Missions are Evandro Kopper's passion, whether it be in Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Memphis, Tennessee, or Central Missouri.
Arriving in August, Kopper will serve St. Paul's Lutheran Church for 18 months.
Mid-Missouri, like each of his other mission fields, is different from any other.
This is the largest congregation he's ever served, but he brings with him his experience of reaching outside the church walls in non-traditional ways.
"As an outsider, I may see things others might not notice," he said.
Coming from his native Brazil, Kopper said he noticed right away that California's residents have few material needs in the same way as many people in Brazill.
"I always like working in the United States; it's easier to do things," Kopper said. "Other place we had to accomplish (goals) without resources."
He estimates that South American churches are about 50 years behind where U.S. churches are today.
At St. Paul's, Kopper said he looks forward to working with the Rev. Pete Kurowski and working with youth in the community. He also has offered his translating ability to the police and fire services.
Kopper first came to the U.S. to study at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. But six months in, he was called to Memphis, Tennessee, in 2002 to help plant a church to reach a growing Hispanic population.
"God works in strange ways," Kopper said. "I came to study but that was an opportunity to serve. It was a good challenge for me to start a church from zero."
Kopper said he enjoyed serving the Cuban immigrants, in particular, because they were not allowed to attend church or gather in large groups in their native country. They built boats and faced torture to arrive in a place where they could worship, he said.
"They have a very nice testimony of how their spiritual life has changed," Kopper said.
Coincidentally, during this time of serving Spanish-speaking people was when Kopper improved his English.
Five years later, Kopper said he was up for a new challenge when he was called to help start a new English-speaking congregation in Munford, Tennessee, which opened in a mall retail space.
Then, at age 40, he decided to return home as an anthropology professor at the Lutheran University of Brazil, where he ministered to students three years. He holds a master's degree in the science of religion.
While there, he married his wife, Paula, who came with him to California with their infant daughter, Melina.
"I've been a pastor, missionary, church planter, chaplain and professor," Kopper said.
Kopper's strengths include being flexible and adventurous.
"Where God needs, I'll go."