One Latin America Team – Winter 2026 Quarterly Update

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The One Latin America Team gathered January 21ā€“24 in Chicago, Ill., for its annual meeting. The missionaries and administrative committee for the One Latin America Team gathered January 21ā€“24 in Chicago, Ill., for the annual meeting. They were joined by partners supporting the work. Time together focused on prayer, planning, and strengthening collaboration as the team continues its work of making disciples and supporting church planting throughout Latin America.

During the meeting, the team reaffirmed its ten-year goal as they look ahead toward 2034:

  • 10,000 students complete at least one Discipleship Level course
  • 1,000 churches planted (Grupos Sembrador)
  • 100 church plants become members of Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional (ICWI)

To stay centered on this mission, the team recommitted to prioritizing time and energy with church planters (sembradores). Their three-year picture includes 2,000 goal-setting sessions carried out with church planters and 500 in-person visits with those starting new groups. Worship, devotions, and fellowship framed the meeting, including a time of thanksgiving for Rev. Timothy Westendorf and his wife, Kelly, as he concluded 17 years of service as chairman of the One Latin America Team Administrative Committee.

Fast facts

  • 102,580 total students enrolled in Academia Cristoā€™s Self-Study Level (cumulative)
  • 1,689 students have completed at least one Discipleship Level live course
  • 85 in-person visits with church planters during the past year
  • 57 active church planters (Grupos Sembrador)

Spanish outreach in the United States

In November, the One Latin America Team hosted its first-ever Spanish Outreach Intensive in Denver. Four congregations participatedā€”three from Texas and one from Florida. Each congregation already had Academia Cristo students but no pastor-led Spanish ministry. Participants included pastors and lay leaders, Latinos and non-Latinos, all working together to explore how Academia Cristo can support Spanish-language outreach in their local communities.

New church planters called

During the past quarter, the Academia Cristo governing board called six students to serve as church planters. These individuals come from across Latin America, including Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico, and Colombia. Each has completed the Discipleship Level of studies, is in doctrinal agreement, is committed to continued training, and is committed to gathering others around the gospel.

A mobile hub takes shape in Mexico City

In late November 2025, the Sutton family relocated from Paraguay to Mexico City to serve in the first One Latin America Team mobile hub. This approach allows missionaries to be positioned where many students and groups are located, while maintaining flexibility to respond to new opportunities. From Mexico City, Missionary Joel Sutton will focus on mentoring church planters and their groups throughout the region.

Graduation ceremony

A graduation ceremony was held on Sunday, December 14, 2026, for five students who completed their Church Planting Level studies. Four of these students are actively leading a church plant (Grupos Sembrador), and some plan to continue with seminary-level studies.

Supporting church planters through on-the-ground visits

Throughout the past quarter, One Latin America Team missionaries logged extensive travel across the region to encourage and support church planters (Grupos Sembrador) face to face. In total, team members traveled to 14 cities across five countries, meeting with students for in-person teaching, worship, and encouragement. These on-the-ground visits strengthened relationships and helped ensure that growing groups remain rooted in Godā€™s Word as they develop and multiply.

Looking ahead

With missionaries now fully onboarded in key regions and new roles clarified within the team, the One Latin America Team continues to refine how it supports students, instructors, and church planters. The team remains focused on one goal: sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and equipping believers across Latin America to do the same.




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A harvest of faith in Guayaquil

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In the bustling port city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, a new chapter of spiritual transformation is being written. Known as the “Pearl of the Pacific,” this vibrant city is now witnessing a different kind of treasure, a harvest of souls responding to the call of the gospel. What a joy to share the incredible news from a local church plant in Guayaquil, where the power of the Holy Spirit is visibly changing lives.

A Milestone Celebration: 11 New Believers

There is no greater joy for a missionary than to witness lives changed by the Holy Spirit through Baptism. Recently, Isidro Chonillo and I had the privilege of baptizing 11 individuals into the body of Christ. This diverse group represents the future of the church plant Isidro leads: two infants, two children, seven teenagers and adults. Each person receiving the baptismal water carried a unique story of grace, but they all shared one common foundation: the faithful sowing of God’s Word.

The Fruit of Faithful Labor
These baptisms are not just numbers, they are the direct fruits of Isidro Chonilloā€™s tireless and faithful work. For years, Isidro has been dedicated to sharing and teaching the Bible within his own family and community. His commitment to discipleship and biblical training serves as a powerful reminder that the most effective ministry often begins at home.

In a city where urban ministry presents unique challenges, seeing a family come together in faith is a profound testimony to the community. Isidroā€™s life and teaching have modeled the love of Christ, drawing his loved ones toward a personal relationship with their Savior.

Praise Be to God
We stand in awe of how God is moving in this church plant. In a region where many are searching for hope, the Holy Spirit is providing clarity and peace through the gospel. Witnessing the baptisms of teenagers and adultsā€”alongside the youngest members of the flockā€”reminds us that the Word of God is living and active across every generation.

We invite you to join us in praising God for these 11 new believers. Please continue to pray for the One Latin America Team as they nurture these children of God and for Isidro as he continues his vital work of teaching and sharing the Good News. The light of the gospel is shining brightly in Ecuador, and we are humbled to be a small part of what God is doing here.

Written by Nixon Vivar, world missionary in Latin America




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Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional synod convention

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WELS World Missions Administrator Rev. Larry Schlomer traveled to MedellĆ­n, Colombia, at the beginning of October for the Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional synod convention. This international sister synod of WELS is made up of congregations from across Latin America that work together to do mission work, train pastors, and support each other with prayers and fellowship.

During this yearā€™s convention, Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional formally welcomed two new church bodies into fellowship: a church plant in Tenancingo, Mexico, represented by Juan Reyes, and the Evangelical Lutheran Confessional Churchā€”Puerto Rico, represented by Sergio Cortijo. The new church in Tenancingo is the second church plant established through Academia Cristo outreach efforts to join this growing synodā€”a significant milestone for the Academia Cristo program.

