Collection: The Latin America Mission (LAM) Collection

Scope and Contents

Records consist of documents relating to the overall work and mission of the Latin America Mission (LAM). The missions in Puerto Rico were particularly in focus and contained the most information. Included are historical documents, brochures and flyers, minutes from various groups, including the Latin America Mission Executive Committee, guidelines and reports relating to LAM, and general correspondence.

Dates

1964

Creator

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Board For World Missions (Organization)

Conditions Governing Use

Biographical / Historical

Since 1964, WELS has been working to bring the good news of Jesus’ resurrection to Latin America. Missionaries were first sent to Puerto Rico. During the following decades, mission work spread to more countries south of the U.S. border. Today, 12 WELS missionaries serve Latin America. In addition to Puerto Rico, they reside in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil. They also travel to Colombia, Bolivia, and other places. Missionaries learn the languages of the countries they serve, which include Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Creole. This helps them share the Gospel with others, train men to be pastors, and work with these pastors to develop self-supporting congregations and church bodies. Approximately 550 million people live in Latin America. To reach them all with the good news of salvation is a steep task. Yet we give thanks to God for providing opportunities to do so. While cultures, people, and languages vary, the goal is one: to bring more sheep into Christ’s resurrected arms.