Support MLC students on Worldwide MLC Day

/in

Dear Friend in Christ,

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Those words from our Lord are as true today as ever, and they remind us why the work of Martin Luther College matters so deeply.

Martin Luther College’s mission is to train the next generation of pastors, teachers, and staff ministers for our congregations and schools. The men and women studying at MLC right now are preparing for a lifetime of service—to your church, your school, and your community. They are being Knighted for Ministry.

On Worldwide MLC Day, we come together to support these students.

MLC Day centers on the Congregational Partner Grant Program (CPGP). Here’s how it works: A congregation commits a financial gift to support each of its students preparing for ministry at Martin Luther College. Then MLC matches each gift—up to $1,600 in 2025-2026.

CPGP has been a huge blessing to our students! This year, students received $1.9 million through CPGP alone! The students are incredibly grateful for these gifts, which help reduce their student debt and alleviate the financial stress they may feel.

But it’s not only the congregations we have to thank. It’s also donors like you who make CPGP work—because you help MLC match the congregations’ gifts!

On Worldwide MLC Day, will you please help us match the CPGP gifts? If you give $1,600, you will be the 100 percent match for one MLC student.

And there’s more good news! This year, your gift will go twice as far. Every dollar you give is being matched dollar for dollar, doubling your impact!

Will you support MLC students on Worldwide MLC Day?

And if you’ve already given a gift for MLC Day, thank you! Your generosity is making a meaningful difference for these future pastors, teachers, and staff ministers—faithful men and women who will be sharing the good news of Jesus’ love one day soon—perhaps in your congregation or school!

In Christ,
Charles Vannieuwenhoven
Administrator, WELS Ministerial Education

Donate Now

A simple way to encourage our pastors

/in

Dear Friend,

Pastors are gifts from the risen and ascended Savior, who sits at the right hand of the Father. Ephesians 4:11-13 says as much. Thanks and praise be to Jesus—the 1,400 active pastors of WELS are gifts from him! The congregation I attend is blessed to have two of those pastors—and a vicar (future pastor, Lord willing). My family and I are very thankful that these men have set their hearts on serving God’s people with Word and sacrament.

The other members of our congregation are thankful too, and I would like to tell you about two of them: a married couple with grown children. About seven years ago, the husband was moved by a Forward in Christ article about the struggles and challenges a pastor was facing. He talked to his wife about the article, and together they asked: What can we do to support the pastors of our church body? After prayerful consideration and some research, he and his wife decided to start the Grow in Grace Endowment Fund at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

Grow in Grace is the part of the seminary that supports pastors by partnering with them for their spiritual and professional growth. Grow in Grace does this in four areas of ministry:

  1. Formal continuing education: We provide for-credit courses for the pastors of WELS and sister church bodies from around the world. Every biennium, about 200 pastors take such a course.
  2. Informal continuing education: We produce and distribute informal continuing education resources that pastors can read on their own. We offer not-for-credit presentations. Every biennium, about 600 pastors participate in these learning events.
  3. Pastor Partners mentoring program: We provide a mentor for pastors during the first three years of ministry. These mentors serve as trusted friends and confidants. Many pastors have told me, “I would not have made it through the first three years of ministry if it weren’t for my mentor. Thank you.”
  4. Celebration of Ministry retreats: We plan and host three-day retreats for pastors and their wives who have served in ministry for 3, 10, 25, and 35 years. The workshops are tailored to their specific station in life and ministry. Participants return to their congregations with renewed spirits.

Back to the endowment. The husband and wife began the fund in 2019. Every year since then, they have contributed $25,000 from their IRA accounts, encouraging others to join them in this effort. In March 2026, the Grow in Grace Endowment Fund had a balance of about $410,000. The endowment fund is set up to distribute 4 percent of its net asset value annually for the work of Grow in Grace, connecting our pastors (and their wives) to gospel-rich resources and gospel encouragers. In June of this year, this fund will help bring 12 international pastors to our on-campus Summer Quarter, and it will offer tuition assistance that makes the courses more affordable for our 1,400 active pastors.