Learn more about outreach efforts in Latin America at wels.net/latinamerica.




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The first WELS Lutheran in Uruguay

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Viviana and I sat on a ferry, crossing from Buenos Aires to Montevideo. As far as I knew, I was the first WELS missionary to set foot in Uruguay.

We were traveling to meet Nahir, a faithful Academia Cristo student nearing the end of her Discipleship courses. Like many students, she first discovered our ministry through social media when a YouTube video led her to our self-study courses. She enjoyed the thoughtful questions and was eager to earn the certificate offered at the end. When the invitation came to join live Zoom classes, her motivation grew. Many months later, she was about to complete her 13th live course.

Viviana and Missionary Elise Gross take a ferry from Argentina to Uruguay to see Nahir

Nahir picked us up from customs, and we rode an hour east to her home, enjoying glimpses of the coast and Uruguayan culture. Soon, we were gathered around her kitchen table, sharing mateā€”the traditional hot drinkā€”and a few snacks.

But soon the purpose of our visit came into focus. My travel companion, Viviana, herself a graduate and now an Academia Cristo professor, placed a document on the table with the bold title ā€œConfesiĆ³n de fe.ā€ I listened as Viviana guided Nahir through the confession of faith processā€”96 questions giving Nahir the opportunity to confess the biblical truths she had studied.

Throughout her courses, Nahir had learned that faith is not about dramatic emotional displays but about knowing Jesus and his saving work. She was particularly moved by lessons on the sacraments, realizing that there is only one Baptismā€”despite having been told previously that her infant Catholic baptism was invalid. The course Spiritual Identification had challenged her to confront misconceptions, uncovering biblical truths about the end times she had never been taught.

Now, Nahir confidently confessed her faith and thanked God for the work of the Holy Spirit through the pastors and teachers of Academia Cristo. The evening ended with hugs and far too many plates of food, celebrating genuine fellowship. As far as we know, Nahir is the first confessional WELS Lutheran in Uruguay.

Nahir (left) and Viviana (right) at Nahir’s house in Uruguay

Today, Nahir continues studying with Academia Cristo at the ā€œChurch Planting Level.ā€ She leads a Bible study with her neighbors and shares the Word weekly at a local nursing home. She worships weekly online with other confessional Lutherans through services led by the Latin America WELS synod (Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional).

When asked how she would encourage other women to boldly share the faith they profess, Nahir answered: ā€œSharing the Word is our mission. Itā€™s not easy. At first it brings fear and even shame, but as you begin doing it you will see that even if just one person listens, it is wonderful. Even when it feels discouragingā€”itā€™s important not to give up. They need to know the Lord, because their salvation depends on it. Itā€™s worth the sacrifice to serve the Lord and to do it with joy. The Lord is the one who does the work; we are simply instruments in his hands.ā€

Nahir especially enjoys her ministry at the nursing home, preparing others for eternal life with Jesus. Seeing people respond to the gospel moves her to tears. ā€œI see how the Lord is at work in them, and that brings me joy and happiness.ā€ Nahir prays to expand her ministry to other nursing homes soon.

From a YouTube video to Nahirā€™s kitchen table to her faithful studies with neighbors and nursing home residents, the gospel is bearing fruit in Uruguay.

As the Lord himself promises: ā€œSo is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent itā€ (Isaiah 55:11).

Written by Missionary Elise Gross, director ofĀ  Women’s Ministry on the One Latin America Team




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One Latin America Team – Summer 2025 Quarterly Update

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A snapshot of blessings during the past quarter:

  • The number of students completing Academia Cristoā€™s four WhatsApp self-study courses continues to climbā€”from the 20s to the 50s, and now into the 70s weekly. These courses are the entry point for all students into the Academia Cristo
  • New churches were planted in Puente Piedras, Peru; San JosĆ© de CaaguazĆŗ, Paraguay; ConcepciĆ³n del Uruguay, Argentina.
  • Academia Cristo graduate Dr. Eduardo Milanesi previously started a church plant in Cochabamba that became a member of Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional (ICWI). He has now launched a second group in Santa Cruz, recently gathering over 30 eager listeners to Godā€™s Word.
  • Missionary Nixon Vivar onboarded three new instructors: Shawn Marron, a Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary student; Latin America Vicar Matthew Rugen; and Jennifer Proeber, who teaches at Arizona Lutheran Academy. Next quarter, he will help onboard four new instructors: Lester Soto, an Academia Cristo graduate from Nicaragua; Zach Satorius, new One Latin America Team missionary; Alex Dimke, a Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary student; and Tim Walsh, a WELS pastor from New York.
  • Missionary Abe Degner visited Manglio Dider, his family, and his church plant in GuayaramerĆ­n, Bolivia (pictured above). During the visit, a memorial service was held for Manglioā€™s son, giving Missionary Degner the opportunity to share the gospel with over 100 attendees.

A look ahead

  • The One Latin America Team will be onboarding Rev. Zach Satorius as a new missionary. He and his wife, Ava, will be spending one month in Argentina for language training. While there, they will visit church planters with other missionaries.
  • Plans are in place to call an additional missionary will be called to serve as a church planting facilitator.
  • The team is planning a Spanish Outreach Intensive event to support Academia Cristo outreach in the U.S.

Fast facts

  • A total ofĀ 50,866 students have enrolled in the Self-Study Level of courses
  • 1,400+ students have completed one Discipleship Level live course
  • 165 students have completed the Discipleship Level (13 live courses)
  • 54Ā students have completed the Church Planting Level (ten live courses)
  • 45Ā Academia CristoĀ students are actively leading church plantsĀ (Grupos Sembrador)Ā 




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One Latin America Team – Spring 2025 Quarterly Update

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Changes for the One Latin America Team

With the departure of Missionary Nathan Schulte, who accepted a call to serve at a church in Wisconsin, plans for new locations, personnel, and structure were accelerated.

