Our thankful response to God’s gifts update

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The 2016 stewardship emphasis determined by the Conference of Presidents—364 Days of Thanksgiving—focuses on how we can be thankful every day for the blessings God gives us.

The three-week emphasis builds on the popular Northwestern Publishing House book written by Andrew Schroer, pastor at Redeemer, Edna, Texas.

“Using the unique devotional—part book, part journal—will help our families ‘live a life of thankfulness to God every day,’ ” says Kurt Lueneburg, director of the Ministry of Christian Giving. “In addition to the 26 uplifting devotions, we’ll be encouraged to write down one thing we are grateful for each day of the year. In doing so, we will begin to recognize God’s blessings in our lives and can flip back to them whenever we need a reminder. Such a review will also provide encouragement as we generously respond to God’s love for us in Jesus.”

The stewardship emphasis—whether used by itself or as an introduction to the continued used of the devotional book—will include three sermons on thankfulness, worship helps, and a related three-lesson Bible study. It can be used any time of the year but may fit nicely in November leading into Thanksgiving or in January at the start of a new year. Pastors can order a kit through Northwestern Publishing House that includes the sermons, Bible study materials, and one copy of the book. Bulk discounts are available for congregations that want to order multiple copies of the book for their members.

“It has more application than just for a brief stewardship emphasis,” says Lueneburg. “I would use it as a way to encourage daily devotional time—to get people to regularly reflect on God’s gracious, abundant blessings to them and how they may live confident, joyful, generous lives in grateful reaction to those blessings.”

Learn more about the program at wels.net/christian-giving.

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Volume 103, Number 06
Issue: June 2016

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An app to let your light shine

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When Paul Bourman first arrived at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., he opted to take Spanish courses in addition to biblical-related languages. With eyes set on being a pastor, “I wanted to pick the language that would be most useful in a future ministry,” he explains. After studying Spanish at MLC as well as in five other countries in Latin America, Bourman, who is heading to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary this fall, came across a unique way to combine his Spanish training and ministry. This opportunity came in the form of participating in Whatsapp, a phone messaging app that facilitates group texting. The feature is widely used in WELS Latin America outreach initiatives, and students such as Bourman are using it to help spread God’s Word to Spanish speakers on a regular basis.

Whatsapp is one of the main ways individuals in Latin America communicate. This free app allows users to create groups and then send messages that everyone in the group can easily see. From sports activities to school classes and social groups, Whatsapp provides a space in which everyone can stay connected and be included. “Keeping everyone involved goes along with Latin American culture,” notes Mike Hartman, field coordinator for Latin America.

Whatsapp is used in connection with Academiacristo.com (Christ Academy). This site provides free Spanish video and audio resources that share the gospel message and teach lessons on Christianity and the Bible.

When visitors to Academiacristo.com sign up to access these free resources, they are invited to join a Whatsapp group. Participants in each group receive a daily devotion from Cristopalabradevida.com (Christ Word of Life), a site with Christian resources in Spanish.

During the last year, 4,500 individuals have signed up for Academicristo.com, explains Hartman. Of these, 400 people have joined a Whatsapp group as well. “If people visit your website and leave, they might forget about it,” says Hartman. “But if you can get them to join a Whatsapp group, you can share God’s Word with them every day and you become known as an organization that is serious about sharing what God says.”

To facilitate discussion, Whatsapp groups are limited to 25 participants. When a person asks to join a Whatsapp group, Bourman assigns the individual to a group. He also helps oversee a Whatsapp group. Nearly every day, “I post a devotion and then people react to it,” he says. “Sometimes people post a video or share things they’re struggling with.”

He continues, “Everyone in the group feels free to talk about things. A lot of times the devotions will bring up questions. Once, for instance, we had a really great discussion about baptism.”

Each Whatsapp group has an overseeing pastor as well. The main goal is to share the gospel, stay connected with individuals using Academiacristo.com, and encourage those interested to study and learn more about the Bible.

In addition, “It’s a chance for MLC students to gain experience in letting their light shine in the world,” notes Hartman.

Rachel Hartman

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Author: Rachel Hartman
Volume 103, Number 06
Issue: June 2016

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
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New MOSE program helps congregations create action plans for their ministry

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The congregation knows what it wants to do. The leaders have spent a lot of time outlining goals and completing a ministry plan. But now comes the hard part — how exactly are they going to do it? That’s where the Commission on Congregational Counseling comes in. Through its new Ministry Organization and Staffing Evaluation (MOSE) program, the commission helps congregations assess and evaluate their ministry plans and provides recommendations for carrying them out.

“A lot of congregations have a ministry plan and goals for the year, but most don’t break those goals down into steps and have people assigned to tasks with due dates,” says Rev. Jon Hein, director of the Commission on Congregational Counseling. “We help congregations think through their ministry in terms of human resources and how much time it will take.”

Hein says this is a very helpful process, since one of the biggest barriers facing congregations is time – both understanding how it’s currently being utilized, and being realistic about how much it will take to carry out their ministry plans. So Hein starts by giving the pastor a sheet to track the time he spends on current ministry. “It’s good for the pastor and the congregation to see how much time everything really takes,” he says.

The results can be very eye-opening. For example, one congregation learned that their pastor was logging nearly 90 hours per week. “I interviewed the lay leaders, and they knew he was getting burned out,” he says. “They told me, ‘We need our pastor to let go of some things, but we don’t know where, or how, or if he’s comfortable with it.’ So that’s my job – to give them some options.” After learning that the pastor was doing all of the shut-in, hospital and evangelism calls, Hein recommended training congregation members to help with some of those visits. “The congregation was all on board; they got it,” he says. “They just needed to go through this process to crystallize things in their head.”

After a congregation’s current activities are analyzed, the next step is to look at their ministry plans. If a congregation finds they don’t have enough time to carry out their plans, Hein provides recommendations about how to fill that gap — either by scaling back the plans or increasing manpower. Not surprisingly, many congregations want to fill the gap by mobilizing volunteers — and Hein says one of the best ways to do that is by creating detailed job descriptions for each role.

“If you tell people exactly what you expect of them and how much time it will take, and if they can see the purpose and the vision, they’ll consider getting involved,” says Hein. He also recommends actively recruiting people for service, instead of posting sign-up sheets for volunteers. “Don’t just have an open call for ministry,” he says. “Be aggressive. If your congregation uses a spiritual gifts inventory, you can look at that and find out which people to talk to. Then ask them face-to-face.”

Once the MOSE program is complete, each congregation receives a report with detailed recommendations — and then the congregation works to implement them. Hein says he hopes this program will not only help congregations expand their ministry, but also encourage more members to use their spiritual gifts. “People can serve God just as well in their personal life, by being good parent, or neighbor, or employee,” he says. “So if they are going to give additional time to the church, they want to know it’s time well spent. And that requires planning.”

The Commission on Congregational Counseling also provides counseling for congregations in the early stages of ministry planning – either through the Self-Assessment and Adjustment program or School of Strategic Planning events. For more information, visit wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/congregational-counseling.

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Issue: June 2016

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Congregation raises awareness of child abuse

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Two years ago, Benjamin Sadler, pastor at Goodview Trinity, Goodview, Minn., attended a seminar on child abuse. Victor Vieth, WELS member and nationally recognized expert on the issue of child abuse, was presenting and shared some sobering statistics—such as one in four people is the victim of some kind of abuse and that victims tend to have a higher propensity toward issues like drug use and promiscuity. “I walked away from that seminar knowing I had to do something,” says Sadler.

He began by addressing the issue of child abuse in his sermons and Bible studies. Soon, members were opening up about their own experiences with the topic. “The reality is that everybody’s broken,” Sadler says. “Everyone’s got a past, and everyone’s got issues. We want this to be a place where people can be honest about that.”

As Sadler brought more attention to the issue, the congregation decided to put a child protection policy in place, which requires background checks for staff and volunteers who will be working with children. “Perpetrators look at churches because they are easy targets; people are accepting,” says Sadler. “This policy lets them know we are serious. We want this to be a safe place for everybody.”

