Professor Lorenzo led a study on the Church's Concern for Marriage, and I facilitated a study on Christian Stewardship.

One of many highlights was joining together on Wednesday evening for a service with the Lord's Supper. In this service, we also formally recognized Pastor Henry's graduation from the LATTE seminary program.

Another highlight was watching the pastors--many of whom had never met before--network with each other, sharing struggles, joys and encouragement.

If God allows, we hope to conduct similar conferences regularly to strength the bonds of fellowship for our sister churches in Latin America.

Worship Workshop

The agenda for the third weekend of January included a joint workshop in México for Mexican pastors and seminary students from Mexico and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS). Worship was the theme of the workshop. Professor Natán led a Bible Study on the elements of worship. Mexican Missionary Mike continued the workshop in a review and discussion of a new Lutheran hymnal in Spanish.

Two of the WLS seminary students, Ryan and Tim, previously served as English teachers in Mexico. It was a special treat for Mexican seminarista (seminarian) Dan to spend time with them.

The Mexican pastors enjoy coming together every two years for a workshop to assist their current ministries. Many of them travel long distances for this study and fellowship, and return to their congregations full of new ideas and encouragement.

LATTE Meets

Professors Natán, Philip, Larry, & Lorenzo

This month, members of the LATTE team met after a Latin American Missions Conference.  The four professors discussed their 2013 teaching schedules, on-site and online courses, and students.

Two workshops are scheduled this spring for current seminary students and graduated pastors. In April, the professors plan to lead sessions on "Marriage" and "Stewardship" in Colombia.  In May, they plan to present "Pastors Care for Straying Sheep" and "Stewardship" in Mexico.

Please keep all professors, students, and their families in your prayers during this 2013 school year.

Christmas Greetings from Haiti

My family and I wish you peace, comfort and 

eternal hope in our Savior. Merry Christmas!

************************************************

Mi familia y yo les deseamos paz, consuelo, y 

siempre esperanza en nuestro Salvador. 

¡Feliz Navidad!

-- Pastor Rona

Photo Credit

Fall Update

One LATTE professor has now completed preparing an entire Dogmatics course for online presentation (moodle) and has taught it for the whole cycle. He has also prepared the Hermeneutics course for the same presentation. Another LATTE professor has been named director of the Mexican seminary by the national church. 

LATTE continues to provide training for future pastors as well as continued education for those already serving [in Latin America].

A Time to Review Hebrew

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. That includes a time to review Hebrew, even though it is not listed specifically in Ecclesiastes 3.

During my recent furlough, I had the opportunity to attend two weeks of intensive Hebrew review and practice at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary's summer quarter. I have always enjoyed Hebrew ever since learning it in college and using it almost every day during my time at the seminary. But, I must admit, my Hebrew has gotten a little rusty over the years.

It was so refreshing to join 28 of my brothers in the ministry (14 each week) and focus on our Hebrew skills as we translated the books of Ruth and Ecclesiastes. Thank you to Professors Paustian and Nass from Martin Luther College for their guidance! It was good to review the different forms of the verb in Qal, Nifal, Piel, Pual, Hifil, Hofal, Hitpael (and occasional Hishtafel and Pilpel) and how those forms influence the meaning and translation of a verse. I benefited from seeing newer resources available for both teaching and studying Hebrew, and I hope to pass that benefit on to our LATTE students in our studies of the Old Testament.

There is a time for everything... Now the time has come to end furlough and continue our LATTE ministry of preparing pastors for God's people in Latin America. Time spent keeping my own Hebrew skills up will be well spent as I pass these skills on to our students.

A Blast from the Past

LATTE Team (2006)

Professors Ralph,  Natán, 
Larry, Lorenzo, & Philip

The following description of the LATTE program was first written for a meeting in January of 2006. As we approach the 10th anniversary of the LATTE program's official start next year, we look back to past descriptions and accomplishments of the LATTE program. Look for more "blasts from the past" throughout the next 12 months.

In 2002, when the first warnings about budget shortfalls and cuts began to circulate, the Administrative Committee for Latin America called a meeting together with all five of its field coordinators to consider options. After discussing many opinions and reaching a consensus regarding the indispensable part of our work to continue serving our fields, even if one no longer had resident missionaries, the idea for LATTE (Latin American Traveling Theological Educators) was conceived. Calls to form part of the LATTE team were issued to the five Latin American missionaries who were then responsible for the theological education in the Spanish speaking missions we had at that time. After a series of meetings planning curriculum, course load, and course responsibility, the teaching trips began in July of 2003.

