Knighted for Ministry! Addressing the called worker shortage

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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!

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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

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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

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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.

Pioneering the gospel in unreached areas

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Dear Christian Friend,

As we approach Christmas—a season when we celebrate the birth of our Savior and the hope he brings to the world—we’re reminded that more than 6.5 billion souls, over two-thirds of humanity, live in places where the name of Jesus is scarcely known. These are not just numbers; they are individuals, families, and communities waiting to experience the life-changing hope found in the gospel. This Christmas, as we rejoice in the gift of Christ, we remember our calling as his ambassadors, sent to proclaim the saving message of Jesus to every nation under heaven. Through us, Christ reaches the nations.

For 175 years, God has blessed WELS with opportunities to bring the gospel to new lands. Yet the mission remains unfinished. Millions are born and die each year without access to the truth we hold so dear. With renewed urgency and prayerful confidence, we look to the future, asking God to use us to reach lost souls with his Word of salvation. This is “Christ through us”—a mission that knows no borders, limits, or barriers too great for God’s grace.

As part of WELS’ long-range strategic plan, we’ve set a goal to “Pioneer missions in high-risk and unreached areas.” This is a bold commitment to go where the gospel is least known and access is most restricted. We trust God to open doors and prepare hearts.

God has opened two remarkable new mission fields. In Senegal, One Africa Team Missionary Dan Kroll has accepted a relocation to begin outreach among the Wolof people—a tribe where 99 percent identify as Muslim. The work will begin with learning language and culture, building relationships, and seeking every opportunity to share the gospel. Plans are underway to add a second missionary to the Senegal team, joining Kroll in immersion and outreach. Together, these missionaries will plant seeds of faith, train local leaders, and gather believers who will share Christ in their own communities.

Senegal is just one example of the vast need in the “10/40 window”—a region stretching from West Africa to East Asia between 10 degrees north and 40 degrees north latitude, home to the greatest concentration of unreached people groups on earth. In this window, billions live without access to the gospel. The spiritual darkness is profound, and the need for new workers, resources, and prayer is greater than ever. The opportunity before us is urgent: to bring the light of Christ to those who have never heard his name, to offer hope where there is none, and to answer the call to reach the lost.

Will you help us pioneer these new world mission fields? Your gift to the New World Mission Fields Fund will support outreach to the Wolof tribe in Senegal and other high-risk, unreached areas. This Christmas, as you reflect on God’s greatest gift to us, consider sharing that gift with those who have yet to hear the good news. Together, we can answer Christ’s call to go, to send, and to pray—trusting that his promise will not fail.

With hope, humility, and boldness, we entrust our efforts to the Lord of the harvest, confident that he will accomplish far more than we could ever ask or imagine. This is Christ through us.

In Christ’s service,
Rev. Larry Schlomer
Administrator, WELS World Missions

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Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the resolve of WELS World Missions and our synod to “pioneer missions in high-risk and unreached areas.” Guide, protect, and bless Missionary Dan Kroll as he begins work in Senegal, Africa, among the Wolof tribe, which is 99 percent Muslim. We ask you to also go with Rev. John Hildebrant, who has accepted the call to serve on the Asia-Oceania Team, focusing on outreach to the Hindi, one of the largest unreached populations in the world. He will begin his ministry with a one-year immersion experience in India. According to your will, Lord, work through us to reach the ends of the earth with the good news of your redemption. Amen.

Join the global gospel movement this Christmas

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Dear Christian Friend,

This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we’re reminded that more than 6.5 billion people live where the name of Jesus is scarcely known. The “Commission” priority of WELS’ long-range strategic plan calls us to extend our confessional Lutheran witness beyond familiar borders, forging partnerships and equipping a global missionary force to share Christ’s love with a world in need.

Now is the time to unite in prayer, generosity, and action, supporting efforts that spark the movement of the gospel across continents. Watch this short video to see how the “Commission” priority is shaping our mission.

Will you join us in this global movement?

God has provided a new mission opportunity in Senegal. Missionary Dan Kroll will soon begin outreach among the Wolof people, a tribe where 99 percent identify as Muslim. The work starts with learning language and culture, building relationships, and sharing the hope of Christ. You’ll soon receive a mailing with more details.

Will you help us bring the light of Christ to those who have never heard his name? Your gift to the New World Mission Fields Fund will directly support outreach in Senegal.

Thank you for your faithful support. Your prayers and gifts make it possible to bring the gospel to places where Christ’s name is barely known. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior this
Christmas, may the light of his love fill your heart.

In Christ’s service,
Rev. Larry Schlomer
Administrator, WELS World Missions

P.S. Read a special Forward in Christ article that shares inspiring stories of pioneering missions—including Dan Kroll’s work in Senegal and other efforts to reach the unreached.

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Supporting students on their path toward ministry

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Dear Friend,

When she noticed that her grandson was not reading at the appropriate level in Trinidad and Tobago, Donna Antoine knew that she needed to get involved. Little did she know that the Lord had planned a path for her grandson to receive a Christ-centered education at Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, Mich.

