Ethnic and Multicultural Ministries are a high priority for our synod.  We provide advice, counsel and services to congregations that want to become more inclusive and culturally diverse. 

Maybe your congregation wants to expand its ministry due to its own georgraphical and demographical context.  Or maybe it wants to partner with some existing multicultural ministry within or abroad.  Perhaps it just wants to become more aware of the increase in cultural, racial and class diversity surrounding our neighborhoods.  In any case, we would like to walk together bringing experience and resources to the table in order to facilitate the journey.

Our Synod has several Latino ministries in development:  Bethel in Madison, San Jose in Beloit, and Holy Trinity in Marshall.  We would like to see other ethnic ministries develop such as African American and Hmong.  Do you see a particular need in your area?  Please let us know.

For more information, contact Rev. Pedro Suarez, Assistant to the Bishop, Director for Ethnic and Multicultural Ministries, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (608) 270-0201 ext. 108.       

News about Developing Latino Ministries!

Bethel Lutheran Church 

Besides the regular 12:30 p.m. Sunday Latnio worship and Sunday School, Bethel has just added a Latino youth ministry with weekly meetings for middle and high school youth as well as an integrated activities with non-Latino youth members of the church.  This program is led by a team which includes Mayra DeGraff, Greselda Ortiz, Anita Grue, Cory Hamilton and Pr. Pedro Suarez.

A children's afterschool program is also in place for children in first through fifth grade, led by Yolibth Rangel-Fitzgibbon.  There are also regular English classes on Sundays, Spanish classes on Tuesdays, computer clases in Spanish on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Yoga on Saturdays, several retreats a year and much more.  The Latino Ministry at Bethel is directed by Pr. Pedro Suarez, assisted by his wife Aura.  For a link to their website:  http://www.latino.bethel-madison.org

San Jose 

This is a new mission start in Beloit.  San Jose has a Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. followed by worship at 10:30 a.m. at 717 Bluff Street in Beloit.  Currently, this ministry is lead by Pr. Neddy Astudillo assisted by Reyna Jiminez.  This past summer four children received their First Communion.  This ministry is in need of partners to help remodel their basement for their regular activities.       

Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity in Marshall also has a Latino worship which is held at 5:00 p.m. on Sundays led by Pr. Paul Anderson and assisted by Martha Garza.  We are currently looking for a Latino worker for this ministry.

Lutheran Social Services         

LSS is looking forward to opening an office in the near future in Madison for Refugee Resettlement.  For more information, contact Rebekah Johnson at    414-325-3098. 

For more information:  http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Ministry/Multicultural-Ministries.aspx