The mission of LSPS is simple: to prepare women and men for ordained ministry in the Hispanic cross cultural realities of the border regions of the Southwest. To achieve this mission, LSPS provides courses and immersion experiences throughout its curriculum that will give students the competencies and skills that ministry requires in this diverse and changing context.

Cultural Encuentro
Each academic year begins with Cultural Encuentro. This cultural encounter is a four day experience in which all students and faculty travel to the U.S. - Mexican border to visit Lutheran congregations and learn about life and ministry in their particular context.

Spanish Language Intensive
LSPS requires that by the time they graduate all students must be sufficiently proficient in Spanish so as to practice ministry in cross cultural and bilingual contexts. To achieve this requiment, LSPS has created its Spanish Language Intensive program. The goal of this program is to teach students not only the language skills they will need for cross cultural ministry, but also to equip them with the cultural competencies that ministry in this context will require. The following is the basic outline of this intensive language and cultural study program.

Introduction to Spanish Four week language intensive in which students learn to speak Spanish using present, imperfect and future tense. Students will live with Spanish-speaking "homestay" families in Austin during the intensive to facilitate learning conversational Spanish. Required for all entering LSPS students not meeting Spanish language proficiency requirements. (Spanish proficiency exam will be given after admission to LSPS.) This language intensive is offered in the summer prior to the junior year. Taught at LSPS by the faculty of CETLALIC language school of Cuernavaca, Mexico. Contextual Theology 1 - Culture and Language (first and second semester of Junior Year) The purpose of this course is to become acquainted with the Hispanic/Latino culture as well as continue and advance the student's skill in conversation Spanish. On alternating weeks, students will visit with Austin "homestay" families (speaking Spanish only) and participate in theological reflection groups. Reflection groups will be conducted in Spanish at a level commiserate with student's acquired proficiency. ML 1320 - Mission in a Multi-Cultural Context Students will travel to Mexico City and Cuernavaca for further language and cultural immersion. Students will gain cross-cultural competency skills as they learn to understand the realities of life in a world other than their own. Part of the time will be spent at The Lutheran Center in Mexico City, learning to think about the mission of the church in the unique Mexican context. Part of the time will be spent at the CETLALIC language school in Cuernavaca, furthering language skill. Contextual Theology 2 - Culture, Community and Ministry (First and second semester of Middler Year) The purpose of this course is for the student to engage in ministry in the Hispanic/Latino context through volunteer work in various community agencies as well as continue and advance skills in Spanish language. On alternating weeks, students will volunteer at selected community agencies and participate in theological reflection groups. Theological reflection groups will be conducted in Spanish at a level commiserate with the student's acquired proficiency. Intensive Spanish Language(January Term) ML2320 "Intensive Spanish Language" will continue; students may choose from one of the following options, depending on which is offered, etc.: - Return to CETLALIC for continued Advanced language study - Continue Advanced study on LSPS campus

Intern Year
Insofar as it is possible, LSPS students will be placed in internship sites that will require use of Spanish language in their practice of ministry. This will include pastoral care, teaching and preaching. If not assigned to a context that requires the use of Spanish, student's will be expected to find ways to use and further develop language skills for ministry. Internship assignments are made in conjunction with the Department of Contextual Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary.

Senior Year
Beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year, two senior courses will be taught in Spanish, "Predicacion in Espanol," (Preaching in Spanish), and "Temos selectos in ministerio hispano," (Issues in Hispanic Ministry).