Before they would make the long journey north, however, the Lord would lead them just a short island hop to Grace Lutheran in Grenada. There, they met Pastor Ib Meyer and the school team that helped Donna rediscover forgotten Bible stories from her youth. After being baptized, Donna and her grandson D’Mario became members of Grace.

With D’Mario’s spiritual and educational needs now being met, Donna started looking for the next place to build her grandson up in the Lord. Michigan Lutheran Seminary (MLS) checked all the right boxes for her. Donna shared:

Having God at the center of all that we do is my biggest motivation in choosing a school for D’Mario. As the eldest of three siblings, I recognize the value of leadership and believe MLS is the ideal place to begin developing these skills. In short, we are now part of the MLS family and are so happy to be here.

As much as MLS is a cultural commitment for Donna, it is also a financial commitment. Sending her grandson to a boarding high school that was focused on ministry encouragement was not part of her financial plan. But the Lord had given her the opportunity to bless her grandson with the education that would ground him in the Scriptures on a daily basis. She just needed some help.

This is where you come in. Your gifts to Michigan Lutheran Seminary make it possible for students like D’Mario to be here—students who might otherwise never have the opportunity. You are helping them grow academically, spiritually, and socially in an environment that points them to their Savior, Jesus, every single day. And in the process, you are strengthening the next generation of Christian leaders—future pastors, teachers, and lay leaders who will carry Christ’s gospel to every corner of the world. Donna told us:

The financial aid that D’Mario received this year has helped to remove a significant burden of struggling to pay tuition this year. Your generosity is not just a gift of money, but the potential of turning a dream into reality.

Would you prayerfully consider making a gift today to help? Whether large or small, your gift directly impacts families like Donna’s and students like D’Mario. Together, we can continue preparing young people for lives of Christian leadership and gospel service.

On behalf of Donna, D’Mario, and all the families who entrust their children to us, thank you. We praise God for your partnership in the gospel and your dedication to the future of Christ’s church.

Loving and serving him,
Pastor Mark Luetzow
President, Michigan Lutheran Seminary

P.S. Your gifts to our financial aid fund allow us to keep our commitment that no student will ever be turned away from MLS for financial reasons. Thank you for your generous support of ministerial education at the prep school level.

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Prayer: Jesus, Lord of the Church, we praise you for your grace and the privilege of declaring your salvation to all people. We pray that you would provide the workers to fill our churches and schools and to serve as missionaries across the world. Thank you for our ministerial education schools, including Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, Mich. Grant that no obstacle, including tuition costs, would prevent prospective students from studying to become a pastor, teacher, staff minister, or missionary. We pray for the glory of your name, Lord. Amen.

Beacons of light across North America

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Dear Christian Friend,

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

That verse is the heartbeat of our synod’s long-range strategic plan, “Christ through us.” It’s also the heartbeat of our congregations—beacons of the light of Christ’s salvation to a world lost in the darkness of sin.

Right now, WELS congregations reach about two percent of the U.S. population—roughly 6.8 million people living within a 15-minute drive of a WELS church. But WELS Home Missions has set a bold goal with the 100 Missions in 10 Years initiative: increase that reach to three percent. That’s an additional 3.4 million souls—souls who could be within reach of a confessional Lutheran congregation proclaiming the message of reconciliation with God through the perfect life and innocent death of Jesus.

This isn’t just about planting churches. It’s about strengthening the backbone of our synod. It’s about building a network of congregations—both longstanding and newly planted—that radiate the unity and love of Christ, draw the lost into fellowship, and equip the faithful to stand firm in a fragmented world.

We’re seeing this vision come to life in places like Boston, Mass.; Erie, Colo.; Marquette, Mich.; Celina, Texas; and San Tan Valley, Ariz. These aren’t just dots on a map—they’re communities where the gospel is desperately needed. And thanks to your prayers and support, we’re seeing core groups form, Bible studies begin, and worship services launch.

But we’re also seeing the cost.

Real estate, rent, and construction expenses are rising. A single mission start may require up to $2 million in support from Home Missions over 12+ years. Yet, we press on—not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth it. Because Christ became poor so that we might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). And now, we share those riches with those who are still poor.

Will you help us reach that three percent?

Your gift today will help us

  • plant new churches in underserved communities.
  • support core groups already laying the groundwork.
  • equip missionaries and provide resources for long-term ministry.

This is not a short burst of effort—it’s the steady building of a lighthouse. Each new congregation we plant is another beacon of Christ’s light in a darkening world. Together, we’re constructing a network of gospel outposts—places where the lost are found, the weary are refreshed, and the faithful are equipped to shine. And with your help, we’ll keep building—one light at a time, one soul at a time.

In Christ’s service,
Rev. Mark Gabb
Administrator, WELS Home Missions

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Prayer: We praise you, Lord Jesus, for giving us salvation and the privilege of serving as your ambassadors. Thank you that we have enough churches across the country to reach two percent of the population. We ask you to bless us according to your will to open more missions to reach even more souls across the U.S. May our churches shine your saving light in the spiritual darkness, disciple members, and support our wider synod efforts to train and send workers to proclaim your Word in the world. Amen.