2018-2020 Puerto rico Strategic plan “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:15)

Witness, mercy, life together LAC Region: Share the Gospel, Show Mercy, Plant Lutheran Churches Puerto Rico: Disaster Response is mercy alongside proclamation leading to church plants

WITNESS Theological Education – The single greatest challenge to the Lutheran church and mission in Latin America (outside of Argentina and Brazil) is the lack of theological leadership. This makes the identification of new leaders, and a clear pathway towards equipping them, an absolute necessity. Impact – The Lutheran Hour uses the phrase, “bringing Christ to the nations, and the nations to the church.” We believe that we must make a national impact by sowing the seed of the Gospel as broadly as possible with the express purpose of gathering those who come to Christ into local congregations.

Mercy A lack of spiritual and physical care is apparent throughout Puerto Rico. The love we show for people is unconditional. We do not show mercy because it will cause people to come to the church We show mercy because the love of Christ moves us to do so

Life Together Establish a fully national church body Avoid patterns and promises that promote dependency Seek to establish a strong, indigenous Lutheran church Build teams and congregations

Strengths FORO PARTNERS: OTHER RESOURCES: LCMS International Mission LCMS National Mission LCMS Disaster Response CPTLN / Lutheran Hour St. John, Aitkin / Brainerd Circuit Principe de Paz, Mayaguez, PR OTHER RESOURCES: Concordia Seminary of the Reformer

Weaknesses Young, small, new team Loss of missionaries still felt Integrating disaster response with church planting

Witness: Position #1 Establish congregations through the preaching of the Word #1: Use established congregations as a base from which to build other missions Mayaguez, Ponce, Northwest #2: Establish digital footprint to promote congregations and CARD centers Work with CPTLN Social media, broadcast, print, posters

Witness: Position #2 Develop role of Mercy Centers and Dominican Seminary #1: Use seminary to prepare pastors William Torres enrolled Identify Puerto Rican ministry candidates #2: For evangelists and deaconesses Have one of each per congregation by 2023 Mentoring by local missionaries #3: Mercy Center trains all Christians Use A of R, Everyone His Witness

Mercy: Position #3 Establish a corporate life of mercy #1: Congregations active in mercy Identify areas for training (LFL, DR, AoR) Show mercy through service in the community #2: Mercy to the marginalized Each congregation established an outreach #3: Music at our CARD centers Preparing new musicians, teaching individuals #4: English at our CARD centers Promoting independence and life quality

Life together: Position #4 Encourage the building of community within the mission #1: Fellowship between members is strengthened Fellowship meals and gathering opportunities encouraged Vocations of members are honored

Life together: Position #5 Support mission field workers #1: Strengthen their faith Weekly bible study, divine service Annual retreat for the entire team #2: Care for body and soul Chaplaincy visits

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)