On May 22, 2025, Rev. Zach Satorius was assigned to the One Latin America Team. Missionary Satorius (pictured above, left, with Missionary Luis Acosta as his installation in June 2025) will be focused on multiplication work, working with advanced students who are in the process of gathering groups. He and his wife, Ava, will initially be based in Doral, Fla. Missionary Satorius previously served as a vicar in MedellĆ­n, Colombia, under Pastor Henry Herrera.

Missionaries will remain in Quito, Ecuador, and Doral, Fla., and those locations will remain as permanent hubs for the team. The plan is to discontinue AsunciĆ³n, Paraguay, as one of the One Latin America Team hubs. Missionaries Joel Sutton and Abe Degner have been asked to redeploy to other locations. Additionally, a new, mobile hub concept is being developed.

The mobile hub is designed to allow the One Latin America Team to remain flexible to pursue emerging opportunities. It also keeps locations diversified in case of regional instability. Using this approach, the One Latin America Team will temporarily place missionaries in various locations. Mexico City has been chosen to serve as the first mobile hub due to feasibility of visas, efficient connections to the rest of the Latin America through its major airport, and the number of active students and church planters. The Behmer family will be moving there after their furlough in summer 2025, with the Sutton family joining them in January 2026.

A snapshot of blessings during the past quarter:Ā 

  • Academia Cristo has their first advanced student from Africa! A student from Equatorial Guinea, Africaā€™s only Spanish-speaking country, has made it through the first 12 live courses of Discipleship Level and is currently participating in the capstone course. He is currently in the doctrinal agreement process with Missionaries Luis Herrera and Luis Acosta.
  • On April 4, 2025, MarĆ­a Vasquez, a called church planter, was called home to heaven after suffering a heart attack. Missionary Matt Behmer was able to travel to Costa Rica and see her and her family after the heart attack and before she passed away. Missionary Angel Otero and his wife Maribel were able to attend a funeral and provide support to the family. On April 27, 2025, an online memorial service was held for the Academia Cristo Missionary Nathan Schulte shared a message of comfort at the service based on Revelation 7:9-17.
  • On April 20, 2025, a special online Easter worship service was held for the entire Academia Cristo student body. Lester Soto from Nicaragua and Camilo Herrera from Colombia, both called church planters, led the liturgy. Missionary Nixon Vivar preached.
  • Over the past several months, 11 students from Paraguay, Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Mexico were welcomed into doctrinal agreement after reviewing 95 key doctrinal questions with a missionary. This means the students have expressed a commitment to the teachings of the confessional Lutheran church and a desire to be doctrinally affiliated with the ministry of Academia Cristo.

Fast facts

  • A total of 37,129 students have enrolled in the Self-Study Level of courses
  • 1,342+ students have completed one Discipleship Level live course
  • 152+ students have completed the Discipleship Level (13 live courses)
  • 53 students have completed the Church Planting Level (ten live courses)
  • 43 Academia CristoĀ students are actively leading church plantsĀ (Grupos Sembrador)Ā 




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Medicine opening doors for ministry

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When we arrived in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, we went straight from the airport to the hospital. No, we werenā€™t in need of a doctor. But we were there to see oneā€”a doctor whoā€™s also planting a new church in that city.

Eduardo Milanesi is a maxillofacial surgeon who started studying with Academia Cristo five years ago. As he advanced through his studies, by Godā€™s grace he was able to gather a group to study Godā€™s Word with him in his home city of Cochabamba. The group grew and is now a church that belongs to WELSā€™ sister synod in Latin America, Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional. Eduardo leads them every Sunday in worship.

But last year, God opened a door for Eduardo to start another medical practice in Santa Cruz, Boliviaā€™s largest city. Eduardo saw that as an open door for the gospel too. Medicine and ministry go hand in hand for him; each patient is an evangelism prospect. As he treats them, he canā€™t help but share the gospel with them.

And the gospel is bearing fruit in Santa Cruz. When we got to the hospital, Eduardo introduced us to Luis. Luis was in recovery. The day before, Eduardo and his wife, Ingridā€”also a surgeonā€”had removed a tumor from Luis’ face. The surgery saved his life. But the more important work happened in the weeks leading up to it. Eduardo had been sharing Godā€™s Word with both Luis and his familyā€”and the Holy Spirit had worked saving faith in their hearts.

They arenā€™t the only ones. After changing out of their scrubs, Eduardo and Ingrid took us to meet the rest of the group God is gathering in Santa Cruz. More than 30 souls came together for worship. Eduardo led the service. Two leaders of Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional who were traveling with meā€”Pastors Henry Herrera and Julio Ascarrunzā€”shared the Word with them. Many in attendance were Eduardoā€™s former patients and their families. Others were friends and colleagues. All were eager to hear the good news of forgiveness in Christ.

Eduardo travels weekly between his practices in Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. But he canā€™t be in both places at once. So, heā€™s encouraging men in both groups to take the same path he did and study in Academia Cristo, where theyā€™ll receive training to help lead worship and Bible studies when he canā€™t.

In the meantime, heā€™ll continue in both of his callingsā€”saving lives as a surgeon and sharing the soul-saving gospel.

Written by Abe Degner, missionary on the One Latin America Team




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The gospel takes root in Nicaragua

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If you had to point out Nicaragua on a map, could you do it? For many people, this small Central American country isnā€™t well known. Its neighbors often get more attention. Its capital, Managua, doesnā€™t make headlines like other cities in Latin America. Nicaragua isnā€™t often in the global spotlight. But our Lord of the harvest hasnā€™t forgotten about this little nation. Instead, heā€™s putting it on the map in a way that truly matters.

In 2024, we saw a significant jump in the number of students from Nicaragua who began studying with Academia Cristo, a church planting training program facilitated by the WELS One Latin America Team. Eleven new students completed their first course last year. Multiple students are interested in recognizing doctrinal agreement with the teachings of the Lutheran church. Iā€™m currently teaching a live course on the Great Commission, and several Nicaraguans are participating.

