Dear friends & faithful supporters of Brazil Mission Society,  

It is an honor and privilege for me to address you for the first time as the new President/Executive Director of Brazil Mission Society (BMS). My connection with BMS and Dr. Bill Thompson goes way back, when, for the first time I met him on his initial trip to Brazil in 1983, while I was a fourth year student in our seminary in Porto Alegre. From that time on, our relationship continued to strengthen, so much so, that Dr. Thompson brought me and my family to San Antonio to serve as an Assistant Pastor under his leadership at Concordia Lutheran Church, San Antonio, Texas in January of 2001.  

As soon as I arrived in San Antonio, in addition to working as a pastor, I became involved with BMS, making presentations about its ministry and sharing the mission work of the Lutheran Church in Brazil. After Pastor Thompson left Concordia to serve BMS full-time, I continued my involvement with BMS and later became a board member. Of course, being a Brazilian pastor, born and raised in the country, I have a passion for the ministry of BMS and all that this amazing organization has done in Brazil since it was founded in 1987.  

Having said that, I would like to assure you that the mission of the BMS will not change. We will continue the tradition of boldly sharing Christ with children and families in Brazil, supporting seminary student training, helping to establish new mission plants and providing training to missionaries in Brazil, through the support of the ministry of Igreja Evangelica Luterana do Brasil (IELB).  

Brazil Mission Society does amazing things in the name of Jesus, and I would like to use this opportunity to invite you to join me in this great ministry. I would like to encourage you to continue your financial support to BMS, as well as your prayers and other support to our cause. BMS does all of its wonderful work on a very conservative budget. Nevertheless, it does need funding from people like you who know the importance of spreading of the Gospel.  

If you would like to learn more about BMS's ministry or to keep up with new stories and mission opportunities, please visit www.brazilmissionsociety.com and sign up to receive BMS's monthly newsletter. If you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to contact me by email - ely@brazilms.org or by phone at 210.365.9217. I would love to hear from you and get to know you better. Once again, I thank you for your partnership in the Gospel, and your passion for God's mission in Brazil!  

With deep appreciation,  

Rev. Dr. Ely Prieto
President/Executive Director
Brazil Mission Society
(210) 365-9217
elyp@brazilms.org