Pastors are precious gifts from our Savior. Join me in praying for them. Join the Seminary in supporting and encouraging them. Join the couple who began this fund and the many who have contributed since it opened with a contribution to the Grow in Grace Endowment Fund. It is a great way to thank our Savior for the pastors he has provided and to support those pastors for years to come. We welcome your gifts of any amount, and we will use them in service to our pastors. Thank you.

Brad Wordell
Director of Grow in Grace

Donate Now

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for calling pastors into your harvest field. Keep them faithful and humble as they serve. Fill them with your Spirit through your gospel in Word and sacraments, so that as they pour themselves out for others, they are refreshed by you. Bless their continued spiritual and professional growth through opportunities like Grow in Grace and give them wisdom to apply what they learn in the places where you have sent them. Encourage congregations and leaders to support their pastors with time and resources for this work, so that your people are served well and your name is honored. Amen.

French connects them. The gospel unites us.

/in , ,

Dear Fellow Member of WELS,

Easter reminds us that when everything seemed finished—when the stone was sealed, and hope looked lost—the risen Christ was already at work. Because Jesus lives, his gospel keeps moving forward, often in ways we don’t expect. That’s what we see happening through the work of WELS World Missions today.

Across French-speaking regions of Africa, people are reaching out to WELS asking for help with God’s Word. And by God’s grace, we can respond.

French is an official language in 29 countries worldwide, and remarkably, 21 of them are in Africa. That shared language makes French a key connection point for gospel outreach across borders and cultures. In many of these places, faithful, Bible-based teaching is hard to find. That’s why these contacts matter—and why the opportunities before us are significant.

One example comes from a French-speaking church body called Mission Évangélique Luthérienne au Congo (MELC). Its leaders searched for theological support, found WELS, and reached out because they wanted clarity grounded firmly in Scripture. They see the challenges around them—especially the spread of false teaching—and they want to grow in the truth of God’s Word.

Faithful mission work in situations like this isn’t rushed. It involves careful doctrinal conversations, opening Scripture together, verifying unity in teaching and practice, and walking patiently with those who want to learn. This kind of work doesn’t always draw attention, but it is essential if the gospel of the risen Christ is to be proclaimed clearly and faithfully.

The work also requires flexibility. Because of political unrest, WELS missionaries cannot currently travel into parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rather than stopping, conversations continue just across the border in Zambia, where it is safer to meet. There, missionaries and church leaders are able to build relationships, study doctrine together, and plan next steps. Trusting the Lord’s guidance, the work continues.

To support this growing outreach, we’ve made a focused investment in people and preparation. Missionary Jake Vilhauer, serving with the One Africa Team, received intensive French language immersion—including time living and studying in France and Cameroon. Because of that training, when French-speaking contacts across Africa reach out, we are ready to respond with clarity, compassion, and confidence in the gospel.

This is where you come in. We ask you to prayerfully consider supporting this work with a special gift. Your support makes it possible for WELS World Missions to carry out this work on the ground: engaging in careful doctrinal study, maintaining ongoing communication, and meeting face to face when those conversations matter most. And this need is not limited to one place. We are seeing similar requests for collaboration and support coming from countries like Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, and beyond—all from people asking for faithful Lutheran teaching rooted in God’s Word.

As we celebrate Easter, we rejoice that Christ is risen—and that his living gospel continues to open doors in places near and far. Thank you for standing with WELS World Missions as we share that message throughout Africa.

In Christ’s service,
Larry Schlomer
Administrator, Board for World Missions

Donate Now

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for working through us in new and exciting ways. Bless Missionary Jake Vilhauer as he leads ministry efforts with French-speaking people in Africa. Guide our synod’s process of working toward possible fellowship with the Lutheran church body in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We thank you for blessing our work with them so that they have been able to discover more great truths in your Word and combat false doctrine. May our French language outreach connect with many more people in the 29 French-speaking countries of Africa, so that even more may come to know the salvation you have earned for us. Amen.

You can help start the next new mission

/in , ,

Dear Friend,

“Should we scale back 100 Missions in 10 Years?” That’s a question I hear frequently. With the number of pastoral vacancies and ever-increasing ministry costs, it’s a valid question. God has called us to be good stewards of the resources he has given us. So, as we count the cost of 100 in 10, do we need to be less aggressive and scale back our goal? I’ve thought about this—a lot—and I’ve come to this conclusion: No, at least not yet. Here’s why . . .

