News – Page 2

Upcoming synod convention to look at the past and the future

2024/11/04/in News, Together

The 68th biennial convention of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod will be held at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., July 21-24, 2025. About 400 voting delegates from around the country will attend the convention.

The theme of the 2025 synod convention is “Christ through us.” This theme highlights both God’s blessings to the synod as it celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2025 as well as God’s continued work through WELS in years to come. A new strategic plan that establishes synodical, congregational, and individual objectives and strategies will be introduced at the convention.

“The convention provides grassroots input to the plans and priorities of the work we do together as a synod,” says WELS President Rev. Mark Schroeder. “I think that past delegates will tell you that attending a synod convention is an informative, uplifting, and memorable experience. Delegates hear reports from all areas of the synod’s ministries and gain a new appreciation for the opportunities and blessings that God provides.”

The Book of Reports and Memorials, which will be available in May 2025, details information and items of business that will be discussed at the convention, including any memorials. A memorial is a formal request to the convention to take action on a specific matter or proposal. Synodical entities (boards, commissions, and other duly constituted groups); congregations; circuits; conferences; districts; pastors; male professors, teachers, or staff ministers; and voting members of WELS congregations may submit a memorial to be considered for inclusion in the printed Book of Reports and Memorials; the deadline is Jan. 15, 2025. Memorials submitted after Jan. 15 and approved for convention consideration will be posted on the convention website if they are received by June 15, 2025. Find more information and submission details at welsconvention.net.

The synod in convention also will elect qualified individuals for various synod boards and commissions. A nomination alert for potential candidates for the synod Nominating Committee to consider for the ballot is currently open. All nominations must be received by Nov. 30, 2024. The list of candidates will be posted online by May 15, 2025. Keep up to date with synod convention updates at welsconvention.net.

Encouragement and guidance regarding “Scriptural Principles of Man and Woman Roles”

2024/10/14/in News, Together

In 1993, the WELS synod convention adopted a doctrinal statement entitled “Scriptural Principles of Man and Woman Roles.” The statement is a faithful and comprehensive summary of what Scripture teaches about the God-given roles of men and women.

By 2019, it became apparent that there was a need to provide clarification and additional context regarding the meaning and application of the statement. For that reason, the WELS Conference of Presidents (COP) initially determined that a restatement of the doctrine should be composed, not as a replacement for the 1993 statement, but as a supplement to it. The COP believed that additional clarification and context would help to answer questions and resolve possible misunderstandings and misapplications.

As the COP worked to craft a restatement, it became clear that a better approach would be to compose a pastoral letter rather than an official restatement. Such a letter would be “pastoral” not because it was intended only for pastors, but because it is pastoral in nature by providing evangelical guidance. It is intended for all called workers and laypeople as they seek to understand fully and correctly this biblical doctrine and its principles as they apply the doctrine in their lives.

With a full commitment to the truth of God’s Word, the COP shared this pastoral letter with pastors about two weeks ago to give them an opportunity to become familiar with it. Now the COP is making the letter available to all members of the synod. We do this with the prayer that God would use it to foster widespread discussion and a clear and faithful understanding of the beautiful principles of God’s design for man and woman as we live our lives in service to him and to one another.

View the letter

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene updates

2024/10/14/in News, Together

This weekend, Oct. 12 and 13, the WELS Christian Aid and Relief assessment team traveled to Florida and spent two intensive days viewing damage and talking to pastors, members, and church leaders. The team visited WELS congregations in Sarasota, Tampa, and Seminole. Northdale Lutheran in Tampa had a large tree on its school that needed to be removed as well as water damage to its sound system. Ascension in Sarasota had soffit damage. Thankfully damage to church buildings is light and should be repaired quickly.

The team also visited several members of WELS churches with varying levels of damage to their personal properties. Some have extensive damage from storm surge entering their homes. There is also quite a bit of tree damage and debris that needs to be cleaned up in the area of impact. Christian Aid and Relief is thankful to report that all members of our churches are safe with no reports of injury or loss of life.

Currently, Christian Aid and Relief is working to set up a deployment to help with the work that needs to be done. Local volunteers will be utilized as much as possible, but volunteers with special skills will be brought in as needed. To sign up as a disaster relief volunteer, please visit welsdisasterrelief.org. Christian Aid and Relief will keep you updated on its deployment plans.

In addition to the work in Florida, Christian Aid and Relief is in touch with WELS pastors in North Carolina and is working to help several families in need.

We couldn’t do any of this without your support. We are grateful for God’s people in WELS who have offered many prayers and abundant financial gifts to help those in need. Thank you so much!