Based on input from the fields our Administrative Committee established the following goals for LATTE:

1. Maintain theological education in fields that might no longer have resident missionaries.
2. Maintain contact with fledgling national churches when no resident missionary is present.
3. Train nationals to be pastors and other trained workers for the national churches.
4. Provide "post-graduate" instruction to graduated pastors:
• continuing education to improve their ministries.
• preparation for some of them to be seminary professors, according to the needs of the national churches.
5. Visit contacts from counties where we don't have a presence to investigate the possibilities of training them to gather and shepherd their own groups, and provide such training where possible.

To reach those goals, LATTE's ministry would consist of the following ways in which we serve our Lord:

1. Establish a core seminary curriculum for all our Latin American fields.
2. Serve the various fields as requested by the national churches in consultation with their resident missionaries or the missionary contact person for the field where there is no resident missionary.
3. Make teaching visits to the several fields as necessary for teaching the curriculum.
4. Confer with the appropriate national church leaders regarding the theological education needs of the church.
5. Offer instruction on the Bible Institute level where the national church is not yet ready to assume that responsibility.
6. Offer brief seminars for graduate national pastors in subjects where they request help, and also in areas where LATTE professors or resident missionaries detect needs.
7. Visit and then teach contacts from countries where we don't have a presence.

Living in La Paz

 City View

LATTE Professor Philip and Kathy currently reside in La Paz, Bolivia. This growing city is home to over 877,363 inhabitants (2001) in its metro area, making it the second largest city in Bolivia. Walking around the city can literally take your breath away at its high elevation of 9,800 to 13,500 feet. 

Sunset View

Learn more about their life in Bolivia at www.welsinbolivia.blogspot.com.

LATTE Tour Wrap-Up

 My husband Natán and I just completed an amazing two-week tour of presentations in Arizona, USA. Our tour sites included congregations, elementary schools, a high school, a retirement center, and various group Bible studies.  

All of our hosts welcomed us with open arms and warm hearts. We enjoyed sharing how the Lord is richly blessing seminary training in Latin America by sharing personal greetings from our students, telling life stories from the students' lives, and sharing the cultural challenges we face.

We spent a few days at the White Mountain Reservation with the mission team working with the Apache Nation. Both my husband and I were surprised at all the similarities between Latin American and Native American cultures.

In addition to worship services and presentations, we set up a LATTE mission kit display at the majority of our tour locations. This display features flags and a large variety of  hand crafted items from the 10 different countries LATTE serves.  It also includes a photo album offering descriptions of the places and people our team of seminary professors serve and literature provided by Multi-Language Publications that our seminary students use in their own countries. WELS Missions Promotions has three (3) of these kits available for schools, congregations, and other groups. Contact missionspromotions@wels.net or (414) 256-3293 to request a LATTE mission kit to learn more about seminary training across borders and get a taste of life in Latin America.

We thank each of you for your support of the work of seminary training in Latin America through your prayers, offerings, and service.  God be with you until we meet again.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. 

In all my prayers for all of you, 

I always pray with joy because of 

your partnership in the gospel.” 

- Philippians 1:3-5

LATTE - Taking Seminary Training Across Borders

Professor Natán and I have been tweaking our mission presentation: LATTE-Taking Seminary Training Across Borders for the past two weeks. We are endlessly thankful for the technology to be able to communicate and collaborate our efforts while we are currently in separate countries. We are organizing our content into several presentations to tailor them for each of our different audiences-elementary students, high school students, congregation members, ladies’ groups, men’s groups, and retirees.

If you happen to be in Arizona this month, or planning to attend the LWMS Convention in North Carolina in June, we would love to meet you and share the details about our life and ministry in Latin America in person!

MAY TOUR SCHEDULE – ARIZONA

Sunday, 5/13

• 9:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH-SURPRISE, AZ
• 10:45 AM PRESENTATION @ SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH-SURPRISE, AZ

Monday, 5/14

• 2:30 PM PRESENTATION @ PILGRIM LUTHERAN SCHOOL-MESA, AZ

Tuesday, 5/15

• 9:30 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ ARIZONA LUTHERAN ACADEMY-PHOENIX, AZ

Wednesday, 5/16

• 8:30 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ CROSS OF GLORY LUTHERAN SCHOOL-PEORIA, AZ

Thursday, 5/17

• 6:00 AM PRESENTATION @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-TEMPE, AZ

Friday, 5/18

• 8:30 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL-TEMPE, AZ

Saturday, 5/19

• 5:00 PM POTLUCK & PRESENTATION @ ARIZONA LUTHERAN RETIREMENT CENTER-PHOENIX, AZ

Sunday, 5/20

• 8:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH-GLENDALE, AZ
• 9:15 AM PRESENTATION @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH-GLENDALE, AZ
• 10:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH-GLENDALE, AZ
• 3:00 PM POTLUCK & PRESENTATION @ CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH-CHANDLER, AZ

