Generation is an important word in Scripture. Since the beginning, God has been creating and gathering for Himself a people whom He loves. From generation to generation, His faithfulness and love endures forever (Ps. 100:5 ESV). From one generation to another, God calls parents to share His story of salvation with their children.

But what happens when families move from one country to another? How can one generation declare God’s mighty acts to another, and together, to the world? (Ps. 145:4 ESV)

Can we have hope for the church now and in the future?

First generations of foreign-born immigrants and their children — the 1.5 and 2.0 generations — represent more than a quarter of the U.S. population. Who are the people behind the numbers? The 2023 Multiethnic Symposium plenaries and sectionals will help participants understand the challenges of our 1.5 and 2.0 generation neighbors and embrace their contributions to the life of the church today — and for generations to come.

Schedule

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2023
Tuesday, May 2nd
8:30 AM

Service of the Word

Stanish Stanley, Christian Friends of New Americans, St. Louis
Leopoldo Sanchez, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

9:30 AM

Welcome

Thomas Egger, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Erika Bennett, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Mark Rabe, Office of International Missions

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

9:45 AM

Plenary: Who is My Neighbor? Introducing Generation 1.5 and 2.0 Immigrants

Heath Lewis, Concordia University at St Paul MN
Erika Bennett, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Ely Prieto, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

11:00 AM

17th Hispanic Annual Lecture/“Improving our Cultural Intelligence for Effective Ministry Among and by Hispanic and Latino/Latina Gen Z”

Daniel Rodriguez, Pepperdine University, Malibu
Leopoldo Sanchez, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

1:30 PM

Sectional 1: Response to 17th Annual Hispanic Lecture

Lincon Guerra, Mission Executive, LCMS Texas District
Daniel Rodriguez, Pepperdine University, Malibu
Leopoldo Sanchez, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

3:00 PM

Plenary: The Gospel and the Church for All Peoples and Every Generation

Joel Okamoto, Concordia Seminary - Saint Louis
Ely Prieto, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

4:00 PM

Sectional 2: Is There Hope for Second Generation Immigrants?

Samuel Deressa, Concordia University at St Paul MN
Ely Prieto, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

4:00 PM - 4:45 PM

Wednesday, May 3rd
8:30 AM

Service of the Word

Steve Law, Wollaston Lutheran Church, Quincy, MA
Mart Thompson, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Ivan Truenow Weigum, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

9:15 AM

Plenary: Hope for the Second Generation: How Children of Immigrants Can Rekindle Christianity in the West

Tesfai Tesema, California/Nevada/Hawaii District
Ely Prieto, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM

10:30 AM

Sectional 3: Personal Reflection with Filipino Ministry: Father and Son

Antonio Boos, Faith Lutheran Church, Sterling Hts, MI
Brandon Boos, Faith Lutheran Church, Joshua, MO
Ely Prieto, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

10:30 AM - 11:15 PM

11:30 AM

Sectional 4: Personal Reflection with Hispanic Ministry: Father and Daughter

Luciano Vega-Ayala, LINC Houston
Noemí Guerra, Latino Podcast Co-host, Lutheran Hour Ministries, St. Louis
Leopoldo Sanchez, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

12:30 PM

Wednesday Closing Remarks and Prayer

Ely Prieto, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Erika Bennett, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Paul Sieveking, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

12:30 PM - 12:45 PM