A new way to start your mission journey 

A new program called WELS Mission Journeys is coordinating short-term trips for WELS congregations and their members to help home mission churches, world mission fields, and existing congregations with outreach events. 

Shannon Bohme, coordinator of the Mission Journeys program, says that there is a huge gap between congregations and WELS members who were looking for short-term mission experiences and available options for taking trips like these. With the creation of this new program, WELS Missions will offer opportunities for laypeople to get involved in outreach as well as to experience work in the mission field firsthand. “You will get the joys and the sorrows,” says Bohme, who has had 17 years of international mission experience. “You may invite someone to come to church and they don’t come; that’s real-life mission work. But you may also get the chance to tell someone about their Savior for the first time.” 

But the trip will be just the start of each person’s mission journey. 

“We’re looking at a way we can grow together in the Great Commission,” says Bohme. “We want everyone to take that excitement from the mission experience, bring it home, and start looking at their neighbors in a different way—to start inviting them to learn about the most important thing in the world, their Savior.” 

For the program, members age 13 and up from a congregation or school will sign up for the trip as a group. Training, which includes team building and culture awareness, then will be provided. After the trip, the team and its supporting organization will be encouraged to conduct an outreach event in its own community. 

Bohme says the plan is to offer 40 one- to two-week trips in the first year of the program, with 200 trips completed after three years. About three-quarters of these trip will be domestic, with the remaining going to world mission fields. Events on these trips could range from canvassing to helping run vacation Bible schools or soccer camps. “It all depends on what the field needs,” says Bohme. Congregations will fund the trips on their own, with WELS Missions providing the training and coordination needed to make the trips happen. 

Three congregations participated in the pilot program: St. Matthew’s, Oconomowoc, Wis., and Goodview Trinity, Goodview, Minn., both sent teams to Ecuador, and St. Martin’s, Watertown, S.D., sent members to East Asia.  

The group from St. Martin’s spent eight days in East Asia to conduct an Easter outreach event and meet new contacts. Jeff, a member of the group, says they told the Easter story to 51 people who had never heard it before. “They kept thanking us over and over for sharing the message of Jesus with them. The look in their eyes is unforgettable,” he says. 

Jeff had never been on a mission trip like this before. “I didn’t really have any expectations, just that we would hopefully have many opportunities to share the Easter message. I didn’t look at it that I would gain anything, but, wow, was I wrong,” he says. “It will definitely change your life for the better. Your outlook on different cultures, the friendships you will make or strengthen, the memories you’ll make, and your attitude about serving others will all be better than you can imagine.” 

While he says he will go again on a trip like this “in a heartbeat,” he also learned lessons he can use anywhere. “Just keep looking for opportunities to share Jesus with more and more people, wherever you are. God will give you plenty of opportunities if you are looking for them. He will also give you the words to say—you just need to be willing.” 

Matt, who has had previous experience in East Asia, served as the group’s leader. “My favorite part of the trip was seeing the excitement in my team as they had many new experiences. It was really fun to see the spiritual growth in each of my teammates.” 

But he also discovered lessons of his own: “I learned that it doesn’t matter the culture; people are still people. Everyone has hopes and dreams. They also have pains and sorrows. They also have a natural knowledge of God. And because of sin, everyone needs a Savior. It is such a humbling experience knowing that God has used me to share this message with others halfway around the world!’ 

Matt says the team is working with the congregation to potentially start a local campus ministry to reach out to students at a nearby tech school.  


Want to get involved in WELS Mission Journeys? Talk to your pastor about getting a group together from your congregation. Learn more at wels.net/missions or by contacting [email protected].  


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Author:
Volume 105, Number 6
Issue: June 2018

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
Forward in Christ grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be printed for use in a WELS church, school, or organization, provided that it is distributed free and indicate Forward in Christ as the source. Images may not be reproduced except in the context of its article. Contact us

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How to Reach Out… When You Can’t Get In

The mission was clear. We want to be a church that reaches OUT to our community. We want to be a church that is OUTward focused. However, there was a problem. We couldn’t get IN. The community of Lakewood Ranch, FL, is a heavily gated-community. That means that some of our more traditional styles of outreach – i.e. canvassing, door-hanging, etc. – won’t work here because we can’t get IN. We can’t get past the gates. But through prayer and Scriptural encouragement, the members of Risen Savior were not going to allow gates to stop them from reaching out. We brainstormed how we might reach out to our community with the good news of Jesus, and came up with different outreach strategies.

Grand Opening Festival

One strategy we use is our New Mover Outreach Team. Each month, we have approximately 100-150 new families who move into Lakewood Ranch within a 3 mile radius of Risen Savior. As a way to welcome in these new families, we send them 2 different postcards. The first postcard is a professionally developed postcard, welcoming them into the community, and giving them some helpful information about Lakewood Ranch. A couple of weeks later, the ten ladies of our New Mover Outreach Team will send a handwritten note to these families, with a church brochure and a personal invite to join us on a Sunday morning for worship.

After about 6 months and no visible results, I began to wonder if this outreach strategy was the best use of our resources. But receiving encouragement from members at Risen Savior to remain faithful, we decided to continue reaching out to these new movers…and I thank God we did! For the past 4-5 months, God has richly blessed us. I’ve received phone calls from new movers thanking us for being so welcoming. I’ve been asked out to lunch by a new mover wanting to show his appreciation for our kindness. We’ve been blessed with worship guests who have come as a direct result of this reaching out.

Grand Opening Weekend at Risen Savior

And if those blessings weren’t enough, one Sunday morning, in walked an unchurched Grandpa and Grandma with their 7 year old grand-daughter. They stayed for worship and Sunday School, and as they were about to leave, I was able to schedule a follow up visit with them later that week. I didn’t know it at the time, but they found our church through our New Mover outreach. Yet, they weren’t the ones who recently had moved – their son and his family had. Long story short, after being told about the postcards that their son’s family received from Risen Savior, Grandpa and Grandma and their grand-daughter decided to give Risen Savior a shot. In the past 4 months since they’ve been attending, they’ve gone through our Bible Information Class, have become members, and are about to have their grand-daughter baptized. On top of all that, they’ve also brought two of their sons and family to Risen Savior, who have recently joined the church as well. Praise God!

We aren’t sure how God will bless our New Mover Outreach Team in the future, but we are certainly thankful for the blessings he’s given us in the past. And no matter what, one thing we’ve learned is that we can continue to reach out, even if we can’t always get in.

Written By: Pastor Caleb Free, Risen Savior Lutheran Church – Lakewood Ranch, FL

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New MLS president

Mark Luetzow, pastor at Bethel, Bay City, Mich., has accepted the call the serve as the next president of Michigan Lutheran Seminary (MLS), Saginaw, Mich., one of the WELS ministerial training schools. He will be taking over for Joel Petermann, who after six years serving as MLS president, took a call to Zion, Torrance, Calif. 

“Pastor Luetzow combines the heart of parish a pastor with a keen understanding of the work of a preparatory school,” says Paul Prange, administrator for Ministerial Education.  

When Luetzow as a young boy decided he wanted to pursue the ministry, his parents supported that path by sending him to Northwestern Preparatory School (now Luther Preparatory School) in Watertown, Wis. Luetzow has had a heart for the mission of the WELS ministerial education schools after his experience at Northwestern Preparatory School. “I’ve always had a deep love for our prep school system and in some respects I feel like this is a neat way to give back to something that has given so much to us and the WELS members who have supported us,” he says. 

He continues, “Michigan Lutheran Seminary has such a rich history and it’s very much loved by its alumni and the district as a whole. I’m hoping that that love for the prep school will continue to grow—and not just in Michigan but in the entire United States so that we can have a bigger reach.” 

Luetzow has served as a parish pastor since 2003. He says he loves being a pastor, so it will only be natural for him to encourage to do what he loves. “One of the things I’m looking forward to at MLS is being an encouraging voice for young men and women to consider full-time ministry for the Lord.”  

Prange says, “In area after area, President Luetzow should be able to hit the ground running and advance the MLS mission of preparing high school students for the public ministry of the gospel.” 

Luetzow will transition into the role of MLS president following this school year. 


Learn more about Michigan Lutheran Seminary at mlsem.org. 


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Author:  
Volume 105, Number 5
Issue: May 2018

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Amen.

John A. Braun

Amen is a word we say so often we don’t even realize we say it. At the end of every prayer it’s a kind of a spoken period. When we worship, we sing or say it in response to the worship leader said. If we use it outside of church and our prayers, it’s simply something like, “Amen to that.” We agree with what someone has just said. It often simply means, “Yes, I certainly agree.”

The word, of course, has roots in both Old and New Testament. Actually it’s a Hebrew word emphasizing certainty, assurance, and dependability. For example, Psalm 89 ends, ”Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen”. (v. 52). The Psalms have other examples of Amen used to assert and confirm praise to God (Psalm 41:13, Psalm 72:19).

The apostles Paul, Peter and John also use the word to emphasize their praise. Paul wrote to the Philippians, “To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (4:20), Peter used the word in the same way, ”To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:11). And John’s Revelation ends with two uses of amen. Both are part of his concluding prayer, “Amen, Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen” (Revelation 22:20,21).

The word also comes from the mouth of Jesus, but it’s not translated as “Amen.” Instead it becomes “Verily” (KJV) and “Truly” (ESV and NIV). When the gospels quote Jesus using the word “Amen” they write, Jesus said, “Truly (amen). I say to you.” The word emphasizes the truth of what Jesus said. Jesus told the thief on the cross, “ Truly (amen) I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). When John quotes Jesus he often doubles the amen. For example Jesus said, “Very truly (amen, amen) I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life” (John 5:47). John’s double use of amen doesn’t mean that Jesus words are “really, really” true and the other sayings of Jesus are only “really” true. Whether there is one amen, two amens, or none. All of the Scripture is equally true and sure.

