Institute to host Latino Ministries Conference

The Lutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute (LHMI) — an LCMS Recognized Service Organization — is hosting its first national Partners in Latino Ministries Conference (PALMCON) Oct. 23-25 in El Paso, Texas.

“The conference seeks to bring together a broad spectrum of Anglo and Hispanic ministry workers,” according to a news release about the event. “This includes both veterans and neophytes and from the already-fully engaged to the ones just starting to think about doing more.”

Registration information and other conference details are available through the PALMCON link at missionaryinstitute.org or by contacting LHMI Executive Director Richard Schlak at 915-790-2300.

The release also indicates that conference organizers anticipate that “a cross-section of local, regional and national workers will gather to share effective strategies, learn from each other’s experience [and] leave with practical suggestions about resources to assist local ministry efforts.”

Plenary sessions will be in English, with simultaneous Spanish translation via headphones.

Scheduled presenters include:

the Rev. Bart Day, executive director of the LCMS Office of National Mission, who will address the opening session.

the Rev. Tardelli Voss, a missionary church planter for the LCMS Mid-South District currently serving at Iglesia Luterana Cristo para Todos (Christ for All Lutheran Church), a satellite worship site of Salem Lutheran Church, Springdale, Ark. He will speak on first-generation Hispanics.

Dr. Daniel A. Rodriguez, professor of Religion and Hispanic Studies at Pepperdine University, Malibu, Calif., and author of A Future for the Latino Church: Models for Multilingual, Multigenerational Hispanic Congregations, who will address the training and resources needs of workers.

The conference also will include a Reformation worship service involving LCMS congregations in the El Paso area.