Update from Mexico

In spite of ongoing uncertainty and insecurity in portions of Mexico, God continues to bless His church in this country. An increase in national church independence and maturity can be witnessed alongside an increase in WELS volunteer activity. WELS Kingdom Workers now has a full-time volunteer coordinator, Howard, in Mexico for the purpose of organizing WELS lay member ministry opportunities.

South American Update

BOLIVIA – One Latin American Traveling Theological Educators (LATTE) professor is continuing to instruct a small group of confessional Lutherans in La Paz.

BRAZIL – Local members of the Brazilian Lutheran Church (ILB) are active in teaching children's Bible classes, youth ministry, adult instruction, and leading worship, but welcome additional training and counsel. The ILB is a relatively small church body and growth is slow, but recent baptisms, confirmations and requests for more Bible instruction show God continues to bless the preaching of his Word.

COLOMBIA – The Colombian national church continues its efforts to reach out in other areas beyond Medellin, such as Pereira, Manizales, Santa Marta and Bogota. Plans to relocate one pastor in Manizales continue. The national church continues supporting the small congregations in Santa Marta and Quibdó with pastoral training, educational materials, teaching visits and Bible studies via Skype. The International (Virtual) Church continues reaching out to repatriate Latin Americans who live in several places around the globe.

Update from the Caribbean

 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The one congregation of our fellowship and its pastor continue to reach out to the people of Santiago, Dominican Republic. 

  

HAITI

The humanitarian and gospel outreach work continues amongst the orphanages of Leogane and with a small congregation in Cap Haitian served by a Haitian pastor trained by LATTE in the Dominican Republic.

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].

News from the Caribbean

Although the work is slow, the Lord continues to provide believers and to bless the work being done in various countries of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean through the efforts of national pastors and visiting teachers.

In the Dominican Republic (DR), a key component to the strategy is to involve national Lutherans in the formation and development of a national church body. A congregation in Santiago, DR is leading the efforts in that direction.

 Children of the Congregation

In many ways, the country of Haiti is worse off now than it was two years ago.  Over 350,000 more Haitians live in Port au Prince than before the earthquake.  Vodou permeates the entire culture.  Our missionary works with a Haitian national pastor who graduated from the LATTE program to do outreach to a small congregation in Cap Haitian and with almost 20 orphanages in Leogane not far from Port Au Prince.  A third pastor/trainer position is being considered for work in this country.

Brazil - Update

In the southern city of Gravataí, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Pastor Elcy serves the congregation Jesus Salvador. 

About 18 hours northwest, Pastor Roberto serves as a missionary, working with a small group in President Prudente, São Paulo (SP). 

Evangelist Gilberto actively assists Pastor Charlie of Estrela de Belén in serving the congregation's needs with zeal in the town of Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS).

LATTE Professor Natán serves as the WELS Friendly Counselor for the Brazilian Lutheran Church. He provides theological training for Evangelist Gilberto and offers continued education courses to Pastor Elcy and Pastor Roberto.

The Brazilian Lutheran Church (ILB) is planning its biennial convention this spring.  At the convention, delegates will ask for the Spirit's guidance as they discuss how to combat the increasing temptation of materialism and its effects on Christian stewardship in Brazil's improved economy.  They will also seek the Lord's favor to provide additional servant-leaders for the church, both among the laity and in the public ministry.  

 The ILB is a relatively small church body and growth is slow, but the recent confirmation of three teenagers and return of some delinquent members shows God is still blessing the preaching of his Word.

Retired Missionary Charlie and Beth continue to serve the ILB as active volunteers.

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!

Colombia - Mission History

1973 -- WELS commissions three-man missionary team to Colombia.

1974 -- Missionary team arrives in Medellín. Mission conducts first worship service and confirms first adult member. Radio outreach starts.

1975 -- Dedication of Holy Trinity Church in Medellín. Bible Institute program begins.