Rev. Dan Sims, director, WELS Christian Aid and Relief

Visit wels.net/relief to learn more about the work of WELS Christian Aid and Relief.

Online Bible study connecting teens to Christ and one another

2024/10/14/in News, Together

Just two months after WELS teens joined together for the biennial WELS International Youth Rally in Colorado, more than 100 WELS teens found a way to connect with one another again—this time online. Rev. Dr. Phil Huebner, campus pastor at Wisconsin Lutheran High School (WLHS), Milwaukee, Wis., led the first National Online Teen Bible Study in September.

Huebner worked with Oliva Hermanson, a 2024 WLHS graduate with a heart for bringing teens together for faith and fellowship. “I recognized that there are teens across the country who do not have the opportunity to go to a school with almost a thousand people who share their faith,” Hermanson explains. “I was looking for a way to bring Christian teens together on a regular basis, create a space where we can discuss our faith, and make connections that are meaningful.”

Hermanson brought her idea for a national online teen Bible study to Huebner, who connected her with Rev. Donn Dobberstein, director of WELS Discipleship. WELS Discipleship has been actively working to support churches in engaging their teen populations.

Dobberstein explains, “God has blessed WELS with about 16,000 souls in the 14- to 17-year-old age group. At the same time, the size of congregations has trended down, meaning fewer teens are in churches today than in past decades. Many churches don’t have the critical mass of youth as they did in the past.”

After the 2022 youth rally, WELS Discipleship began considering how it might help churches enhance their youth ministry efforts between biennial youth rallies. “First, we developed resources for ‘Youth Night,’” explains Dobberstein. “It’s a series of three youth-focused events during the school year to bring high school youth from area churches together . . . to encourage faith, fun, and fellowship.”

The WELS National Online Teen Bible Study accomplishes similar goals as teens from across the world gather digitally to study the Word. “Geography is no longer a barrier,” says Dobberstein. “It’s about connecting them at a critical time in their life to Christ and with each other.”

Hermanson played an active role in planning and executing the event, and Huebner selected the first topic: the parable of the prodigal son. “I chose a topic that I thought teens would relate to well and that would touch their hearts with God’s compassionate love,” says Huebner. In addition to hearing this relevant message, attendees dug deeper into the topic in small discussion groups.

For Hermanson and so many other Christian teens, staying plugged in to their faith community can be hard. “If [the study] showed just one struggling teen that they are not alone and built them up in their faith, then it served its purpose,” she says. “I praise God that he worked through me to help do that.”

She continues, “We are all learning so much about ourselves and what God has planned for us in our teenage years, and it is so important to have faith-based discussions about what we are struggling with.”

Going forward, the National Online Teen Bible Study will take place on a quarterly basis and feature messages from a variety of WELS pastors. The next study is scheduled for Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. (Central).

Learn more and register for the next online teen Bible study at wels.net/events.

Learn more about Youth Night events

New director joins WELS Communication Services

2024/10/14/in News, Together

Mr. Dan Nommensen started as the new director of WELS Communication Services on Oct. 1, following the retirement of previous director Mr. Lee Hitter.

For the past year, Nommensen had been serving the synod as operations manager for WELS Congregational Services, working closely with Communication Services as new programs and services were launched. Previously he spent 25 years with Christian Family Solutions, working not only as a Christian counselor but also in an operations capacity with roles in marketing, communications, donor development, information technology, and leadership development.

“I thoroughly enjoy getting to know everything that our synod provides to our congregations and schools,” he says. “The resources we offer through our synod are timely and help the members of our church body move forward with the gospel to impact people in our homes, neighborhoods, and throughout the world. I am looking forward to helping our audiences receive information about these great resources.”

Nommensen notes that he has seen in a personal way how these resources can make a difference after a family member received a cancer diagnosis. “Later that day she read her daily devotion. It was called ‘It is all under control.’ It helped her set her focus on her Savior as she prepares for the many things that she will face that are indeed out of her control,” he says. “Our synod cares and brings resources like Daily Devotions right in front of people, and the Lord uses the Word to bring comfort at just the right time. I’m privileged to have the opportunity to be part of a synod that puts Christ first.”

As director of communications, Nommensen serves under the Conference of Presidents and reports directly to the synod president. He is responsible for coordinating all internal and external communications for WELS, including assisting areas of ministry, synod schools, and district leaders in planning and developing communication strategies and tools.

Nommensen, a member at Christ Alone, Thiensville, Wis., is married and has two children.

Christian Aid and Relief responds to Hurricane Helene

2024/10/01/in News, Together

Hurricane Helene roared ashore on the evening of Sept. 26 bringing a huge swath of destruction in her path from the Big Bend region of Florida all the way to southern Appalachia. The death toll from this terrible storm stands at 120 and is rising. Millions are still without power or water.

