‘Expanding the Spanish Footprint’: Language instruction for pastors

The Rev. Yban Navarro, pastor at Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Licey, Dominican Republic, distributes the Sacrament to LCMS missionary Erin Mackenzie in February. The LCMS Latin America and the Caribbean region is developing intensive Spanish-language courses that will be taught in the Dominican Republic. (LCMS/Jana Inglehart)

By Jana Inglehart

With nearly 50 million Hispanics, the United States is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. In the 2023 Convention Workbook, more than a dozen district presidents in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) identified the lack of Spanish-speaking pastors as a significant concern in their districts.

The LCMS Latin America and the Caribbean region has developed “Expanding the Spanish Footprint,” an immersive Spanish course hosted in the Dominican Republic, to help meet this need. This program will provide the tools for pastors to reach Spanish speakers with the Gospel by:

Teaching the Spanish language;

Teaching about Latino culture; and

Teaching theology of mission and basic liturgical rites such as Holy Baptism, marriage and so on.

Students will practice Spanish skills in an immersive environment alongside local pastors, seminarians and professors living and serving in the Dominican Republic.

The course is being offered for pastors, seminarians and vicars. Spouses are also welcome. The language instruction will be individualized to benefit both beginners and experienced Spanish speakers.

The program will last anywhere from four to six weeks and be offered twice a year. In 2025, the sessions will start on (or near) these dates:

Jan. 15

Sept. 15

June 1 (if needed)

Language instruction will consist of 15–20 hours weekly. Learners will also explore the following topics:

Theological currents in Latin America, such as Roman Catholicism, adoration of saints, Pentecostalism, syncretism, folk religion and liberation theology.

Evangelistic visitation and rites, such as visitation with seminarians and pastors, and familiarization with common rites, such as house blessings, quinceañera (a celebration marking a young woman’s 15th birthday), Baptism, marriage and more.

Cultural acquisition, such as exploring culture shock, an overview of Latin American context and its diversity, and exposure to local culture.

Beginning Spanish students should plan for six weeks. Applicants who have some knowledge of Spanish will receive an assessment to determine how much study they need, lasting up to six weeks.

For more information, contact Erin Alter at erin.alter@lcms.org. To apply, visit servenow.lcms.org/opp/spanish-language-intensive-d-r.

Posted Oct. 3, 2024