However, the gospel is not only being learned in Nicaraguaā€”itā€™s also being shared. I recently had the opportunity to visit and see this firsthand. I watched an advanced student, who is called to serve as a church planter, preach a sermon to his group. His law and gospel message was shaped by a text study he had participated in earlier that week with an Academia Cristo professor. I also saw him lead the liturgyā€”assuring people that their sins were forgiven, leading them in the confession of our Christian faith, and pronouncing the closing blessing upon them. I stood in the home of a student as she showed me the space where she gathers children from her neighborhood each week to teach them about Jesus. She proudly shared how she painted the space so it would have a more welcoming environment, and she had printouts of Bible verses on the walls. I listened to another student talk about her desire to plant a group with her husband so their friends and family would have a place to hear the truths of Godā€™s Word.

What puts Nicaragua on the map? Itā€™s called the “land of lakes and volcanoes.” It has coasts on both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Itā€™s famous for its coffee, rum, and cigars. Yet despite these things, it often goes unnoticed. But not by our Lord. Perhaps Nicaragua will be best known as a place where the gospel is taking rootā€”where more and more people are being connected to Christ. And thatā€™s something truly worth putting on the map.

Written by Matt Behmer, world missionary on the One Latin America Team.




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Photo gallery – One Latin America Team

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Academia Cristo, the primary ministry of the One Latin America Team, seeks to make disciples in Latin America by sharing the message of Godā€™s grace with as many people as possible, identifying and training potential church planters, and encouraging those church planters to make disciples who plant even more churches. Read more in the One Latin America Team quarterly update.

There are 37 Academia Cristo students who have taken steps to plant a church (Grupos Sembrador) with support from an Academia Cristo mission counselor. Meet some of these church leaders, active students, and missionaries committed to spreading the gospel message throughout Latin America.

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Together Video – March 18, 2025

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Elise Gross, a missionary on the One Latin America Team, describes her ministry serving women in Latin America. Learn how God is using Gross and her students to spread his Word.

 

 

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One Latin America Team – Winter 2025 Quarterly Update

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A snapshot of blessings during the past quarter:

1. Academia Cristo General Assembly

The inaugural Academia Cristo General Assembly was held this past quarter with about 165 students attending. One Latin America Team Leader Andrew Johnston presented on the future of Academia Cristo, Missionary Nathan Schulte shared an overview of the changes to the Church Planting Level of the program, and Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional President Henry Herrera presented on the benefits of being part of a synod. The event received favorable reviews in follow-up surveys, and almost all students expressed interest in attending similar events in the future.

2. Sister synod calls new missionary

Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional called its president, Rev. Henry Herrera, to serve as a missionary for the church body. Herrera also serves as a pastor within the Lutheran Church of Colombia, which helped found Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional in 2021, and is an active partner in Academia Cristo ministry. In this new role, he will work alongside Academia Cristo church planters as they continue their training and are welcomed into fellowship with Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional.

3. Additional church planters called

On Oct. 29, 2024, Academia Cristo called six students from Guatemala, Mexico, and Ecuador to serve as church planters. On Jan. 27, 2025, an additional five students from Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, and Puerto Rico were also called to serve as church planters.

4. Progress on seminary program

Representatives from the Pastoral Studies Institute, the One Latin America Team, and WELSā€™ sister churches met in person in MedellĆ­n, Colombia, and had follow-up meetings via Zoom to formalize the curriculum for Seminario Cristo, the new Latin American seminary program. Plans are in place to develop and implement the program over the next two years.

5. New Church Planting Level courses and resources for church planters

Several new Church Planting Level courses have been developed and taught to equip church planters with essential skills for ministry. One course focused on creating Christian community within a church plant, while another emphasized the Christ-centered nature of ministry and the character required for all types of ministries. Additionally, a course was taught that helped church planters prepare basic sermon messages. Building on this, a system was established for missionaries and national partners to lead weekly text studies, providing ongoing support as they share the gospel with their groups. To further support church planters, a simple and replicable template was developed for use in various counseling situations that might arise.

6. Abuse conferences

In November 2024, Academia Cristo held four well-attended abuse conferences, sparking interest and follow-up among students. The conference videos will be shared annually in October, and the manuscript will serve as a resource for church planters. A support group, led by Christian Family Solutions Counselor Carolina Acosta and supported by Missionary Elise Gross, began in February 2025.

Trips from the past quarter

  • Andrew Johnston traveled to the Dominican Republic to visit church planters, students, and a church in our fellowship.
  • Andrew Johnston, Joel Sutton, and Jon Gross traveled to Argentina with Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional President Henry Herrera to visit church planters and their groups, especially a group in Baradero led by church planter Luis Bello, whose group is on track to apply for membership in Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional.
  • Luis Acosta spent a month in Mexico counseling church planters. Various One Latin America missionaries stopped in to assist. During this time, missionaries also attended the annual convention of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church-Mexico, WELSā€™ sister church.
  • Nixon Vivar and Matt Behmer visited students and church planters in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
  • Nixon Vivar and Jon Gross visited church planters, their groups, and other students in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
  • Elise Gross visited church planters and students in Argentina. This included a visit to the first student in nearby Uruguay.

Fast Facts

  • Academia Cristo reaches an average of 1.78 millionĀ people weekly on social media
  • A total of 32,280Ā students have enrolled in the Self-Study Level of courses
  • 1,200+ students have completed one Discipleship Level live course
  • 120+ students have completed the Discipleship Level (13 live courses)
  • 49 students have completed the Church Planting Level (ten live courses)
  • 37Ā Academia Cristo students are actively leading church plantsĀ (Grupos Sembrador)




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The Christian Church

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As I closed my laptop for the night, I found myself sitting in awe of what had just happened. Students from across Latin America had gatheredā€”virtuallyā€”for the final session of The Christian Church, a month-long journey through the book of Acts. Faces lit with joy, hearts filled with gratitude, and words of thanks filled the digital space. It was more than a class; it was a glimpse of Godā€™s work unfolding before my eyes.

