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Spreading the Gospel
God’s will is always good, and His timing is always perfect. When plans A and B fell through last fall, the DR pastoral circle made the eleventh hour decision to host international vicar Joshua Wareham. Josh is a second career seminarian studying at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, after having previously taught middle school English in Eustis, FL, and Jos, Nigeria. He obtained a 2nd passport to get here as soon as possible, arriving in early December 2024. On 3/2/25, his supervisor, the Rev. Dr. Ross Shaver, installed him at Iglesia Luterana Pueblo Nuevo! As a part of the rite, Josh confidently avowed, “Sí, estoy listo, con la ayuda de Dios” (Yes, I’m ready, with the help of God). Whilst continuing to learn Spanish, Josh has already assisted with portions of the liturgy and gotten involved in visitation and sports outreach. He’ll quite literally Spread the Gospel for the first time on Wednesday, March 26, by preaching at a midweek Lenten service. We look forward to his presence and contributions among us through late next spring.
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Planting Lutheran Churches
Where there are Lutheran churches, it becomes necessary to raise up Lutheran pastors. Nevertheless, circumstances sometimes prevent men and their families from relocating to Santiago for 4 years of study. Enter Concordia the Reformer Seminary’s FPH (online distance) program. As has become customary, FPH students and their mentor pastors gathered on campus in January for a conference. Over the course of four days, the group studied various iterations of the pastoral ministry: evangelist, shepherd, teacher, and mentor. Presentations, keynote addresses, and group work meant for a full agenda yet one that somehow still featured an afternoon of fellowship at Playa Chaparral. Two of the attendees are already making plans to return to the DR in May…for their graduation!
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Showing Mercy
Five years post-COVID, the effects of a global pandemic linger. It had been since before the world shut down that DRLM missionaries, students, church members, short-term volunteers, or FORO partners had visited Kilometer 28’s Happy Angels Home for abandoned adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. That changed in January when Volunteer Coordinators Erin Mackenzie and Dana Stigdon coordinated a visit that mirrored the good old days. Deac. Danelle Putnam accompanied two new missionaries, two seminarians, and a busload of volunteers from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis on the ~90 min. drive to a facility that had changed dramatically, for the better. The group interacted with residents 1-on-1 by doing puzzles, coloring sheets, and simple crafts, then staged a “Parable of the Lost Sheep” puppet show. Their time together ended with a personalized blessing song. In March, Dana and Danelle returned for an encore with Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne (pictured). Pray for future opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ to these, His redeemed, precious children.
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More Upcoming DRLM Happenings
- March 30 – April 5: LCMS District President visit
- April 6 & 13: Lenten hymn festival
- May 20-23: CMSCR Theological Symposium
- May 23: CMSCR graduation
- June 14-15: III Annual National Youth Retreat
- August 23-30: Week-long Spanish language intensive for church workers
- August 25: 20th anniversary of LCMS missions in the DR
- September 7: CMSCR/school opening service
- October 11-18: Short-term team, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Lee’s Summit, MO
- December 7 & 14: 3rd annual Christmas hymn festival
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