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.

 Download prayer card


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.

Give Now

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.



 Connect with us



Support LCMS mission work



Network Supported Missionaries

Learn the history behind the LCMS Network Supported Missionary (NSM) model.

Join us on the journey

 Facebook   Twitter    Instagram    YouTube   Vimeo   LinkedIn

Mission and Vision

Seven Mission Priorities

The Lutheran Witness Magazine

Lutheran Witness February 2024

MDFL Resource Center

Making Disciples for Life - Resource Center

Million Dollar Life Match

Ready to expland your congrgation's pro-life ministry? Apply now for the Million Dollar Life Match.

Church Work Recruitment Initiative

Set Apart to Serve

Caring for Ukraine

Ukraine Support

Contact Us
 

  Email us
 

  Church Info Center: 888-843-5267
  Staff Switchboard: 800-248-1930
  Donor Care Line: 888-930-4438
 

 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7226

 

Guide Star Logo BBB Logo

 


The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Inc., including Mission Central (in Mapleton, Iowa), is an IRS registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity.

A contribution designated (restricted) for a specific purpose, when accepted, will be used only to fund expenses related to that purpose. Occasionally, we may receive more in contributions for a particular purpose than can be wisely applied to it in the foreseeable future or the purpose may cease to be feasible. In these situations, the LCMS will make reasonable attempts to contact contributors to apply their contribution toward another aspect of ministry that aligns closely the contributor’s goals and values. If a contributor cannot be contacted, the LCMS will use the gift to meet a similar pressing need that most closely matches the contributor's original intent.

Consistent with Synod Board policy and in recognition of a more challenging economic and philanthropic/fundraising environment due to inflationary pressure, not more than 13.5 percent of any charitable contribution will be allocated to administering gifts and communicating with contributors. Contributions received and accepted by the LCMS are deemed to be in agreement with this statement.

Donor Transparency Resources


Employment   |   For the Media   |   Site Map   |   Privacy   |   Social Media Guidelines    |   Social Media Directory

 

© 2003 – 2010   The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. All Rights Reserved.