They are also taking this issue into the community. Sadler is part of the Child Abuse Council, a community task force that aims to raise awareness of this issue, and the congregation participates in a program called “Care in Action,” which provides help to families with children in need.

“It’s really good for our members to realize that we’re here to serve people,” he says. “It’s a hard thing for our sinful nature, to help people without expecting anything in return. But there are many people who are giving toward this, and when we have a need we always fill it.”

Sadler says there’s still more work to do—and he hopes other congregations will consider addressing issues like this. “We all have baggage and fear and shame and sadness,” he says. “When you address these issues, it turns your church from a museum for saints into a hospital for sinners. You become a safe place for broken people to come and hear the good news.”

For more information, visit www.freedomforcaptives.com, a website developed by WELS Commission on Special Ministries. The site is geared toward abuse survivors and also offers counseling resources for called workers.

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Volume 103, Number 06
Issue: June 2016

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Eight new home missions approved update

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The Board for Home Missions authorized eight new mission starts, three ministry enhancements, and one relocation during a meeting on April 15. New ministry support will total almost $1 million during the next fiscal year.

“Planting eight new churches is a tremendous blessing,” says Keith Free, administrator of the Board for Home Missions. “These are eight new locations where the gospel will be proclaimed.”

Free is thankful for the generous gifts to Home Missions that helped the board be more aggressive in its planning.

The new ministries that will now be supported include new starts in Lehi, Utah; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Rockwall, Texas; Fredericksburg, Va.; Atlanta, Ga.; Victoria, Texas; Meridian, Idaho; and Stevens Point, Wis. Five of these ministries will be second sites for established congregations. The development of multi-site ministries is becoming a more common mission strategy for WELS churches.

Home Missions will also support ministry enhancement at three congregations—Centennial, Milwaukee, Wis.; Abiding Grace, Henry-Newton County, Ga.; and Risen Savior, Lakewood Ranch, Fla. These existing congregations will receive funds from Home Missions to support projects that will allow the congregations to reach more people with the gospel. For example, Centennial is using its support from Home Missions to partially fund the calling of a full-time pastor to minister to the many Spanish-speaking people in its neighborhood.

In addition, Home Missions will help Peace, Holiday, Fla., with some transition costs as it moves to Trinity, Fla. This established congregation is already seeing God’s blessing on the new location. Twenty-five adults have been confirmed at Peace during the past 18 months. Members are excited about the opportunity to serve more souls.

Learn more about the work of Home Missions at wels.net/missions.

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Volume 103, Number 06
Issue: June 2016

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One in Christ June update

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The 2015 synod convention launched the “One in Christ” debt elimination offering through June 2016 to eliminate the remaining $4.7 million synod debt. If successful by God’s gracious blessing, the “One in Christ” campaign will put our synod in a better financial position to continue the ministry of training workers and establishing missions at home and abroad.

Steve Smith, pastor at Immanuel, Buffalo, Minn., requested more “One in Christ” offering brochures on behalf of the members, but, he said, it was his congregation’s idea to do the second offering collection: “The Lord opens hearts. The idea came from the congregation, and I certainly approve.”

Kurt Lueneburg, director of the Ministry of Christian Giving, says, “We glorify our gracious God for this marvelous blessing and thank all who have participated to date. We also encourage those still planning to participate in ‘One in Christ’ to consider an effort during the Pentecost season. What a special time for thanksgiving and an offering that, in the end, will benefit our sharing the message of the Resurrection and the Life by the Spirit’s power!”

Learn more and find resources at wels.net/oneinchrist.

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Volume 103, Number 06
Issue: June 2016

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Latin American Lutherans meet

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Twenty-three men from eight different countries attended the first Latin America regional conference of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) in Medellín, Colombia, in April.

While at the conference, attendees were able to grow together through a series of essays on “The church under the cross.” They also learned about mission work in Spanish-speaking countries and in other areas around the world and encouraged each other in that gospel ministry.

The conference highlighted Academiacristo.com, an online teaching and training tool for Spanish speakers developed by WELS in 2015. Mike Hartman, field coordinator for Latin America, talked about what is available now as well as discussed future video-based leadership courses. Attendees were then asked to provide feedback on upcoming potential courses.

“We want to get input on how it is going, how we can use this better, and how we can use this to reach more people and plant more churches in Latin America,” says Nate Seiltz, director of Multi-Language Publications and conference attendee. “It has to be driven by the nationals.”

Attendees—as well as members from Most Holy Trinity, the local congregation sponsoring the conference—also practiced singing new culturally-appropriate Spanish songs and parts of liturgy that are being developed to add as resources through Iglesialuteranacristo.com, a live-streamed, Christ-centered worship site.

While attendees were mostly leaders of missions and national church bodies in Latin America that are in fellowship with WELS and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, two attendees—one from Argentina and one from Colombia—were contacts made through Academia Cristo and online worship.

“What was really encouraging to me was [the attendees’] excitement to work together using Academia Cristo to share the gospel wherever they are,” says Seiltz, “and to see them talking with each other . . . about challenges. It’s hard to get that anyplace else than at a conference like this. And then their realization: ‘We’re not alone. We have other people whom we can connect with, and we can encourage each other.’ ”

Learn more about our Latin American missions at wels.net/missions.

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Issue: June 2016

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Meet the Editorial Staff: Habben

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When Rev. Daniel Habben, pastor at St. Peter’s, in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, was asked to write for Forward in Christ magazine, “I thought they got the wrong Habben,” he said, laughing. “My wife is the writer of the family.” After being assured that he was, indeed, the right Habben, he graciously accepted the invitation to be the new writer for the Thought for Today devotions. His series, which begins this month, focuses on the depth of God’s love for us and our responses to it. He says the idea for his devotions came from a variety of experiences, including growing up in Japan and serving a congregation in Canada for more than a decade.

He was born and raised in Japan while his father served as a missionary there. Habben says the cultural differences between Japan and North America are “as wide as the Pacific Ocean,” and that includes religion. In rural areas, people are very superstitious and some still participate in ancestor worship. Habben remembers his father talking about the mission work being hard and slow because many people don’t know anything about the Bible. So his family spent a lot of time making personal connections, building relationships and inviting people to Bible study.

Habben came back to the United States to train for the ministry, and after he graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, he was assigned to St. Peter’s. He has been serving the small congregation for the past 16 years. Although St. Peter’s has hosted large outreach events that attracted several hundred community members, few have showed up in church afterward. “Sometimes it takes years to get new people in the door,” he says.

Habben thinks this is partly because of multi-culturalism, which is prevalent throughout the Canadian culture. “That idea, that your culture is just as good as mine, spills over into their philosophy and religion,” he says. “Mission work can be difficult, because people think it’s okay to be Christian — as long as you’re not serious about it. In that respect, I think we’re a generation ahead of where the United States is heading.”

He hopes to touch on that idea in his devotion series. “As Christians, we need to be serious,” says Habben. “Let’s not be Sunday Christians. It’s not just part of your life, it is your life. I’ll be looking at how we sin and take things for granted. But God grants us forgiveness and gives us the power to live our lives the way he wants us to. I just really want to look at depths of God’s love for us and marvel at that.”

Alicia Neumann

 

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Author: Alicia Neumann
Volume 103, Number 05
Issue: May 2016

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
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Outreach website gets a new look: WAJ

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WhataboutJesus.com, developed by the Commission on Evangelism as an outreach website, has a brand new look, while maintaining all the gospel-oriented content that makes it popular.

Mike Hintz, director of the Commission on Evangelism, says, “WhatAboutJesus.com exists to connect the world to Jesus Christ. Developed and maintained by the WELS Commission on Evangelism, the objectives are to proclaim the Christian faith to everyone and to promote personal evangelism of Christians by sharing the site’s content with people they know.”

The What About Jesus website launched about 15 years ago and has continued to grow. Today, about between 20,000 and 30,000 people visit the site each month.

The main sections of WhatAboutJesus.com are “Jesus Who?”, “Questioning God?”, “Life Concerns,” “The Bible,” and “Worship.”