So what does this all mean to us in our worship and our spiritual lives. First, I think it means that we are following the example of believers throughout the history of the world. Amen was on the lips of God’s people in the Old Testament and the New. We are connected with them all by faith in Jesus, and the little word amen is one of those connections. What a amazing blessing that is! Then also remember that we say it together with our brothers and sisters here and now. We are also connected to each other whether we say the word in worship or at home with our loved ones. Our amen affirms we are all of the same mind. It is a word of faith and trust in God.

And that’s the second thing. Amen is a word of faith. When we speak it, we say we trust in the God who gives us forgiveness, life, and salvation. Amen! Like little children we come to our heavenly Father with our prayers and praise. He scoops us up in his arms and soothes us with his love. Confident in his arms, he invites us to praise and pray. “Amen” is our word of confident faith in all the promises God makes and a word of assurance that the Lord’s Prayer and every prayer ascends to our heavenly Father where it will receive his attention. Amen! Amen!


John Braun is executive editor of the Forward in Christ magazine.


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Author: John A. Braun
Volume 105, Number 5
Issue: May 2018

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
Forward in Christ grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be printed for use in a WELS church, school, or organization, provided that it is distributed free and indicate Forward in Christ as the source. Images may not be reproduced except in the context of its article. Contact us

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Awake and Alive supports young adults

Gabriella Moline 

Musician and ministry leader Mike Westendorf describes a young adult’s life like a Rubik’s cube. Before individuals go off to college or start their professional lives, all the colors of the cube are lined up in order. But as they enter adulthood, learn more in their studies, and develop deeper critical thinking, the colors start to get jumbled. Difficult questions are asked, and sometimes the answers are unclear.  

During this point, notes Westendorf, it’s crucial that young adults have a community where they can grow and discuss key questions, especially regarding religion. This is where Awake and Alive comes into play. 

“Awake and Alive has three primary goals,” Westendorf says. “One is to help people know the gift of grace, the second is to own the gift of grace, and the last is to make the gift known.”  

Westendorf has worked with 18- to 25-year-olds for the past eight years through WELS campus ministries in Milwaukee, and he saw the need to encourage them in their faith. He started Awake and Alive five years ago and has held one-day events in the past.  

This past January, Awake and Alive held its first two-day conference at Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, Wis. More than 100 people attended, growing closer in their relationship with Christ and each other. 

Elicia Engel, a senior at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, was introduced to Awake and Alive during the winter conference. She notes, “Awake and Alive is a really great way to hear some important messages and to be surrounded in fellowship with other young adult believers.” Engel said one of the greatest moments was listening to Pastor Wayne Shevey talk about the need for God’s grace. 

Twenty-four-year-old Sammy Unnasch was one of the people who urged Engel to attend the conference. Unnasch turned away from God in college but eventually found his way back to the gospel with a new passion for young adult ministry.  

“I became invested in Awake and Alive because my generation has been asleep spiritually,” he says. “It breaks my heart to see them pursuing things, or people, or experiences that never satisfy them the way Jesus’ love and grace do.” 

The Awake and Alive winter conference was made possible through donations from the Antioch Foundation, WELS Campus Ministry, and other organizations. The WELS Campus Ministry grant, which offers up to $2,000, is available for any WELS campus ministry group that wants to hold a retreat.  

Charlie Vannieuwenhoven, chairman of the WELS Campus Ministry Committee, said Awake and Alive is the first group to take advantage of this grant, but that he hopes more groups will apply in the future.   

“Any time you can get more college students together around God’s Word, the more they will be strengthened,” Vannieuwenhoven says.  


The next Awake and Alive conference will be held June 10 at St. Paul’s, Muskego, Wis. It also will be livestreamed. For more information, visit awakealive.com. 


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Author: Gabriella Moline 
Volume 105, Number 5
Issue: May 2018

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
Forward in Christ grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be printed for use in a WELS church, school, or organization, provided that it is distributed free and indicate Forward in Christ as the source. Images may not be reproduced except in the context of its article. Contact us

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Life’s arrow

The seemingly endless stress and hardship that we feel now is a tiny speck of time compared to the eternity that we will spend with Jesus. 

Katelyn Raddatz 

To us, time seems like such a definite thing. Sixty seconds from now, I expect my clock to show that one minute has passed. Sixty minutes from now, I will be one hour closer to my alarm waking me tomorrow morning. 

Because time seems so definite to us, we often complain. We complain when we’re so busy that we feel we have no time to relax. We turn to God and beg for a break. When he answers, we feel content. But then contentedness fades, and we complain again. We complain of boredom, because we don’t have enough to keep us occupied. Then the cycle repeats itself.  

Our lives are like roller coasters. They have their ups and downs, their sharp turns and dramatic changes in speed. But unlike a roller coaster’s path, which we can see in advance, we lead our lives blind, not knowing what lies ahead. We may try to map out our lives in advance, planning how we think things should go, but more often than not our path turns right when we thought a left turn would be best. Our roller coaster speeds up when we want it to slow down and slows down when we so desperately want it to fast forward. We struggle because we cannot accurately pinpoint when our lives are going to be hectic and stressful. 

To us, tragedies and sadness seem like they are such a gigantic part of our lives, but in reality, they are not.  I’m reminded of something a teacher showed our class in grade school. He used the geometric description of a ray (a line with a start point but no end point) to explain what God promises us: an eternal place in heaven. Our life begins at one point, and we die at one point. Throughout that time, we go through ups and downs. We experience things that make our lives come to a complete halt. But when life gets tough and time seems to stand still, we find comfort in God’s promise. The seemingly endless stress and hardship that we feel now is really a tiny speck of time in the big scheme of things. It is just one tiny dot on a line that goes on forever. It is nothing compared to the eternity that we will spend with Jesus. Eternity never ends; it is like the arrow on the ray that keeps going and never stops.  

God’s promise extends to our lives on this earth too. When we reach a fork in the road and we don’t know which way to turn, God directs us. Each of us can say, “[The LORD] guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3). God leads us in the right direction. When we stumble off those paths, he guides us right back to them. And when we walk through the darkest valleys of life’s journey, we need fear no evil because the Lord is with us and comforts us (cf. Psalm 23:4). 

Next time you are feeling the weight of time bringing you down, remember the promise that Jesus spoke: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1-3). 


Katelyn Raddatz, a sophomore at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minnesota, is a member at St. John, Sparta, Wisconsin. 


 

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Author: Katelyn Raddatz
Volume 105, Number 5
Issue: May 2018

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
Forward in Christ grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be printed for use in a WELS church, school, or organization, provided that it is distributed free and indicate Forward in Christ as the source. Images may not be reproduced except in the context of its article. Contact us

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His address is heaven

A school project demonstrates the faith of a child.

Holly J. Beckman

Kindergarten is a lot different these days. Kids already can print their names, count to 50, and know their address, phone number, colors, and shapes. These are things I learned in first and second grade.

After only a few weeks in kindergarten, my grandson had to write a family profile. This seemed quite advanced to me. The kids had to write family names, where their grandparents live, and what they love most about us.

My grandson brought it home to work on it. My daughter helped him spell some words, and when he was all done he excitedly showed it to her. She then forwarded it to me. I love getting school papers, brightly colored Bible story pictures, and cute art projects that I proudly display on my refrigerator. All grandmas love to show off anything about their grandkids!

My grandson had filled in all the blanks. For my address, he wrote Milwaukee, Wisconsin. But his grandpa’s address was different. He wrote Heaven. My daughter said she never helped or prompted him in any way. He did this totally on his own.

His grandpa, my husband, had gone to heaven nine months before. My grandson had visited him before cancer took him to heaven. Coming to Wisconsin for the funeral was something I doubt any of the kids will forget. It brought them comfort, strength, peace, and closure.

Little ones are such an example. They see things with fresh and exciting eyes. They never doubt what they learn about God. This comes later as we grow up. We adults know all about doubting. But little children thoroughly trust that what God says is rock solid and will never change. God made a promise, and he is good for it.

My grandson is content. He knows he will see Grandpa again. He is satisfied to wait for God’s perfect timing. I love that about my grandkids. They spur me on. They inspire me with their strong faith.

Recently, this little boy, in all sincerity, asked if he could Facetime Grandpa in heaven!


Holly Beckman is a member at St. Marcus, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.


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Author: Holly J. Beckman
Volume 105, Number 5
Issue: May 2018

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
Forward in Christ grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be printed for use in a WELS church, school, or organization, provided that it is distributed free and indicate Forward in Christ as the source. Images may not be reproduced except in the context of its article. Contact us

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Optimist or pessimist?

Earle D. Treptow

Do you belong to the “pessimist party” or the “optimist club”? Your answer may depend on the day you’re asked. For instance, if asked whether your favorite team will win a championship, you may be a pessimist, conditioned by years of futility. But two months later, when the team is exceeding expectations, you may be an optimist.

On a more serious level, would you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist on the possibility of eliminating, or reducing, the mass shootings that plague us? Do you think steps can be taken to preserve life? Or do you feel that attempts to address the situation won’t make any substantial difference? How does your Christian faith influence your view?

Christians have learned, by the Father’s grace and the Spirit’s work, to tune their ears to God’s Word when they’re bothered by horrific events. What Christians hear is God speaking the truth about all people, including us: “Every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood” (Genesis 8:21). We can’t be overly surprised by these senseless shootings. Sinners sin. The law that God has written on human hearts curbs sin, but it doesn’t stop all sin from occurring, as we know from our own personal struggles.

Christians also hear what Jesus said about the final days of this world: “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). People will become increasingly self-centered. They will do what their corrupt hearts want to do, with little thought to the impact of their actions on others.

Christians who believe what God says about sinners don’t expect an end of senseless violence in this world. Laws may well be enacted to make it more difficult to get the kinds of weapons used in these shootings. Yet laws do not change hearts. Sinful hearts will remain loveless. Christians see the glass half empty.

But Christians whose ears are tuned to God’s Word also hear promises that fill their hearts with confidence. The Lord Jesus, seated at the right hand of the Father, promises to direct all things for the benefit of his people. The Lord is ruling over everything, even if rampant wickedness makes it appear that the devil has gained the upper hand.