And as I reflected on the experience, I couldnā€™t help but wonder: Who is more thankfulā€”the students, or me? How many people get to study Godā€™s Word with students from 13 different countries? How many people get to share the love of Christ as their job? The truth is, though, itā€™s not my job just because I was called to be a missionaryā€”itā€™s my job because God called me, and all Christians, throughout the world, to go and be witnesses, to make disciples, to share Christā€™s love.

Thatā€™s really the point of the course The Christian Church, which I had the privilege of guiding over 50 students through this last month. We are all commissioned to ā€œgo.ā€ You donā€™t need to be a pastor to share Godā€™s Word; you donā€™t need to have a church building to worship; you donā€™t need to be an Israelite to be a part of Godā€™s family. The Christian Church is made up of believers across the world, and Jesusā€™ command to us all is to keep on sharing the gospel message!

This course also serves as a beautiful summary of our work within Academia Cristo. In the course, we study the book of Acts, where we see Paul working alongside believers throughout the ancient worldā€”sharing both the law and the gospel, and encouraging them in their study of Scripture. He wasnā€™t aloneā€”leaders in the cities he visited and fellow missionaries traveling with him were doing the same. Our work as a team of missionaries serving Latin America follows this same pattern. We have the privilege of sharing the teachings of the Bible with students throughout Latin America and encouraging them in their study of Scripture. We also get to support leaders living in a variety of countries to do the same. What a privilege! What a joy!

Over the next two weeks, Iā€™ll be receiving final projects from about 50 believers, each one commissioned by God to share his Word with others. Some will begin immediately, eager to share everything theyā€™ve learned. Others will gain more confidence with each passing course. Some may continue their ministry within their own church, but now equipped with a deeper understanding of the truth of Scripture. And, God willing, some will join us in planting new confessional Lutheran churches in their neighborhoodsā€”becoming vital partners in the gospel.

We are the Christian Church, called by God to carry his message of salvation to the world. What a privilege and responsibility we all share! May we all find joy and purpose in the special work that God has entrusted to each of us, wherever he has placed us in this world.

JosĆ© MarĆ­a, one of my students, messaged me after the last class, asking if I thought he could be a missionary. My answer for JosĆ© is really Godā€™s answer. And itā€™s Godā€™s answer not just for JosĆ© MarĆ­a, but for each of us: Yes! Go, tell your family about Jesus. Go, share the gospel with your neighbors. Go, into all the world and be Christā€™s witness.

Acts 1:8 – ā€œYou will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.ā€

Written by Missionary Luke Beilke, world missionary and Dean of Students for Academia Cristo.




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One Latin America Team – Fall 2024 Quarterly Update

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A snapshot of blessings during the past quarter:

1.Ā  Annual meeting and new ten-year target
From October 11-14, 2024, the One Latin America team held its annual meeting at Divine Savior Academy in Doral, Fla. The meeting centered on establishing a ten-year target, a three-year picture, and one-year goals. At this meeting, the One Latin America Team set this new ten-year target:

  • 10,000 have finished at least one Discipleship Level course
  • 1,000 church plants (Grupos Sembrador) started
  • 100 church plants (Grupos Sembrador) have become congregations of Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional

2. Baptisms in Argentina
Luis Bello and his wife, Karina, from Baradero, Argentina, joined the Lutheran faith through Academia Cristo. They began hosting a small group in their home, gathering 15-25 people regularly. One evening, after a lesson on Jesus’ baptism, a young couple asked if their daughters could be baptized, inspiring six others to request baptism as well. Over the next two weeks, Luis and another leader, Jorge, baptized a total of ten people, including adults and children.

3. Church planting in Ecuador
Henry Isidrio, a church planter from Guayaquil, Ecuador, continues leading three groups through a Bible information course to prepare members for confirmation in the Lutheran faith.

4. Church planting course implementation
The instruction team is leading the writing and implementation of new courses for the Church Planting Level of courses, This advanced level, following the Discipleship Level, is for students in doctrinal agreement who have committed to starting or supporting new groups.

5. Discipleship Level capstone course
Twenty students successfully gathered groups and taught them a brief course on sin, grace, faith, and works. This was the final project for the Discipleship Level capstone course that wrapped up in early Sept. Several of these students are in doctrinal agreement and will continue their studies in the Church Planting Level of courses. Another session of the capstone course started on Sept. 30, 2024.

Fast Facts

  • 1.75 million average weekly social media reach
  • 25,800 total cumulative students have enrolled in online Self-Study Level of courses
  • 3,791 students have finished the Self-Study Level of courses
  • 542 total cumulative students have enrolled in the online self-study level in the U.S.
  • 1,132 students have completed one Discipleship Level live course
  • 105 students have completed the Discipleship Level (13 live courses)
  • 45 students have completed the Church Planting Level (ten live courses)
  • 35 active church plantsĀ (Grupos Sembrador)




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WELS Connection – The impact of World Missions

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By the grace of God and your generous support, WELS has been given countless opportunities to share the life-saving message of the gospel with souls all around the world. Sometimes that is done on a large scale with pre-existing, organized church bodies, other times it is on an individual level with one particular soul, and everywhere in between. These people may be in far away lands on the other side of the world. Yet they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, children of God, who now have the comfort and certainty of eternal life, knowing that their sins are forgiven. Camilo Herrera is one of those people.

“I have joy talking to the Lord. I have peace in him, no matter what happens.”

Hear more in this October 2024 WELS Connection video.

 

Learn more about WELS World Missions at wels.net/missions.