“Articles in the sections of ‘Jesus Who?’ and ‘Questioning God?’ address some of the questions that people have about the Christian faith. The articles, based on tWhat he truth of God’s Word, point readers to the true identity of Jesus as the world’s Savior and what God says about himself and us. ‘Life Concerns’ offers comfort and guidance from God’s Word for people experiencing trying times. For people’s spiritual growth, there are studies of biblical books and teachings in the section of ‘The Bible,’ ” says Hintz. “And in ‘Worship,’ there are helps for worshipers to prepare for upcoming church services. An important feature in this section is the devotion that is offered every day. Verses from God’s Word are explained and applied to our lives, leading us to a greater knowledge and appreciation for the love of God through Jesus Christ.”

The site has been updated to meet current online design trends and to make it easier to share content. WELS Creative Services Coordinator Briana Lambrecht, who redesigned the site, says, “The new responsive design and site architecture allows for a more user friendly experience that makes consuming and sharing the site much easier. Our hope is that the new interactive site encourages others to share its Christ-centered content via social media spaces. It’s a great tool to share Jesus with friends, coworkers, and family in an ever-increasing social media-based world.”

Visit the site at whataboutjesus.com.

 

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Volume 103, Number 05
Issue: May 2016

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Spanish websites expand reach, connecting more people to their Savior

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Internet and smartphone usage is on the rise in Spanish-speaking countries; there were more than 70 million smartphone users in Mexico at the end of 2015. World Missions, through its One Latin America team (1LA) and Multi-Language Publications, is using these tools to reach out to Spanish speakers around the world, connecting them with each other and their Savior.

The 1LA team and Multi-Language Publications, with help from national Spanish-speaking church bodies, have developed a suite of websites that functions—as Mike Hartman, field coordinator for Latin America, describes it—as a church does.

● A PLACE TO WORSHIP: Iglesialuteranacristo.com (Christ Lutheran Church) enables people to participate in live-streamed Christ-centered worship. Hartman shares that 95 percent of the people in Latin America never have experienced a Christ-centered church service. Now, through these live-streamed services prepared especially for the online viewer, they can experience Christ-centered worship as well as download resources such as liturgies and hymns for their own use.

The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia has taken the lead on this project, broadcasting the services from Most Holy Trinity in Medellín. Three different worship leaders—Henry Herrera (see p. 28) from Colombia, Juan Garcia from the United States, and Andrés San Martín from Chile—conduct the service, which includes a live chat window to interact with online viewers. Spanish-speakers from ten different countries have gone through instruction classes with Herrera and joined Most Holy Trinity.

● A PLACE TO LEARN: Academiacristo.com (Christ Academy) was developed in 2015 to provide free Spanish video and audio resources that share the gospel message and teach lessons on Christianity and the Bible. The two most popular resources are Spanish versions of the recent WELS movies Come Follow Me and My Son, My Savior. Spanish-speaking national pastors and missionaries are online for live chats with those visiting the site. The site also directs them to Iglesia Luterana Cristo for online worship.

Leaders’ guides are available for Bible studies so that local lay leaders can take the materials and use them in their communities. “We want to empower people to start churches that faithfully teach Christ,” says Hartman. “Our main focus is working with contacts who reach out to us.” In April, the site began offering live weekly online classes to train leaders how to conduct Bible classes in their communities.

● A PLACE TO REACH OUT: “One of our main goals in Latin America is to become a known entity,” says Hartman. “In Mexico, there are more Buddhists than Lutherans. No one knows who a Lutheran is.” The Academia Cristo Facebook page is used to get the name “Lutheran” out in Latin America as well as to promote resources. With limited advertising, the site reaches an average of 300,000 people a day with Christ-centered messages and links to Academia Cristo.

● A PLACE FOR INFORMATION: Cristopalabradevida.com (Christ Word of Life) serves as a digital newsletter for Spanish-speakers. Meant mainly for those already in our fellowship, the site contains daily audio devotions, Christian resources in Spanish, and news about confessional Lutheranism. This site replaces El Mensajero Luterano (Lutheran Messenger), a printed newsletter that was distributed to Spanish-speaking congregations for the past four decades.

While the Internet is being used to distribute information, Hartman is quick to point out that this doesn’t replace face-to-face communication. It’s actually meant to promote it. “We are seeking to use online means of communication God has given us to empower more people to do on-the-ground ministry,” he says. Several members of the 1LA team live in Mexico and will work directly with contacts to start new churches. Another team member works with Spanish-speaking members in the United States who want to reach out with the gospel message to their families back in Latin America. Connections made through Academia Cristo have opened up new opportunities for church planting in several different areas in Colombia.

The sites also allow any WELS member to spread the gospel to their Spanish-speaking neighbors. “You don’t have to know Spanish,” says Hartman. “We’re giving you the resources to help you share your faith with someone who prefers to speak Spanish.”

Multi-Language Publications prepares the resources for these sites, while the 1LA team makes connections and follows up on contacts. According to Nate Seiltz, director of Multi-Language Publications, this model of using digital media may be used in other areas of the world in the future.

 

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Volume 103, Number 05
Issue: May 2016

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WELS 2016 district conventions

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Each of the 12 districts holds a convention each biennium, generally in the even-numbered years. (The synod convention is held on odd-numbered years.) Every pastor, professor, and male teacher of the district plus a lay delegate representing each congregation attends the convention as a voting delegate. Other members of the district are welcome to attend as guests.

District conventions are held for the following purposes:

  • To meet as a group to carry out the legislative responsibilities of the district, such as holding elections, accepting new members, formulating resolutions to send to the synod convention, etc.
  • To celebrate God’s blessings.
  • To nurture faith.

The election of the district president is an important moment at each convention. This year at least four districts will elect new district presidents. Three district presidents—John Guse, South Atlantic District; David Rutschow, Southeastern Wisconsin District; and Herb Prahl, Western Wisconsin District—have announced that they will not seek re-election as they begin to consider retiring from the full-time ministry. The Nebraska District must also elect a new president to replace Earle Treptow, who accepted a call to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

In addition, this summer’s conventions will focus on the new ministry that WELS can support thanks to the One in Christ special offering; present the synod’s proposal of a long-range plan beginning in 2018; share the recommendations of the Synodical Council’s Compensation Review Committee; and preview WELS’ upcoming celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.

Here is a schedule of the 2016 district conventions:

Arizona-California—June 13-15. Chaparral Suites, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Dakota-Montana—June 14-16. Great Plains Lutheran High School, Watertown, S. D.

Michigan—June 6-8. Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich.

Minnesota—June 14-16. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn.

Nebraska—June 6-8. Nebraska Lutheran High School, Waco, Neb.

North Atlantic—June 7-8. Resurrection, Chesapeake, Va.

Northern Wisconsin—June 14-15. Fox Valley Lutheran High School, Appleton, Wis.

Pacific Northwest—June 14-15. Evergreen Lutheran High School, Des Moines, Wash.

South Atlantic—June 7-9. Innisbrook Golf Resort, Palm Harbor, Fla.

South Central—June 13-14. Calvary, Dallas, Tex.

Southeastern Wisconsin—June 14-15. Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, Wis.

Western Wisconsin—June 6-7. Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis.

Questions about a specific district convention may be directed to the president or secretary of that district.

 

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Volume 103, Number 05
Issue: May 2016

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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One in Christ update : May

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The 2015 synod convention launched the “One in Christ” debt elimination offering through June 2016 to eliminate the remaining $4.7 million synod debt. As the offering reaches its final months, Pastor Kurt Lueneburg, WELS director of Christian Giving, shares how “One in Christ” participation has been so far.

Q: How have congregations and individuals responded to the debt elimination offering?

A: The Lord has moved his people to generously participate so far! Almost two thousand families, representing 462 congregations, have sent “One in Christ” offerings directly to WELS—some of them have given offerings multiple times. Many other individuals have given “One in Christ” offerings through the 388 congregations that have remitted gifts. To God’s glory, a total of $1.8 million has been generously presented to Jesus for “One in Christ” from July 1, 2015, through March 22, 2016! In addition, our church body is making monthly principal and interest payments this fiscal year that will total $1.6 million. That leaves our remaining debt at approximately $1.4 million, which we hope will be eliminated by additional offerings. We thank all those who have participated in “One in Christ” so far!