WELS Christian Aid and Relief has been in contact with district leaders and pastors in the impacted areas to ascertain needs. I am pleased to report that none of our churches experienced major damage and none of our members lost their lives. However, many experienced extensive damages to their properties. Some even lost their homes entirely. Many of our brothers and sisters are in need.

I am working with our pastors to provide immediate financial assistance to those who need it. In addition, our assessment team will soon visit congregations in North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee to assess needs before potential deployments to the region.

Many of you have reached out to ask how you can help. Currently, the best way to help is to give a donation through our disaster relief fund. You can do that by visiting wels.net/CARgift. You can also send a check to the following address:

WELS Christian Aid and Relief
N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive
Waukesha, WI 53188-1108

Thank you for your compassion, support, and generosity.

In Christ, our compassionate Savior,
Pastor Dan Sims
Director, WELS Christian Aid and Relief

Update from South Atlantic District President Rev. Charles Westra

Thanks to all of you for your prayers for our brothers and sisters affected by Helene. Our prayers continue for the many affected.

At this point, we still have no reports of loss of life among our WELS congregations. Many of our congregations celebrated “Michael and all angels” last Sunday. We give thanks to our God for his protection among us.

Pastor Paul Zell in Hendersonville, N.C., shared that communication has been very difficult because cell service is spotty at best. He has spoken to most of his members, and all are safe, but there are many in the greater Asheville, N.C., area that are still missing. Widespread flooding and mudslides were a severe threat. Many members suffered significant damage to homes and property. WELS Christian Aid and Relief representatives will be in Asheville on Saturday to do assessment and begin the coordination of assistance.

Pastor Jonathan Neumann in Martinez, Ga., told me this morning that they are on day five without power. A shortage of drinking water is also a problem for many. Extensive cleanup is needed on the church property. Many members have suffered significant damage to homes and property. WELS Christian Aid and Relief will be on site there early next week.

Pastor David Priebe shared that six families at Bay Pines, Fla., have been displaced from their homes on the barrier islands due to the storm surge. Most of the damage was confined to the narrow strip of Pinellas County along the beach. Three families from Living Savior in Valrico, Fla., also suffered significant damage to their homes. Pastor Priebe also reported that two families from Peace in Trinity, Fla., lost all the contents of their homes.

Preparing new home missionaries

2024/09/30/in News, Together

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands” (Psalm 90:17).

For millennia this has been the prayer of God’s people; any success in our mission efforts comes only because of God’s favor and blessing. Now, in year two of the 100 Missions in 10 Years initiative, we give great thanks to the Lord our God for his many blessings:

With the addition of one new start (Cypress/Waller, Texas) and one enhancement (Barre/Montpelier, Vt.) in September, the Board for Home Missions has approved a total of 16 new missions and 18 enhancements toward the goal of starting 100 new missions and enhancing 75 ministries from 2023–2033.
All ten new mission starts approved in 2023 have a home missionary, and three of the six new mission starts approved in 2024 have a home missionary.
Of those 13 home missionaries, 8 pastors accepted calls from the field to new home missions and 5 Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary graduates were assigned.
New missions in Marquette, Mich.; North Collin County, Texas; and Wichita, Kan., launched weekly Sunday worship in September.
Generous gifts to Home Missions in September will enable Home Missions to approve 10-plus new home missions in 2025.

As Home Missions plants new churches throughout North America, we take great care in preparing new home missionaries. This past August, seven home missionaries and their wives attended the Church Planter Intensive at Carbon Valley Lutheran, Firestone, Colo.

View photos from the Church Planter Intensive in Colorado

I was able to attend the training and see firsthand the blessing it is for new missionaries. They learn not only the essential aspects of church-planting but also the systems and processes that will help prepare them to launch and establish a new mission. By the time the missionary goes home from the Church Planter Intensive, he has a basic ministry plan for the next 18 to 24 months. Each missionary is also paired with a coach, who is a church planter himself. During the next two years, the coach and missionary meet monthly. The coach helps the missionary troubleshoot issues and challenges that arise and provides encouragement and accountability.

The Church Planter Intensive and coaching program have been well received by many home missionaries. I give great thanks for the many experienced missionaries who have helped make the program what it is today.

In the end, why do we do all this? “Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all” (2 Corinthians 5:14). As a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have peace that the world is seeking but is only found through Christ. Through the work of our home mission congregations, more people are finding this peace as we see the Lord blessing our efforts. We thank God for this. As we continue our work together as a synod, our prayer continues, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”

Rev. Mark Gabb, administrator, WELS Home Missions

WELS 100 missions in 10 years

“It was amazing. It was the greatest thing . . . just to know that Jesus still loved me and still cared about me and wanted me to be part of his family again. That meant the world to me.”

