Mission of the month - Pan De Vida
Iglesia Luterana Pan de Vida (Bread of Life Lutheran Church) is a congregation located in Southwest Detroit, specifically in the neighborhood of Mexicantown. Pan de Vida was established in the late 1980s with the support of LCMS missionary and deaconess Teresita Rodríguez. Its first pastor, Rev. Gregory Lorenz served the church for several years until he received and accepted another calling. Some time later, Rev. Eddie Morales arrived at Pan de Vida and served as its pastor for 8 years until the Michigan District sent Rev. Ricardo Granado to serve as their missionary pastor and to plant Hispanic churches in Michigan.
Pan de Vida has certainly experienced moments of difficulty over the years, however God in his grace has added members to his flock and has sustained this ministry. As a ministry that serves and supports the Hispanic immigrant population, it often encounters many challenges. They are people who, for the most part, have fled the social, political and economic crises of their countries, in some cases fearing for their lives’ safety. Some have been kidnapped by drug cartels in Latin America, others have experienced painful journeys to reach the US, passing through deserts and jungles and literally fleeing for their lives. So it is especially difficult for them to try to start a new life, much more so when there are children in the family group. Since they arrive in a new country and start from scratch, they struggle with basic needs such as housing, lack of a table to eat at or a bed to sleep in, food, clothing for winter, etc.
All this reality invites us to look with eyes of compassion and mercy at our Hispanic brothers and sisters in need of the Word of God and the sacraments. It is truly frustrating to be faced with these situations and not be able to do enough as a church to help and financially support them due to lack of funds. However, at the same time it is hopeful to see how these people begin to slowly rebuild their lives by being a part of a community like Pan de Vida and seeing how God is working in them.
This is a valuable opportunity to join us and be a part of what God is doing in the midst of the Hispanic community in Detroit, to serve and do mission. Thank you for your support, prayers and for being humble instruments of God to make a difference in these families that He, in His goodness, has placed around us."
Pan de Vida has certainly experienced moments of difficulty over the years, however God in his grace has added members to his flock and has sustained this ministry. As a ministry that serves and supports the Hispanic immigrant population, it often encounters many challenges. They are people who, for the most part, have fled the social, political and economic crises of their countries, in some cases fearing for their lives’ safety. Some have been kidnapped by drug cartels in Latin America, others have experienced painful journeys to reach the US, passing through deserts and jungles and literally fleeing for their lives. So it is especially difficult for them to try to start a new life, much more so when there are children in the family group. Since they arrive in a new country and start from scratch, they struggle with basic needs such as housing, lack of a table to eat at or a bed to sleep in, food, clothing for winter, etc.
All this reality invites us to look with eyes of compassion and mercy at our Hispanic brothers and sisters in need of the Word of God and the sacraments. It is truly frustrating to be faced with these situations and not be able to do enough as a church to help and financially support them due to lack of funds. However, at the same time it is hopeful to see how these people begin to slowly rebuild their lives by being a part of a community like Pan de Vida and seeing how God is working in them.
This is a valuable opportunity to join us and be a part of what God is doing in the midst of the Hispanic community in Detroit, to serve and do mission. Thank you for your support, prayers and for being humble instruments of God to make a difference in these families that He, in His goodness, has placed around us."