Q: How does eliminating this debt affect our synod’s future?

A: Eliminating our debt this year enables us to deploy the resources we receive from God through his people on our present and future kingdom endeavors. As we gratefully reflect on how the Lord allowed us to fully fund our past capital projects and internal borrowing to maintain ministry, we can humbly and confidently move forward in the blessed work of sharing Christ’s good news of eternal life with a growing number of people in North America and around the world.

Q: What if we don’t meet our goal?

A: If offerings and planned payments this fiscal year total less than $4.7 million, we’ll gratefully rejoice in the blessings we received from God! Then our leaders will decide how to pay off the remaining balance either through applying other assets, reducing our ministry, or a combination of both. Our ministry plan has no budgeted payments after June 30, 2016.

Q: Is there still time for congregations and individuals to make a gift?

A: Absolutely! It’s our hope that every WELS member and congregation will prayerfully consider generously participating and/or giving additional offerings in this opportunity to move forward in ministry through the “One in Christ” debt elimination. Since the outcome of this endeavor, as with all we do, is in our Savior’s gracious hands, we believe that he will enable us to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine to the praise of his name and the salvation of blood-bought souls!

Learn more about how you can help at wels.net/oneinchrist.

 

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Volume 103, Number 05
Issue: May 2016

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Booknook: Moments in the Word

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Prioritizing my time: it’s most of what I do as a mother. “Just a moment” is a phrase my kids hear from me far too often. If I’m honest, it’s a phrase God hears from me too often as well. Between the physical and emotional needs of my kids and all the running around I do during the day, setting aside quiet time for personal Bible study gets put on the back burner.

Moments in the Word for Moms by Melissa M. Berg offers excuse-proof devotion time, perfect to start or end the day in God’s word. Each devotion takes between 5 and 15 minutes to read. It truly takes “just a moment” to get my day started off filled with the Holy Spirit and focused on God’s word.

Broken into 3 sections applicable to moms of all ages and stages of parenting, each devotion consists of an opening Bible verse, a short relatable story of motherhood, thoughts for the day and a closing prayer. I enjoyed journaling my thoughts for the day and used that time to delve deeper into the word as time allowed. I found the prayers to be powerful and wound up sharing many of them with my family.

Moments in the Word for Moms offers women at any stage of motherhood the opportunity to connect with and reflect on God’s word. The short but powerful devotions give encouragement and direction for the important job we have of raising our children to know their savior.

Kerry Ognenoff

 

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Author: Kerry Ognenoff
Volume 103, Number 05
Issue: May 2016

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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Baptized! On Christmas?

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In Hong Kong, people like to be baptized on Christmas.

At first it seems a little strange. Isn’t Christmas all about Jesus’ birth? But think about it. God’s Son becomes a living, breathing person so that people dead in sin might become children of God! Getting baptized on this day marks the birth of the Savior and the new birth of that Christian.

This Christmas, there were more than 60 new births in our Hong Kong churches. Each is a unique story. For me, two are especially touching.

A year ago our church lost a young mother after a courageous battle with leukemia. Her husband continued to bring his children to church. His mother, Mrs. Li, accompanied them sometimes, mainly to care for her granddaughters. His father wanted nothing to do with God or the church. Despite the difficulties, his mother kept coming and got involved with a ladies Bible class. God’s Word is powerful.

This is what her son wrote about his mother this Christmas Day:

My mother is a strong-willed, super woman who never paid attention to God. For her to put herself aside, admit her own shortcomings, and even confess she is sinful and in need of redemption—humanly speaking, this was simply an impossible task.

However, my family and I believe God has great power. We prayed every day for my mom to believe in God. The God who hears prayer allowed a miracle to happen again today. My mother “believes and is baptized.”

I talked with Mrs. Li after worship. She told me with a glowing smile that it was all God’s doing. The faith and hope her daughter-in-law had showed in the face of death was a powerful testimony to God’s love. Praise God for his amazing grace.

Later that same Christmas, another Chinese lady, Mandy, was baptized. Her story is unique because God used a banana peel to lead her to Christ! She got to know us through Carmen, a WELS member who teaches English in Hong Kong. One afternoon, Carmen was walking near her apartment and didn’t see a rotting banana peel on the sidewalk. Down she went!

The awkward fall injured her knee. She needed to find a physical therapist, and God led her to Mandy. Carmen gradually shared her life and faith with her. Mandy had a grandma who was a Christian, but Mandy was never too interested in spiritual things. She’s a triathlete who competes in Iron Man competitions—running, swimming, and biking long distances all in one day.

Mandy occasionally visited our English-speaking church, especially when there were activities. After many invitations, Mandy started studying the Bible with Dr. Steve Witte, president of Asia Lutheran Seminary. She studied off and on. Sometimes she got busy with competitions; other times she lost focus. A number of professors and wives reached out to her. We kept praying.

Then God used a terrorist attack in France to get her attention. Carmen and Mandy were talking about this attack and the fear it can produce. Carmen said she wasn’t worried because she knew where she was going after death. That deeply struck Mandy and she asked herself, Why am I waiting? God has prepared a place for me through Jesus. Get baptized!

Confessing her sin and declaring her faith in Jesus as her Savior, Mandy was baptized on Christmas!

Angels rejoiced at Christ’s birth! Angels rejoiced this Christmas as these two sisters were baptized. Angels are rejoicing around the world as the news of Christ’s birth results in the new birth of people from every tribe and nation!

A blessed Christmas indeed!

Rob Siirila

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Author: Rob Siirila
Volume 103, Number 04
Issue: April 2016

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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Congregation Mission Offerings update

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Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO) for calendar year 2015 ended the year 1.1 percent higher than 2014 gifts and 2.9 percent higher than subscriptions. Total CMO for the year was $21.5 million, an increase of $234,000 over the previous year. This is the highest CMO total in the synod’s history and the fourth consecutive year that congregations have exceeded their subscriptions. “We praise Jesus for providing such generous offerings through his people’s congregations!” says Kurt Lueneburg, director of the Ministry of Christian Giving.

Recently, 95 percent of WELS congregations reported their plans for 2016 CMO. While CMO subscriptions for 2016 show a decrease of 1.8 percent from 2015 actual receipts, no reductions in ministry are necessary because of the higher than anticipated offerings in 2015.

“We thank God for the high percent-age of congregations that reported subscriptions for CMO for 2016,” says Lueneburg. “We are confident that Jesus will enable our churches to exceed their subscriptions for the fifth consecutive year.”

Lueneburg says that a stable—not declining—CMO makes it possible to maintain the present level of ministry as long as there are also many substantial special gifts from churches and individuals. While CMO has increased about 1 percent annually over the last ten years, that increase provides only one-third of the 3 percent annual increase in gifts needed for maintaining WELS’ present level of worldwide gospel outreach for Jesus. “We ask our heavenly Father to help us keep growing in the grace of giving for our local and global ministries,” he says. “This is an opportunity for each of us to dedicate to the Lord an increased level of financial support through our congregations and special gifts. To that end, God help us.”

 

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Volume 103, Number 04
Issue: April 2016

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
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One in Christ –UPDATE–

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The 2015 synod convention launched the “One in Christ” debt elimination offering through June 2016 to eliminate the remaining $4.7 million synod debt. If successful by God’s gracious blessing, the “One in Christ” campaign will put our synod in a better financial pos-ition to continue the ministry of training workers and establishing missions at home and abroad.

Congregations are stepping up to this opportunity. “When One in Christ was presented to the members of St. Paul in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, several members provided a matching gift to encourage others to bring offerings of at least $20,000,” says Gerry Heckmann, member at St. Paul and WELS Christian giving counselor. “By the Holy Spirit, that goal will be accomplished through commitments fulfilled by June 30.”

Kurt Lueneburg, director of the Ministry of Christian Giving, says, “We praise Jesus for all the congregations and individuals who have already honored the Lord with an offering to ‘One in Christ!’ ”

Learn more about how you can help at wels.net/oneinchrist.

