Leo Sánchez elected President of the next Hispanic Convention

Dr. Leopoldo Sánchez, director of the Center for Hispanic Studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, was elected as the president of the V (5th) Hispanic National Convention of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) during the IV (4th) Convention’s triennial meeting on the campus of Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 19-22, 2012.

Also elected were the Rev. Laerte Tardeli Voss, missionary for the LCMS Mid-South District, of Lowell, Ark., vice-president; and Deaconess Ligia Borges of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Orlando, Fla., secretary/treasurer. Also elected board members at-large were the Rev. Pablo Dominguez of Silvis, Ill., a missionary for the LCMS Central Illinois District, and Deaconess Marta Luna of Salem, Ore., who serves with Lutheran Latino Ministries of Mount Angel, Ore.

In his brief remarks at the end of the closing service of the IV Convention, Dr. Sánchez noted “what a blessing it will be to serve our Hispanic churches together with former students who are now my colleagues [Borges, Domínguez, and Luna are Concordia Seminary CHS alumni],” and noted how “the Lord does provide the Hispanic church with many gifts.” The main responsibility of the president is to follow through approved resolutions of the Hispanic Convention, make preparations for the V Convention, and coordinate efforts with other Hispanic leaders or entities in Synod.