Rev. Herb and Markie Burch
Serving the Lord in Belize
Bio
The Rev. Herb and Markie Burch serve the Lord through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in Belize, Central America. From Belize, they support other Lutheran ministries in Central and South America.
Herb travels to several preaching stations throughout Belize where he preaches, coaches pastoral candidates, and teaches adults and children about the Christian faith through Luther’s Small Catechism. He also works with leaders of partner churches in Venezuela, Guatemala and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico to share the Gospel, plant new Lutheran churches and show mercy. In addition, Herb visits and mentors young leaders in newly planted Lutheran churches in Honduras to encourage them and help expand their capabilities.
Herb grew up in western Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln. He served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army Intelligence Corps for 24 years. Following his military service, he studied theology in Germany and at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, and terminated his studies with his vicarage in Guatemala. He continued to serve as a church planter and evangelist in Guatemala for five years. He accepted a call to the Central Coast Lutheran Mission Society in the LCMS California-Nevada-Hawaii District in 2003 and served as senior pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Santa Maria, Calif., from 2006 to 2014.
Herb laughingly calls Markie his “rib” because, like Martin Luther’s wife, Katie, she is at his side in mission. Markie has been busy in Belize with several large gardening projects. She reaches out to kids throughout the region by teaching about nature and biodiversity. She and Herb finished the modernization of Camp Concordia on the beautiful shores of the Belize River. They host visitors from around the world as well as short-term mission teams that come to serve in Belize.
Prayers
Pray for Herb and Markie as they serve in Belize. They seek prayers for common sense, wisdom, creative problem-solving skills, good health, sustained vigor and continued opportunities to share the Gospel with people desperate to learn about Jesus. Let us give thanks that Herb and Markie are serving God’s children in this part of the world.
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Additional Information
- Birthdays:
- Herb – July 8
- Markie – April 28
- Wedding Anniversary: Aug. 17
- Home District: California-Nevada-Hawaii
Partner with us
Give online:
You can partner with the LCMS by making an online gift restricted in use to the support of the BURCH family.
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Give by mail:
You can also make a donation toward this family’s ministry by check. Make checks payable to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Write “Burch-Belize Support” on the memo line. Mail to:
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-6861
Give by phone:
To give using your credit/debit card, call 888-930-4438.