 

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Volume 103, Number 04
Issue: April 2016

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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Pro-life ministry opportunities in Bulgaria

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Doing mission work in a country where one church—the Orthodox Church in Bulgaria—is considered part of the national culture produces challenges to outreach efforts. The Bulgarian Lutheran Church, our sister church in Bulgaria, is forced to look for unusual opportunities to share the gospel. One congregation in Sofia, for example, tries to reach out to retired military officers through Bible classes and movie nights held in the Retired Officers Club.

Another way the Bulgarian Lutheran Church shares the gospel is through the work of Deaconess Lyudmila Popova in the public schools. Below she shares more about her pro-life ministry in Bulgaria:

Bulgaria is facing a difficult post-communist period. The 45 years of communism and atheism are reflected in all spheres of life, including shattered hearts, families, economy, and especially moral values. Young people become sexually active and look toward the option of abortion already at the age of 13. To them, abortion is a type of birth control rather than destruction of a human life. In Bulgaria it is not possible to find any information on topics such as abortion and post-abortion syndrome. The average rate of abortion is three or more in a lifetime.

Because of all the above, I was called by the Bulgarian Lutheran Church in 2001 to serve as deaconess and start a pro-life ministry. I do seminars and presentations in schools and summer youth camps. The goal is to reach the young people to educate them, to protect their health, to save the life of the unborn babies, and to share the gospel when it is possible. Presentations include two short films: The Living Proof about embryo development and The Silent Scream about abortion. My talks include discussions on how and when life starts, what abortion is and how the baby reacts during an abortion, the consequences of abortion, and that sex is not a game.

The young people are impressed. Most had never considered that the tiny thing in the womb is a real, living human being. Sometimes students approach me after a presentation and tell me that they will never allow an abortion in their lives.

 

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Volume 103, Number 04
Issue: April 2016

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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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The Spirit is working hard

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Only three years ago, Peace, Aiken, S.C., was just an idea in the minds of the members of the South Atlantic District Mission Board. As Jonathan Bourman, pastor at Peace, likes to say, “The Spirit’s been working hard since then, carving out his church in Aiken.”

Bourman, his wife Melanie, and their young daughter, Elliana, arrived in Aiken in December 2013. The congregation held its official launch service in December 2014. Since his arrival and the congregation’s launch, Bourman says, “There’s been a lot of preaching, a lot of teaching, and lots of down home evangelizing. Before our eyes, we watched Peace grow from a church of just eight members to a church of 50. As a pastor, it’s been a joy to get front row seats to the Spirit’s work in all of it.”

Peace’s vision is to use its grace- and Christ-filled doctrines to establish itself as the premiere destination for gospel proclamation in the greater Aiken area.

“We have a mission burning at Peace to reach greater Aiken with the real peace that Jesus Christ gives us in his gospel,” says Bourman. “In the heart of the Bible Belt, we have a unique opportunity to be the only thriving confessional Lutheran church within 40 miles.”

On the Sunday that Peace held its opening service, one woman noted, “Peace is a movement.” Bourman says that feeling is still with the congregation. In fact, a new member recently commented, “I am excited to see Peace be a reformation in this city.”

Bourman believes that people are coming to Peace “for our doctrine, for our sacraments, and for the living teaching of the true Word of God.” Visitors and members come from many demographic and denominational backgrounds. A well-respected local CEO, who had never previously found a church home, began studying God’s Word with Bourman. As he was teaching her about Holy Communion, her eyes filled with tears as she said, “I never knew. I never knew. Thank you for starting Peace.”

The congregation currently rents office and worship space, but as Peace moves forward with its message and its movement, it hopes to soon find a permanent church home in downtown Aiken.

Bourman notes, “We want to be central, and we want to be magnetic. That’s what the gospel is to us, and we want to embody that for our city and our region in our ministry center.”

No matter where Peace is worshiping, though, the message will be the same. “Peace is all about the gospel,” says Bourman. “We talk about it all the time. We cling to it like barnacles to a tossing ship. It’s why we named our church ‘Peace.’ And wonderfully and mercifully, the people who are becoming a part of us are all people who love the gospel and want to hear it so badly from their pastor and their fellow members.”

 

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Volume 103, Number 04
Issue: April 2016

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Men’s ministry on the move

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Russ Wagner and Dave Bunnow are part of a long-time morning Bible study group at Bethany, Appleton, Wis. Once, after attending a nondenominational men’s con-ference, they came away thinking, We could really use something like this. “After a little research, we realized that there was no WELS ministry we could find that was focused specifically on men, so we decided to give it a shot,” says Wagner.

They, along with fellow members of their small group, started Men of His Word with the vision to gather Christian men together around God’s Word to consider the blessings, challenges, and opportunities in their lives and to empower and equip them to carry out their God-given mission in their homes, churches, communities, and the world. The seventh annual conference, “Stand Firm,” was held this past February in Oshkosh, Wis. The eight-hour day includes opening and closing devotions around a key-note address and breakout sessions on 20 different topics.

“It has been our experience that bringing men together to study and discuss their issues in the light of God’s Word has a tremendous impact on their faith life,” says Wagner. “We try to offer a wide variety of topics to reach men at all stages of life. We are willing to address head-on thorny issues such as pornography; addiction; depression; forgiveness; loss; homosexuality; post-traumatic stress disorder; and men’s roles in family, church, and society.”

The first Men of His Word conference had 220 participants. This year 550 men attended. Most are from across Wisconsin, while some are from as far away as Arizona.

Derek Campbell took a group connected with a Bible study for dads that he leads at St. John, Wauwatosa, Wis. “There are so many different takes by so many different men on ways to live a God-pleasing life as a Christian father,” he says. “I come back with this whole refreshed approach to my time in God’s Word and things I can do for the dad’s group and board of outreach. These guys have such strong conviction of faith that it’s just invigorating.”

Mark Groth of Loving Shepherd, Milwaukee, Wis., says, “You’re not alone. You’re in this together. You’re here to support each other. God wants us to support each other. That’s why I go. It really rejuvenates you.”

Another group of six came from Christ, Pewaukee, Wis. Tom Engelbrecht, pastor of assimilation, attended for the first time. He said, “Probably the biggest blessing was just seeing so many men gathered in one place to grow in their faith. That’s not something you see every day. That alone was very encouraging.”

The conference itself is just the start. “Keeping the momentum going after the conference has always been a concern,” says Wagner. For this reason, the conference planners record sessions and post them to their website with study guides. They also encourage attendees to remain in the Word personally and to start or join local Bible studies (one of the topics for the breakout sessions is how to start a Bible study group). Men have done this locally as well as regionally by working with Men of His Word to organize additional men’s conferences in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. “Over the last year we have had at least three more locations with men interested in developing men’s ministry events,” says Wagner.

Through the sharing of the gospel and the working of the Holy Spirit, God is blessing these efforts. This year’s Men of His Word conference was another success. “On the car ride back, everyone is like, ‘What did you see? What did you cover and learn about?’” says Campbell. “It’s just awesome. It’s so much fun.”

Adam Goede

Learn more about Men of His Word at www.menofhisword.org.

 

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Author: Adam Goede
Volume 103, Number 04
Issue: April 2016

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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Preparing students for the public ministry

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The mission of Michigan Lutheran Seminary (MLS), Saginaw, Mich., is to prepare high school students for the public ministry of the gospel. Currently 58 of its graduates are attending Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., and studying to be called workers. Here you can meet two 2015 graduates, Brittany Boyd and Anne Russell, who share some of their thoughts on MLS, MLC, and the goal of serving as WELS teachers.

 

BRITTANY BOYD

Home congregation: Christ, Oakley, Mich.

On why she attended MLS: “It looked like a place where I could be part of this amazing family. Every time I visited MLS, I fell more in love with the campus and teachers.”

On how MLS prepared her for MLC: “The Bible courses at MLS fully prepared me for my Bible classes here at MLC. Throughout my sport team experience at MLS, I learned teamwork and how to set a goal and accomplish it. Throughout my theater and music experience, I learned how to be myself and see the world from someone else’s point of view. From all my classes, I learned good examples of teaching for myself in the future.”

