1. 2018-2020 Puerto rico Strategic plan
“If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:15)

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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