When we reflect on senseless violence, we often focus only on the hard-heartedness of sinners and forget about God’s grace and power. The One who desires all to be saved promises to work through his powerful gospel to call people to repentance and faith.

What’s more, he promises to empower his people to speak the gospel through which the Holy Spirit miraculously transforms hearts and lives. Believing the Lord’s promise that he can “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20), we take up the task of speaking God’s Word to the world. We need not feel helpless in the face of rampant violence. Jesus gave us the task to proclaim his heart-changing gospel to everyone, and he gave us his promise that the Spirit will accompany the Word we speak. Christians see the glass half full.

When Christians focus on sinful human beings, they’re pessimistic—sinners will continue to sin. When Christians focus on the grace and power of God, they’re optimistic—the Lord can change hearts. We know and confess the sinner’s natural depravity, which makes every sin possible. But we also know and confess the grace and power of our Savior-God, for whom nothing is impossible, not even transforming hearts and altering lives.


Contributing editor Earle Treptow, a professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisconsin, is a member at Christ Alone, Mequon.


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Author: Earle D. Treptow
Volume 105, Number 5
Issue: May 2018

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
Forward in Christ grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be printed for use in a WELS church, school, or organization, provided that it is distributed free and indicate Forward in Christ as the source. Images may not be reproduced except in the context of its article. Contact us

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Same mission, new methods

One hundred twenty-five years ago WELS sent its first world missionary to the Apache reservation in Arizona to “go and make disciples of all nations.”

Following that first mission initiative, WELS World Missions has sought to reach many corners of the globe. Recently new opportunities have arisen to support confessional Lutheran church bodies and other groups of Christians who have reached out to WELS for help. Now WELS Missions has a presence in 50 countries, with 14 prospective new fields and 44 missionaries.

Larry Schlomer, administrator for World Missions, says, “After 125 years of work in Apacheland and 60-plus years in other countries, our mission partners have achieved a great level of maturity. That allows us to approach our mission work as partners, not as owners, and this is what makes just about any partner church a ‘world mission.’ ”

One way WELS Missions is teaming up with sister churches and new mission partners is through helping train fellow confessional Lutherans around the world through the Pastoral Studies Institute, a ministry of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. More efficient transportation and communication vehicles make this work possible.

“One of the biggest changes is how we’re immediately training the people groups and locals to be their own proclaimers of the gospel,” says Sean Young, director of Joint Missions Operations. “It eliminates anywhere between three and seven years of a WELS missionary landing in a foreign field getting to know the people, getting to know the culture, and finding the best way to approach them with sharing the gospel. To train someone at that level to share the gospel is far more cost-effective and far more expedient than it is for one of our missionaries to get to know the culture and the area and the language.”

How WELS comes to work with these different fields is varied. One common avenue is immigrant people groups in the United States who learn about what the Bible teaches and want to share it with their family and friends in their home country. Sometimes, these national church leaders find WELS through the Internet. In 2018, the WELS website, wels.net, has had visitors from more than 100 countries.

One recent example of this is the Philippines. A church leader there contacted WELS Missions after discovering what WELS teaches through its website. Schlomer explains, “He never needed our help to do the work but rather craved the Bible fellowship we could offer. The partnership has been noticed by other leaders who are now being trained in two additional church sites. Our role is to offer the training tools and supplemental teachers to aid the church leader in training these new men to be leaders.”

WELS World Missions also offers support through humanitarian aid, which can lead to opportunities to spread the gospel. In Puerto Rico, an opportunity to help came following Hurricane Maria. While WELS has historical mission roots in Puerto Rico, the Evangelical Lutheran Confessional Church (ELCC) has been operating independently for years. But after the hurricane hit, WELS, through World Missions and Christian Aid and Relief, is providing a missionary to assist with relief planning support as well as to help train the next generation of young men as public ministers. While the missionary’s stay in Puerto Rico is meant to be temporary, the training work will be continued online, supplemented by short visits for seminars.

“There may still be times and places where missionaries are on the ground preaching, teaching, baptizing, and serving the Lord’s Supper,” says Schlomer. “However, when we have a national leader in place, we have always been eager to allow that national to step into those roles and our missionaries serve much more as teachers and mentors.”


Learn more about WELS Missions at wels.net/missions.


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Author:
Volume 105, Number 5
Issue: May 2018

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
Forward in Christ grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be printed for use in a WELS church, school, or organization, provided that it is distributed free and indicate Forward in Christ as the source. Images may not be reproduced except in the context of its article. Contact us

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Christian Children’s books available in braille

Learning to read is a milestone in every child’s life. But can you imagine teaching a child who can’t see the words on the page? 

“Her hands are her eyes,” says Timothy Redfield, pastor at Trinity, Belle Plaine, Minnesota. He is talking about his six-year-old daughter Libby who was born blind due to an optic nerve condition.  

Redfield and his wife are teaching Libby how to read Braille. Even though she is still learning how to read, “once she got the idea that reading time mean bumps on the page, she likes to feel the page and know the Braille is there,” says Redfield. 

While the Redfields are able to get free children’s books in Braille from the state and county, they also wanted Libby to be able to read about her Savior. They began working with the Mission for the Visually Impaired (MVI), a ministry of WELS Special Ministries that provides Christian literature to those who are blind or have a visual impairment. They sent several of their favorite Christian story books to the MVI. Volunteers then produced and positioned clear Braille stickers into the books so Libby could read along. 

“As a parent, I can read all the words on the page while Libby feels the Braille,” says Redfield. Redfield says he guides Libby’s hands over the words in Braille while he reads them so that she can learn how to read it on her own. 

The Mission for the Visually Impaired also provides weekly Christ-Light Sunday school lesson in Braille so that Libby can follow along while her teacher reads the story.  

Manned by volunteers and headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., the Mission for the Visually Impaired produces devotional and other materials in Braille, large print, and on cassette tape, which are distributed free to WELS and non-WELS visually impaired people. It currently is working on a project to have downloadable Christian audio resources available online.  

“Our goal is to spread his Word—in any way we can!” says Bill Bremel, MVI director.  


Learn more about the Mission for the Visually Impaired and the resources it provides (including a large-print edition of this magazine) at wels.net/visually-impaired


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Author:  
Volume 105, Number 5
Issue: May 2018

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
Forward in Christ grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be printed for use in a WELS church, school, or organization, provided that it is distributed free and indicate Forward in Christ as the source. Images may not be reproduced except in the context of its article. Contact us

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Finding the real cure

Mark G. Schroeder

In February, our nation endured the trauma of yet another mass shooting. By the time you are reading this, it would not be surprising if another similar terrible incident has taken place in a different school or public place.

When these terrible tragedies occur, the questions immediately come. What could have been done to prevent this? What can be done to prevent similar atrocities in the future?

The public debate invariably centers on two solutions. One suggests tighter regulations and laws on the sale and possession of guns. The other argues that the solution to the problem is increased efforts to provide security in schools and other public venues, to better enforce the laws already on the books, and to give more attention to mental health diagnosis and treatment.

But none of these solutions provide an answer. That’s because they don’t address the real problem. These solutions attempt to treat the symptoms of a deeper problem rather than providing the cure for the disease.

We know what the root cause is. From the time of the world’s first murder, when Cain took the life of his brother Abel, the cause of such behavior is the sinful and wicked human heart that neither knows God nor desires to serve him. It’s sin in the human heart that separates a person from God and is the fountain from which flow the evil and wicked deeds that plague our fallen world. It is sin that moves a person to devalue and disregard the life of everyone—from the child in the womb to the elderly in a nursing home. It is the sin-darkened heart that contemplates and causes harm to others—from hurtful words to deadly shootings. It is sin that has shown itself throughout history in man’s inhumanity to man.

So, the solution to the problem of gun violence and mass shootings is not really to be found in political arguments or governmental actions. If the root cause of this problem is sin—and it is—then the only solution is to be found in the cure and remedy for sin: the saving and transforming gospel of Christ.

Sad to say, the pure gospel of forgiveness and salvation in Christ is all too often not seen as the solution we so desperately need. Even Christian churches today have set aside the one true remedy and have focused their attention on the symptoms. Like Martha, they have forgotten the one thing that is needed (cf. Luke 10:38-42) and instead replaced it with misguided efforts to fight for social justice and to root out poverty and oppression. When the church abandons its mission to preach the gospel, sin-darkened hearts are not changed, life continues to be devalued, and love for others is replaced by self-interest, self-promotion, and every kind of evil

I am thankful to belong to a Christian church that, by the grace of God, is committed to a mission that says, “We preach Christ crucified!” God has graciously preserved his saving truth among us, and in doing that he has given us the only effective remedy against the corruption within each of us. It’s the gospel that motivates us to do God’s will, not our own. It’s the good news that alone changes the heart of the young adult who feels marginalized and alone. It’s the message of Christ that leads people to turn from sinful desires and to follow him.

The gospel alone is the cure. By grace, we have that gospel. With God’s help, we proclaim it and teach it as faithfully as we can—not to change society, but to watch its power change hearts and lives.


Mark Schroeder is president of WELS.


 

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Author: Mark G. Schroeder
Volume 105, Number 5
Issue: May 2018

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
Forward in Christ grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be printed for use in a WELS church, school, or organization, provided that it is distributed free and indicate Forward in Christ as the source. Images may not be reproduced except in the context of its article. Contact us

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Study highlights trends and opportunities

At the 2017 synod convention, Jonathan Hein, director of WELS Commission on Congregational Counseling, published the findings of a two-year study that looked at the demographics and trends of WELS’ membership. The study demonstrated that Christian churches in America are experiencing some significant declines and that WELS is not immune. WELS has approximately 56,000 fewer members than it did 25 years ago.

Hein cites a number of reasons for the statistical decline. In the last decade, at the same time WELS has seen a steep decline in the number of infant baptisms, it has seen an increase in the percent of members who are dying annually. WELS also has averaged about 8,000 “back-door losses” annually for over two decades. Back door losses are when WELS members join another Christian church or when they simply quit church altogether.

