Ministry of Christian Giving Office Staff
WELS Ministry of Christian Giving works on behalf of the Conference of Presidents to remind every WELS member that Christ’s love is our calling to “excel in the grace of giving.” We carry out this mission through two broad but distinct efforts. First, we assist with the gathering of Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO). We also work to encourage direct gifts to WELS, or individual mission offerings, above and beyond congregational offerings. We do this through mailed appeals, coordination of special offerings, and the work of WELS Christian giving counselors.
As I drove home from the 2005 synod convention, which discussed our church body’s financial challenges, I asked the Lord, “What can I do to inform your people about the exciting gospel ministry you carry out through WELS? How can I encourage your believers to support this ministry with their generous gifts?” Two months later, Jesus led me to accept his call into the Ministry of Christian Giving.
After 21 years of serving congregations in Memphis, Tenn., and Cannon Falls, Minn., I started serving as a current giving counselor in WELS’ Minnesota and Nebraska districts. In 2012 I accepted the call to be WELS’ director of Christian Giving and began serving in the position in 2013.
As a counselor, I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to meet God’s gifted people, hear their faith stories, and nurture them in the gracious richness of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was a blessing to see the Spirit compel them to bring thank offerings to our Father who graciously gives all of us one blessing after another in Christ. Now as director I’m privileged to encourage Christian giving through our team of Christian giving counselors and support staff, and to assist our district presidents, circuit pastors, and Ministry of Christian Giving district chairmen as they help congregations grow their mission offerings. All to God’s glory and by his grace!
My wife, Susan Ann, and I live in Ixonia, Wis., and worship at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wis.
I attended one of our synod’s ministerial education high schools, Luther Preparatory School, and received my bachelor of arts in communicative arts from Wisconsin Lutheran College. I was blessed to do an internship with WELS that led to a part-time job at Northwestern Publishing House while in college, and then to my position as supervisor in the Ministry of Christian Giving office in 2004. In the Christian Giving office my primary role is producing communications aimed at encouraging Christian giving.
As we in WELS Christian Giving have worked to encourage others with Scripture, I’ve enjoyed my own spiritual growth—learning to trust in God for all things so that I can joyfully use what he has given me to love others and share the good news of our Savior Jesus.
My wife, Stephanie, and I have four kids and live in Milwaukee, Wis. We attend St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa.
Karen Martinez is administrative assistant for WELS Ministry of Christian Giving. She processes donor acknowledgements, maintains synod databases, runs congregational reports, coordinates department meetings, manages the budget, and provides excellent customer service to WELS members and workers.
I graduated from Martin Luther Academy, Martin Luther College, and the University of Northern Iowa. For 11 years, I served as a WELS elementary teacher and principal in Iowa and Minnesota. For four years, I was a teacher and coach at Manitowoc Lutheran High School. In 1998 I became a WELS Christian giving counselor, first in the south Atlantic, then in southeastern Wisconsin.
In 2006, I became the WELS donor relations coordinator. As such, I manage a database that helps coordinate and support funding of WELS ministry. It is a pleasure to work with and a privilege to assist WELS Christian giving counselors, district leaders, ministerial education advancement staff, and others to promote informed, Spirit-led generosity among WELS congregations and members.
My wife, Jenny, and I have two children. We live in Germantown, Wis., and belong to Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Menomonee Falls.
The Lord created me with a love for details, organization, and processes. After graduating from Dr. Martin Luther College with a math emphasis, he gave me many opportunities to use those skills in my role as a pastor’s wife and mother of four boys. The Lord then blessed me with a position as the database manager for a WELS-affiliated ministry. Most recently, I served Martin Luther College in the mission advancement office.
My passion is to serve others in the name of Christ. At the Ministry of Christian Giving, I help create processes for the database to function to its fullest potential. From behind the scenes, I strive to connect God’s people with the ministry opportunities that best resonate with their interests. It is pure joy to use my service to my Savior to encourage others to use their gifts to praise his name and share his love.
My husband, Edward, and I live in Watertown, Wis., and are members of St. Luke Lutheran Church.
My career in Christian nonprofits began shortly after graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran College—launching a journey I hadn’t fully planned, yet one God has faithfully guided for more than 30 years. I’ve had the privilege of serving with several Christian organizations in various mission advancement roles.
In November 2025, I accepted the position as prospect analyst with WELS Ministry of Christian Giving. I am passionate about identifying and connecting donors with opportunities to make a lasting impact—supporting ministry while also serving individuals and families in meaningful ways.
I am grateful for a career that has unfolded with God’s grace and mercy. What a gift it is to navigate uncharted waters with the One who calms the sea with his voice—and yet still calls each of us by name.
I am the proud mother of two adult children who are navigating journeys of their own. My family and I are members of Victory of the Lamb Lutheran Church in Franklin, Wis.