Puertas Online

Last Saturday was an important day for the Lutheran Church of Panama, seeing the ordination of its first national pastor since the last presence of LCMS missionaries called specifically to Panama. Pastor Jose Angel Fernandez was ordained and officially installed at the congregation of Rio Rita, a rural area towards the Caribbean side of the country. Pastor Jose Angel has been serving the congregation in the capacity of a lay leader for many years and finally was able to be ordained after completing his seminary training in Nicaragua.
The event was a big celebration for the national church and for his family. When Pastor Fernandez first came to the Lutheran church, he was unable even to read. Through the efforts of Pastor Rueben of Los Andes Lutheran Church, Pastor Fernandez learned to read and write using the Bible, and has now completed his seminary studies–what an incredible testimony to how God equips those whom He calls!