Adding to the challenge, Hein notes that adult confirmations are trending down. The study demonstrated that WELS has 15% fewer adult confirmations in 2016 than in 2012. Synodwide, annually, WELS will have only one adult confirmation for every 83 communicant members.

Part of the study forecasted WELS’ membership in the future if current trends would continue. “If the current rates of decline would hold steady, in 20 years, WELS would lose about 21% of its current membership—about 73,000 souls,” says Hein. “That would translate to approximately 300 fewer congregations in just one generation.”

The study also contained what Hein called “prayerful projections,” a forecast of what could happen if WELS congregations were able to increase their gospel efforts andmore important, the Holy Spirit were to bless those efforts. One hypothetical scenario had WELS congregations cutting back-door losses by one-third through increased elder work and greater efforts at retaining young members who go off to college. This scenario also had WELS members increasing their personal evangelism efforts, so that the ratio of communicant members to adult confirmations went from 83 to 1 to 45 to 1. In this scenario, WELS would gain 33,000 new souls for Christ in the next 20 years.

“Our only job is to proclaim the gospel as zealously as we can,” writes Hein in the study. “The Holy Spirit then produces the results when and where he sees fit.  Moreover, our satisfaction in ministry comes only from serving Christ, not by achieving numerical success. . . . [These projections are] simply a snapshot of what is feasible if we were able, walking together, to increase our ministry efforts, and if the Holy Spirit saw fit to bless those efforts according to our prayers”.

Congregational Services is producing a new synodwide campaign called C18 in an effort to reach one million souls with the gospel this upcoming Christmas season. Look for more on this next month.


Read the full report at wels.net/ccc. See how you can make a difference through personal evangelism.


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Author:
Volume 105, Number 5
Issue: May 2018

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
Forward in Christ grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be printed for use in a WELS church, school, or organization, provided that it is distributed free and indicate Forward in Christ as the source. Images may not be reproduced except in the context of its article. Contact us

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Book Nook: “There’s a Prayer for that. . . “

When faced with life situations of all kinds, would you like to be a more effective prayer warrior but find it hard to think of how to pray? Or would you like to align your thoughts and prayer life more with the special holidays?  

There’s A Prayer For That is filled with every kind of prayer anyone could imagine. Not only will you find prayers for help, but you will also find prayers of praise and thanksgiving as well as prayers for each kind of family member and prayers to use during grieving and when facing personal trials.  

Have you ever thought of praying for people who clean up after public places or those who keep the power grids going? How about special prayers for schools, called workers, athletes, and those in the service of our country? The variety of prayers will broaden every believer’s scope of prayer.  

While the Table of Contents appears to be rather random, each short prayer is numbered and organized in an appropriate category. The first reading of each prayer will touch your heart and leave you with a resolve to pray more, for more, and with more fervor.  

Do you want to pray for situations in the workplace? Or for special occasions in your family, beyond birthdays and confirmations? How about prayers for spiritual gifts or personal goals? The format for this book is small enough to fit in a pocket or a purse. 

No matter what issues a person could face, this book has a prayer for that. Written from the hearts of more than two dozen pastors, this volume would make a wonderful gift and companion for any Christian.  


Marilyn Sievert
West Bend, Wisconsin 


Order at nph.net.


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Author:  
Volume 105, Number 5
Issue: May 2018

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
Forward in Christ grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be printed for use in a WELS church, school, or organization, provided that it is distributed free and indicate Forward in Christ as the source. Images may not be reproduced except in the context of its article. Contact us

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Mark 11:25

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Our treasure: the gospel: Part 1

The gospel preserves the church

The gospel is God’s power. While opposed by many, it still brings sinners to faith in Jesus.

John A. Braun

Two worlds collided. Jesus was clear about that: “You will be hated by everyone because of me” (Matthew 10:22). His disciples later suffered because their world, built on Jesus, collided with the world that opposed Jesus. In the conflict they had one weapon. It also provided the strength, comfort, and courage to be faithful to Jesus.

That weapon? The gospel.

The apostle Paul reminded Roman Christians that the gospel was “the power of God” (l:16). In the darkest hour the gospel sustained Paul and the other believers. It was a power for them and became a power for those who heard its message. We are believers because of the power of the gospel. “Christ crucified,” Paul wrote to the Corinthians was so much foolishness to many but, “to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

The collision of these two worlds hasn’t come to an end because of some peace treaty. It only flares up hotter at different points in history. A short, honest review of history will confirm those periods of opposition to the gospel. Of course, the persecution of the church, Christians, and the gospel have not come to an end even in our own age. Nevertheless, the gospel always—always—is a power and has preserved the church through those periods of opposition.

Jonas Schröter: The first chapter

A real story can illustrate how the gospel is God’s power to preserve his church. At the end of World War II, Europe—Germany in particular—was divided into two zones. In the east the government adopted an ideology that clearly opposed the gospel and Christian churches. It wasn’t open persecution where churches were boarded up and Christians were sent to firing squads, but two distinct worlds still collided—Christians and those opposed to Christianity.

Jonas Schröter lived with his family in Grimma, Germany, the city where Katherine von Bora, Luther’s wife, was a nun before she married Dr. Luther. There in Grimma the gospel brought people to faith. Lutherans still lived there when World War II began.

But when the war ended, things changed. The streets were renamed. Signs for familiar streets came down, and new signs replaced them. Karl Marx Street and Lenin Street were among the new names. Jonas remembers the irony of one street that retained its name: Paul Gerhardt Strasse. Paul Gerhardt was not a communist hero. He was a Lutheran theologian, pastor, and hymn writer born in 1607. His name appeared in the hymnal Jonas used. Eighteen hymns in Christian Worship bear his name. Jonas comments, “Even at that time God was king and he ruled.” Yes, the Lord, had left a witness even in a world that sought to erase his name and his glory.

In school Jonas learned the communist ideology: There is no God! Religion is the opium of the people. The officials believed that their ideas were superior, and they chose to focus on the young, educating them with the guiding principle, “We have a scientific world view which is superior to all other religions and beliefs.”

Jonas went to school where he heard the mantra of the new government. But he was a part of the other world—the Christian one that listened to another voice, the voice of Jesus. At home his Lutheran family taught him to know Jesus the Savior. Jonas says, “In the home my parents believed that the Bible is God’s Word through which God shows us the way of life.”

In school he learned that the problems of the world could be solved by removing ownership of property. At home he says he learned that “the root of all problems of this world is found in the sin of man. We find the only rescue in the blood of Jesus Christ, which washes us clean of all unrighteousness.” In school the teachers believed that the church was superfluous and would soon be forgotten. At home they wondered “how long could worship services be held and if Lutherans would soon face open persecution,” says Jonas.

The opposition did not become open, but it was clearly directed at erasing the church. Jonas tells his experience, “The school required almost obligatory participation in communist youth organizations and their activities. As confessional Lutherans we did not participate, especially in the Jugendweihe—a youth dedication rite that was devised to substitute for confirmation. It included a public confession to the communist and atheist ideology. Whoever stayed away was put on a black list.” Students that remained “stubborn” were blocked from higher education and better career choices. Jonas says, “I was denied the opportunity to enroll at the school that was just two blocks away from my parents’ house.”

Jonas Schröter: The next chapter

Another chapter in Jonas’ story illustrates Paul’s assertion that the gospel is the power of God. In spite of the opposition and challenges, Jonas became a Lutheran pastor. He studied at the seminary in Leipzig and also at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Wisconsin. He still serves as a parish pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church in Germany.

An important part of this chapter is that he was asked to preach for a Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) service that commemorated the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. That conference was held in Grimma, Jonas’ childhood home, and the service was held at the school he was denied attending because he remained faithful to Jesus—the Gymnasium St. Augustine. Jonas said, “You can imagine how excited I was when they asked me to preach on sola gratia in the very assembly hall and from a stage where earlier I was expected to speak my communist youth vow. The service took place exactly on the campus that was off limits to me when I lived [in Grimma] as a teenager.”

He went on to observe, “My knees were shaking and on a very personal level for me it was as if the Lord gave a small glimpse into his kingdom: ‘See, I told you, I’m in charge.’ ” That’s a lesson that wasn’t lost on Jonas and should not be lost on us either.

The changes in Germany have been dramatic. Jonas observed, “Today we speak no more of those who wanted to build a new world [in Grimma]. They have failed miserably. . . . Yet one thing stands firm. To fight against the living God is a senseless act. . . . What armies does God sent out to secure his power? With what weapons does he fight? . . . The incredible message of God’s grace in Jesus Christ—that is the weapon with which God builds the kingdom in this world.”

This German pastor brings the lesson to our ears and hearts, “What can you do about the opponents who appear before your congregation? What will make your preaching appealing to modern ears? What deep wisdom . . . will build the kingdom of God? Preach the word of reconciliation! Make known the God of grace who in Jesus Christ seeks and saves sinners. Preach the message of grace alone.”

The gospel was, is, and always will be the power of God for salvation.


John Braun is the executive editor of Forward in Christ.


This is the first article in a six-part series on the power of the gospel.


 

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Author: John A. Braun
Volume 105, Number 5
Issue: May 2018

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
Forward in Christ grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be printed for use in a WELS church, school, or organization, provided that it is distributed free and indicate Forward in Christ as the source. Images may not be reproduced except in the context of its article. Contact us

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Romans 8:3

For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful humanity to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in human flesh.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Call Report – May 29, 2018

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Pastor, teacher, and staff minister call report

5/22/2018 – 5/28/2018

The call report details when pastors, teachers, and staff ministers change positions within WELS. The Conference of Presidents oversees and coordinates the calling process.


