Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 55

2026 Convention Workbook
20 
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
B. Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) 
Region
The LAC Region is comprised of Central and South America as 
well as the Caribbean. This year, we celebrated our 125th year since 
starting mission work in Brazil. Missionary church planting has 
led to the LCMS having 10 partner churches in our region, which 
includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela, 
Mexico, Haiti, Guatemala, and Uruguay. After 14 years of working 
closely with the Iglesia Cristiana Evangelica Luterana Boliviana 
(ICEL), altar and pulpit fellowship was declared by Rev. Dr. Presi-
dent Matthew C. Harrison in St. Louis in May 2024.
Our missionaries directly support church planting in 10 coun-
tries or are a step removed by preparing pastors for these church 
plants. While we plant churches, we do not create national church-
es. Our work is to throw out the seed with reckless abandon, pur -
posely and intentionally gather in those who respond to the Gospel 
around Word and Sacrament, as that is where Jesus has promised 
to be and give of His life-giving signs and gifts for the forgiveness 
of sins.
The Lord of the harvest has continued to provide alliance mis-
sionaries, particularly from our partner church of Brazil (IELB), 
for which we are grateful. An alliance missionary is a pastor from 
a partner church who is called and sent by our partner church to 
work alongside LCMS missionaries in the planting of churches un-
der our supervision and support. We are grateful for these dedicated 
men and their families, who faithfully teach alongside our LCMS 
missionaries.
B.1. Spread the Gospel
The Gospel always seeks free course, and serious missionary 
efforts are always intentional and involve the throwing out of the 
Gospel in a variety of fashions, which include literature, continuing 
education courses, Luther Academy, and other missionary ventures.
VDMA (Verbum Domini manet in aeternum, the Word of the 
Lord endures forever) is a digital initiative of LCMS Mission LAC 
to provide solid Lutheran orthodox literature to pastors in 22 coun-
tries. To date, there are 420 pastors and seminarians who receive 
free theological works in Spanish and Portuguese in exegesis, prac-
tice, history, and doctrine. More than 54 books have been released 
to Latino seminarians and pastors, whereas previously, Latino pas-
tors only had an average of three Lutheran books.
A team of 35 translators and editors continue to translate and 
provide these resources under the capable leadership of Deaconess 
Cheryl Naumann, who has ably directed this initiative at the behest 
of the VDMA committee for the past 10 years. Partners include 
Concordia Publishing House, Lutheran Heritage Foundation, Lu-
theran Academy, and many others. Though these books are sent 
digitally, LCMS Mission also sends physical copies to 40 librar -
ies across North America, as well as South America, in the hope 
that students and the like will find these and be exposed to good 
Lutheran theology. Many of these VDMA books can be found on 
Amazon for a minimum price of $1 to $3, and more than 2,500 such 
books have been sold across a dozen countries, making excellent 
Lutheran literature available to anyone interested. We are thank-
ful to report that all eight volumes of the Confessional Lutheran 
Dogmatics series are now in Spanish; two are in Portuguese, with 
another three in production. We are also thankful for the ebook of 
our new Spanish hymnal, Himnario Luterano, which can be pur -
chased online via Amazon and used on one’s tablet or cellphone, 
and the Church’s steadfast prayers. Financially, the Lord has also 
provided—our missionary support reserves now cover nearly 12 
months of expenses. This blessing is largely due to the efforts of 
LCMS Mission Advancement and, especially, Mission Central in 
Iowa, whose servants donate countless hours engaging donors in 
support of our missionaries; all of which bears witness to the Lord’s 
faithfulness and the generosity of His people.
The mission of the Church is not a short-term project—it is a 
generational task. As the Holy Spirit tarries, His Church continues 
to go, preach, teach, baptize, and administer His gifts, confident 
that our labor is never in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). We plant today so that 
others may harvest tomorrow.
Over the last triennium, in an effort to more fully prepare our 
missionaries, the OIM has given renewed attention to theological 
education. Through OIM’s custom curriculum titled Unpacking Lu-
theran Mission, we’ve ensured that our missionaries and staff are 
formed by a distinctly Lutheran missiology—one grounded not in 
human innovation, but in our Lord’s command and promise: “Go 
therefore and make disciples … teaching them to observe all that I 
have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19–20).
In response to 2023 Resolution 2-07A and in order to make dis-
ciples, OIM offers the opportunity for LCMS districts, congrega -
tions, recognized service organizations (RSOs), short-term teams, 
and others to participate in the Synod’s international mission work 
through the FORO model. Presently, every OIM region offers a 
FORO, and more will be rolled out in the coming years.
As we look ahead, the harvest remains plentiful. The need for 
faithful Book of Concord Lutheran churches is urgent. Requests 
from our sister churches are growing. To meet these needs, OIM is 
preparing to expand our net missionary corps to 150 over the next 
three years. This is no small goal. But neither is the task small. The 
call to plant Lutheran churches must be met with doctrinal integrity, 
pastoral formation, a faithful and well-catechized laity, and robust 
support from God’s people.
We are deeply grateful for those who walk alongside us—our 
seminaries, Concordia universities, districts, congregations, the 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, the Office of National 
Mission, Concordia Plans, RSOs, LCMS Foundation, the Lutheran 
Church Extension Fund, and countless individuals. The boards and 
officers of the Synod have given sound guidance and accountability 
to ensure this work is carried out in good order and with transpar -
ency.
As we gather in convention, we give thanks—not for numbers 
or reports, but for Christ’s steadfast faithfulness. Every congrega -
tion planted, every new believer baptized, every catechism translat-
ed, every font, altar, and pulpit established—these are signs of the 
Lord’s living and active Word at work through His Church.
Let us go forward together—pastors and laity, congregations 
and districts, auxiliaries and units—committed to the faithful plant-
ing of Lutheran churches, where the pure Gospel is preached, the 
Sacraments rightly administered, and our confession of Christ rings 
clear for all to hear.
Let us continue to spread the Gospel, plant Lutheran churches, 
and show mercy. And let us do so with joy, confidence, and bold-
ness, for Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!