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One Latin America Team – Summer 2024 Quarterly Update

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A snapshot of blessings during the past quarter:

1. Vicar program in Colombia: In August 2024, we welcomed new Vicar Matthew Rugen to the field. He will be serving his vicar year under Pastor Henry Herrera in MedellĆ­n, Colombia. Also in August, we said goodbye to Vicar Jacob Bitter and his wife Sofia Spiegelberg. They are returning to Mequon, Wis., for Jacob to finish his senior year at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

2. Continuing education in San Salvador: In May 2024, all missionaries traveled to San Salvador, El Savlador, where Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI) professors Allen Sorum and Skip Goetzinger led a workshop on Christian Counseling in the Mission Setting.

3. New admissions coordinator: Fabi GuamƔn from Ecuador has stepped in as the new Admissions Coordinator, replacing Jen Proeber, who has moved from Chile to teach at Arizona Lutheran Academy in Phoenix. We thank Jen for her outstanding work!

4. 1,000 new students enrolled: In the first eight months of 2024, 1,000 students enrolled in the Discipleship level of live courses after completing four self-study courses. Missionary Luke Beilke and the Student Services Team lead the charge in orienting and integrating new students. This quarter, 350 new students successfully finished their first Discipleship course.

5. Church planting classes launch: The second level of live classes, Discipleship Two, is being revamped as a Church Planting level to better prepare Confessional Lutheran church planters. Nine new courses are in development by the One Latin America Team in collaboration with Multi-Language Productions (MLP), with Missionary Nathan Schulte leading the project.

6. A diverse, team effort: We now have professors and support staff from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the United States, and Mexico working alongside missionaries to deliver Academia Cristoā€™s mission.

7. New Academia Cristo website: The Promotions & Productions team, with Multi-Language Productions (MLP), launched a new website for Academia Cristo, led by MLP Producer Jon Gross. The updated site better serves church planters and is easier to maintain. Check it out: academiacristo.com

8. New materials completed: The Promotions & Productions team completed all essential materials for church planters in the Academia Cristo program and is developing more resources to support church planting groups, including Bible history, doctrinal, and practical Bible studies.

9. Specialist plan for church planting course: A plan is in place for an existing missionary to specialize in providing one-on-one support to students taking the Discipleship capstone course on church planting. In this course, students are equipped to gather a group and teach them a course on sin, grace, faith, and works.

10. New church plant in Ecuador: Henry Isidro Chonillo (pictured left in the above photo), an Academia Cristo student, has planted three groups in the Guayaquil area of Ecuador. Missionary Nixon Vivar serves as his mission counselor.

11. Mission Counselor Residency Program: A new residency program will see Missionary Luis Acosta spend a month in Mexico, working closely with church planters on a weekly basis.

12. Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional: Plans are set for Pastor Henry Herrera, president of Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional, to visit church plants in Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina to discuss the process of becoming members of this international synod.

13. Diaspora Ministries: Team Leader Andrew Johnston is serving as the Diaspora Ministries Facilitator. Mr. Angel Otero, a WELS member from Deltona, Fla., and Academia Cristo graduate, has been hired to assist in this work.

Fast Facts

  • 1.7M average weekly social media reach (user looks at the material for over three seconds)
  • 23,693 total cumulative students enrolled in online self-study level
  • 3,619 students have finished the online self-study level of courses
  • 457 total cumulative students enrolled in the online self-study level in the U.S.
  • 1056 students have completed one Discipleship level live course
  • 104 students have completed the Discipleship level (13 live courses)
  • 40 students have completed the Church Planting level of coursesĀ  (Eight live courses)
  • 35 active church plants




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Heaven is the goal!

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Marcelo grew up in Argentina but spent his entire adult life in his fatherā€™s home country of Costa Rica. An astute businessman, he worked in the insurance industry. In September 2020, he connected with Academia Cristoā€™s online classes. By September 2022, Marcelo had completed the first level of classes, and I began connecting with him one-on-one. Through these classes, Marcelo became a committed Lutheran. He also felt it was important to share what he had learned with others, so he started our second level of classes to train as a group planter.

L to R: Rev. Nathan Schulte, Alyssa Schulte, Flor, and Marcelo

I would visit Marcelo in Costa Rica and observe him leading his group. He was a confident leader, patient, and skilled at guiding discussions. Although Marcelo was a mature believer, leading his own Bible study group pushed him to grow even more. This past January, he called me to study the biblical support for why we can forgive someone elseā€™s sins. His group had asked about it, and he wanted to learn more Bible passages for the conversation. We scheduled a Zoom meeting and started going through a few stories and Bible verses that show we have the privilege of announcing Godā€™s forgiveness to people. One of the passages was from 2 Corinthians. ā€œWe are therefore Christā€™s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christā€™s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). When we read this passage, Marcelo teared up. ā€œWow,ā€ he said, ā€œwe really can give this gift to others. Thatā€™s so special.ā€

Over the past two years, Marcelo was not only working on group planting , but he was also suffering from bone cancer. The cancer was painful, and soon he couldnā€™t work as much or meet with his Bible study group as often. Then, July 2, 2024, the Lord took Marcelo home. I miss Marceloā€™s phone calls, his eagerness to learn more, and his correction of my Spanish when I made mistakes.

However, I am thankful to know that he is in heaven now. His passing is a powerful reminder of our purpose as missionaries. We want to bring people along to heaven with us. Heaven is the goal! Thank the Lord for the gospel.

Written by Rev. Nathan Schulte, world missionary on the Latin America mission team in Quito, Ecuador.

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Latin America Mission – Spring 2024 Quarterly Update

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During the last quarter, Latin America missionaries engaged in several projects beyond their usual teaching duties and visits to church planters (sembradores) and the groups they are leading (Grupos Sembrador).

