LCMS Board for International Mission members (from left to right): Mr. James Wolf; Mr. Allan Voss, secretary; Mrs. Kristine Bruss; Rev. Dr. David Stechholz; Rev. Bernhard Seter, chairman; Mr. Terence Lung; Rev. Dr. Carl Rockrohr; Rev. Roberto Rojas; and Rev. Magdiel Fajardo. Not pictured: Mr. John Edson, vice-chairman.

Note: The photo above was taken in 2019. View the current board members in the updated directory.

Board for International Mission

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Menu: Board Policies • Meeting Minutes • News & Updates • Contact Information

LCMS 2019 Handbook (Bylaw 3.8.3):

The Board for International Mission is charged with developing and determining policies in support of mission and ministry in foreign countries for the Office of International Mission (Bylaw 1.2.1 [n]).

These policies shall embrace and apply the mission and ministry emphases adopted by the national convention. Under the leadership of the President of the Synod, pursuant to Bylaw 3.3.1.1.1, the board shall assist in identifying the specific goals for the Office of International Mission. Policies determined by the board (implemented by staff) may include but not be limited to:

Strong mission leadership
Training of missionaries
Ministry for all of the Synod’s military personnel
Safeguarding the rights of partner churches
Ministry for all civilians and their dependents overseas
International human care
Liaison with the colleges, universities and seminaries of the Synod
Liaison with the chief ecumenical officer of the Synod
International schools

Upon the recommendation of the Office of International Mission, the board shall serve as the only sending agency through which workers and funds are sent to the foreign mission areas of the Synod, including the calling, appointing, assigning, withdrawing, and releasing of missionaries (ministers of religion–ordained and ministers of religion–commissioned) and other workers for the ministries in foreign areas.

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Board Policies

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Meeting Minutes

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News & Updates

Board for International Mission – Reporter

Headlines only

Mission boards seek to connect with districts on Synod priorities
Tuesday, April 26, 2022 2:35:29 PM

Synod boards hold first meetings of year
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 11:14:17 AM

Obituary: Rev. Bernhard M. Seter, former chairman of the LCMS Board for International Mission
Monday, April 4, 2022 2:15:57 PM

Mission board gets uplifting overseas reports
Monday, October 25, 2021 3:35:29 PM

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Contact Information

Questions, comments or concerns?

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LCMS Mission and Ministry Emphases and Priorities

For 2019-2022 Triennium

This resource is offered to help pastors, congregations and circuit visitors prepare for the pending cycle of district conventions. This is in partial fulfillment of LCMS 2019 Convention Resolution 4-04A.

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Meetings

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Board Members

The membership of the Board for International Mission is outlined in the 2019 Handbook (Bylaw 3.8.3.3).

The Board for International Mission shall be comprised of eleven members:

1. Five laypersons and five individual members of the Synod (one of each from each region of the Synod) elected in the same manner as are regional members of the Board of Directors of the Synod (see Bylaws 3.12.1 and 3.12.2.8)

2. The President of the Synod or his representative

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The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Inc., including Mission Central (in Mapleton, Iowa), is an IRS registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity.

A contribution designated (restricted) for a specific purpose, when accepted, will be used only to fund expenses related to that purpose. Occasionally, we may receive more in contributions for a particular purpose than can be wisely applied to it in the foreseeable future or the purpose may cease to be feasible. In these situations, the LCMS will make reasonable attempts to contact contributors to apply their contribution toward another aspect of ministry that aligns closely the contributor’s goals and values. If a contributor cannot be contacted, the LCMS will use the gift to meet a similar pressing need that most closely matches the contributor's original intent.

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