From the start, 100 in 10 was an aggressive initiative that stretched us all in our vision, our stewardship, and our trust in the Lord’s promises. Three years in, 100 in 10 is nearly keeping pace, having approved 28 new starts and 24 enhancements. We’re seeing the gospel’s power at work in places like Boston, Mass.; Marquette, Mich.; Queens, N.Y.; Houston, Texas; Kronenwetter, Wis.; Folsom, Calif.; and more, bringing hope and peace to the lost and hopeless.

The 100 in 10 initiative has also been a catalyst for exciting work throughout our synod. It has forged and strengthened partnerships across WELS. It has brought greater collaboration with others and sparked new ministry ideas and efforts. God’s people have responded generously, investing more than $4.3 million in the initiative. I have seen firsthand how the Lord is blessing efforts, transforming hearts, and impacting lives through the good news of salvation through Jesus.

The Lord has a history of doing this. We read about it in the pages of Scripture. We witness it in the history of our church body. Christ works through us to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. It really is a joy watching Christ work through his people to spread the light of his Word “from age to age,” which is “our chief endeavor” (“God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage,” Christian Worship).

This is where you come in. Planting new missions is costly but worth it! Financial gifts from God’s people help cover costs and make a difference. Our missionaries will tell you that and thank you profusely for your gifts. I can also tell you how major gifts from God’s people make a lasting impact, allowing us to plant new missions where we never thought we could.

On average, WELS Home Missions invests nearly $2 million in each new mission. Together, the ongoing gifts of God’s people help us keep planting “yet one more” so more people may hear the message of peace and hope we have through Christ. This is what 100 Missions in 10 Years has always been about: Christ working through us to reach the lost. As you consider how God has generously blessed you, will you consider giving a generous gift to Home Missions to plant “yet one more” mission so we can reach more people with the gospel?

Your gift helps support existing missions, strengthens outreach efforts, and ensures that new gospel outposts are planted in new communities across North America. Together—and only together—we keep pressing forward with boldness, trusting that the Lord will use our combined efforts as he sees fit and in ways we never imagined.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

In Christ,
Rev. Mark Gabb
Administrator, WELS Home Missions

Donate Now

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, you send out your church to proclaim your good news to all creation. We praise you for allowing us to participate in your mission and for blessing our efforts. Continue to guide our church body as we prayerfully aim to open 100 missions in 10 years and enhance 75 existing ministries. We thank you that, so far, we’ve been able to open 28 missions in the past three years. We pray that you would guide our mission churches on their path from new starts to thriving congregations so they can bless their communities for years to come. Amen.

Knighted for Ministry! Addressing the called worker shortage

/in

Dear Friend,

146, 132, 115, 102. These numbers are astounding. They represent the parish pastoral vacancies (146, 132) and teacher vacancies (115, 102) for the last two years. Many of you reading this know what it’s like. You’ve issued call after call and still haven’t received the pastor or teacher you need.

A question so many of us ponder and pray about is this: Where will we find more called workers to fill our pulpits and classrooms to proclaim Jesus as Savior? Martin Luther College (MLC), your WELS College of Ministry, is vital to preparing men and women for service in our congregations and schools. We are the Knights, and we are training faithful men and women to put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6) and be Knighted for Ministry!

MLC is the pre-seminary college for our future pastors. We also train staff ministers qualified in many different areas of ministry. And we are the primary provider of qualified teachers for Lutheran schools. In fact, we’re the only college whose graduates are both synod-certified and qualified for state teaching licensure.

Although the called worker shortage numbers are astounding, the good news is that the immediate future looks brighter. Why? Our enrollment has grown, which means that in the next few years we will assign more teachers and staff ministers and send more men on to the seminary to finish their pastoral training.

How is MLC doing this? Primarily, we trust the Holy Spirit’s work in the hearts and minds of young people. But we also do whatever we can to encourage them! One helpful tool is the Congregational Partner Grant Program. CPGP is a tuition assistance program where MLC matches the financial support students receive from their home congregations. For the 2025-26 school year, MLC is matching congregational grants up to $1,600—a total of $1.9 million in tuition assistance!