Plans were set in motion for mission counselor (consejero) residencies, a program designed for missionaries to work in-person with church planters over an extended period. The ā€œguĆ­a de metasā€, a resource that facilitates goal-setting sessions between mission counselors and church planters, underwent an update to align with the five habits of a church planting group. Concerted efforts were made to provide extra support to students taking the Discipleship One capstone course, including the introduction of a capstone course specialist role. Calls were extended to new church planters and Academia Cristo professors. A system was established to announce all acceptances via video to the student body. A pilot program was launched to provide weekly sermons to church planters. A proposed revision to the Discipleship Two curriculum has been drafted and is set for development. The team experimented with strategies to offer support and encouragement to non-group gatherers who do not have churches nearby.

Most importantly, Godā€™s Word was taught to thousands of students, students received training in church planting, and two new church plants were formed. Below, find a summary of key statistics and a snapshot of specific blessings from the quarter.

A Few Quick Stats:

  • 2.2M average weekly social media reach (user looks at the material for over three seconds)
  • 16,369 students are enrolled in self-study courses
  • 3,259 students have finished the four self-study courses
  • 232 students are enrolled in self-study courses in the U.S.
  • 911 students have completed one live course in Discipleship One with an Academia Cristo professor
  • 104 students have completed Discipleship One (13 live courses)
  • 39 students have completed Discipleship Two (8 live courses)
  • 34 church plants (Grupos Sembrador)

A snapshot of blessings during the past quarter:

1. New student orientation
Missionary Luke Beilke, in his role as Dean of Students, implemented a new student orientation program. All new students participate in a welcome session where they learn more about Academia Cristo. For their first course, they are enrolled in a course with other new students. This allows the instructor to ensure they have a positive experience. At the end of their first course, the students participate in a wrap up session which is intended to ensure clarity on how to continue their studies. Jenny Proeber, the Academia Cristo Admissions Coordinator, helps welcome the new students. She also helps coordinate and carry out these sessions. In the past quarter, three courses had over 60 finishers.

2. Teach n’ Go

New software called Teach nā€™ Go has been implemented to manage student records. It allows missionaries to track student progress, determine what courses a student has taken and needs to take, and has features to track which students are interested in doctrinal agreement and starting a group/planting a church. Lucho Herrera took the lead in setting up this software. He also helped all missionaries become trained in how to use it in instructional and multiplication work.

3. All-team, mid-quarter meetings

Last quarter, the Latin America mission team started having all-team, mid-quarter meetings. With expanded team size and multiple functions, several missionaries donā€™t interact with each other in a weekly L10 meeting. These all-team, mid-quarter meetings provide an opportunity for all missionaries to interact, share updates, review rocks, and discuss cross-functional issues.

4. 50th anniversary in Medellin, Colombia

The church in MedellĆ­n, Colombia, celebrated 50 years of worship services on Sunday, February 25. Retired Latin America Missionary Larry W. Schlomer and Latin America Missionaries Andrew Johnston and Matt Behmer attended the celebration, shared greetings, and participated in a question-and-answer session with the congregation. There was a worship service with record attendance, a meal, and fellowship time. There were also visitors from other congregations in Colombia.




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From information to experience

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There’s a difference between knowing something and truly experiencing it. During my time at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, we learned the Greek terms “oida” (possessing information) and “ginosko” (understanding through experience). As the saying goes, “hearing is not the same as living it.” This truth struck me during a recent visit to Nicaragua.

Julio Vargas, one of our church planters, arranged a visit with Amy, a woman he ministers to in the village of San Benito, 40 miles from Managua. I had met Amy and her family seven months prior. She was a hardworking mother of five and had recently taken in a five-year-old boy abandoned by his mother as she was seeking work abroad. Despite her limited income and heavy responsibilities, Amy said, “I couldn’t say no. I knew this child was brought to me so he could learn about Jesus.” Her heart reminded me of the widow of Zarephath, who had almost nothing but offered what she had to God first.

L to R: Missionary Luis Acosta and Mr. Julio Vargas

Amy seemed more subdued than before. When I asked if something was wrong, she tearfully said, “Thank you for visiting. You’re the answer to my prayers. I’ve been battling depression, questioning if God has abandoned me. Only my responsibility to God’s children keeps me going. I’ve been praying for a sign, a reminder that he’s with me.”

This was a powerful and emotive moment. I went from having “oida” knowledge of Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,” to experiencing its truth firsthand. Amy’s gratitude for my visit, the timing of it, solidified my understanding. When I said to her this is what the Lord says, “Never will I leave you, never will forsake you,” I knew I was not just repeating a Bible verse, the Lord was talking to her.

To comfort Amy, I pointed to the ultimate symbol of God’s love: Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and resurrection. I assured her this promise guaranteed God will never abandon her.

I told Amy that sharing the gospel with her was a true privilege, but it wasn’t a solo act. Our ministry at Academia Cristo thrives and is possible thanks to the prayers and support of countless believers who share our same faith and pray and care about her and her family.

Thanks for walking alongside us; your feet are quite beautiful. Please keep Amy, her family, and our ministry at Academia Cristo in your prayers.

Written by Rev. Luis Acosta, world missionary on the Latin America mission team based in Doral, Fla.Ā 

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Celebrating Godā€™s goodness forever

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May you keep celebrating birthdays until the year 3000! This is the last line in the Colombian version of the song Happy Birthday. Recently, members of Most Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in MedellĆ­n, Colombia, sang these words when celebrating their congregationā€™s 50th anniversary. In addition to singing, there was a worship service with record attendance, a meal, and fellowship time. Former and current WELS Latin America missionaries had the opportunity to attend, share greetings, and participate in a question-and-answer session. There were also visitors from other congregations in Colombia, many hugs, laughter, and tears of joy.

When WELS missionaries began outreach in MedellĆ­n 50 years ago, their efforts spanned from teaching English classes to managing Christian Information Centers to cultivating friendships to training leaders. The Lord blessed this work. Today, Most Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is an active, growing congregation. Members meet for worship and Bible study. Children and youth are taught Godā€™s Word in Sunday School and Catechism class. The congregation uses small group Bible studies as an outreach strategy. These studies, held in the homes of members in various strategic locations of the city, create an opportunity for their members to invite their friends and neighbors to learn about Jesus.