The 100 Missions in 10 Years effort is all about sharing the kind of peace that only Christ offers. Sean O’Doherty found that peace at Cross of Christ, a home mission congregation in Nampa, Idaho.

Three home missions launch weekly worship

2024/09/30/in News, Together

Three home missions launched weekly worship services in September: Divine Savior—North Collin County, Celina, Texas; Anchor Church, Marquette, Mich.; and Victory, Wichita, Kan.

“A grand opening is important in the life of a mission church because it signals that from here on out you are fully operational for worship,” says Rev. Joseph Lindloff, home missionary at Anchor Church. “It’s like the gun going off at the beginning of a marathon. It signals that we can now get to work reaching one soul at a time as a full-fledged church, bringing people regularly into the house of God and before the means of grace. What a joy that we get to do this work, joining Jesus on his mission!”

Divine Savior—North Collin County, Celina, Texas: Seventy-one people attended the launch service on Sept. 8. Divine Savior’s core group has been meeting for planning and Bible studies since 2021; it was approved as a mission site in 2023. Celina, a northern suburb of Dallas, is the fastest growing city in the United States.

Following the launch service, the real work begins, says Rev. Caleb King, home missionary at Divine Savior—North Collin County. “The reality is we’re a church of about 25 adults and a handful of children. We could sit and ‘play church’ and think that we made it, or we can recognize that the launch was a great milestone but not the mountain peak. The next step, then, is to continue to engage people one by one with the gospel so that they can know the Savior who changes their life; to care for individual souls in ways that the rest of the world doesn’t.”

Anchor Church, Marquette, Mich.: On Sept. 15, 75 people (including 20 visitors) attended the grand opening under the theme “Hope in Christ, Firm and Secure.” Approved as a mission site in 2023, Anchor Church has a 24/7 ministry space in downtown Marquette where it hosts community service events, Bible studies, youth ministry, and now weekly worship.

Lindloff says that the community has been welcoming to the concept of a new church: “We are right where we need to be, downtown in the heart of Marquette, serving it spiritually and physically.”

Victory, Wichita, Kan.: Started as a home mission in 2022 as part of a multisite effort for Messiah, Wichita, Kan., Victory launched worship at its second location on Sept. 15, with a full day’s worth of events. More than 100 people attended, including 15 first-time visitors.

While the festivities and food were a hit, the message is what made an impact. Rev. Jacob Jenswold, Victory’s home missionary, shares this reaction from a visitor who hadn’t been in church for months and had never been in a conservative Lutheran church. “He told me, ‘This felt different. The service felt more focused, like everything came back to God’s words for me. I like that. I want to come back for that.’ We will see if he comes back for that, but that’s what we are going for! Jesus for you!”

All three missionaries are thankful for the continued support of Home Missions and WELS members. “Our mission’s work and ministry wouldn’t be possible without you,” says King. “You may never meet a person that is impacted by the work you support. But you will meet them in heaven someday. . . . Keep us in your prayers as we hold on to God’s promises in his Word.”

WELS is committed to starting 100 new missions in the next 10 years. Learn more about this initiative at wels100in10.net.

New director named for WELS Church Extension Fund

2024/09/30/in News, Together

Mr. Brian Roser has been named the new executive director of WELS Church Extension Fund, Inc. (WELS CEF). Roser started in the position in July 2024, after the retirement of Mr. Scott Page.

Roser brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served in both the corporate and non-profit worlds in the past. His prior banking experience included management roles in client relations, consumer lending, and loss mitigation. He also served as executive administrator for Lutheran Association for Church Extension, Inc., for six years. Roser has been with WELS CEF since 2016, working as a loan manager.

Roser says that he appreciates being part of the mission of WELS CEF, which is to support the spreading of the gospel primarily by providing loans and grants to WELS Home Missions congregations. “When you work in the corporate world, it’s a job to support yourself. Working in the non-profit world has a whole different feeling. It becomes a part of who you are,” he says. “There’s a higher meaning to it than just a job. I feel blessed to be working for WELS.”

An active member at Star of Bethlehem, New Berlin, Wis., Roser hopes to build on his years of serving as a church volunteer to help him communicate and work through the process with church treasurers and building committees. “I just pray that I can use whatever skills God has given me for the good of the church,” he says.

WELS CEF helps provide financing to mission congregations so they can purchase land and either build or renovate a worship facility. It also works with established congregations on building projects as funds are available. Loan demand has been high the last few years, according to Roser, with more than $40.8 million of loans disbursed for new construction, facility expansion or purchase, or land purchase in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.