Where does MLC find the dollars to offer these matching grants? From God’s people, like you, who have a strong desire to equip more young (and not-so-young) people for full-time ministry in God’s kingdom. Yes, you play a vital role in Knighting for Ministry! In fact, 90 percent of MLC students benefit from this generous matching grant program! As you can imagine, the program continues to grow each year as more students sign up for this critical tuition assistance.

How can you help us continue the momentum? First, please keep praying for more workers in the harvest field. Second, please continue encouraging qualified men and women to consider a ministry vocation. Finally, if you are moved by the Spirit, can you help us with a gift so that we can meet our matching commitments to our students this school year?

Many Lutheran schools continue to grow as more families seek a Christian education for their children. What a blessing! But that means there is a growing need for more teachers. Additionally, there are still far too many congregations without a pastor or staff minister to share the life-changing gospel message in their communities. Let’s keep working together! We are all YouKnighted in this mission to train and equip more future pastors, teachers, and staff ministers for the harvest field.

With you in God’s service,
Rich Gurgel
President, Martin Luther College

P.S. Your gift will help us Knight more and more for ministry—perhaps in your congregation or school!

Donate Now

Prayer: Jesus, Lord of the Church, as members of your body, we each have a role in your kingdom. Move us to encourage people to study for public ministry and to support them through our words and gifts. May the offerings of our congregations and the matching gifts from Martin Luther College remove obstacles for those studying to become pastors, teachers, staff ministers, and missionaries. Help us toward the goal of eliminating much of the financial debt for newly graduated called workers so they can better focus on serving you and others in ministry. Amen.

Running with perseverance

/in

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Dear Friend,

In this race called life, 2026 is another mile marker. How is your race going?

The truth is, “running with perseverance” can be very difficult. While the Father washed our sins away in Baptism and made us his own children, while we have the powerful assurances of the Spirit’s Word, while the Lord feeds our faith with his own body and blood in the bread and wine of Communion, we are still sinners living in a sinful world. Instead of staying focused on Jesus, we’re tempted to get off track. We start to become entangled in sin and pick up burdens that are a drag on our mission of serving Christ and others.

The inspired writer of Hebrews encourages us to throw off the sins and distractions that hinder us from our heavenly goal. We have all we need in Christ, who endured the cross for our sins and rules everything for our benefit. These other things only get in the way if we let them. Though the sinful nature lures us to the false satisfaction of idols, though our weakness of faith causes us to fear the threats of our enemies, with our eyes fixed on Jesus through his good news in Word and sacraments, we can run this race with perseverance. We know where we’re going and why we’re here. This helps us not to grow weary or lose heart. I pray that our Lord Jesus strengthens you as you run his race in 2026.

As you do this, would you help WELS continue its proclamation of Christ’s gospel across the world? Your donation to WELS Mission and Ministry supports all the work of our synod, including ministerial education, opening missions, and supporting the local ministry of our churches and schools.

It’s a particularly exciting time to be a WELS member with all the opportunities God is giving us. We have a bold new strategic plan, “Christ through us,” which you can read at christthroughus.net. We are on track to open 100 new home missions by 2033. The Holy Spirit is blessing world mission work so that it is estimated we’ll enjoy fellowship with one million people outside the United States within ten years. Advances in technology are helping us train gospel ambassadors, communicate in other languages, and reach people in countries where we don’t have a physical presence.

The race is indeed marked out for us. Our champion, Jesus, is on the throne. His Word and Spirit guide our lives. Heaven awaits us at the finish line. And we have the privilege of inviting others. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s the adventure of a lifetime! We praise God for all you do for our Savior’s kingdom and for considering making the Lord’s work through WELS a part of that again this year!

In Christ,
Kurt Lueneburg
WELS Director of Christian Giving

Donate Now

Prayer: Lord, help us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross for our salvation and now sits victoriously on heaven’s throne. May your good news in Word and sacrament strengthen and empower us to throw off everything that hinders, including the sins that lead us away from you. Bless us, our churches, and our synod this coming year so that, by your grace, we can continue training workers and sending them out into the world to proclaim your name. Amen.