As promised, here is the second part of today’s post.

On Wednesday, we had the absolute joy of welcoming a special group: LCMS missionaries from Latin America and the Caribbean! They’re gathering in St. Louis this week for their annual regional conference — normally held in the Dominican Republic. But this year is no ordinary year — it marks the 125th anniversary of LCMS missionary work in the region. To commemorate this milestone, the missionaries have come to St. Louis, the heart of the LCMS, to celebrate God’s faithfulness and their shared mission.

Currently, 47 missionaries serve in 10 countries in South, Central America and the Caribbean: Chile, Uruguay, Panama, Peru, Mexico, Belize, Cayman, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Alliance missionaries from partner churches come from Brazil, Bolivia and Venezuela. This includes 15 LCMS pastors, 10 Alliance missionary pastors, 8 deaconesses, 11 lay missionaries and 3 vicars. 

The adults enjoyed an engaging presentation by Warren and Gerard, while the children had fun completing a scavenger hunt in the museum. Afterward, the group explored the Log Cabin College and museum exhibits before enjoying lunch in the school gym.

To cap off a meaningful day, everyone gathered for Divine Service, culminating in Holy Communion using the historic chalice brought over by the original Saxon immigrants. A special thank-you to Trinity Lutheran Church for granting permission to use this treasured piece of our shared heritage.

The ties between this group and Perry County run even deeper than the LCMS connection might suggest. The very first LCMS missionary to Brazil went in 1900, answering a call from German immigrants seeking pastoral care. Just a year later, in 1901, a newly ordained pastor from Frohna, Missouri—Rev. A.A. Vogel—was installed at Santa Colleta, Brazil. Rev. Vogel faithfully served there until 1913, when he returned to Perry County to become the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg, a position he held until his retirement in 1949.

This rich history reminds us that the global mission of the Church has deep roots right here in our community. What a gift it was to celebrate that legacy with our missionary guests this week.

If you would like to learn more about the missionary work the LCMS is doing in Latin America and the Caribbean, here is a great resource.