Almost 2,800 WELS members, congregations, and affiliates have entrusted WELS CEF with $111 million in member investments. Operational surpluses over the years have enabled WELS CEF to provide $48 million in matching grants to mission congregations and $15.8 million in special grants to Home Missions since 1993.

WELS mission congregations recognize the significance of WELS CEF in getting a building project off the ground. Started as a mission in 2018, Sure Foundation, Brandon, S.D., recently broke ground on a 7,500 sq. ft. facility, which includes a worship space that seats 200, a gathering space, a multi-purpose room, a kitchen, and two classrooms. WELS CEF provided the congregation a grant and loan to purchase land and then another loan to build the church facility. “I appreciate the work of CEF because it allows us to do something that we would never otherwise be able to do—have a permanent space,” says Rev. Craig Wilke, pastor at Sure Foundation. “In our context, a permanent space is a big deal. And while a building will not convert souls, it will give us more opportunities to preach the gospel and connect with people.”

Learn more about the work of WELS CEF at wels.net/cef.

The charitable gift annuity: “The best thing since sliced bread!”

2024/09/11/in News

Marvin and Marilyn Hoepken first learned about the benefits of a charitable gift annuity (CGA) through American Cancer Society mailings: a tax deduction, quarterly annuity payments for life, and a final gift to charity after the Lord takes you to heaven.

Marvin talked to his pastor, Don Patterson, about using a CGA to support WELS ministry, and Pastor Patterson contacted their local WELS Christian giving counselor for help. After speaking to the giving counselor, Marvin was very pleased with the payment rate he’d receive as an 85-year-old, saying, “This is the best thing since sliced bread!”

Ultimately the Hoepkens’ CGA will support WELS Christian Aid and Relief, Martin Luther College, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and their home congregation, Holy Word in Austin, Texas. But Marvin’s favorite part (besides the great rate) is that, instead of taking the quarterly annuity payments, he can give those away as well.

“With a CGA the quarterly distributions can go to whomever you want them to go to,” he explained. “So you can already give things away while you’re still alive.” The Hoepkens plan to use the payments to provide financial assistance to students preparing for ministry (like Martin Luther College students, pictured above).

Their pastor shared that the Hoepkens remind him of the Macedonians in 2 Corinthians 8: “They gave themselves first to the Lord and then begged for an opportunity to share in this work. Because they live for Jesus, it was easy for them to decide to share their blessings with gospel ministries after they find their place in heaven.”

You can fund a gift annuity for yourself, a loved one, or a friend. And you can direct the remainder of the gift to your church, school, synod, area Lutheran high school, or other WELS-affiliated ministry.

To determine whether a charitable gift annuity could be a good way for you to support the ministry or ministries that you love, you can run a personalized gift illustration.

For personal guidance—whether you’d just like to learn more or move forward with setting up a CGA—call WELS Ministry of Christian Giving at 800-827-5482, or e-mail [email protected].

Encouraging opening enrollment numbers at WELS synodical schools

2024/09/10/in News, Together

Fall classes have begun at the four synodical schools. The opening enrollments at the schools are encouraging.

The best news comes from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., which opened with a total enrollment of 154, compared to 134 last year. First-year student enrollment is 49, a significant increase from last year’s total of 37.

The enrollment at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., showed only a slight decrease in total enrollment. This year’s enrollment is 614 compared to 620 last year. But the 2024–25 freshman class of 174 is significantly larger than last year’s class of 150, an encouraging sign for a growing enrollment in the coming years.

Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis., began the school year with 415, a small increase compared to last year’s opening enrollment of 412. The size of the freshman class increased from last year’s 102 to 112 this year. For the first time in some time, the boys in the freshman class outnumber the girls (63 boys and 49 girls). This is significant because that high number of boys is likely to translate into more candidates for the pastoral ministry.

Finally, enrollment at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich., is at 190, down only slightly from 192 in 2023. This year’s freshman enrollment is 49, the same as last year.

These numbers are evidence of God’s blessings on our recruitment efforts—efforts not only undertaken by the four synodical schools but also by pastors, teachers, parents, and grandparents in our congregations. Given the significant shortage of both pastors and teachers, our commitment to encourage young people to prepare for the public ministry needs to continue and increase in the years to come. Continue to ask God to send workers into his harvest field. He will hear and answer those prayers.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

Kids Connection celebrates 30 years

2024/09/10/in News, Together

Nearly 30 years ago, Kids Connection was born out of a desire to encourage young children to “stay connected to Jesus.” Modeled after its adult counterpart WELS Connection, this monthly video gives school children a glimpse into interesting ministries, stories, people, and programs from around the synod—with the goal of illustrating how kids too can live lives of faith in Jesus.