1979 -- Provisional seminary opens in Medellín.

1982 -- First Colombian student graduates from Lutheran seminary.

1983 -- Ordination and installation of first Colombian pastor. Work begins in Bogotá with two missionaries.

1989 -- Inauguration of first Christian Information Center (CIC) in Bogotá.

1990 -- Installation of first lay minister in Medellín.

1996 -- Medellín students receive pastoral duties.

1997 -- Medellín CIC moves to downtown church building. Bogotá congregation and CIC move to new location in north of city.

1998 -- Bogotá school becomes first Spanish-speaking school in WELS fellowship. English as Foreign Language (EFL) classes begin as outreach.

1999 -- Medellín congregation has two Colombian pastors. Bogotá church has a three-man council. All WELS missionaries and families evacuate because of increasing violence. Missionary begins long-distance training and counseling of national leaders.

2000 -- Bogotá congregation begins a new congregation in a local school.

2001 -- Three Colombian leaders begin helping WELS Coordinator train nationals in ministry.

2003 -- WELS Coordinator discontinues field visits to Colombia due to increased security risks. Contact and long-distance training continues by phone, e-mail, and fax.

2005 -- Due to improved security conditions, LATTE Professors begin to make periodic trips to Colombia for continued theological training of leaders. The Colombian national church is incorporated as: Colombian Confessional Lutheran Church (ILCC.Wels); giving the church legal standing in the country.

2006 -- Outreach efforts begin in the city of Barranquilla when a family relocates from the Bogotá congregation. LATTE continues to train student pastors of the congregations in Bogotá and Medellín.

2007 -- First national missionary trip to Barranquilla. LATTE work continues with the theological education of church leaders and pastors.

2008 -- The ILCC.Wels begins to support the International Church through the Internet. LATTE continues its assistance.

2009 -- A national pastor and LATTE professor make visits to Quibdó and establish fellowship with an existing congregation. Our Redeemer Congregation of Quibdó is born with 50 members. Mission trips to cities of Cartago, Pereira and Valledupar begin.

2010 -- The ILCC.Wels calls one of the pastors in Medellín to serve as a national missionary and he starts to study full-time with LATTE to finish up his theological studies. Mission trips to the cities of Cartago, Pereira, Valledupar, San Rafael and Manizales are made.

2011 -- For the first time in history, a representative from Colombia attends the world-wide meeting of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) in New Ulm, MN. The Colombian national church celebrates a special working congress with the attendance of members of the WELS committee for Latin America. The Light of Christ Lutheran Church is born in Santa Marta with 6 members. The ILCC.Wels through its national missionary pastor prepares men for the public ministry with LATTE's assistance.

2012 -- With the help of scholarships, two leaders begin full-time preparation for the public ministry; one student from the church in Quibdó and another from the congregation in Medellín. Professors from both the ILCC.Wels and LATTE carry out this ministerial training together.

 Our Redeemer Congregation -- Quibdó 

Update from Mexico

 

Extraordinary events are taking place in Mexico right now. Violence caused by the drug war is occurring at an astonishing rate in northern Mexico. And yet, our churches in the north are not just surviving, most of them are growing at a rate which they have never before experienced. 

At the same time growth continues to occur in more peaceful areas of the country as well. WELS Kingdom Workers recently approved the funding of a short-term volunteer coordinator position to Mexico.

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.

Timeline of Brazilian Mission

1987 -- Three missionaries and their families arrive in Brazil. They were allowed to enter the country as missionaries because a small independent Lutheran congregation in Gravataí, RS, invited and sponsored them. The first year is spent learning the Portuguese language, settling in rented homes and beginning to understand the customs of the country.

1988-89 -- Visits are made to two other areas of Brazil where people have shown interest in the WELS. Two more missionaries accept calls to Brazil, making a work force of 5. One of the missionaries is sent to the city of Dourados, MS, to work with and through a family that has invited the WELS to this area.

