# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S271
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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332 MISSIONS

Missions in South America

Being more closely associated with their sister Districts in
North America, the Brazil and Argentine Districts made remark.
able forward strides during the past triennium. Both Districts
are forging ahead. In an increasing measure they are follow;
the pattern of our North American Districts in the cultivation
of good stewardship and mission policies, in the development of
mission fields, in the organization of congregations, in the regular
holding of circuit meetings, and in the conduct of District con.
ventions — in all of which the laity is beginning to play an
increasing role.

During his visitation in 1949 your Secretary of Missions was
privileged to attend 15. circuit meetings in Brazil and Argentina,
The attendance at these meetings was most gratifying. Of the
125 pastors of these two Districts only four pastors did not attend
these meetings, and of the 588 congregations and preaching stations
all but ten were represented by lay delegates.

Since Pastor H. A. Mayer, Assistant Secretary of Missions, has
just recently returned from South America, where he attended
the golden anniversary of our work in Brazil as the representative
of the venerable President of Synod, Doctor J. W. Behnken, be it
suggested that Pastor Mayer be given an opportunity to report to
the convention on his extensive journey, which took him to many
points in our South American field.

Seventy-five parish schools in Brazil, with a total enrollment
of approximately 6,000 pupils, continue to enjoy the good will
of the civil authorities. In order to raise the scholastic standards
of these parish schools, the Brazil District has appointed an
experienced teacher as a District Counselor for Schools.

Our brethren beneath the Southern Cross have set themselves
to the task of training a national ministry. At Porto Alegre we
have a flourishing seminary for future pastors and teachers. Its
present enrollment is more than 130 students.

The preparatory school, which for many years was conducted
at Crespo, Argentina, is now consolidated with the seminary at
Villa Ballester, a suburb of Buenos Aires. This move has helped
achieve greater efficiency and greater economy.

It must always remain our aim to build an indigenous Church,
self-supporting and self-propagating, also in South America, for
only then can we hope to build solidly and to insure an expansion
‘of our work in the future. Our churches are gradually being
nationalized. The youth is rapidly adopting the language and the
customs of the country in which they live. At the present time
‘there are comparatively few workers in South American fields
‘who were trained in our seminaries in North America.

MISSIONS 333

Extraterritorial Missions

or to the convention in 1947 our missions in Central America,
co, and other extraterritorial areas were supervised by four
nt District Mission Boards. Since most of these missions
conducted among Spanish-speaking people, and since most
of these missions have very much in common, it was deemed
advisable that they all be brought under the supervision of one
department. The conduct of these missions was therefore also
entrusted to the Board for Missions in North and South America.

During the past triennium excellent progress was made in both
the Spanish and English-speaking groups in Mexico City. Our
English-speaking group, the Lutheran Church of the Good Shep-
herd, was permitted to dedicate the first unit of its church building
in December, 1948. Also in Monterrey splendid progress has been
recorded. Our congregation in this large city, “the Chicago of
Mexico,” will soon dedicate its new church edifice, erected with
funds contributed by the L. W. M. L.

Our Instituto Concordia de Mexico, where we are training
a native Mexican clergy, continues to enjoy divine benediction.
Our first graduate of this school was graduated in 1949 and is now
doing mission work in Torreon.

In Guatemala the extent of our work has been limited by
a shortage of manpower. One open door after another has pre-
sented itself to us, but not all could be entered. By this fall we
hope to have added two or three more men to our staff in Guate-
mala. In few fields do we have brighter prospects.

Work on the Isle of Pines and in Cuba is progressing slowly
against great difficulties. With the increase in our manpower on
these islands we have every reason to hope for a larger measure
of success.

In the Hawaiian Islands we have two congregations, each still
very young and each looking forward to rapid growth. Our Re-
deemer Congregation in Honolulu will soon dedicate its first church
edifice. If time permits, additional information on our extra-
territorial missions may be given on the floor of the convention.

Translation of Christian Literature into the Spanish and
Portuguese Languages. — To carry on our work among Spanish and
Portuguese people, it is necessary to provide Christian literature
in these two languages. Pastor A. Melendez, a Puerto Rican by
birth and a graduate of our ‘Springfield Seminary, has been
appointed to translate some of our most important theological
literature into the Spanish language. Among the titles which he
has already translated we list: ;

“Sunday School Lessons” — two complete series of each (for
Beginners — Primary — Juniors — Intermediate. Seniors being pre-