A ministry of WELS Discipleship, Kids Connection is produced by Mr. Steve Boettcher and Mrs. Kris Snyder, each of whom has been with the program since the very beginning. When they were just getting started, Snyder explains, “we wanted to provide a way for kids to see other kids serving Jesus by serving others and to use the gospel to connect them to each other, to others in WELS, and, most importantly, to Jesus.”

Together with Rev. Tony Schultz, who has been creating and sharing memorable Scripture lessons on-screen since the very beginning, the Kids Connection team has reached kids across multiple generations. Now, as this unique children’s ministry embarks on its milestone 30th season, the team is eager to continue encouraging kids in their walks of faith.

The newest season of Kids Connection introduces two new teen hosts—Ty and Erika. Both are looking forward to acting as role models for their younger peers. “I am most excited about the fact that I get to share God’s Word with students through humor and videos,” says Ty. “It is an awesome opportunity to let my light shine and share the good news with others.” Erika adds, “Having the opportunity to be a role model for Christian kids brings me so much joy just thinking about it. To know that the work that I am doing will help kids connect to their Savior is so special to me.”

While the program currently reaches about 95 percent of WELS schools, the producers ultimately hope to be in every WELS church, school, and early childhood center. They share multiple ways this seven-minute video can be used:

Play it during an all-school chapel.
Play it in each classroom or at the early childhood center during lunch.
View it in church on a different week from WELS Connection.
Share it with families with young children who do not attend a WELS school.
Share it with homeschooling families.
Keep a copy in the church or school library for families to check out for home use.
Watch it in after-school programs and youth group gatherings.

Says Snyder, “We pray our audience is using Kids Connection to share the love of Jesus, to inspire each other, to learn, to produce fruit of faith, to grow in faith, to be encouraged, and to ‘stay connected to Jesus.’ ”

Learn more and subscribe at wels.net/kidsconnection.

Kids Connection wants to connect with you!

The production team is compiling a video to celebrate 30 years of ministry. Whether you’ve seen all 30 seasons or just discovered it recently, what is your most memorable Kids Connection moment? How has Kids Connection impacted you, your school, your students, or your ministry? Send your one-minute video, photo, or e-mail to [email protected] by Dec. 31, 2024.

2025 VEBA open enrollment and rate changes

2024/09/10/in News, Together

The WELS VEBA Commission will offer a limited open enrollment this fall for eligible workers at participating organizations to join the WELS VEBA health plan, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Limited open enrollment materials will be mailed to eligible workers and organizations by the end of October.

Due to the rising costs of health care and prescription drugs, 2025 VEBA rates will increase by seven percent for all plan options. This inflation-driven increase is in line with projected average national increases in 2025 and is necessary to ensure that the VEBA plan remains well funded to provide benefits for called workers and their families. In addition, new geographic rate regions and rating factors—determined now by zip code rather than state—will be implemented beginning in 2025. This means that the total 2025 VEBA rate change for an organization will be determined by its location and will comprise a combination of the overall seven percent increase and the organization’s regional rating factor. Total 2025 VEBA rate changes will vary from a 0.7 percent decrease to an 18.9 percent increase, depending on the rating factor that applies to a particular region.

The WELS VEBA Commission approved the new rate regions and rating factors so that WELS VEBA rates will better reflect current health care costs across the country. The new regional rating factors will be implemented over three years (2025 through 2027) to ease the financial impact to organizations. With the three-year transition period, the regional rating factor that applies to an organization’s rates for 2025 will also apply to that organization’s rates for 2026 and 2027.

Learn more about the 2025 rate change and find the 2025 VEBA rates for your organization.

Musical energy and talent a highlight at the National Worship Conference

2024/08/20/in News, Together

The following summary of the recent WELS National Festival for Worship, Music, and the Arts, held July 31–Aug. 2, in Kenosha, Wis., was written by Rev. Bryan Gerlach. He has served as the director of the WELS Commission on Worship since 1996 and was involved in the development of the new WELS hymnal. He will be retiring this month. He has provided steady and solid leadership in the area of worship, emphasizing the importance of worship that is Christ-centered, focused on law and gospel, and retains the principles of faithful Lutheran worship while incorporating variety and freshness in the liturgies and hymns used in our congregations. We thank God for this gift to his church, and we thank him for his faithful service. —WELS President Mark Schroeder

After a seven-year hiatus, rather than the three-year pattern that began in 1996, it’s not surprising that this year’s conference unleashed a lot of musical energy and talent. One first-time attendee said, “I had heard it would be awesome, but it far exceeded my expectations.” Some regular past attendees said “best ever” about the caliber of the orchestra . . . and the superb cafeteria menu choices.

