London and the United Kingdom
London is one of the most diverse and important cities in the world. Since the 1980s, the WELS European chaplaincy program has held monthly services in London for WELS-connected believers in the area. In recent years, many members from WELS’ sister churches around the world have been moving to the U.K. For example, more than 20 percent of members and leaders from WELS’ partner church in Hong Kong have already moved to the U.K., with more on the way.
In response to this opportunity, WELS World Missions has planted a new mission field in the U.K. Rev. Michael Hartman has accepted the call and Rev. Conifer Berg was assigned to begin serving the group already gathering in London, connect with contacts from other sister church bodies, and launch outreach efforts. With the Lord’s blessing, it is the prayer this mission work could provide a springboard for further in the U.K., made up of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and the entire continent of Europe.
If you wish to connect with WELS new mission efforts in the UK, we invite you to contact their missionaries. You can reach them at: [email protected]
Meet the Missionaries
Rev. Michael Hartman - London and the U.K.
Missionary Michael Hartman serves as missionary to the United Kingdom, with a focus on London and international ministry. As the first WELS missionary to the area, he carries out exploratory work among a core group of WELS members living in the U.K. He is also in contact with individuals who reside in London and are members of churches that share fellowship with WELS in Europe, Asia, South America, and the Caribbean.
Prior to his call to the U.K., Missionary Hartman served as leader of the Latin America mission team, a group of missionaries who work to bring the gospel to Latin America and train leaders to help them teach others about Jesus. Missionary Hartman spent time in Latin America after graduating from the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1999, at which time he was assigned to Mexico City. During the first 14 years of his ministry, he helped our sister synod in Mexico plant churches and develop leaders.
In 2013, drawing on the foundation laid by former missionaries to Latin America, Missionary Hartman worked with a team to create Academia Cristo, a ministry that provides Biblical material and training in Spanish. Today, Academia Cristo engages with an average of four million people every month. More than 500 students are active in a training program in which they learn Biblical theology and receive tools and mentoring as they work to plant churches in their neighborhoods.
Missionary Hartman has a Doctor of Ministry in church planting. His passion for mission work stems from his ongoing desire to tell others about Jesus so they can join the heavenly ranks with believers from around the world.
Missionary Hartman and his wife Rachel have been married for more than 20 years and have been blessed with four children.
Download and read more biographies at wels.net/missionarybios.
Rev. Conifer Berg - London and the U.K.
Conifer Berg, son of Haley and Martin Berg, was born in 1995 in Appleton, Wis. He was confirmed at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Appleton. Conifer went to high school at Appleton North High School and graduated from Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, Wis. He graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn., in 2017. He spent his vicar year serving at Christ Lutheran Church in Denver, Colo., graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis., in 2022, and was assigned as a missionary to London and the U.K.
Conifer and Ruth, née Nitz, were married in Appleton, Wis., on June 17, 2016. God-willing, Conifer and Ruth will be moving to the United Kingdom this summer. Conifer will be part of the Europe mission team as one of the missionaries to London. He is extremely honored to have this opportunity and looks forward to seeing first-hand the wonders God will do through his Word across the pond. Conifer is also a big football (soccer) fan and is excited to live and work in such a multi-cultural area of the world.
Download and read more biographies at wels.net/missionarybios.
SUPPORT LONDON
Consider supporting mission work in London and the U.K. with your prayers and gifts.
PICTURES OF LONDON & U.K.
Browse through and share pictures from London and the U.K., taken by WELS missionaries and national workers.