Monday, 5/21

• 9:00 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL-GLENDALE, AZ
• 6:30 PM WORSHIP SERVICE @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-TEMPE, AZ
• 7:45 PM PRESENTATION @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-TEMPE, AZ

Wednesday, 5/23

• AM PRESENTATION @ EAST FORK LUTHERAN SCHOOL-WHITERIVER, AZ
• 5:30 PM POTLUCK & PRESENTATION @ OPEN BIBLE LUTHERAN CHURCH-WHITERIVER, AZ

Thursday, 5/24

• TBD ACTS STUDENTS-WHITERIVER, AZ

Sunday, 5/27

• 11:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ SANTO TOMÁS LUTHERAN CHURCH-PHOENIX, AZ
• 12:30 PM PRESENTATION @ SANTO TOMÁS LUTHERAN CHURCH-PHOENIX, AZ

JUNE TOUR SCHEDULE – NORTH CAROLINA

Saturday, 6/23

• 2:45 PM PRESENTATION @ LWMS CONVENTION-WINSTON-SALEM, NC

We hope to see you soon! ;) 

News from Colombia

The mission field of Colombia is expanding in the north-east regions of Antioquia and Quibdó, where there are projects for growth and training of two ministers for future mission development.

Congregation in Quibdó

The northeast region has expanded its outreach to the northern coast of Colombia initiating a new congregation in Santa Marta. The national church, besides this, also is supporting a church in Quibdó with pastoral training, educational materials, teaching visits and Bible studies via Skype. 

Other areas where the national church is exploring and obtaining positive responses are Manizales, Pereira, Cartago and lately Ibagué. Educational materials have been sent to propagate Christian education in those areas. 

The International Church has embraced some of those prospects in the Sunday worship and is planning to offer them Bible studies via Skype beginning this year.

This spring, student-pastor Henry from Medellín attended a LATTE workshop in Mexico focused on preparing pastors to serve as seminary professors.

  Student-Pastor Henry

 Student-Pastor Henry

Please keep this growing church in your prayers that others may hear God's Word and keep Jesus in their hearts!

Christ is Risen!

On this most holy day our Lord Jesus Christ passed over from death to life. This is the Passover of the Lord in which, by hearing his Word and celebrating his Sacraments, we share in his victory over death.

Christ Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever, the beginning and the ending, the Alpha and the Omega. His are time and eternity; his are the glory and dominion, now and forever. By his wounds we are healed now and forever.

May the light of Christ, who is risen in glory from the dead, scatter all the darkness of our hearts and minds.

Almighty and most merciful Father, once we were darkness, but now we are light in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Bless abundantly all who joyfully celebrate this day in faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fill them with your heavenly blessing in him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Rejoice now, all you heavenly choirs of angels; rejoice now, all creation; sound forth, trumpet of salvation, and proclaim the triumph of our King.

Rejoice, too, all the earth, in the radiance of the light now poured upon you and made brilliant by the brightness of the everlasting King; know that the ancient darkness has been forever banished.

Rejoice, O Bride of Christ, clothed in the brightness of this light; let all the Church of God ring out with rejoicing, with the praises of all God's faithful people.

Image provided by www.christ-pictures-images.blogspot.mx.

Workshop Wrap-Up

The recent LATTE workshop on seminary training in México concluded with a closing worship service with Lord's Supper on Friday. Afterwards, special moments of farewells and contact information were exchanged. One of the Mexican pastors left a day early. A long-time member of his congregation passed onto glory so he needed to return for service preparations.

The pastors are returning home with five days of devotions, cultural experiences, and fellowship in addition to their studies on adult education, seminary curriculum development, online resources, and many hours of homework.

What a blessing to have the opportunity to come together and focus on preparing future pastors!

Pastor Appreciation

 

Isabela & Lulu

Last Sunday after the worship service, two ladies, Isabela and Lulu, asked if they could prepare and serve a meal for the visiting pastors who were participating in the seminary training workshop led by LATTE.  All the participants welcomed the offer.

On Wednesday, Isabela and Lulu arrived a couple hours before lunch time to prepare Pozole (recipe coming soon) - a typical Mexican soup with different ingredients varying from region to region.  Lots of work was put into this homemade meal, which was evident in the taste.  Everyone agreed that it was a delicious meal with many requests for another bowl.   

The ladies wanted to express their appreciation to those who teach and preach God's Word, as they are continually thankful for hearing and knowing the truth, hope, and peace found in the Bible.

It is pure joy to watch these ladies grow in faith and see their love in action and excitement to serve.  Pray that it be contagious!

Isabela and Lulu are taking weekly instruction classes with Pastor Brad to become members of Cristo Resucitado in México.  Both ladies are active with the local ministry and already receive this mission as their church home.