The conference theme was “Sing to the Lord a New Song.” While the song of the gospel is always new, this conference made extensive use of new songs from the 2021 WELS hymnal suite and beyond, accompanied by a wide variety of instruments in different styles.

Those who couldn’t attend can still enjoy concerts and services at welsworshipconference.net/media. This link also includes service folders, some presentation handouts, and photos. While the impact from these videos isn’t the same as being present with 1,000 people (like a photo of the Grand Canyon can’t compete with standing at the rim), viewers can still enjoy these events. Here are some “not to miss” items:

Festival concert: Don’t miss the thrilling final movement of Saint Saens’ “Organ Symphony” and excellent choral music from a 115-voice choir.
Plenary address: Jonathan Bauer presented “Lutheran Worship: What Now?” In a context of rapid change, Bauer demonstrates how, as we, confessional Lutherans, are fully equipped to answer this crucial question. It’s available in both video and print.
Morning “Alive in Christ” sermons: Hear sermons by Prof. Aaron Christie (Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary), President Richard Gurgel (Martin Luther College), and President em. Paul Wendland (Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary).
Closing concert: A rendition of “Amazing Grace” starts with a whisper from the children’s choir (50 voices singing with beautiful tone) accompanied by harp, handbells, and flute. It keeps building until the last stanza, a sonic roar from 1,200 people, full orchestra with lots of percussion, and a kilt-clad bagpiper. (The hymn begins at 1:15 in the video)

The conference wasn’t only for musicians and pastors. Non-musical laypeople from congregations of all sizes selected from many presentation topics. A first-time non-musical attendee said, “My wife twisted my arm to come, but I won’t miss another!”

View all the materials and presentations online.

Note: This conference marked the retirement of Rev. Bryan Gerlach, who has helped plan all nine worship conferences. Conference planning committee chair Rev. Jon Zabell presented Gerlach with a collection of organ music commissioned in thanks to God for his years of service. Gerlach said, “This conference has been quite the going away party. But, seriously, these conferences have been a highlight of my ministry.”

Attendees share their edifying experiences at the 2024 WELS National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts

WELS endowment funds continue to provide ongoing ministry support

2024/08/20/in News, Together

Thanks to the generosity of God’s people, WELS Foundation distributed $1.4 million for our Savior’s gospel ministry in July from the WELS endowment funds. Established by delegates at the 2005 synod convention, these funds provide ongoing, dependable support for the Lord’s work in WELS Ministerial Education and WELS Home, World, and Joint Missions.

The WELS Joint Missions Endowment managed by WELS Foundation provides support to cross-cultural ministry efforts like the Vietnamese outreach ministry at King of Kings, Garden Grove, Calif. Missionary Trung Lê was installed at King of Kings in August 2023 after graduating from the Pastoral Studies Institute at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Lê leads the congregation’s ministry to its Vietnamese community, which makes up about 40 percent of Garden Grove’s population.

King of Kings shows its love to its Vietnamese-speaking neighbors in a number of ways, including offering U.S. citizenship classes, after which the students are invited to stay for Bible study. Lê has also begun providing English as a Second Language classes twice per week. In addition, he leads two Bible information classes in Vietnamese and is working to form a core group, with the prayer that within the next year or two, he will begin a Vietnamese worship service. “Everything is in God’s will,” Lê says, “but we try our best and see what can happen.”

Lê is grateful for the support provided to the Vietnamese ministry at King of Kings from the Joint Missions Endowment: “It has been a wonderful blessing to have such wonderful help from WELS Joint Missions,” says Lê. “I praise the Lord for that.”

WELS Foundation also manages endowments that are set up by individuals, congregations, and other WELS-affiliated ministries. In total, WELS Foundation distributed $4.5 million from more than 375 endowments this year, providing ongoing financial support for Christ’s gospel work throughout WELS.

“An endowment fund can provide a source of predictable financial support for ministry like the Vietnamese outreach being done in Garden Grove for years to come,” says Mr. Jim Holm, executive director of WELS Foundation. “That’s what makes endowments so impactful and such a blessing to gospel work.”

There are a variety of ways to give to an endowment: cash or appreciated assets; through a will, trust, or beneficiary designation on a retirement account; or with insurance proceeds. To learn more about adding to an existing endowment or establishing a new endowment for a ministry that you love, contact your local WELS Christian giving counselor at wels.net/giving-counselors or call 800-827-5482.