NO DECISION REPORTED

Pastors Current call New call Date issued
Rev Jonathan Fischer Resurrection LC
Chesapeake VA
Good Shepherd LC
Sioux Falls SD
Associate Pastor
4/18/2018
Rev Michael Turriff Mt Calvary LC
Waukesha WI
Beautiful Savior LC
Bella Vista-Hiwasse AR
Pastor; Part-Time Call
4/22/2018
Rev Nickolas Haasch Trinity LC
Sturgis SD
Heritage LC
Gilbert AZ
Pastor
4/29/2018
Rev George Swanson Shepherd LC
Albuquerque NM
Shepherd of the Hills LC
Fredericksburg TX
Pastor
4/29/2018
Prof Ross Stelljes Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
Professor; Theology
5/2/2018
Rev Jonathan Scharf Abiding Grace LC
Covington GA
Grace LC
Milwaukee WI
Associate Pastor
5/6/2018
Rev Christopher Ewings Faith LC
Anchorage AK
CrossWalk Lutheran Ministries
Laveen AZ
Pastor
5/8/2018
Rev Mark Johnston Our Savior’s LC
East Brunswick NJ
Mt Calvary LC
Menasha WI
Associate Pastor; Retirement Call
5/13/2018
Rev David Neumann Retired Good Hope LC
Ellensburg WA
Good Faith LC
South Cle Elum WA
Pastor; Retirement Call
5/14/2018
Rev Timothy Bode Abiding Savior LC
Elk River MN
Nebraska Evangelical Lutheran High School
Waco NE
Pastor
5/16/2018
Rev Paul Seager Christ Alone LC
Fort Worth TX
Apostles LC
San Jose CA
Associate Pastor
5/17/2018
Rev Jonathan Hackbarth Salem LC
Woodbury MN
Zion LC
Rhinelander WI
Associate Pastor
5/20/2018
Rev Patrick Wilcox Good Shepherd’s LC
West Allis WI
Riverview LC
Appleton WI
Associate Pastor
5/20/2018
Rev Roger Riedel Peace LC
Wautoma WI
Grace LC
Oronoco MN
Pastor
5/20/2018
Rev Daniel Lange Light of Life LC
Covington WA
Grace LC
Vail AZ &
Benson AZ
Associate Pastor
5/20/2018
Rev Nicolas Schmoller Lamb of God LC
Lafayette IN
Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
Professor; Theology & Foreign Language
5/21/2018
Rev Andrew Schultz St John (Barre Mills) LC
La Crosse WI
Conference of Presidents
Christian Giving Counselor SA & SC Districts
5/23/2018
Teachers Current call New call Date issued
Mrs Kelli Green Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
Professor; Special Education
4/12/2018
Miss Elaina Mercier Faith of a Child Daycare
Oshkosh WI
ECM Director
4/22/2018
Mrs Kathryn Schwartz Good Shepherd LS
Downers Grove IL
St Luke LS
Oakfield WI
Teacher; Grades 3-4
4/22/2018
Mr Adam Wiechmann West Lutheran High School
Plymouth MN
Arizona Lutheran Academy
Phoenix AZ
Teacher; Science
4/24/2018
Mr Anthony Perry Salem LS
Owosso MI
St Stephen LS
Beaver Dam WI
Principal & Upper Grades; Departmentalized
4/29/2018
Mrs Jennifer Trimmer St Paul LS
Columbus OH
Risen Savior LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Grade 5
4/29/2018
Mrs Eileen Wassermann Mt Olive LS
Delano MN
Teacher; Kindergarten-Grade 2, Provisional Call
4/29/2018
Mr Michael Wisniewski Trinity LS
Marshfield WI
Trinity LS
Marshfield WI
Principal
5/2/2018
Mr Todd Dahlke Trinity LS
Marshfield WI
Trinity LS
Marshfield WI
Teacher; Assistant Principal
5/2/2018
Mr Gregory Thiesfeldt St Paul LS
New Ulm MN
St Mark LS
Citrus Heights CA
Principal
5/6/2018
Mr Daniel Kasten Bethlehem LS
Hortonville WI
Mt Calvary LS
Waukesha WI
Teacher; Grade 4
5/7/2018
Ms Laura Bodendorfer St Paul LS
East Troy WI
Mt Calvary LS
Waukesha WI
Teacher; Grade 2, Provisional Call
5/7/2018
Mr Adam Pavelchik Peace LS
Kissimmee FL
St Marcus LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Middle School
5/8/2018
Mrs Mandy Pavelchik Peace LS
Kissimmee FL
St Marcus LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Grade 4
5/8/2018
Mrs Jill Hagen Shepherd of the Valley LS
Menasha WI
Teacher; Grades 7-8, Part-Time Call
5/9/2018
Mrs Robin Paustian St John LS
Redwood Falls MN
Teacher; Grade 1
5/11/2018
Mrs Sarah Crass Christ Our Savior Academy
Columbia TN
ECM Teacher
5/13/2018
Mrs Jennifer Hacker Trinity LS
Waukesha WI
Teacher; Grade 3
5/14/2018
Mrs Sara Makinen St John LC
Libertyville IL
ECM Teacher; One-Year Call
5/15/2018
Mr Blair Schaper Wisconsin Lutheran High School
Milwaukee WI
St John LS
Libertyville IL
Teacher; Grades 7-8
5/15/2018
Mrs Valerie Schmidt Bethlehem LS-North
Germantown WI
Bethlehem LS-North
Germantown WI
Teacher; Kindergarten, Provisional Call
5/15/2018
Mrs Cheryl Herriges Bethlehem LC
Menomonee Falls WI
Bethlehem LS-North
Germantown WI
ECM Teacher; Part-Time, Provisional Call
5/15/2018
Mr Glenn Metzger St John LS
Redwood Falls MN
Grace LS
Saint Joseph MI
Teacher; Grades 5-8, Departmentalized
5/16/2018
Mr Daniel Rick St John’s LS
Sleepy Eye MN
St Lucas LS
Kewaskum WI
Principal & Grades 5-6
5/16/2018
Ms Amy Gosch St John LS
Goodhue MN
Salem LS
Stillwater MN
ECM Teacher
5/17/2018
Mr Galen Holzhueter Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
Costa Maya Ministries
Mexico
Director
5/17/2018
Mrs Rebecca Metzger St Marcus LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Provisional Call
5/17/2018
Mrs Nicole Steenbock St John LS
Maribel WI
Teacher; Kindergarten, Half-Time Call
5/20/2018
Miss Ashley VanCalster Crown of Life LS
West Saint Paul MN
Risen Savior LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Grade 2
5/20/2018
Mrs Eileen Karow Peace LS
Sun Prairie WI
Teacher; Grade 2
5/20/2018
Miss Kimberly Ehlke Trinity LS
Caledonia WI
Apostles LC
San Jose CA
Teacher; Grade 2
5/20/2018
Mr Kenneth Kasten Trinity LS
Neenah WI
Principal; One-Year, Retirement Call
5/20/2018
Mr Cody Harms St Marcus LS
Milwaukee WI
Atonement LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Dean of Students, Provisional Call
5/20/2018
Mr Scott Schomberg St Matthew’s LS
Winona MN
St John LS
Montello WI
Principal & Upper Grades
5/20/2018
Mrs Sara Makinen Our Savior’s LS
Zion IL
Teacher; Kindergarten-Grade 2
5/20/2018
Mr Kyle Raymond Peace LS
Sun Prairie WI
Emanuel LC
New London WI
Principal
5/20/2018
Mr Ronald Schleef Holy Cross LS
Madison WI
Teacher; Grade 5
5/20/2018
Miss Heather Voss Garden Homes LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Grade 2, Provisional Call
5/20/2018
Mr Daniel Plath Crown of Life LS
West Saint Paul MN
Apostles LS
San Jose CA
Principal
5/20/2018
Mrs Beth Plath Crown of Life LS
West Saint Paul MN
Apostles LS
San Jose CA
Teacher; Grade 4
5/20/2018
Mrs Angela Frey Mt Olive LS
Overland Park KS
ECM Teacher; One-Year Call
5/20/2018
Mrs Madeline Jenswold Mt Olive LS
Overland Park KS
Teacher
5/20/2018
Ms Meredith Pucci Westside Christian School
Middleton WI
Associate Principal; Provisional Call
5/20/2018
Mrs Meredith Heyn Immanuel LS
Greenville WI
Immanuel LS
Greenville WI
Teacher; Kindergarten, One-Year, Half-Time Call
5/20/2018
Mrs Karena Falck Shepherd of the Valley LS
Westminster CO
Illinois Lutheran Elementary School
Crete IL
Teacher; Grade 4
5/21/2018
Mr Shawn Herkstroeter Faith LS
Fond du Lac WI
Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School
Jackson WI
Teacher; Physical Education
5/21/2018
Mrs Rebekah Fincham Gethsemane LS
Omaha NE
St John LS
Manitowoc WI
Teacher; Middle Grades & Extended Learning
5/22/2018
Prof Rebecca Berg Michigan Lutheran Seminary
Saginaw MI
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School
New Ulm MN
Teacher; English, One-Year, Part-Time Call
5/22/2018
Miss Kaylen Orr Building Blocks Christian Academy
Los Angeles CA
Pilgrim LS
Menomonee Falls WI
ECM Director
5/22/2018
Mrs Adrienne Bengel St Mark LS
Citrus Heights CA
St Mark LS
Citrus Heights CA
Teacher; Kindergarten, One-Year Call
5/22/2018
Mrs Karyn Clemons Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School
New Ulm MN
Teacher; English, One-Year, Part-Time Call
5/22/2018
Mrs Melissa Linton Good Shepherd LS
West Bend WI
Teacher; Upper Grades Departmentalized, Part-Time Call
5/22/2018
Ms Rachel Bonow East Fork Lutheran High School
Whiteriver AZ
Teacher; Provisional Call
5/23/2018
Mrs Katherine Martin Crown of Life Christian Academy
Fort Atkinson WI
ECM Teacher; Part-Time, Provisional Call
5/23/2018
Mr Kenneth Proeber Christ the Lord LS
Brookfield WI
Principal; Retirement Call
5/24/2018
Staff Ministers Current call New call Date issued
Mr David Hochmuth St Andrew LC
Middleton WI
Prison Ministry
New Ulm MN
Administrator, Prison Ministry
5/23/2018