On becoming a teacher: “I have known since third grade that I wanted to be a teacher. All of the teachers at MLS were great examples of called workers, and I strive to be like them one day. After my junior year, I had the privilege to travel to Colombia, South America, through Project Titus. There is when I fell in love with Spanish and the Latin American culture. That is when I knew I wanted to major in Spanish at MLC.”

Advice for students considering attending MLS: “Do it! MLS is such a great place to grow up at. You learn so many life lessons. You will make so many friends and memories. Get ready to be part of a family!”

 

ANNE RUSSELL

Home congregation: Emanuel First, Lansing, Mich.

On why she attended MLS: “My decision to go to MLS came very late in my grade school years. I think my biggest influence to go was that I had a lot of friends who would be attending, and I was drawn to the family atmosphere.”

On her decision to attend MLC: “I have always wanted to be a teacher, but I struggled for a long time with the idea of attending MLC. I think what finally gave me the push I needed was a Project Titus trip to St. Marcus, Milwaukee, Wis., to help out in their urban summer school. After that small taste I was hooked on urban education and knew that MLC would be my best option for one day, God willing, entering into an urban ministry field.”

On what she appreciates most about MLS: “One of the biggest blessings is the family atmosphere. Among students and faculty you can always find someone to mentor you and who is there to help. I have memories and friends from MLS that I know I will never lose.

“I would like to thank everyone at MLS for all that they did and continue to do to support me and prepare me for my future ministry, and I would like to encourage any students there now not to shut down the idea of MLC. I almost did, and now I consider it one of my greatest blessings.”

Learn more about Michigan Lutheran Seminary at www.mlsem.org.

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Volume 103, Number 04
Issue: April 2016

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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A timeless message for a new generation

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“So often we look at life through the lens of the world—striving to get ahead, to carve out a piece of the pie for ourselves,” says Tim Lehman, president and CEO of Time of Grace Ministry, “but we often fall short or just feel overwhelmed. Your Time of Grace wants to bring people a completely different perspective than that worldview, a perspective that comes directly from God’s Word and is firmly rooted in God’s grace and the freedom it brings to our lives.”

Your Time of Grace is a new ministry that offers daily video devotions from WELS pastors. The two- to three-minute videos are released on Facebook and YouTube Monday through Friday. Lehman says that the vision for Your Time of Grace is that by sharing the good news of Jesus, an online community of believers is formed that can receive encouragement from the video content as well as from the other Christians who are using these platforms to strengthen their relationship with Jesus.

As Lehman notes, “The hope is to share the timeless message of Jesus in a way that connects with the people and culture of today.”

Your Time of Grace complements the television, print, and online offerings of Time of Grace. It also targets a younger audience, which consumes information primarily on smartphones and tablets.

Your Time of Grace’s devotions, which launched in January, are hosted by a group of WELS pastors that includes Ben Blumer, Jon Enter, Mike Novotny, Jared Oldenburg, and Dave Scharf.

Blumer says that his goal “is to share the message of Jesus in a way that is understandable and engaging. As I do that, I hope to use words and examples that relate to people of all different backgrounds and familiarity with the Bible. I hope that they can take something from the devotion that will be a blessing for their day.”

Lehman encourages those who are looking for daily encouragement from God’s Word to start their day with Your Time of Grace. He adds, “This is also a great tool for people to use to share Christ with their friends who might be too nervous to walk into a church. Sharing the videos with friends like this will give them the opportunity to hear that God’s promise of grace is for them as well. It is a tool designed to meet people where they are in life.”

To subscribe to Your Time of Grace, visit YourTimeofGrace.com or facebook.com/YourTimeofGrace.

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Volume 103, Number 03
Issue: March 2016

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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Let your light shine

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In the spirit of Matthew 5:16, we’re sharing examples of people who live their faith.

More than 175 people participated in Faith in Action Day at Trinity, Crete, Ill., on Oct. 17. Many more were involved through donations of food, clothing, and money.

Lori Lorig, who helps coordinate Trinity’s Member Ministry program, explains that Trinity began hosting an annual Faith in Action Day in 2010 to give members an opportunity to respond to what Jesus has done for them and to experience the joy of serving together. Lorig says, “Faith in Action Day is a day on which we respond to God’s love and mercy by a concerted effort to serve others in the church, school, community, and world.”

As the program has developed, Trinity has joined forces with families from Zion, a fellow WELS congregation, and Illinois Lutheran Schools, both in Crete. The response has been overwhelming and makes a real impact on those they serve.

For example, Illinois Lutheran High School students organized a community-wide food drive for the local food pantry. This year more than 4,000 items were collected, plus 1,000 pounds of pasta were donated by a local warehouse. The food pantry’s shelves were bare when the students arrived but overflowing once the students stocked the shelves with the donations.

Some other projects included collecting and organizing items to help local shelters, collecting and packing items for college students and military personnel, delivering thank-you platters to local first responders, painting cow-shaped banks for a world mission project (see below), and participating in an Adopt-a-Highway cleanup project.

Lorig says that the church looks for ways to help and serve those in need, because meeting people’s physical needs often provides opportunities to share Jesus with them. In keeping with that thought, the theme for this year’s event was “Do everything in love.”

On the Sunday following its Faith in Action Day, Trinity celebrates Ministry Appreciation Day. This gives the congregation an opportunity to cele- brate everyone who gives of their time and talents throughout the year, including called workers who are celebrating milestone anniversary years.

“Many individuals have been blessed through these efforts,” reports Lorig, “and whenever someone asks why we do this, the answer is always because of what Jesus has done for us. It truly is remarkable to see what God can accomplish through his people in a very short amount of time. To God be the glory!”

 

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Volume 103, Number 03
Issue: March 2016

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Q&A about helping develop new campus ministry work in Africa

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In 2014, Wisconsin Luther Chapel, the campus ministry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, started a new group called Cross Culture to “take Christ’s light to campuses around the world.” This group began working with the Lutheran Church of Central Africa–Zambia (LCCA) to help develop a campus ministry at the University of Zambia in Lusaka (UNZA). Over the past few years, different student groups from Cross Culture traveled to Lusaka to meet with and encourage UNZA students. UW–Madison seniors Phil Anderson, a member at Zion, South Milwaukee, Wis., and Maria Gruetzmacher, a member at Salem, Stillwater, Minn., went to Africa in January 2015. Here they share more about their experience:

Q: Why are you involved in Cross Culture?

Anderson: Since I have been able to enjoy a wonderful time at Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel, I want to help fellow college students around the world experience that same joy with their own respective campus ministries.

Q: Why did you decide to travel to Africa?

Gruetzmacher: Each correspondence we had with the Zambians made me more and more excited about traveling to their homeland to see the Holy Spirit’s work firsthand. Through these conversations, we could also see that encouragement from fellow believers would be extremely beneficial in the work of the Zambian campus ministry. I wanted to personally meet and encourage them to see that they have been given the gifts and opportunity to create something that will impact people eternally.

Anderson: I went to Zambia to help fellow sisters and brothers in Christ my age develop their faith and spiritual gifts.

Q: What was your favorite part of the trip?

Gruetzmacher: My favorite part of the trip was seeing the Holy Spirit work in everyone’s hearts. Throughout the three day leadership workshop we led, the students’ eyes were opened to their unique God-given abilities. They then realized all that they could do utilizing the unique talents of each group member. Listening to the group brainstorm ideas for the campus ministry and collaborating with their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ made my heart so happy.

The evening we arrived, Pastor Kangongo [LCCA pastor who helps with UNZA campus ministry] was so excited! He kept smiling the biggest grin I have ever seen while clasping his hands together and giggling. One of my favorite things he said was, “You are standing here before me all because of the amazing power of Jesus’ holy blood.” That moment made me realize that no matter one’s walk of life, we are all children of God and will be together for eternity, praising our Creator and Savior.

Anderson: My favorite part of the trip was the final day we got to spend with the students facilitating a Bible study. Though we were in a dark corner room on the campus while it was raining heavily outside, we were able to join in fellowship with these wonderful fellow students. We were able to laugh with them and find spiritual truths as we walked through the Bible with them. It was amazing to experience this kind of fellowship with people I would never have met without this opportunity through Cross Culture.

Q: What did you learn on the trip about yourself?