1990 -- Work begins in Porto Alegre, RS, with a Christian Information Center. Congregational work is re-established in Gravataí, RS, after the first family with its independent church separates from the WELS.

1991 -- One missionary accepts a call stateside. For the time being he is not replaced. His position as field coordinator is handed to one of the other missionaries.

1993 -- Work begins in the city of São Paulo, SP, with the move of one of the missionaries from Gravataí, RS. A Christian Information Center is equipped and used for outreach, and an extensive mailing program is begun.

1994 -- Another missionary leaves Brazil to accept a stateside call. His position as field coordinator is given to one of the other missionaries.

1995 -- A new missionary, a seminary graduate, is sent to Brazil, and begins his training in Sâo Paulo, SP. The following year he moves to Gravataí, RS, to work in that city.

1997 -- Long distance mission work begins in the city of Várzea Grande, MT, through regular trips by the missionary in Dourados, MS.

2000 -- The missionary who worked mainly in Porto Alegre, RS, accepts a call stateside. The work in Porto Alegre, RS, is closed.

2002 -- An evangelist (finished pre-seminary training) is sent to Várzea Grande, MT, to work in this mission field.

2003 -- The work in São Paulo, SP, is closed for financial reasons. The missionary there is cut from the budget and accepts a call stateside. The coordinator jobs falls to another missionary. A new missionary is assigned from the seminary to work in the Gravataí, RS area.  A LATTE professor begins teaching trips to the seminary in Gravataí, RS.

2005 -- A program of full-time seminary training is begun in Gravataí, RS, with three students. One of those is the evangelist who had been working in Várzea Grande, MT. That mission area goes back to long-distance work by the missionary in Dourados, MS.

2006 -- A national church body is formed, with the name of Brazilian Lutheran Church (Igreja Luterana Brasileira).

2007 -- The first national pastor graduates and accepts a call to the Gravataí, RS, congregation.

2008 -- The national church holds its first convention in Dourados, MS.

2009 -- The missionary who is field coordinator and head of the seminary program accepts a call stateside, leaving one missionary in Gravatái, RS. The second seminary graduate is assigned to a new mission opening in Presidente Prudente, SP. The third student is assigned as a vicar in the Dourados, MS, congregation. 

2009 -- The WELS formally discontinues full support of the Brazilian mission, calling back the one remaining missionary. The missionary in Dourados has been serving as a self-supporting volunteer for several years already. The vicar in Dourados leaves the ministry program to go into another field of work. LATTE Professor is assigned as WELS Friendly Counselor to Brazil.

2010 -- The second biennial convention of the Brazilian Lutheran Church is held in Gravataí, RS.

2011 -- The first pastor's conference of the Brazilian Lutheran Church is held in Dourados, MS.

2011 -- Pastor's Conference

Update from South America

Bolivia  

A LATTE Professor has been in La Paz, Bolivia, since March of this year. His purpose is to help a small church body in its effort to become a confessional Lutheran church. The instructor reports that there is good progress. The pastor of the La Paz congregation is now preaching and practicing sound Biblical doctrine and other leaders are also gladly receiving Biblical instruction. Though there has been progress, there is still work to be done. 

Brazil  

Despite church break-ins and unexpected bills from the city, God is helping the members of the Gravatai congregation to slowly increase support for their local ministry. Another two baptisms and five confirmations show God's grace in action. The Brazilian Lutheran Church (ILB) is in the process of producing evangelism tracts that deal with current issues in Brazilian culture. National pastors gathered around God's Word for spiritual growth and mutual encouragement in October. In November, WELS representatives met with the ILB to discuss options for how the WELS and the ILB might work together so that the gospel may continue to be proclaimed in the world's fifth largest country. 

