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Iglesia Evangélica Luterana del Paraguay

Lutherans in Paraguay reelect President Figur

by Mathew Block | Mar 17, 2025

*Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay celebrate the dedication of Chaco Central Lutheran Mission Church during the IELP’s 2025 General Assembly.*

*President Alceu Alton Figur stands by the church’s altar and cross, built from different woods in the Chaco Paraguayo region.*

PARAGUAY – The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay (Iglesia Evangélica Luterana del Paraguay – IELP) held its 43^rd General Assembly from March 8-9 in Loma Plata, Chaco Paraguayo, during which time the church reelected Rev. Alceu Alton Figur to another three-year term as president. The theme for this year’s convention was “Guided,” drawing on Romans 8:14.

“Being reelected to another three-year term is a privilege and a great honour,” President Figur reflected. “We know that—despite ourselves—our God will not abandon us. Psalm 121 tells us: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth…’”

“Leading the church in postmodern times is a huge challenge,” President Figur continued. “Family values are broken, marriage is despised, unborn children are murdered, and Christian values are vilely attacked. But our church has been greatly blessed by God: all our parishes are served by a pastor and we are able to maintain our mission throughout the country. Remembering our church’s theme—‘Guided’ (Romans 8:14)—we seek to continuing leading and guiding God’s people, under His grace and love.”

*President Figur (left) and other officials elected during the IELP’s General Assembly are installed.*

President Figur was first elected to serve the Paraguayan church in 2022. He is also pastor of Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Asunción. In addition to his ministry in Paraguay, President Figur also serves as Latin America regional representative on the International Lutheran Council’s (ILC) board of directors, a position he has held since 2022.

The ILC’s General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Klaus Detlev Schulz, welcomed the news of President Figur’s reelection. “May God continue to bless your service to the church in Paraguay,” he said. “And may He continue to bless your service on behalf of Lutherans worldwide through the International Lutheran Council. We look forward to continuing to serve with you on the board of the ILC.”

*Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay during the church’s 2025 General Assembly.*

The 2025 General Assembly saw the IELP conduct elections for several other church positions in addition to president. The assembly also had the joy of formally dedicating a new Lutheran mission church—Chaco Central Lutheran Mission Church—in Loma Plata, which served as host for this year’s gathering. President Figur also serves this new mission congregation—500 kms from his own home—making the trip every two weeks.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay is a member church of the International Lutheran Council, a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies and groups which proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the basis of an unconditional commitment to Holy Scripture and to the Lutheran Confessions.

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New President for Paraguayan Lutherans

by Mathew Block | May 12, 2022

*Members of the IELP’s governing board are installed during the church’s 40th Ordinary General Assembly.*

PARAGUAY – The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay (Iglesia Evangélica Luterana del Paraguay – IELP) has elected a new president. Rev. Alceu Alton Figur was elected to a three-year term during the church’s 40th Ordinary General Assembly, held March 12-13, 2022 in Santa Rita.

“It is a joy to congratulate you on your election to serve the church in Paraguay,” said General Secretary Timothy Quill of the International Lutheran Council (ILC) upon President Figur’s election. “May God bless you with His love and patience as you undertake this important work on behalf of His church.”

President Figur is originally from Brazil and studied for the ministry at Concordia Seminary in São Leopoldo. He spent the first three years of his ministry serving in Brazil. Since then, he has spent thirty years serving in Paraguay. He currently serves as pastor of Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Asunción, Paraguay’s capital city.

*Participants in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay’s 40th Ordinary General Secretary.*

President Figur succeeds Rev. Eugenio Wentzel, who served five terms as President of the IELP: from 1992-1998, from 2007-2010, and from 2016-2022. President Emeritus Wentzel had earlier announced he would not be seeking reelection.

In addition to serving as president of the IELP, Rev. Wentzel served the International Lutheran Council as a member of its Board of Directors. Rev. Wentzel served as the representative for the ILC’s Latin America World Region from 2016 to 2018, and again from 2019 to 2022.