 

CALLS ACCEPTED

Teachers Current call New call Date accepted
Mr Randall Strutz Wisconsin Lutheran High School
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Special Education & Coaching, Provisional Call
5/21/2018
Mrs Beth Vertz Zion LS
Egg Harbor WI
Teacher; Grades 1-4
5/22/2018
Ms Angela Schneider St Paul LS
Muskego WI
ECM Teacher; Provisional Call
5/22/2018
Ms Kelly Henning St Paul LS
Muskego WI
Teacher; Grade 2, Provisional Call
5/22/2018
Mrs Patricia Snyder Faith Lutheran Preschool
Sussex WI
Faith Lutheran Preschool
Sussex WI
ECM Teacher; Half-Time Call
5/22/2018
Miss Sarah Krajewski Grace Lutheran Child Care
Charlotte NC
Grace Lutheran Child Care
Charlotte NC
ECM Director
5/22/2018
Miss Ellen Wheeler Good Shepherd’s LS
West Allis WI
Good Shepherd’s LS
West Allis WI
Teacher; Grades 1-2, One-Year, Half-Time Call
5/27/2018
Staff Ministers Current call New call Date accepted
Mr Brent Bitter Grace Lutheran Child Care &
Grace LC
Charlotte NC
Grace LC
Charlotte NC
Staff Minister
5/22/2018
Mr Stephen Pankow St Paul’s First LC
North Hollywood CA
Little Lambs Learning Center
Danube MN
ECM Director
5/23/2018

 

CALLS DECLINED

Pastors Current call New call Date declined
Rev Jeffrey Heitsch Nigeria Mission Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School
Commerce City CO
Pastor
5/21/2018
Prof Andrew Naumann Michigan Lutheran Seminary
Saginaw MI
St Paul LC
Onalaska WI
Associate Pastor
5/22/2018
Rev Joel Russow Faith LC
Tallahassee FL
Grace LC
Oshkosh WI
Associate Pastor
5/22/2018
Rev Craig Wasser Immanuel LC
Salem OR
Mt Calvary LC
Redding CA
Pastor
5/24/2018
Rev Jared Oldenburg Eternal Rock LC
Castle Rock CO
Shoreland Lutheran High School
Somers WI
Pastor
5/24/2018
Rev Stephen Lehmann Mt Olive LC
Iron Mountain MI
St Paul LC
Green Bay WI
Associate Pastor
5/24/2018
Rev David Boettcher St John LC
Wetaskiwin AB Canada
Mighty Fortress LC
Red Deer AB Canada
Emanuel First LC
Lansing MI
Associate Pastor
5/26/2018
Rev Joel Russow Faith LC
Tallahassee FL
Our Savior’s LC
Port Orange FL
Pastor
5/27/2018
Teachers Current call New call Date declined
Ms Lisa Fletcher Immanuel LS
La Crosse WI
ECM Director; Half-Time Call
5/22/2018
Mrs Gretchen Plitzuweit St Paul LS
Green Bay WI
Bethany LS
Port Orchard WA
Teacher; Grades 3-4
5/23/2018
Mr Donald Kolander St Paul LS
Cudahy WI
Trinity LS
Marinette WI
Principal & Grades 5-8
5/24/2018
Mr Philip Krueger Word of Life LS
Milwaukee WI
Trinity LS
Brillion WI
Principal
5/24/2018
Miss Brittni Wentzel Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy
Deltona FL
Little Lambs Learning Center
Duluth MN
ECM Director
5/24/2018
Mrs Lisa Carlson Good Shepherd Little Lamb Preschool
Holmen WI
Bethel Little Lamb Preschool
Galesville WI
ECM Director; Part-Time Call
5/25/2018
Mr Michael Ash Reformation LS
San Diego CA
King of Kings LS
Garden Grove CA
Principal & Middle Grades
5/25/2018
Mr Mark Kutz St John LS
Dakota MN
St Paul LS
Fort Atkinson WI
Principal & Grades 5-8; Departmentalized
5/26/2018


RESIGNED

Teachers Current call Date resigned
Mr Karl Mantzke St John’s LS
Sparta WI
6/30/2018

 

CALLED TO ETERNAL GLORY

Pastors Home church Death date
Rev John Brandt Immanuel LC
Black Creek WI
5/21/2018
Rev Herbert Birner Hope LC
Indian River MI
5/22/2018
Teachers Home church Death date
Prof Mervin Ingebritson St Paul LC
New Ulm MN
5/21/2018


RETIREMENT

Teachers Current call Date retired
Mr Steven Remmele St Paul LS
Tomah WI
5/31/2018
Miss Jane Wade Peace LS
Sun Prairie WI
6/30/2018

 

POSITION ELIMINATED

Teachers Current call Date effective
Mrs Jennifer Kuske St Paul LS
Brownsville WI
6/30/2018
Mrs Jennifer Hahn Abiding Word Lutheran Preschool
Houston TX
6/30/2018
Mrs Stephanie Liepert St Paul LS
Brownsville WI
6/30/2018

 

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Romans 8:32

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

1 Corinthians 8:9

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

1 Peter 1:22

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

2 John 1:4

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Isaiah 60:1

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward everyone according to what they have done.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reaching Native Christians: Part 2

Despite challenges, the Word of the Lord continues to grow on the Apache reservation 

Joseph M. Dietrich 

In 1893 Missionaries Plocher and Adascheck first arrived in what is now called Peridot, Arizona, to begin sharing the good news of Jesus with the Apache people. They had many struggles. Where should they set up camp? How will they communicate? Who will translate? How do they overcome suspicion and mistrust toward the white man? By God’s grace, they began to overcome these and other obstacles. The mission took root. From Peridot it spread east to Bylas and north to Whiteriver. Some missionaries became masters in the Apache language. Schools and churches were built. People came to hear the good news of Jesus. Congregations were started. The Word of the Lord grew.  

The challenges of today 

Now it is 2018—125 years later. How is the Apache mission doing? What are the challenges and blessings of today? The challenges are much different than the ones the first missionaries encountered: 

  • Our pastors, teachers and congregational families are not perfect. We admit we are all still learning and growing—sometimes the hard way—by our mistakes. Gary Lupe, one of two Apache pastorson the reservation, says, “A long time ago the Apache needed the White man missionary to make all the decisions; he did a good job. But now, we have been strong in Christ for years, yet too many Apache people rely upon the missionary to make decisions. Our missionaries are working to let go and let members make decisions, and also our people must be empowered to stand up to run our churches. This is a struggle.”  
  • Our communities aren’t perfect, either. Broken homes, substance abuse, and unsupervised children are the new normal for many homes.When caregivers choose alcohol and drugs over electricity and food, children suffer. 
  • Gangs are active in our communities, and vandalism and theft are regular occurrences that plaguethe churches, schools, and homes of our members and missionaries.  
  • Unemployment (75%) and poverty (median family income is less than $20,000 per household) are multi-generational.Health issues plague our people; the average life expectancy is between 45 to 50 years old. 
  • Traditional Apache religion is still a powerful forcethat pulls people off the path that leads to eternal life. Medicine men actively practice witchcraft and have been successful in convincing many Apache people that this false religion is part of their identity as Natives. Christians continue to stumble in their walk of faith and distrust the message of the Bible as well as the messengers who bring it. “The writer to the Hebrews had to always tell people to not follow the old ways,” says Lupe. “I must always tell our Apache people to not go to the medicine man to find out who to blame for your problems or which rock or powder to buy to heal you or take away problems. Like the writer to the Hebrews, I too must always say, ‘Jesus is all we need. Jesus is the only way and the only power.’ ” 

Yes, the Apache mission has challenges, and some of them are so big at times that our missionaries and teachers spend many weekly hours of ministry in unique ways of helping, counseling, transporting, praying with people out on the road and on the phone, talking with tribal security, and repairing buildings. It’s a struggle to the “regular daily work” one would think pastors and teachers are called to do. 

Victories despite challenges 

To keep these challenges in perspective, we turn to the book of Acts, a marvelous book that tells how Jesus’ disciples carried the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. It tells of the magnificent march of the gospel through the powerful Roman Empire. It’s a happy book, a book of joyous victory. From beginning to end you can read how the Word of the Lord grew through Palestine and beyond.  

But the story of Acts is not without its challenges. At every turn, there were struggles and threats to the ministry. Peter and John were put in prison. James was killed. Saul approved of Stephen’s death and started a great persecution. The Jewish leaders joined in on the persecution. They stoned Paul for speaking against traditional religion, the gods that the local people had worshiped for years. Arguments broke out between Jews and Gentile believers. Paul and Barnabas split up after a dispute. Unbelievers beat Paul and had him thrown into prison. People argued over who was the best pastor.  

When you read Acts, you see struggle after struggle, blow after blow, hitting the apostles and believers.  

When you spend time on the Apache reservation, you too can see struggle after struggle, blow after blow, hitting our missionaries and believers. 

Still, the book of Acts is about the spread the gospel. It’s always about the Word of the Lord growing and going to the world. It’s victorious and joyous. When Paul was detained in Rome, Luke ended Acts with the following statement: “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles and they will listen!” (28:28). Boldly and without hindrance Paul preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord.  

The Word of the Lord grew in Paul’s day, and it is growing among the Apache today. 

  • Six missionary pastors serve more than 3,000 Apache members with approximately 1,000 worshipping innine congregations every Sunday. 
  • Almost 300 students attend our two K-8 schools, and 25 students attend our high school. They are taught by20 called teachers. 
  • TheApache Christian Training School program continues to build spiritual maturity and train people for service in God’s kingdom. 

Six of our called pastors, evangelists, teachers, and ministry leaders are Apaches. “I love being a pastor and having that truth that I’m saved for myself, but mostly [I love] sharing it with my Apache people, working with the missionaries, and looking to share the gospel in many ways,” says Lupe, who has begun Wednesday evening street services at Gethsemane, Cibecue, to reach the community better. Lupe also works with lay evangelist Leonard Fall to record sermons in Apache that are broadcast on the radio 

Another Apache pastor, Kirk Massey, is working to equip his members at Open Bible, Whiteriver, so they can better serve this one thousand-member congregation and its community.  