Colombia

The growth of the church in the Medellin, Quibdó and prospective Pereira area is slow. The willingness of the church of Medellin to relocate Pastor Herrera to a new city and partially support him shows the seriousness it takes mission work. This idea is under strong consideration and is an objective for the immediate future once more prospective members are added. This outreach commitment merits support and encouragement.  The growth in Bogota has been very limited.  Efforts are being made to help the congregation focus on evangelism, as well as the LATTE efforts to train three leaders of the congregation. Training of one pastor continues via Skype and with personal visits from LATTE professors. Training of two more student candidates is under consideration.

Update from the Caribbean

The Lord continues to provide believers and to bless the work being done in the Caribbean. A teaching trip was completed this October to one of the Spanish speaking countries with the objective to teach the Psalms and to do sermon text studies.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican mission field has experienced many great blessings in the first half of this year. The members and workers there are passionate about the gospel and have a great mindset for evangelism. The pastor in Santiago has been considered capable by two LATTE pastors of teaching seminary-level courses to his fellow Dominicans. The Dominican field receives no subsidy at the present.

Haiti

The Haitian outreach has also experienced tremendous blessings this year. The connections with Haitian orphanages have resulted in 62 orphans receiving saving faith through the washing of Holy Baptism. It is the hope that the current partnerships and other orphanage leaders can continue and even expand (with the hope of also reaching out to an additional area) so that more souls may be reached and may hear the gospel in a country where voodoo and other false practices are the norm.

LATTE's work focuses on Spanish-speaking countries plus Haiti. WELS also serves English-speaking countries of the Caribbean -- Antigua, Grenada, and St Lucia.

Mexico Update

Monterrey, México

 In September, the Mexican Lutheran Church (IELC) celebrated its 20th annual national convention at the Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) congregation in Monterrey. National pastors and delegates attended from throughout the country, coming from as far away as northern Sonora and the Yucatán peninsula. For the first time an online ministry meeting was held the day before the convention to discuss how to coordinate the various ministries being carried out in a number of the congregations. For the first time the average weekly worship attendance is over 400. 

Go to www.lutheransinmexico.com for more details.

Fall Update - 2011

The LATTE professors are continuing to carry out the teaching according to its established plan and schedule. 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.

A plan for finalizing the seminary training of a pastor in Santiago in the Dominican Republic still needs to be worked out, so that he can continue the training of future students in that country.

A final trip to Puerto Rico (PR) to finish the class work with a seminary student is still planned for January 2012. After that no trips will be planned except at the express request for continuing education by the Puerto Rican church and the CICR liaison to PR.

In Mexico, the last full-time seminary student has resigned. A recruitment effort is planned with the national church, 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. This time may also give LATTE the ability to help Colombia with the training of two new pastoral students.

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

Online Education

LATTE Professors offer online education to their students over the Internet. The professors are in the process of developing additional theological online courses for students to study in areas where LATTE isn't on-site and to be able to participate in online discussions with classmates throughout Latin America. Much preparation is needed for each course, so in the meantime, some classes are taught to the students via Skype. Several online courses are already available and have been taught to Latin American students including a few in the USA.

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)

Meeting Together

LATTE Professors: Lorenzo, Larry,  Philip, & Natán

Earlier this month, the LATTE team met in Milwaukee, WI for some long range planning.  Since the four of us live in three different countries, we don't meet face to face very often.  Conference calls and email keep us in touch between meetings, but nothing completely replaces the free flow of ideas and collaboration we have when meeting face to face - during the meeting and during breaks and meals together.

We spent time thanking God for the ways Jesus is blessing his church through our 57 students and the national church bodies. We offered each other advice and encouragement as we shared our challenges. We rededicated ourselves to providing the best theological education we can with the gifts God has given us, asking the Lord himself to overcome our weaknesses.

It is still our goal to assist the national churches in their theological education needs - offering seminary training to men who desire to serve as pastors and who already are serving as pastors, equipping qualified national pastors to be seminary professors themselves, and follow up on requests from independent pastors or church groups interested in becoming confessional Lutherans.  

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