Five Lutheran congregations in the Yakima Valley, Washington, formed a partnership in 1974 to sponsor a ministry among the Hispanic people in the Valley. The congregations included Hope, Wapato; Bethlehem, Yakima; Faith (ALC), Toppenish; Calvary, Sunnyside; and Messiah, Prosser. In 1975, the Northwest District of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod resolved to support this ministry work in the Valley. On August 10, 1975, the District commissioned The Rev. Edgar A. Brandt to serve as missionary-at-large in the region from Yakima to Prosser in Washington. His responsibilities included care for the spiritual needs of Hispanics in the valley, to establish rapport between the individuals and Lutheran churches in the area, and to integrate unchurched Hispanics into established Lutheran congregations.

Rev. Brandt served in this position until 1981. He was followed by Rev. Moses Garcia (1981-1988), Rev. Gerhard F. Kempff (1988-1992), and Rev. Daniel Williams in 1992. Pastors and laypersons from the churches assisted with the ministry.