And the Apache people are not content to serve only on the two current reservations in Arizona. They want to reach Native Americans on the 500-plus reservations throughout the United States, to follow the Great Commission as Jesus’ disciples did: “Go and make disciples of all nations . . .” (Matthew 28:19). 

Because despite all our needs and challenges, we are assured that the Word of the Lord will grow, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Apache, and that they will listen.  


Joseph Dietrich serves the San Carlos Apache Tribe as a missionary at Our Savior’s, Bylas, Arizona. 


This is the second article in a three-part series on WELS mission work on the Apache reservations in Arizona. 


Go to nativechristians.org to read more and to get 125th anniversary celebration updates. 


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Author: Joseph M. Dietrich
Volume 105, Number 5
Issue: May 2018

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
Forward in Christ grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be printed for use in a WELS church, school, or organization, provided that it is distributed free and indicate Forward in Christ as the source. Images may not be reproduced except in the context of its article. Contact us

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Matthew 18:3

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Acts 2:33

Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Call Report – May 21, 2018

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Pastor, teacher, and staff minister call report

5/15/2018 – 5/21/2018

The call report details when pastors, teachers, and staff ministers change positions within WELS. The Conference of Presidents oversees and coordinates the calling process.

NOTE: Due to the upcoming holiday, the next call report will be posted on Tuesday, May 29.


NO DECISION REPORTED

Pastors Current call New call Date issued
Rev Jonathan Fischer Resurrection LC
Chesapeake VA
Good Shepherd LC
Sioux Falls SD
Associate Pastor
4/18/2018
Rev Joel Russow Faith LC
Tallahassee FL
Grace LC
Oshkosh WI
Associate Pastor
4/22/2018
Rev Stephen Lehmann Mt Olive LC
Iron Mountain MI
St Paul LC
Green Bay WI
Associate Pastor
4/22/2018
Rev Joel Russow Faith LC
Tallahassee FL
Our Savior’s LC
Port Orange FL
Pastor
4/22/2018
Rev Michael Turriff Mt Calvary LC
Waukesha WI
Beautiful Savior LC
Bella Vista-Hiwasse AR
Pastor; Part-Time Call
4/22/2018
Prof Andrew Naumann Michigan Lutheran Seminary
Saginaw MI
St Paul LC
Onalaska WI
Associate Pastor
4/29/2018
Rev Nickolas Haasch Trinity LC
Sturgis SD
Heritage LC
Gilbert AZ
Pastor
4/29/2018
Rev George Swanson Shepherd LC
Albuquerque NM
Shepherd of the Hills LC
Fredericksburg TX
Pastor
4/29/2018
Prof Ross Stelljes Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
Professor; Theology
5/2/2018
Rev Craig Wasser Immanuel LC
Salem OR
Mt Calvary LC
Redding CA
Pastor
5/2/2018
Rev David Boettcher St John LC
Wetaskiwin AB Canada
Mighty Fortress LC
Red Deer AB Canada
Emanuel First LC
Lansing MI
Associate Pastor
5/3/2018
Rev Jonathan Scharf Abiding Grace LC
Covington GA
Grace LC
Milwaukee WI
Associate Pastor
5/6/2018
Rev Jeffrey Heitsch Nigeria Mission Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School
Commerce City CO
Pastor
5/6/2018
Rev Christopher Ewings Faith LC
Anchorage AK
CrossWalk Lutheran Ministries
Laveen AZ
Pastor
5/8/2018
Rev Mark Johnston Our Savior’s LC
East Brunswick NJ
Mt Calvary LC
Menasha WI
Associate Pastor; Retirement Call
5/13/2018
Rev David Neumann Retired Good Hope LC
Ellensburg WA
Good Faith LC
South Cle Elum WA
Pastor; Retirement Call
5/14/2018
Rev Timothy Bode Abiding Savior LC
Elk River MN
Nebraska Evangelical Lutheran High School
Waco NE
Pastor
5/16/2018
Rev Jared Oldenburg Eternal Rock LC
Castle Rock CO
Shoreland Lutheran High School
Somers WI
Pastor
5/17/2018
Rev Paul Seager Christ Alone LC
Fort Worth TX
Apostles LC
San Jose CA
Associate Pastor
5/17/2018
Rev Daniel Lange Light of Life LC
Covington WA
Grace LC
Vail AZ &
Benson AZ
Associate Pastor
5/20/2018
Teachers Current call New call Date issued
Mrs Kelli Green   Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
Professor; Special Education
4/12/2018
Miss Elaina Mercier   Faith of a Child Daycare
Oshkosh WI
ECM Director
4/22/2018
Mrs Kathryn Schwartz Good Shepherd LS
Downers Grove IL
St Luke LS
Oakfield WI
Teacher; Grades 3-4
4/22/2018
Mrs Patricia Snyder Faith Lutheran Preschool
Sussex WI
Faith Lutheran Preschool
Sussex WI
ECM Teacher; Half-Time Call
4/22/2018
Mr Adam Wiechmann West Lutheran High School
Plymouth MN
Arizona Lutheran Academy
Phoenix AZ
Teacher; Science
4/24/2018
Ms Angela Schneider   St Paul’s LS
Muskego WI
ECM Teacher; Provisional Call
4/24/2018
Ms Kelly Henning   St Paul’s LS
Muskego WI
Teacher; Grade 2, Provisional Call
4/24/2018
Mr Anthony Perry Salem LS
Owosso MI
St Stephen LS
Beaver Dam WI
Principal & Upper Grades; Departmentalized
4/29/2018
Mrs Jennifer Trimmer St Paul LS
Columbus OH
Risen Savior LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Grade 5
4/29/2018
Mrs Eileen Wassermann   Mt Olive LS
Delano MN
Teacher; Kindergarten-Grade 2, Provisional Call
4/29/2018
Mr Michael Wisniewski Trinity LS
Marshfield WI
Trinity LS
Marshfield WI
Principal
5/2/2018
Mr Todd Dahlke Trinity LS
Marshfield WI
Trinity LS
Marshfield WI
Teacher; Assistant Principal
5/2/2018
Mr Philip Krueger Word of Life LS
Milwaukee WI
Trinity LS
Brillion WI
Principal
5/3/2018
Mr Gregory Thiesfeldt St Paul LS
New Ulm MN
St Mark LS
Citrus Heights CA
Principal
5/6/2018
Mrs Lisa Carlson Good Shepherd Little Lamb Preschool
Holmen WI
Bethel Little Lamb Preschool
Galesville WI
ECM Director; Part-Time Call
5/6/2018
Miss Brittni Wentzel Good Shepherd Lutheran Academy
Deltona FL
Little Lambs Learning Center
Duluth MN
ECM Director
5/6/2018
Mr Donald Kolander St Paul LS
Cudahy WI
Trinity LS
Marinette WI
Principal & Grades 5-8
5/7/2018
Mr Daniel Kasten Bethlehem LS
Hortonville WI
Mt Calvary LS
Waukesha WI
Teacher; Grade 4
5/7/2018
Ms Laura Bodendorfer St Paul LS
East Troy WI
Mt Calvary LS
Waukesha WI
Teacher; Grade 2, Provisional Call
5/7/2018
Mr Randall Strutz   Wisconsin Lutheran High School
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Special Education & Coach, Provisional Call
5/7/2018
Mr Adam Pavelchik Peace LS
Kissimmee FL
St Marcus LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Middle School
5/8/2018
Mrs Mandy Pavelchik Peace LS
Kissimmee FL
St Marcus LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Grade 4
5/8/2018
Mrs Jill Hagen   Shepherd of the Valley LS
Menasha WI
Teacher; Grades 7-8, Part-Time Call
5/9/2018
Mr Mark Kutz St John LS
Dakota MN
St Paul LS
Fort Atkinson WI
Principal & Grades 5-8; Departmentalized
5/10/2018
Mrs Robin Paustian   St John LS
Redwood Falls MN
Teacher; Grade 1
5/11/2018
Ms Lisa Fletcher   Immanuel LS
La Crosse WI
ECM Director; Half-Time Call
5/13/2018
Mrs Sarah Crass   Christ Our Savior Academy
Columbia TN
ECM Teacher
5/13/2018
Mrs Jennifer Hacker   Trinity LS
Waukesha WI
Teacher; Grade 3
5/14/2018
Mrs Sara Makinen   St John LC
Libertyville IL
ECM Teacher; One-Year Call
5/15/2018
Mr Blair Schaper Wisconsin Lutheran High School
Milwaukee WI
St John LS
Libertyville IL
Teacher; Grades 7-8
5/15/2018
Mrs Gretchen Plitzuweit St Paul LS
Green Bay WI
Bethany LS
Port Orchard WA
Teacher; Grades 3-4
5/15/2018
Mrs Valerie Schmidt Bethlehem LS-North
Germantown WI
Bethlehem LS-North
Germantown WI
Teacher; Kindergarten, Provisional Call
5/15/2018
Mrs Cheryl Herriges Bethlehem LC
Menomonee Falls WI
Bethlehem LS-North
Germantown WI
ECM Teacher; Part-Time, Provisional Call
5/15/2018
Mr Glenn Metzger St John LS
Redwood Falls MN
Grace LS
Saint Joseph MI
Teacher; Grades 5-8, Departmentalized
5/16/2018
Mr Daniel Rick St John’s LS
Sleepy Eye MN
St Lucas LS
Kewaskum WI
Principal & Grades 5-6
5/16/2018
Mr Galen Holzhueter Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
Costa Maya Ministries
Mexico
Director
5/17/2018
Mrs Rebecca Metzger   St Marcus LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Provisional Call
5/17/2018
Mrs Nicole Steenbock   St John LS
Maribel WI
Teacher; Kindergarten, Half-Time Call
5/20/2018
Mrs Eileen Karow   Peace LS
Sun Prairie WI
Teacher; Grade 2
5/20/2018
Mr Michael Ash Reformation LS
San Diego CA
King of Kings LS
Garden Grove CA
Principal & Middle Grades
5/20/2018
Mr Kenneth Kasten   Trinity LS
Neenah WI
Principal; One-Year, Retirement Call
5/20/2018
Mr Cody Harms St Marcus LS
Milwaukee WI
Atonement LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Dean of Students
5/20/2018
Mr Scott Schomberg St Matthew’s LS
Winona MN
St John LS
Montello WI
Principal & Upper Grades
5/20/2018
Mrs Sara Makinen   Our Savior’s LS
Zion IL
Teacher; Kindergarten-Grade 2
5/20/2018
Mr Kyle Raymond Peace LS
Sun Prairie WI
Emanuel LC
New London WI
Principal
5/20/2018
Mr Ronald Schleef   Holy Cross LS
Madison WI
Teacher; Grade 5
5/20/2018
Miss Heather Voss   Garden Homes LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Grade 2, Provisional Call
5/20/2018
Mrs Angela Frey   Mt Olive LS
Overland Park KS
ECM Teacher; One-Year Call
5/20/2018
Mrs Madeline Jenswold   Mt Olive LS
Overland Park KS
Teacher
5/20/2018
Mrs Meredith Heyn Immanuel LS
Greenville WI
Immanuel LS
Greenville WI
Teacher; Kindergarten, One-Year, Half-Time Call
5/20/2018
Miss Ellen Wheeler Good Shepherd’s LS
West Allis WI
Good Shepherd’s LS
West Allis WI
Teacher; Grades 1-2, One-Year, Half-Time Call
5/20/2018
Staff Ministers Current call New call Date issued
Mr Stephen Pankow St Paul’s First LC
North Hollywood CA
Little Lambs Learning Center
Danube MN
ECM Director
4/12/2018


