In Revelation 7, the imagery of the great multitude worshiping Christ points us to God’s mission. His mission transcends all boundaries as He works through His people to reconcile the world to Himself.

A group of Concordia Seminary students recently had the opportunity to learn firsthand about this holy work when they landed in the Dominican Republic (DR) as part of an annual short-term mission education trip. 

Tori Egger, the wife of Seminary President Dr. Thomas J. Egger, organized the trip with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Office of International Mission. Erin Mackenzie, a missionary based in the Latin America and Caribbean region who serves as the regional volunteer coordinator for the LCMS, planned the activities and itinerary. She focused on providing the Seminary’s travelers — which included eight Master of Divinity (M.Div.) students, two wives of seminarians and two Deaconess Studies students — grounding in the strategic operations and daily life and work of the LCMS in the Dominican Republic. 

“On this education trip, students saw missionaries, national workers and local members engaged in spreading the Gospel, planting Lutheran churches and showing mercy,” Mackenzie said. “They participated in ministry experiences across our churches, Lutheran schools, seminary and in a group home for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

“We do this to deliver the Word ... as Christ calls them, into His light and the new life that only He can give.”

Jason Groth

On Jan. 20, the Seminary team flew into Santiago de los Caballeros, arriving early the next day and quickly launching into the trip’s activities. After arriving at the headquarters for all mission activities in Latin America, the students were immediately immersed in a lively regional mission hub. 

Staying at Concordia the Reformer Seminary, the team joined the region’s existing mission activities and gained valuable cross-cultural experience and exposure. They presented a Bible skit for the Lutheran day school and public school students, traveled to Santiago’s unique cultural locales, worshiped with the local community and attended choir practice. They served alongside, visited and dined with other seminarians, deaconesses and missionaries from the country. These interactions deepened their perspective on the church’s global nature as they built relationships with one another.

“The trip was a relationally oriented experience,” explained seminarian Drake Peterson.

“It was a powerful reminder that mission is not an isolated event but a gift that God calls us to participate in all the time with everyone. It was an opportunity to grow closer in fellowship with those belonging to the host culture and to develop Christ-centered friendships with people whom I may have never connected with before.”

The students especially cherished the opportunity to visit, commune and serve with six congregant members at Good Shepherd Lutheran Homes, a foundation that provides care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is one of the original LCMS missions in the DR. 

“We met with Rev. Carlos and Deaconess Danelle (Putnam) Schumann, two of the longest-serving missionary partners in the region,” recalled seminarian Avery Hjulberg, who preached at one of Concordia the Reformer’s chapel services. “One of the most memorable stories from the trip was hearing how Danelle and Rev. Ted Krey transformed regional care for people with disabilities by seeking out and ministering to them. The account is an inspiring and significant example of the church going into the dark and sharing the light and life of Jesus.”

Among the activities on which the seminarians and members of the group home collaborated was an unplanned beach cleaning. The group headed out to relax at the beach when trash washed up on the shore. As they began clearing away the trash, God used them to witness to other residents who were out for their beach day. They too soon joined the effort. Such beautifully ordained  events allowed the students to embody the Gospel message that sets Christian mission work apart from other forms of volunteerism.

“Rev. Krey delivered a presentation that deepened and developed our understanding of what it means to be a Christian in mission,” said seminarian Jason Groth. “It is beneficial and necessary for the church to undertake projects offering mercy and human care. Yet, even as God calls us to organize health clinics, dig wells and build houses, we do this to deliver the Word that is His Son and to walk with unbelievers, as Christ calls them, into His light and the new life that only He can give.”

The trip made a lasting imprint on the seminarians. The trip equipped and familiarized the team with the mental, emotional and spiritual enrichment inherent to cross-cultural experiences. It also gave them a view of the communion of saints that transcends all cultures and places. It accentuated the need to invite still more people into that community. 

“It is a great blessing to see the students become aware of another culture and to build those bridges and relationships, but what is most striking for them is not what is different but what is the same,” Tori Egger said. “Lost people need a Savior. No matter where they are or who they are, they have the same basic need, and the answer to that need is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Lucas Moody is a first-year Master of Divinity student at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.