Gruetzmacher: I learned that I crave encouraging fellow believers in their walk with Christ. While I may not have a wealth of Bible knowledge, the Lord has blessed me with the ability to encourage and support others. As I pray with them and grow with them, my heart fills with joy and gratitude for all that God has done for me and them. It motivates me to continue letting my light shine!

Q: What does it mean to you to be involved in helping a world mission field?

Gruetzmacher: This has been an invaluable experience in which I have gained countless skills that I am excited to contribute to my future home congregation. Through working with Zambia, I have realized that the Lord truly will send me wherever he needs me to further his ministry most. I just need to trust him.

Anderson: Being involved in this mission field has opened my eyes to a large world filled with many souls, yearning for God’s forgiveness. I was able to experience firsthand what it is like to step outside of your country and experience other parts of the world and see God’s creation. I truly feel blessed that I could be a part of God’s plan for the spreading of his Word.

 

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Volume 103, Number 03
Issue: March 2016

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One in Christ update

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The 2015 synod convention launched the “One in Christ” debt elimination offering through June 2016 to eliminate the remaining $4.7 million synod debt. If successful by God’s gracious blessing, the “One in Christ” campaign will put our synod in a better financial position to continue the ministry of training workers and establishing missions at home and abroad.

Orville Taecker was a delegate at the 2013 synod convention that voted to implement the One in Christ offering. He has generously and with love for Christ and for his synod made an offering to help retire the debt and hopes to make a second one. “To me it’s a no brainer to get rid of that debt,” says Taecker, an 85-year-old member at Bethlehem, Watertown, S.D. “What we are called to do by the Bible is to teach all nations. How can we do that when we have a debt hanging over our heads?”

Kurt Lueneburg, director of the Ministry of Christian Giving, says, “We praise Jesus for all the congregations and individuals who, like Orville, have already honored the Lord with an offering to ‘One in Christ!’ ”

Learn more about how you can help at wels.net/oneinchrist.

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Volume 103, Number 03
Issue: March 2016

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New weekly devotions produced for teens

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New in 2016, the WELS Commission on Youth and Family is introducing “Transformed: Devotions connecting teens to Christ,” a weekly devotion tailored specifically for the Christian teenager.

“We recognize a need to address devotions and topics pertinent to the lives of teens. They face unique challenges and we want to try to bring God’s transforming Word to them,” says Nathan Bourman, a member of the committee producing the devotions. “We recognize the challenges and changes in their lives and want to connect them to the one thing that never changes.”

Each Sunday, a new devotion is published at wels.net/transformed. Or they can be delivered via e-mail by subscribing at wels.net/subscribe.

Bourman says, “These devotions could be used simply to share and pass on to the teens and youth leaders for their own personal devotions. That’s really the intended purpose. But beyond that simple purpose, they could also be used in group settings and perhaps even could be a starting point for a Bible study.”

The devotions for teenagers join an offering of devotions developed to meet WELS members needs already available on WELS’ website. The most popular, WELS Daily Devotion reaches tens of thousands of people every day via e-mail, Facebook, and the WELS App. Women’s devotions, weekly devotions for military service people, and weekly devotions for early childhood educators also are available at wels.net/devotions.

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Volume 103, Number 03
Issue: March 2016

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Update on partnerships in East Africa

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In recent years WELS has developed contacts with Christians in South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. WELS leaders took trips to these areas in the fall of 2015 and report here on their meetings with these Christians.

E. Allen Sorum, director of the Pastoral Studies Institute at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, visited Gambella, Ethiopia, from Aug. 28–Sept. 3, with Peter Bur, a South Sudanese refugee who emigrated to the United States and graduated from the seminary’s Pastoral Studies Institute in May 2015. Bur was assigned to be the coordinator of South Sudanese ministry for WELS. He is coordinating the pastoral training of South Sudanese leaders in North America and also in refugee camps in Africa.

As Sorum notes, “The first thing that Peter and I noticed when we arrived in Gambella was that it had grown exponentially in the year that had passed since our last visit. Gambella went from a city of 50,000 to a refugee community of 600,000 or 700,000. It continues to grow.

“After the essential special church services and choir numbers to celebrate the gracious God who brought USA guests to Gambella, we immediately got to the task of teaching Peter’s translation of a simplified Luther’s Small Catechism. The quality of the production and the exciting artwork made this little book a treasure. With special thanks to God, we commend the hard work of the Multi-Language Publications team who made this piece happen almost overnight. There is absolutely no way to correctly (over)state the contribution that this booklet and Peter’s explanation of it made to South Sudanese spirituality in austere refugee camps in at least three countries.

“Every day throughout the day, Peter taught the catechism to his brothers. . . . Teaching the catechism was a tremendous step forward in terms of what these men know, believe, and teach. The information they received was new. The long hours were no burden for them. They devoured this instruction.

“After Peter taught the entire catechism, we handed out the 80 copies of the catechism that we had lugged around East Africa. It was like we were distributing bundles of fresh food and laundry. The men were absolutely delighted with these ministry tools.

“Peter discussed at length with these men the requirements of getting organized and making connections with WELS and the Lutheran Church of Central Africa. They also discussed vision and various aspects of a strategic plan for South Sudanese Nuer in view of the potential for a viable peace in South Sudan. These men long to go home and to re-build their country and their church body. Peter and I encouraged them in their longing and in their journey. It is an inexpressible privilege to know men as courageous and resilient as these are. Their love and appreciation for their guests from North America know no bounds.”

From Sept. 4–10, Sorum and Bur spent time in Nairobi, Kenya, with South Sudanese men who live in a refugee camp in Kakuma, Kenya.

Sorum writes: “Once again, Peter and the South Sudanese adhered to an extremely aggressive schedule in order to get through the entire catechism along with the components on using law and gospel and Bible-storying to present the truths of the catechism. Again, Peter and I stressed the importance of thinking through a ministry that featured all of the blessings of the gospel in Word and sacrament. God bless this ministry to the refugees in Kakuma.”

Also in September, Ken Cherney, a professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and a member of the WELS Commission on Inter-Church Relations, visited Bishoftu, Ethiopia, to meet with Rev. Dr. Kebede Getachew Yigezu. Kebede started a confessional Lutheran church in Ethiopia as well as Maor Theological College.

In 2013, Kebede contacted WELS to discuss fellowship possibilities. Sorum visited Kebede in 2014 to learn more about the Lutheran Church of Ethiopia. Cherney’s visit in 2015 coincided with the first graduating class of Maor Theological College receiving their diplomas, and Cherney participated in the graduation ceremony.

Cherney notes: “We were received very warmly by our hosts and spent a lot of time getting to know Dr. Kebede and his family. They speak in glowing terms of Allen Sorum’s visit and all their experiences so far with WELS. Dr. Kebede is an aggressive promoter of confessional Lutheranism.”

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Volume 103, Number 02
Issue: February 2016

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Oklahoma mission sharing God’s grace

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In a growing community where about half the residents claim no religious affiliation, a new mission is working to share a message of God’s undeserved love.

Grace, Norman, Okla., started as a daughter congregation of Holy Cross, Oklahoma City, a congregation about 20 minutes away. After several years of Holy Cross’ pastor conducting worship and Bible classes in the area, the Board for Home Missions funded a full-time pastor in the fall of 2013 so Grace could expand its ministry.

Norman is unique in Oklahoma in that it has been growing by two to three percent each year for the past decade. A university town, Norman also is home to many University of Oklahoma graduates, who return to start their own businesses. And even though it technically is part of the Bible Belt, it is largely unchurched. “And we’re not talking about whether they go to church or not,” says John Vieths, pastor at Grace. “Less than 50 percent would say they were any religion of any sort.”

Yet the congregation is working to make inroads into this community with the Word. When Vieths arrived in August 2014, he and the congregation concentrated on door-to-door canvassing in the newer neighborhoods on the northeast side. “Even the atheists at the door are usually pretty friendly and will engage in conversation,” says Vieths. The congregation received a Home Missions’ special project grant in 2015 to start a New Movers program in which members mail a “Welcome to the area” package to new residents that includes information about the congregation.