CALLS ACCEPTED

Pastors Current call New call Date accepted
Rev Jeremy Schulz Faith LC
Tacoma WA
Good Shepherd LC
The Woodlands TX
Pastor
5/12/2018
Rev Stephen Wiesenauer CRM East Asia
Pastor
5/14/2018
Teachers Current call New call Date accepted
Mr Scott Luepke   Resurrection LS
Rochester MN
Teacher; Grade 3, Provisional Call
4/27/2018
Miss Nicole Roper Small Steps Christian Learning Center
Port Orange FL
Cross of Christ LS
Coon Rapids MN
ECM Director
5/7/2018
Mrs Martha Eiland Pilgrim LS
Mesa AZ
Pilgrim LS
Mesa AZ
ECM Teacher; Provisional Call
5/13/2018
Mrs Stephanie Nocella   Redeemer Learning Center
Tomahawk WI
ECM Teacher; Provisional Call
5/14/2018
Mr David Zank Friedens LS
Kenosha WI
Friedens LS
Kenosha WI
Teacher; Vice Principal, One-Year Call
5/16/2018
Mrs Emily Vanderhoof Martin Luther LS
Neenah WI
Trinity-St Luke Western Ave Campus
Watertown WI
ECM Teacher; Half-Time Call
5/16/2018
Ms Sandra Menefee Emmanuel LS
Tempe AZ
Emmanuel LC
Tempe AZ
Teacher; Grades 1-2, One-Year, Part-Time Call
5/16/2018
Mrs Rebecca Crowe   Green Valley Lutheran Preschool & Kindergarten
Henderson NV
Teacher; Kindergarten, Provisional Call
5/17/2018
Mrs Emily Jiles Wisconsin Lutheran High School
Milwaukee WI
Wisconsin Lutheran High School
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Director of Guidance & Counseling, Provisional Call
5/17/2018
Mrs Johanna Manke St John LS
Lomira WI
St John LS
Lomira WI
Teacher; Administrative Release-Time & Music, Part-Time, Provisional Call
5/18/2018
Ms Mallory Hall   Luther HS
Onalaska WI
Teacher; Physical Education, Provisional Call
5/18/2018
Mrs Sarah Mueller   St Paul LS
Howards Grove WI
Teacher; Grades 7-8, Half-Time Call
5/18/2018
Mrs Gretel Kiecker St John LS
Lomira WI
St John LS
Lomira WI
Teacher; Grades 1-2, Provisional Call
5/18/2018
Mrs Jamie Learman   St John LS
Lomira WI
ECM Teacher; Part-Time, Provisional Call
5/18/2018
Mrs Brenda Grams   Cross of Glory Lutheran Preschool
Peoria AZ
ECM Director; Provisional Call
5/19/2018
Mr Adam Harvey Garden Homes LS
Milwaukee WI
Garden Homes LS
Milwaukee WI
Principal; One-Year Call
5/20/2018
Mr Nathan Bauer Garden Homes LS
Milwaukee WI
Garden Homes LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Dean of Students
5/20/2018
Ms Meghan Mache Garden Homes LS
Milwaukee WI
Garden Homes LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Grade 3, Provisional Call
5/20/2018
Staff Ministers Current call New call Date accepted
Mr Mark Blauert Trinity LC
Crete IL
Wisconsin LS-Middle School (6-8)
Racine WI
Staff Minister; School Chaplain
5/19/2018
Mr Paul Berger Christ-St Peter LS-West Campus
Milwaukee WI
Chaplains in Schools Inc.
Milwaukee WI
Staff Minister
5/20/2018


CALLS DECLINED

Pastors Current call New call Date declined
Rev Timothy Bourman Sure Foundation LC
Woodside NY
Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
Professor; Theology & Foreign Language
5/13/2018
Prof Paul Koelpin Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
St Paul LC
Saginaw MI
Associate Pastor
5/16/2018
Rev James Buske Lighthouse Youth Center
Milwaukee WI
Victory of the Lamb LC
Franklin WI
Associate Pastor
5/16/2018
Prof Jeffrey Schone Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
New Hope LC
West Melbourne FL
Pastor
5/17/2018
Rev Adam Mueller Redeemer LC
Tucson AZ
St John LC
Peshtigo WI
Pastor
5/17/2018
Rev Zachary Gebert Bethany LC – Parkway Campus
Appleton WI
Our Shepherd LC
Crown Point IN
Pastor
5/17/2018
Rev Ronald Koehler III Grace LC
Tucson AZ
Lord of Love LC
De Forest WI
Associate Pastor
5/18/2018
Rev Gregory Pope Trinity LC
Manitowoc WI
Peace LC
Loves Park IL
Pastor
5/18/2018
Rev Matthew Zimpelmann Cross of Christ LC
Boise ID
St Peter LC
Weyauwega WI
Associate Pastor
5/19/2018
Teachers Current call New call Date declined
Mrs Carol Tetzlaff St Mark’s LS
Watertown WI
St Paul LS
Ixonia WI
ECM Director; Half-Time Call
5/5/2018
Dr Rhoda Wolle Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee WI
Divine Savior Lutheran Academy
Doral FL
Teacher; School Counselor
5/5/2018
Mrs Kate Krieger   Siloah LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Grade 6
5/9/2018
Mr Edwin Fredrich Grace LS
Glendale AZ
Divine Savior Lutheran Academy
Doral FL
Teacher; Middle School English
5/11/2018
Mr Philip Gustafson St Mark LS
Eau Claire WI
Lamb of God LS
West Allis WI
Principal & Grades 7-8
5/15/2018
Mr Benjamin Stern Fox Valley Lutheran High School
Appleton WI
Lakeside Lutheran High School
Lake Mills WI
Teacher; Science
5/15/2018
Mr Daryl Weber Bethlehem LS-South
Menomonee Falls WI
Apostles LS
San Jose CA
Principal
5/16/2018
Mrs Bridget Weber Bethlehem LS-North
Germantown WI
Apostles LS
San Jose CA
Teacher; Grade 4
5/16/2018
Mrs Sarah Homan Reformation LS
San Diego CA
Siloah LS
Milwaukee WI
Teacher; Grade 1
5/16/2018
Mr Michael Homan Reformation LS
San Diego CA
Siloah LS
Milwaukee WI
Principal
5/16/2018
Mr Steven Lehman St Paul LS
North Fond du Lac WI
Divine Savior Lutheran Academy
Doral FL
Teacher; Grade 3
5/16/2018
Mr Christopher Mueller St John LS
Watertown WI
Zion LS
Denver CO
Principal
5/18/2018
Mr Paul Ihde St Paul LS
Stevensville MI
Trinity LS
Caledonia WI
Principal
5/18/2018
Mr Benjamin Schramm First LS
Elkhorn WI
Mt Olive LS
Mankato MN
Principal
5/19/2018
Miss Rachel Taasaas St Matthew LS
Spokane WA
St Mark LS
Citrus Heights CA
Teacher; Kindergarten
5/20/2018
Staff Ministers Current call New call Date declined
Mr Galen Holzhueter Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
Pilgrim LC
Minneapolis MN
Development Director
5/17/2018


RESIGNED

Teachers Current call Date resigned
Mrs Naomi Strusz Martin Luther LS
Oshkosh WI
6/30/2018
Mrs Sarah Koerber St Paul LS
Fort Atkinson WI
6/30/2018
Ms Bonnie Scholl Heartland Preschool
Fort Atkinson WI
6/30/2018
Mr Brandon Gierach Cross of Christ LS
Coon Rapids MN
6/30/2018
Mrs Jonnica Mayer Cross of Christ LS
Coon Rapids MN
6/30/2018
Miss Erica Babinec Grace Lutheran Academy
Lowell AR
8/7/2018


CALLED TO ETERNAL GLORY

Teachers Home church Death date
Mr Robert Adrian Mt Lebanon
Milwaukee WI
5/7/2018


RETIREMENT

Pastors Current call Date retired
Rev Marcus Manthey St John LC
Saginaw MI
6/30/2018

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Philippians 1:3

I thank my God every time I remember you.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Philippians 1:27

Whatever happens, as citizens of heaven live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together with one accord for the faith of the gospel.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Isaiah 40:28

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.