LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 18

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18 MISSIONS

gregations and preaching stations in Britain and one in France,
which are served by Bishop Fierla. six Pastors, and three lay
preachers. Approximately 1,250 members of this Part of the
church live in the United Kingdom. In 1975 the PLCE hopes to

get at least two pastors from Poland and to train lay preachers.
France and Belgium

The Evangelical Lutheran Church~ Synod of France and
Belgium is located chiefly in France's Alsace, Paris, and the
Poitou area, and in Antwerp, Belgium. Its membership exceeds
1,000. Its present mission outreach is aimed at developing
satellite congregations in the Paris and Poitou areas. A mis.
sionary group, Equipe Missionaire. also is being formed and will
include pastors, students, and laymen. Plans also call for the is-
Ssuance of a theological Journal in French.

In recent years this church has been assisted by vicars from
the U.S.A.

Germany

In recent years our contact with Germany has been con-
centrated on the effort of the church there to purchase the semi-
nary at Oberursel. This Project is scheduled to be completed
in 1975. We rejoice that the three churches to which we were
related have now formed one church, the Independent Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church, with about 40,000 members,

Latin America
Argentina

The Argentine District's mission work is primarily in the
central and northeastern Provinces of Argentina and in parts
of Paraguay, Uruguay, and Chile.

In recent years the “ et's Get Rolling in Argentina” effort,
which was Supported by school and Sunday school children

on a bicycle, a horse, or the public bus, now can visit many
more members and Prospects. Through this effort the District
also has established several schools that already are in need of
enlargement.

Brazil

new frontiers, Leadership training is giving more responsibility
and awareness to our laymen.

Goals for 1975 include: placing five men in Rio de Janeiro:
establishing medical, health, and social welfare programs in
the proverty areas and along the new highways: dividing six of
the very large parishes and adding new men for more intensive

training regional leaders for a more conscious and intensive
cooperation in missions and church support: Promoting evan-
gelization programs in all circuits of the District,

The LCMS gave assistance to about 50 congregations, but
most of the District's needs were raised locally.

Central America and Panama

The Council of Churches in Central America and Panama
‘CONCAP) is active in Guatemala, E] Salvador, Honduras,
Costa Rica, and Panama. The first Latin-American president
was elected in 1974.

Plans for 1975 involve: a vigorous program of mission activ-
ities to be carried out by the Department of Mission Education:
greater responsibilities for the National Councils: support of
the Lutheran World Federation Literature Program and the
Production of locally produced literature: use of the Mass
Communications Department at the congregational level:
location of professional workers in Population centers to super-
vise lay workers in surrounding communities.

It has also become Possible to conduct a mobile public health
Program in Central America.

Cuba

Because of the Political situation in Cuba it has been impos-
sible to maintain relations with the congregations.

Mexico

The Lutheran Baja California Mission, with headquarters
in San Diego, is doing outstanding work with congregations in
Tijuana and Mexicali.

Venezuela

Direct congregational evangelism efforts bring the Gospel
to at least 500 families weekly. Education facilities provide for
weekly contact with 350 families. Massmedia programs pro-
duced in Venezuela have brought approximately 130 responses

listening audience is estimated at 50 million.

Plans for 1975 include: the establishment of a new mission
area in the Pto. Ordaz zone: trial penetration of the Valencia
area: a new correspondence course for adults and an attrac-
tively illustrated course for children: training nationals to write
and produce Sunday school and educational materials.

North America

North American mission operations are sponsored and ad-
ministered directly by the 38 Districts of the Synod. During the
biennium the Florida-Georgia, California and Nevada, and
Northwest Districts have assumed the full financial support of
the mission Programs in their areas. The Alberta and British
Columbia and Manitoba and Saskatchewan Districts in Canada
and the Mid-South, Montana, and Southern Districts in the
U.S.A. still receive financial support. The Florida-Georgia
District administers the work in the Bahamas, which is sup-
Ported by the Board for Missions. The Panama Canal Zone
congregations also are related to this District.

Although each District plans, develops, and administers its
Own mission program, it is essential that they all work together.
The District mission executives meet each year during Holy
Week for planning and reviewing work. The Board for Missions
is particularly grateful to the steering committee selected by
the District executives for carrying through with a program
for 1975.

Considerable attention is being given to the Opportunity
and challenge of serving particularly black, Hispanic, and In-
dian populations. Recruiting and training leaders for these
ministries can be Started because of $75,000 set aside out of the
Synod's 125th Anniversary Thankoffering funds. Another
$30,000 has been designated for work with the Hispanic people.

District mission Programs are being reviewed and revised
because of great changes taking place in North America. The
“population explosion” of the 1950s and 1960s has dwindled
in the 1970s.

The immigration of many Hispanics has made them a focus
of attention. Each week 7,000 permanent residents move into
Florida. It is indicated that the southeast section of the country
will be the fastest growing area for the next decade. Kentucky
is experiencing a large movement of northern business and
industry into its smaller towns. This influx includes executives,
department heads, engineers, skilled workers, and their fam-
ilies. The front range of the Rocky Mountains is another rapidly
8rowing section because of the exploration for oil, oil shale,
coal, and uranium to meet the resource crisis. With the advent
of coal gasification, North Dakota is readying itself for the ap-
Proximately 3,000 People to be employed at each plant to be
constructed. At the same time, the District seeks to help de-
clining rural congregations cope with losses of membership

Gary, Ind., we have six churches. Two have not had a resident
Pastor for more than 6 years. Four parishes are now vacant.
The white movement out of Gary continues at a rapid rate, and
with it the financial base for support of the ministry continues
to decline.

The New England District is very mindful of the 30 popula-
tion centers in its area which, even with 20,000 or more people,