Thirty years. A lifetime of serving, learning, and trusting in God’s calling.
In 1996, Misael Tovar was ordained into the pastoral ministry by the Mexico Lutheran Synod (SLM). At the time, he was serving alongside his father, Pastor Martin Tovar, who shepherded Iglesia Luterana Gloria Dei in Chihuahua City, Mexico. Although Misael was not officially installed as pastor of the congregation, he continued helping his father while pursuing his education, eventually becoming a psychologist and addiction counselor.
As his father grew older, Misael took on more responsibilities within the congregation, balancing his professional work with the needs of the church.
When Pastor Martin entered glory in 2020, Misael found himself facing the calling God had placed upon his life years before. Together with his wife, he moved closer to Gloria Dei and the mission his father had served. As a working pastor, his days became filled with teaching, counseling, and caring for the people entrusted to him.
The years that followed offered Misael an opportunity to embrace his pastoral calling while continuing the ministry his father had begun.
Three years ago, as Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) and the SLM began exploring a partnership to strengthen existing congregations and establish new missions, Pastor Misael was given the opportunity to complete additional theological studies. He successfully completed his colloquy coursework in December 2025.
With his studies completed and Gloria Dei preparing to be received into the Mexico Lutheran Synod, plans were made for his official installation as pastor of the congregation.
Thirty years after his ordination, his installation finally arrived.
On October 17, 2026, Iglesia Luterana Gloria Dei gathered to witness Pastor Misael Tovar’s installation. Joining them were pastors from Mexico, the United States, Panama, Belize, and Brazil, who came to celebrate and encourage their brother in Christ.
Together, these pastors reminded Misael of his responsibility to preach God’s Word, administer the Sacraments, teach, guide, and care for the people of Gloria Dei. The congregation was also encouraged to grow in faith and share the love of Christ through acts of mercy within their community.
For those who remembered Pastor Martin’s years of service and watched Misael work alongside him, the installation marked a meaningful moment in the life of their congregation.
Yet this story is about more than a son following in his father’s footsteps or a pastor receiving his official installation.
It is about a calling God continued to nurture through thirty years of study, professional responsibilities, family changes, and pastoral care. Through each season, Misael continued serving, preparing for the day he would officially shepherd the congregation his father loved.
As Pastor Misael begins this new chapter, he does so with the encouragement of his fellow pastors, the love of his congregation, and the assurance of God’s continued care for His Church.
Thirty years between ordination and installation. A lifetime of service, and a calling fulfilled in God’s time.
YLM invites you to become part of this next chapter through our Build Up in Love campaign. This campaign supports three pastors serving YLM’s partner congregations in Mexico, including Pastor Misael at Gloria Dei, Pastor Guillermo Leyva at Cristo Rey in Ciudad Juárez, and Pastor Oscar Saavedra at La Santa Biblia in Anapra.
By providing ongoing pastoral support, your gifts help strengthen congregations through regular worship, Bible studies, pastoral visits, and community outreach. This allows pastors to devote more time to shepherding their congregations, administering the Sacraments, teaching God’s Word, and sharing Christ’s mercy with families in their communities.
We still need to raise $31,500 to meet our Build Up in Love campaign goal.
Would you prayerfully consider making a gift? Your partnership will help sustain the ministry of these three pastors, strengthen the Church in Mexico, and bring the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to more people.
