Iglesia Camino de Emaús – New Latino Ministry in Southeastern Iowa

The Southeastern Iowa Synod is excited to announce the start of a new Latino ministry in Davenport. Pr. José Pilar is the mission developer for the new ministry and has been working in the exploration phase of the project since April 2. The new ministry begins its next step as a Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community on July 1, with the first worship service set for July 9.

Pr. José Pilar Alvarez Cabrera came to the United States with his family in September 2022, seeking asylum and safety from his home in Guatemala. As a pastor and avid human rights activist in Guatemala, his work as the Presiding Bishop of the Iglesia Luterana de Guatemala put his own life, and those of his family members, at risk. Pr. Pilar worked faithfully to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the indigenous communities in the north of the country, advocating for the return of land and water illegally taken from them.

Since the early months of 2023, the Southeastern Iowa Synod has been working in partnership with the Northern Illinois Synod to envision a new ministry for the Latino population in the Quad Cities. Since April 2023, Pr. Pilar has been working in Davenport and Moline to do the exploratory work for starting a new ministry – meeting with the Latino population, civic and community leaders, and representatives from different congregations to study the feasibility and sustainability of a new ministry.

The Southeastern Iowa Synod, along with the Northern Illinois Synod, the ELCA Churchwide unit of new starts, and local partners believe that the Holy Spirit has made a way for this new community. The vision of Iglesia Camino de Emaús, named from the story in Luke chapter 24 where Jesus walks with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, is to provide pastoral accompaniment to the Latino population in Davenport, to encourage faith and hope from a practice of worship, liturgy, reading and re-reading the Word of God in a highly diverse community. Iglesia Camino de Emaús can provide a uniquely Lutheran lens to build a culturally relevant Latino community. The doors of the mission will be open, supportive, and inclusive, and in this spirit, participate in the different mission initiatives in the area.

With gratitude to St. Mark Lutheran Church, Iglesia Camino de Emaus has a regular place to gather and worship, as well as visit Pr. Pilar in his office space, provided by St. Mark.