Early in 2022, four women from Iglesia Luterana La Santa Biblia in Anapra, one of Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care’s (YLM) partnering mission-churches in Mexico, graduated from a deaconess program offered virtually by the Seminario Concordia “El Reformador” de Republica Dominicana. These four women are now working together to assist at three of the mission-churches by helping lead children events, devotions, Bible studies and other needed sources of discipleship.

The last week of February, four new deaconess students made the trip, along with their sponsoring pastor, Rev. Stephen Heimer, to Mexico City, where they met with other deaconess students for the first initial intensive course of this two-year program. Part of the intensive course was to outline what a deaconess is, what their purpose will be, and how they will be able to help further the Gospel within their churches and communities.

“It was a wonderful experience,” Guillermina, one of the new students, shared afterwards, “They were very gracious hosts and I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the Lutheran doctrine and the deaconess vocation.”

Along with Guillermina, a member of San Pablo Lutheran Church in El Paso, three women from La Santa Biblia came to start this process, eager to help with their growing church. During their time in Mexico City, these students had individual and group assignments for their intensive course, and working together, they were able to fulfill their responsibilities for their time there.

Now, through the use of a computer and internet connection at Iglesia Luterana San Lucas in Anapra, these students will be meeting for their virtual lectures and work together for the assignments required of them. As they grow in knowledge and faith, they will continue to help with the different ministries their mission-churches are dedicated to.