The One Latin America Team gathered January 21–24 in Chicago, Ill., for its annual meeting. Missionaries were joined by members of the One Latin America Team Administrative Committee and partners supporting this work. Time together focused on prayer, planning, and strengthening collaboration as the team continues its work of making disciples and supporting church planting throughout Latin America.
During the meeting, the team reaffirmed its ten-year goal as they look ahead toward 2034:
- 10,000 students complete at least one Discipleship Level course
- 1,000 churches planted (Grupos Sembrador)
- 100 church plants become members of Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional (ICWI)
To stay centered on this mission, the team recommitted to prioritizing time and energy with church planters (sembradores). Their three-year picture includes 2,000 goal-setting sessions carried out with church planters and 500 in-person visits with those starting new groups. Worship, devotions, and fellowship framed the meeting, including a time of thanksgiving for Rev. Timothy Westendorf and his wife, Kelly, as he concluded 17 years of service as chairman of the One Latin America Team Administrative Committee.
Fast facts
- 102,580 total students enrolled in Academia Cristo’s Self-Study Level (cumulative)
- 1,689 students have completed at least one Discipleship Level live course
- 85 in-person visits with church planters during the past year
- 57 active church planters (Grupos Sembrador)
Spanish outreach in the United States
In November, the One Latin America Team hosted its first-ever Spanish Outreach Intensive in Denver. Four congregations participated—three from Texas and one from Florida. Each congregation already had Academia Cristo students but no pastor-led Spanish ministry. Participants included pastors and lay leaders, Latinos and non-Latinos, all working together to explore how Academia Cristo can support Spanish-language outreach in their local communities.
New church planters called
During the past quarter, the Academia Cristo governing board called six students to serve as church planters. These individuals come from across Latin America, including Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico, and Colombia. Each has completed the Discipleship Level of studies, is in doctrinal agreement, is committed to continued training, and is committed to gathering others around the gospel.
A mobile hub takes shape in Mexico City
In late November 2025, the Sutton family relocated from Paraguay to Mexico City to serve in the first One Latin America Team mobile hub. This approach allows missionaries to be positioned where many students and groups are located, while maintaining flexibility to respond to new opportunities. From Mexico City, Missionary Joel Sutton will focus on mentoring church planters and their groups throughout the region.
Graduation ceremony
A graduation ceremony was held on Sunday, December 14, 2026, for five students who completed their Church Planting Level studies. Four of these students are actively leading a church plant (Grupos Sembrador), and some plan to continue with seminary-level studies.
Supporting church planters through on-the-ground visits
Throughout the past quarter, One Latin America Team missionaries logged extensive travel across the region to encourage and support church planters (Grupos Sembrador) face to face. In total, team members traveled to 14 cities across five countries, meeting with students for in-person teaching, worship, and encouragement. These on-the-ground visits strengthened relationships and helped ensure that growing groups remain rooted in God’s Word as they develop and multiply.
Looking ahead
With missionaries now fully onboarded in key regions and new roles clarified within the team, the One Latin America Team continues to refine how it supports students, instructors, and church planters. The team remains focused on one goal: sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and equipping believers across Latin America to do the same.
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