The Concordia Story: A Fifty-Year History of Concordia Lutheran Church 1951-2001

Prior to the arrival of the Prieto family in
early 2001, Concordians were asked to help furnish
an apartment for Pastor and Mrs. Prieto
and their two children. The Prieto’s arrived with
only the clothing and personal articles they
could stuff into suitcases. Everything else had
been provided by the Concordia congregation,
in answer to this special appeal. Pastor Prieto
joined the Concordia staff as a full-time pastor,
and has been active in preaching, teaching, and
administering of the sacraments.
Hands-on mission outreach by Concordia
members was an inevitable outgrowth of
Thompson’s focus on Brazil. But it was enhanced
by a pastoral change in 2000. Rev. Paul Burow a
beloved, witty speaker and teacher had planned
to remain at Concordia until his retirement, but
family needs made it expedient for Burow to
accept a call to return to Michigan. Burow and his
wife, Peggy, departed Concordia in August 2000.
Called to replace Burow was Bill Reagan, a
Spanish-speaker, who had previously served as
✦
Left: Rev. Ely Prieto and his family
are greeted by Concordians upon their
arrival in San Antonio from their
home in Brazil.
Below: The choir from the Lutheran
University of Brazil sang at
Concordia’s worship services during
the Brazil Summit in February 1999.
Chapter V ✦ 71