They also found a new full-time location for the congregation’s ministry in a visible strip mall on a busy street in Norman.

Besides targeting new residents, the congregation is trying to fill a need in the community. Christian Eisenbeis, a pastor who had been working part time at Grace since 2012, discovered that Norman didn’t offer many programs for parents of autistic children. In 2014, he and his wife started a support group called The Thorn Bush. While providing love and emotional support to families in Norman, The Thorn Bush also is a connector to the church and God’s love. “Ninety percent of families with children with autism are unchurched,” says Vieths. “They don’t feel welcomed at worship . . . and find themselves out on an island spiritually.” Vieths says about six people attend the semi-monthly support group; most have worshiped at Grace as well. To further serve Thorn Bush families and others in the community, Grace has started monthly Worship at the Cross services, simplified worship put together by Jesus Cares Ministries.

Planning for the future, Grace is considering other outreach opportunities, including sponsoring a community book drive or diaper drive to help low-income families, expanding the campus ministry program, and potentially partnering with WELS Christian Aid and Relief to help after disasters strike (storm and tornado damage is common in this part of Oklahoma).

With all these plans and about 25 in attendance each week, “it’s a fairly small labor pool,” says Vieths. But “the members of the congregation are dedicated to spreading the gospel in Norman.” The 40-member congregation celebrated its first adult baptism in September 2014 and confirmed three adults in February 2015. And with 250 names on Grace’s prospect list, there are many more opportunities to share God’s saving message.

“By God’s grace we pray that Grace Lutheran will become a thriving and independent congregation in the years to come,” says Vieths.

Learn more about The Thorn Bush in “Moments with Missionaries,” a video series that shares stories about WELS mission fields. Find the video at wels.net/missions.

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Volume 103, Number 02
Issue: February 2016

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
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Asian church bodies encouraged at regional conference

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Leaders from WELS and Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) missions as well as from national church bodies from Japan to Indonesia gathered in Seoul, South Korea, Oct. 28–30, 2015, for the first Asia-Oceania regional conference of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC). These participants were able to learn from each other and grow in the fellowship they share in Jesus Christ. Representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Australia, Kingdom Workers and WELS Multi-Language Publications also were able to attend.

The overall teaching focus of the conference centered on the sacrament of Baptism, with essays written and delivered by Pastor Takeshi Nidaira of the Lutheran Evangelical Christian Church of Japan and by a pastor from Gereja Lutheran Indonesia.

Of vital importance to all participants was the opportunity for fellowship with their brothers and sisters in the faith. Many of the leaders were from small church bodies and new mission fields where there is little, if any, contact with fellow believers. Many also live in areas of the world in which Christianity is almost non-existent or even illegal. They were able to talk and share with one another, for the first time, their joys and struggles as they carry out the work the Lord has given to them.

On the final day of the conference, Seoul Lutheran Church, the conference host, provided a tour of various historical sites around the city.

On the Sunday following the conference, Seoul Lutheran Church, a mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, held a service celebrating its tenth anniversary. This congregation, served by Pastor Young Ha Kim, has worked closely with many WELS area Lutheran high schools to bring Korean students to the United States for their high school education. This unofficial partnership has provided countless blessings to the congregation. The students have been able to not only receive a solid education but one that is grounded in the Christian faith. The high schools and their other students have also benefited from learning about Korean culture from these young Lutherans.

These few days of learning and celebration ended much too soon for many of the participants. All expressed a desire for this regional conference to be held on a regular basis.

Pastor Paul Fries
ELS communication director

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Author: Rev. Paul Fries
Volume 103, Number 02
Issue: February 2016

Copyrighted by WELS Forward in Christ © 2021
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Meet the editorial board: Seifert

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Ever ask yourself, “Who are these people who write for Forward in Christ?” Through this series you can find out.

When it comes to writing his devotions, FIC’s newest contributing editor, Joel Seifert, just wants to get out of the way.

“I want to make sure I study a section of God’s Word and see what wonderful things there are for us to think about and to find comfort in, and then I want to see how I can best get out of the way and let the Word that brought all the comfort and strength to me do the same for someone else,” he says.

Growing up in a called worker’s family—his dad is the district president of the Michigan District and his mom is a Lutheran elementary school teacher—Seifert decided early on to become a pastor. He says that he was bolstered in that decision after his first year at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, when he emergency taught for a year at Arizona Lutheran Academy in Phoenix. “I received a wider view of the world and came into contact with more people than I ever had before who didn’t grow up with the gospel and who didn’t grow up knowing what God says or what he’s done,” says Seifert. “Seeing that need and seeing their reaction to hearing the gospel was a big encouragement.”

After his graduation in 2005, Seifert served for five years at Calvary, Thiensville, Wis., a large congregation near the seminary. In 2010, he took a call to Shining Mountains, a congregation of 110 people in Bozeman, Mont.

The contrast between the two ministries was noticeable. “But that was part of the reason to go out there,” says Seifert. “Here’s a little group of Christians who don’t have the big infrastructure or all the material blessings, but they have the same Word and the same love for it. . . . Sometimes you miss the wealth of resources and the large number of people and the huge ministry team, and sometimes it just makes your cherish all the more sitting around a table with three or four people to plan ministry and then coming together with the congregation to talk about how we can proclaim God’s Word and help take God’s kingdom forward.”

The congregation is growing. Currently meeting in a school cafeteria, the congregation is in the midst of a building project and prays it will be in its new building by the spring of 2016.

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Volume 103, Number 02
Issue: February 2016

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Conference opportunities

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Three conferences this summer will allow WELS members the chance to grow in their faith, to be encouraged in their Christian lives, and to learn more about the work we do together as a synod.

 

Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society national convention
June 23–26 at Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, Illinois

Under the theme “Christ Alone, Our Cornerstone,” the 53rd annual convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) will include motivational presentations by both home and world missionaries, hailing from places such as Hong Kong, South Asia, Russia, Antigua, Utah, and Wisconsin. Attendees can also participate in a Bible study that encourages us to put Jesus first.

“Attendees of an LWMS convention experience firsthand the influence we all have on the Great Commission with our prayers for, encouragement of, education about, and financial support of all types of WELS mission endeavors. Unique to this convention is the extent to which we connect around one focus-mission opportunity,” says Karen Fischer, LWMS president. “Among my personal favorite convention moments is the unscripted singing of the doxology following the giving and receiving of the mission offerings collected throughout the year. It’s a great moment of warmth, fellowship and joy—and explains why Kleenex are always in the registration bag!”

Go to www.lwms.org to register.

 

WELS International Youth Rally
June 28–July 1 at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

As the largest gathering of WELS teens, the WELS International Youth Rally offers attendees an opportunity to grow in their faith, to meet fellow WELS teens from around the country, and to worship their Savior. Under the theme “Our God Reigns!” the 2016 rally features workshops on relationships, bullying, making the Bible practical, and battling pornography. There will also be daily worship opportunities, youth leader presentations, and optional excursions.

More than 1,600 teens attended the 2014 youth rally in Tennessee. Rally planners hope to hit 2,000 for the rally this summer.

Registration booklets have been mailed to youth leaders. Pre-registration begins March 1. Go to wels.net/events to download the registration booklet.

 

Women’s Ministry Conference
July 21–23 at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisconsin

This triennial Women’s Ministry Conference will focus on mentoring—how a Christian woman can share her faith and life with others. “There is a growing hostility toward Christianity, toward biblical values, toward biblical womanhood,” says Dawn Schulz, member of the planning committee and conference presenter. “The intention of this conference is to help women see how valuable they are and to encourage them as they point to Jesus Christ in the Scriptures in the way that they live their lives and how they go about showing other women how to do the same thing.”

Schulz says the conference will be practical, “taking God’s Word and applying it to where women are today—in the home, in their congregational involvement, and in the work world.” Workshops, networking opportunities, sharing of mentoring experiences, and brainstorming sessions will be included.

Opening worship and a presentation on the universal priesthood by Richard Gurgel, a professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, will kick off the conference. All—both men and women—are invited to attend.

Go to wels.net/wmconference to register. Gift certificates are available.

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Volume 103, Number 02
Issue: February 2016

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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