Rev. Dr. Ely Prieto

Dr. Ely Prieto is associate professor of Practical Theology, the Lutheran Foundation Professor of Urban and Cross-Cultural Ministry, associate dean for Urban and Cross-Cultural Ministry, and director of the Center for Hispanic Studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He has been a faculty member since 2021.

He received his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from Concordia Seminary (2009) and a Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. (1993). He holds a Bachelor of Theology (B.Theol.) from Lutheran University of Brazil, Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (2016); and a Bachelor of Theology (B.D.) from Seminário Concórdia, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (1983).

In addition to his earned degrees, Prieto received special training in deaf ministry at Concordia Seminary (1984) to learn how to minister to people with special needs.

Before coming to Concordia Seminary, Prieto served as the executive director/urban mission developer at Lutheran Intercity Network Coalition – San Antonio, Texas (LINC-SA) (2011-21); and as a vacancy pastor at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, San Antonio (2009-21). Previously, he served as assistant pastor and the director of world missions at Concordia Lutheran Church, San Antonio (2001-11). Prieto served as senior pastor at Congregação São Paulo, Arroio do Meio, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (1993-96); and assistant pastor at Congregação São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (1984-91), as well as school chaplain and missionary-at-large for the deaf (1984-91).

Prieto has an extensive academic background. He held the position of professor of practical theology while at Seminário Concórdia, São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (1996-2000), teaching in the areas of homiletics, pastoral theology, church planning and administration. In that position he ministered to people with special needs, and served in mission and evangelism, theology and stewardship as well as vicarage preparation. While at Seminário Concórdia, he was the director of field education, the director of vicarage and the supervisor for the Seminary Mission Laboratory. Prieto also was professor of Theology at ULBRA (Lutheran University of Brazil) Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul (July 1996-2000), where he taught rhetoric and speech, evangelism and stewardship, world religions and Christian ethics. From 2012-15, Prieto spoke about Lutheran worship at the Baptist University of Americas and Logsdon Seminary in San Antonio. He has served as a pastor in residence throughout Brazil and Argentina, ministering to people with special needs, including those who are deaf. He is fluent in Portuguese, English and Brazilian sign language (LIBRAS).

Prieto was one of the editors of “O Povo de Deus (A Festschrift in Honor of Rev. Dr. Acir Raymann),” (Editorial Concordia, 2014). He has contributed chapters for a variety of published books, articles, book reviews, homiletical and sermonic studies and sermons.

Prieto and his wife, Miriam, have two children, Filipe and Natalia. He enjoys listening to music, playing guitar, reading, watching movies with his family and cooking for family and friends.