‘CelebraZion’: Celebrating 100 years of LCMS Hispanic ministry

By Cheryl Magness

As The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) celebrates 100 years of Hispanic ministry this year, the National Hispanic Convention held its eighth triennial convention July 28–31 at Concordia University Irvine (CUI), Irvine, Calif., under the theme “100 Years — CelebraZion.”

The word “celebraZion” was created by combining the Spanish word “celebra” with the English word “Zion” to highlight Christ’s faithfulness to His church as described in Psalm 145:4: “One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.” It is a message that aligns well with the LCMS’ current mission and ministry emphasis, adopted at the 2026 LCMS convention, and its National Offering theme, both of which call on the church to “Tell the Next Generation.”

The Rev. Stephen Heimer, manager of LCMS All Nations Ministry and former president of the National Hispanic Convention (a new president, the Rev. Rodrigo Fernandez, was just elected), said the convention enables those involved in Hispanic ministry, both individuals and congregations, to create and build upon connections with one another — connections that are especially important for those new to the LCMS.

Heimer continued:

“During the convention, [attendees] learned of resources available in the LCMS for Hispanic ministry. They were encouraged as they made decisions about ways to work together. I heard church members remarking with surprise and joy that they aren’t alone in this work. The convention demonstrates that LCMS ministry in Spanish is not new. It is robust, and there is a lot we can continue to do together.”

The convention was conducted in Spanish, with English interpretation. Materials were printed in both languages, enabling those whose primary language is Spanish to fully engage while also allowing English speakers to participate. Over the course of four days on the CUI campus, approximately 250 convention attendees enjoyed:

• Multiple opportunities for worship;
• Plenary sessions on Hispanic ministry, focusing on its past, present and future;
• Workshops on both practical and theological topics;
• Programming for children and youth;
• A variety of exhibitors representing many involved in Hispanic ministry; and
• Greetings from LCMS leaders and entities, including LCMS Chief Mission Officer and Interim Executive Director of the LCMS Office of National Mission Rev. Daniel Galchutt; LCMS Pacific Southwest District President Rev. Dr. Michael Gibson; Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Admissions Officer Rev. Zabdi Lopez; LCMS Texas District Mission and Ministry Facilitator Rev. Lincon Guerra Jr.; and the Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies and the Rev. Germán Novelli of Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM), an LCMS auxiliary with a dedicated Hispanic ministry division named Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones (Christ for All Nations). Lakies is LHM’s vice-president for ministry engagement, and Novelli is director of its Hispanic ministry.

Speaking to the convention on July 28, Galchutt echoed the message of passing on the faith by telling the next generation:

“We rejoice that we are all children of God … who receive grace and peace because of what Jesus Christ has done for us.

“As God’s redeemed children, we are to marvel in this truth — that Christ died for our sins and was raised for our justification. … We give thanks to God for those who have gone before us, and … we take up the task to tell others as well. …

“Thank you for what you do — often in difficult and challenging circumstances, all across the United States and beyond. Your work is appreciated. Thank you, fellow children of the heavenly Father. Thank you, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, for your labor and efforts to tell the next generation.”

100 years … and counting

The LCMS has traditionally dated its ministry among Hispanics to mission work that began in San Antonio, Texas, in 1926, although there were some earlier efforts in Illinois. Those efforts, Heimer explained, may not have endured simply because the population that was being served moved out of the area to seek opportunities elsewhere. Other significant dates in the history of LCMS Hispanic ministry include:

• 1930 – Concordia Theological Seminary (then in Springfield, Ill.) graduates its first Hispanic student, the Rev. Andrés Meléndez. Meléndez went on to serve as speaker of “The Spanish Lutheran Hour.”
• 1964 – The Spanish hymnal Culto Cristiano is published.
• 1967 – Lutheran mission work is established at the Texas/Mexico border.
• 1973 –120 LCMS congregations are involved in Hispanic ministry.
• 1976 – The Hispanic Task Force is appointed by the LCMS Board for Missions and holds its first National Hispanic Conference the following year.
• 1982 – Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care is established, with the Rev. Dr. Karl Heimer as director.
• 1991 – The Spanish hymnal Cantad al Señor is published.
• 2003 – The first National Hispanic Convention is held in Los Angeles.
• 2006 – The Center for Hispanic Studies is established at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, with the Rev. Dr. Leopoldo Sánchez as director.
• 2022 – The Spanish hymnal Himnario Luterano is published.
• 2026 – The LCMS celebrates 100 years of Hispanic ministry.

Reflecting on 100 years of LCMS Hispanic ministry, Heimer said, “The challenges of establishing congregations 100 years ago among Hispanic immigrant communities are still present today. People join LCMS churches but may move to other areas of the country for reasons of work and family.

“Church planters and congregations who are trying to reach these populations can quickly become discouraged. LCMS All Nations Ministry helps by strengthening the connections among congregations, missions and workers throughout the United States.”

To facilitate those connections, All Nations Ministry has created an online directory to aid not only Hispanic ministries, but those working across a variety of peoples and cultures. For more information, email allnations@lcms.org.

All Nations Ministry was a sponsor of the 2026 National Hispanic Convention, which is served by the Hispanic Missionary League, Inc., an independent and separate 501(c)(3) organization formed in 2019 to operate as the National Hispanic Convention’s fiscal agent.

Learn more (click below):

• LCMS All Nations Ministry
• National Hispanic Convention
• Lutheran Hour Ministries
• Lutheran Heritage Foundation

Posted Sept. 16, 2026

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