“I am very grateful to God for the opportunity to have served Him, recognizing my limitations, as one of the ILC’s regional directors,” President Emeritus Wentzel said. “I have learned a lot during these years. I thank God for this rewarding experience. May God continue to bless the work of the International Lutheran Council.”

“I want to thank Eugenio Wentzel for his service on the International Lutheran Council’s Board of Directors,” said ILC General Secretary Quill. “And we look forward to working together with President Figur moving forward.”

Because the International Lutheran Council elects church bodies and not specific individuals to serve as representatives for World Regions, this means that Rev. Figur automatically succeeds Rev. Wentzel on the ILC’s Board of Directors as representative for the Latin America World Region.

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ILC Latin America regional conference meets in Mexico

by Mathew Block | Jan 31, 2022

Participants in the ILC’s 2021 Latin America regional conference.

MEXICO – The conference of the International Lutheran Council’s (ILC) Latin America Region met in Mexico City from December 2-5, 2021, following delays due to the pandemic.

ILC General Secretary Timothy Quill addresses the Latin America regional conference.

The conference brought together representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina; the Christian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia; the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil; the Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile; the Lutheran Church of Guatemala; the Lutheran Synod of Mexico; the Lutheran Church of Panama; the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay; the Evangelical Lutheran Church-Peru; the Lutheran Church of Uruguay; and the Lutheran Church of Venezuela. The ILC’s General Secretary Timothy Quill and Assistant to the General Secretary Roger James were also present, as were a number of other guests.

Theological presentations were given on two themes: 1) “The Confessional Orthodox Lutheran Role in a Heterodox and Subjective Context” (Prof. Dr. Clóvis Prunzel of Concordia Seminary in Sao Leopoldo, Brazil); and 2) “Pastoral Vocation: Lack, Stimuli, and Contextual Factors” (Prof. Dr. Sergio Schelske of Concordia Seminary in Buenos Aires, Argentina). Discussion centered on two areas: 1) the need to recruit a larger number of pastoral candidates; and 2) unique challenges related to opening new missions in each country.

IELA President Arturo Truenow and ILC-Chile President Juan Pablo Lanterna sign a protocol agreement between their two church bodies.

During the conference, the Christian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia officially announced its intention to seek full membership in the ILC after more than a decade as an Associate Member. Other noteworthy events included the signing of a mutual cooperation protocol between the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina (IELA) and the Confessional Church of Chile (ILC-Chile).

The gathering also celebrated the forthcoming publication of a new Lutheran hymnal in Spanish after fifteen years of work. The hymnal will be welcomed into use throughout Spanish-speaking countries in the region, as well as in other parts of the world.

“It was a great meeting, since it was finally possible to overcome the challenges that have delayed celebrating this moment due to the current pandemic,” noted President Juan Pablo Lanterna of the Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile. “It should be counted as a historic moment.”

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From a report by ILC-Chile President Juan Pablo Lanterna

ILC World Representatives for Latin America and Europe announced

by Mathew Block | Jan 15, 2020

WORLD – The International Lutheran Council (ILC) has announced updates to the representatives for the Latin American and European World Regions.

Appointed to serve as the World Region Representative for Latin America is President Eugenio Wentzel of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay (Iglesia Evangélica Luterana del Paraguay – IELP). President Wentzel had previously served as the Latin American representative until the spring of 2018, but was ineligible for reappointment because he had announced he wouldn’t seek reelection as President of the Paraguayan church. In the end, he consented to stand for reelection of the IELP and was elected, making him eligible for reappointment to as the ILC’s regional representative.

Appointed to serve as the World Region Representative for Europe is Chairman Georg Samiec of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England (ELCE). This seat was previously held by the ELCE’s Chairman Jon Ehlers, but Chairman Ehlers had announced he would not seek reelection. Chairman Samiec was subsequently elected, and consented to serve as the ILC’s regional representative for Europe.

In total, five World Regional Representatives serve on the ILC’s Board of Directors (formerly known as the Executive Committee), along with the ILC Chairman, Secretary, two appointed members, and the ILC’s General Secretary (as a non-voting, ex-officio member).

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