Seminary Training

Professor Larry, Student-Pastor Henry, Professor Natán, Pastor Israel, 

Pastor Juan, & Pastor Alejandro

This week LATTE is hosting a 5-day workshop in México; providing training to four pastors to teach seminary courses. Three pastors are from different parts of México and one student-pastor is from Colombia. 

The workshop began Monday morning at the ministry center with a joint breakfast, because two of the pastors arrived directly from the local bus station after overnight bus trips.  A devotion led by one of the pastors followed the meal. 

They begin each day after breakfast and continue until 2:00 pm.  Then the group breaks for lunch and spends the remainder of the day doing homework to present the following day.

Professors Larry and Natán are leading the workshop with emphasis on curriculum development, adult education, and online learning.

It is a great opportunity to review the basics, learn new methods, and grow in fellowship.

Winter Update - 2012

The four LATTE professors are continuing to carry out their teaching according to their previously established plan. Trips to Bolivia, Colombia, and the Caribbean have been made. National churches were encouraged in their evangelism efforts and were provided with the theological education that they had requested.

The additional work with the Colombian church will consist of only occasional visits, since the two new students are remaining in their home cities and will need to be taught online. Pastor Henry, a Colombian national, is working with LATTE to schedule their training, including online Moodle courses and courses taught via Skype.

In Mexico after the last full-time seminary student resigned, LATTE worked with the national church to plan a recruitment effort with the hope of beginning a new class of seminary students in July of 2012. Meanwhile the two LATTE professors residing in Mexico are using the unexpected time to do course work, increase the number of hours taught over the Internet to various students, and make several teaching trips during this time period.

Bolivia

Professor Lorenzo & Bolivian Students

LATTE Professor Lorenzo began making teaching trips to La Paz, Bolivia in 2007.  After four years of visits, the Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (FIEL) requested a full-time LATTE seminary professor to teach what the Bible teaches.

Professor Philip & Kathy

In March, 2011; Professor Philip and Kathy moved from Santiago, Dominican Republic to La Paz, Bolivia to serve the church leaders. 

Professor Philip & Student-Pastor Julio

Professor Philip is currently teaching theological courses to seminary Student-Pastor Julio and 10 Bible institute students on-site. He and Kathy also participate in activites of the local congregation, El Redentor.

El Redentor, La Paz

Recently, five children were baptized at El Redentor after their parents studied the doctrine of  baptism with Pastor Julio. 

Go to www.welsinbolivia.blogspot.com for additional details on the ministry training in Bolivia.

Puerto Rico

On the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico (PR), Pastor Manuel serves a congregation in San Juan and another in Humacao as Pastor Sergio serves the Guayama congregation.  One seminary student, Eligio, is getting close to his completion of seminary courses.  During the past two years, he has been studying online via Skype with a LATTE professor.

Professor Natán& Seminary Student Eligio at WELS Synod Convention -- July, 2011

This month, Professor Larry is teaching Eligio one of his courses on-site in Humacao, PR.

 Seminary Student Eligio & Professor Larry

This teaching trip is a great opportunity for face to face interaction between teacher and student while also providing encouragement to Eligio. Often times, seminary students in Latin America do not have fellow classmates in the same city or even country.  That is one of the many benefits of LATTE trips in letting the student know they are not alone and also a chance for the teacher to see his student 'in action' as he serves his local congregation.

At the WELS Synod Convention in July, 2011, the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church of Puerto Rico was formally recognized as an independent sister church in full fellowship with WELS.  Contact with this church will continue through the Commission on Inter-Church Relations (CICR).

New Classes in the New Year

The new year has come, and with it the beginning of new classes for LATTE.

Some students are starting an online doctrine course called Escatología--the study of what the Bible says (and doesn't say) about the end times--with Professor Lorenzo.  Another student, nearing the end of his formal seminary studies, has started an intensive four-week study of the book of Isaiah with Professor Larry.  A few will continue examining the Augsburg Confession with Professor Philip  And still others are just starting a class on the history of the Christian church.  It is my privilege to teach this class on Church History.

And I'm looking forward to it.  I'm looking forward to getting to know Henry, Jairo and Raul, three student-pastors in Colombia whom I haven't yet met face-to-face, but will soon get to know over Skype.  I'm in Mexico; they're in Medellín and Quibdó, Colombia.  We'll study together across the Internet.

I'm also looking forward to reviewing the lessons we can learn from history.  I marvel at how God has preserved his church over the centuries.  I appreciate how past Christians have fought to defend Scripture's truth against subtle false doctrines.  I learn from them how to recognize and fight false doctrine today.

The new year has come.  And as we begin a new class on Church History, we ask God to help us learn lessons from the past.