# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1911_S264
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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When we began our mission in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, there were, in about 30 larger colonies, unionist pastors from Germany, organized into the "Evangelical Rio Grande Synod"; in numerous other colonies there were so-called pseudo-pastors (vagabonds in a pastor's coat), or the inhabitants were entirely without church care. Our missionaries were at first met with great distrust. People saw in them North American political agents, sectarians, exploiters of the people. Opponents and enemies arose against them on every side. Nevertheless, our mission work there has made good progress. From the very first years, one door after another opened to us. Now our pastors and our work are met everywhere with respect. We now have there 11 congregations belonging to the Synod and 37 not belonging to the Synod, 13 preaching stations, 12,425 souls, 6038 communicant members, and 1753 voting members. Especially gratifying in this mission is that, from the beginning, pastors and congregations gave thought to Christian schools. At present we have 40 schools there with 1450 schoolchildren. 20 pastors are at work there. There are probably few mission works in our Synod that could show greater successes in so short a time. We could have a considerably greater number of congregations still, if we had not lacked pastors so badly. We have never yet, in any year, received the desired number of workers. Large congregations have been lost to us because they issued calls in vain for years; whole regions have fallen into the hands of false prophets because we could not fill them.

Thank God, at present 5 candidates are on their way to relieve the crying need somewhat, three of whom are to be assigned to Brazil. A good number of students at St. Louis and Springfield stand ready to go there once calls are given them. The prospects for the future are the most favorable.

b. Argentina.

For five years we have, called there, also taken up the work in Argentina. And when we consider the successes of this five years' work, we must praise the undeserved grace of God, who has here too opened one door after another for us and given us one victory after another. We currently have eight organized congregations there, two preaching stations, and a city mission in the capital, Buenos Aires. Unfortunately, in this large, promising field there now stands only a single pastor, O. W. C. Böttcher, a stalwart young man, a capable missionary, and a tireless worker. At his side stands a zealous teacher. Pastor A. Heine, who was stationed in Buenos Aires, has followed an urgent call to Brazil, and Pastor W. Preußer, who was able to work among his congregations, under God's rich blessing, for only a few months, has