From MedellĆ­n, the work spread to other parts of Colombia. Congregations were established in other cities. A Confessional Lutheran synod was formed. Recently, this synod helped form a new, Latin American synod called Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional. The congregations in Colombia also partner with Academia Cristo to promote church planting in new parts of Colombia and throughout Latin America. Most importantly, over the past fifty years, Most Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is a place where the good news of Jesus has been preached, taught, and applied to countless hearts and lives.

Celebrating the 50th birthday of the church in Colombia was a special occasion. Will the church still be celebrating its birthday in the year 3000? Its members can look forward to something even more amazing. They get to celebrate Godā€™s grace, goodness, and mercy without end. Through faith in Jesus, we can look forward to sharing with them an eternal celebration in heaven. Praise God for his 50 years of grace in Colombia. Praise him for his unending love, blessings, and salvation!

Written by Rev. Matt Behmer, world missionary on the Latin America Mission team.

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Together Video Update – March 12, 2024

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Academia Cristo seeks to make disciples in Latin America by sharing the message of Godā€™s grace with as many people as possible, training potential leaders, and encouraging those leaders to make disciples who plant churches. Utilizing social media platforms to reach the lost in Spanish-speaking countries, Academia Cristo reaches millions of people with Godā€™s Word and is now celebrating its 10th anniversary. Missionary Andrew Johnston, who leads the Latin America mission team, shares an overview of Academia Cristo and how the Lord has blessed WELS mission work through this tool.

Learn more about mission work in Latin America.

 

Don’t miss Taste of Missions!

Interested in learning more about Latin American mission work? Missionary Andrew Johnston will be at the 2024 Taste of Missions!

Registration is now open!

This family-friendly event, held at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis., and online, will give all WELS members a “taste of missions,” no matter where you might be around the world. The event kicks off with a special worship service where WELS Missions will commission new home and world missionaries. Sample ethnic cuisine from some of our mission fields while enjoying fellowship and presentations from home and world missionaries alike. View displays, participate in outdoor family-friendly activities, and ask questions about the ups and downs of mission work during panel discussions.

Learn more and register!

 

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Latin America Mission – Winter 2024 Quarterly Update

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During the last months of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, our Lord of the Harvest continued to bless the work of the One Latin America Team and Academia Cristo. The team focused on the transition from using a mobile app to WhatsApp for its first tier of study. New groups were started in the United States and Latin America. Steps were taken to further reshape Grupo Sembrador en la Ruta Cristo, Academia Cristoā€™s church planting program and materials. A podcast on a Christ-centered life was implemented. The instruction function took steps to ensure the Academia Cristo curriculum is aligned around the teamā€™s church planting goals. Missionaries continued to make visits to key students, leaders, and groups.

A Few Quick Stats:

  • 2.2 million average weekly social media reach (user looks at the material for over 3 seconds)
  • 2,767 finished the four self-study courses either through the mobile app or WhatsApp
  • 764 completed one Discipulado Uno course
  • 95 completed Discipulado Uno
  • 35 completed Discipulado Dos
  • 32 Grupos Sembrador

A snapshot of blessings during the past quarter:

1. Self-study through WhatsApp
Learning from TELL and taking MLPā€™s recommendation, Academia Cristo transitioned from the use of a mobile app to WhatsApp for its self-study courses. By delivering the four self-study courses through WhatsApp instead of a mobile app, Academia Cristo was able to reach more people for less money. At the end of January 2023, there were over 9,500 people in the self-study workflow (taking one of the four self-study courses). Approximately 50 people are finishing the self-study courses each week. Upon completion of the four self-study courses, students are invited to enroll in live courses with Academia Cristo professors.

For more information on the switch from the mobile app to WhatsApp, please reference this video available in Spanish.

2. New Grupos Sembrador
Three new groups became Grupos Sembrador. Grupos Sembrador are led by an Academia Cristo student. They meet weekly, have studied Los cuatro conceptos (a course on sin, grace, faith, and works), and have studied at least three lessons of Aprendan de mĆ­ (a course similar to a Bible Information Course). These groups are in Deltona, Fla., United States; San Jose, Costa Rica; and Lima, Peru.

3. Ministry Certification
Elise Gross completed her ministry certification, and her call was made permanent. Luis Herrera took a course towards his ministry certification.

4. Meeting with 1LA, BWM, BHM, CICR, WLS, PSI, and COP
A meeting was held with representatives from the One Latin America team, the Board for World Missions (BWM), the Board for Home Missions (BHM), the Commission on Inter-Church Relations (CICR), Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS), the Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI), and the Conference of Presidents (COP) on Oct. 25, 2023, at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. The group discussed a paper written by Professor emeritus Paul Wendland on mission and ministry in Latin America. The One Latin America Team visionary and leader, Andrew Johnston, wrote a follow-up paper on the missiology of Academia Cristo.

5. Grupo Sembarador en la Ruta Cristo
Plans to overhaul the Grupo Sembrador en la Ruta Cristo program continued. A temporary plan for providing sermons to groups was developed and an outline for a Bible study program was drafted. This program will include Bible history lessons, doctrine lessons, and practical lessons. Plans are in place to write these lessons during the next quarter.

6. El Sembrador de Hoy es el Consejero de MaƱana
The team began preliminary work on creating a plan for todayā€™s group gatherer to become tomorrowā€™s mission counselor. This is in anticipation of exponential growth of students and church planters in the Academia Cristo program.




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Faces of Faith – Argentina

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Come along with Latin America Missionary Joel Sutton to meet two Academia Cristo students from Argentina: Fabian Gabriel Mandracchia from Rosario, and Luis Bello from Baradero. Hear how the gospel message is changing their lives, and how they’re working with the Latin America mission team to share what they’re learning with those around them.

Learn more about how the Latin America mission team is using Academia Cristo to share the gospel message and make disciples in Latin America at wels.net/latinamerica.