Read more about Trung Lê and the ministry in Garden Grove in Forward in Christ:

https://forwardinchrist.net/huu-trung-le/

https://forwardinchrist.net/one-campus-three-languages/

New pictorial book will highlight synod history

2024/08/20/in News, Together

As WELS prepares to celebrate the 175th anniversary of its founding in 2025 under the theme “Christ through us,” Northwestern Publishing House is producing a special book entitled, Christ Through Us: A Pictorial History of the Wisconsin Synod, 1850-2025. In seven chapters, the synod’s history will be told in a fresh and engaging way with over 600 images and numerous short vignettes about important people, places, and events in the history of the Wisconsin Synod.

“The past has shaped who we are,” says Rev. Joel Otto, chairman of the WELS 175 Committee and coauthor of the book. “Learning about God’s work through us and among us leads us to appreciate his grace. And it helps us see where we also fit into his answers to the prayers of his people for new generations of faithful witnesses.”

A special preorder sale for this pictorial history is going on through the end of September. Place your order today to guarantee delivery of this unique volume and receive a 20 percent discount. Find sample pages and ordering information at online.nph.net/175annivbook. Order deadline is Sept. 30, 2024.

This book is just one way that WELS is planning to commemorate its founding. Numerous other resources are being produced to help congregations and individuals celebrate this anniversary and learn more about WELS history, including:

documentary-styled videos to accompany the pictorial history;
an update of The Wisconsin Synod Lutherans, a book recording the history of the Wisconsin Synod;
an online interactive timeline of the synod’s history;
worship resources for anniversary services; and
multiple articles in synod publications like Forward in Christ, Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, and the WELS Historical Institute Journal.

Learn more about WELS’ 175^th anniversary at welshistoricalinstitute.org.

The Obadiah Lutheran Synod expresses its thanks

2024/08/06/in News, Together

Last January, I had the privilege of attending a special worship service of the Obadiah Lutheran Synod (OLS) in Uganda. Nearly 1,000 members of the Obadiah Lutheran Synod, some traveling for hours, attended this special service celebrating the fellowship that had been declared between our two church bodies at WELS’ 2023 synod convention.

Our synod does not provide operational support for the Obadiah Lutheran Synod. But thanks to special gifts received from WELS members, we are able to help with pastoral training, church building projects, and other special programs.

As you might expect, travel in Uganda can, at times, be very difficult due to bad weather and roads that can become nearly impassable. Since Pastor Makisimu Musa, the president of the synod, spends much time visiting the various congregations and pastors of his synod, reliable transportation is a vital necessity. Thanks to generous gifts from WELS members, the Obadiah Lutheran Synod was able to purchase a used Toyota Land Cruiser.

Pastor Musa would like to express thanks from his entire church body for this gift. He wrote, “It is my pleasure again to say thank you, brother, for your gift of the vehicle to the OLS. This is helping us a lot to do church ministry work in Uganda. Please extend our heartfelt appreciation to the brothers and sisters in WELS for the gift. The gift (vehicle) reminds me of the day you visited us in Uganda to attend our celebration of fellowship and unity in the faith. Thank you for blessing our ministry of the Word in this region of Africa. May the Lord of the church Jesus Christ continue blessing you all for your generous support to the OLS.”

We pray that the gospel ministry being carried out by our brothers and sisters in Uganda will continue to be blessed richly by the Lord.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

View a short video from the service.

Conference aims to empower women to share God’s Word

2024/08/06/in News, Together

More than 450 women gathered at the Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee, Wis., from July 28–30 for the WELS Women’s Ministry Conference. Focused on the book of Acts, the conference theme, “Empowered to proclaim: You will be my witnesses,” was carried out in the conference’s worship, Bible study, and presentations.

“The intent of our conference this year was to mobilize women through the work of the Holy Spirit to spread God’s Word and share the saving message of Jesus in their homes, communities, workplaces, local congregations, and anywhere else God has placed them,” explains Dawn Schulz, chair of WELS Women’s Ministry Committee.

Interest in this conference continues to grow since the initial conference in July 2007. This year women came from 25 states and four countries to hear about ministry topics that are relevant to Christians today. Fifteen breakout sessions (with time for each attendee to attend four) complemented the four keynote presentations as well as the opening worship service and three devotions. Conference organizers put together a five-week reading schedule to encourage all attendees to read the entire book of Acts before the conference.

As one attendee noted, “I loved the focus around the Word.”

Learn more at welswmconference.net. Videos of the conference’s keynote presentations and opening worship service will be released there in the coming months.

Reactions from those who attended the National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts will be published in the Aug. 20 edition of Together.

Watch highlights of the Women’s Ministry Conference in this Together video update:

View photos from the Women’s Ministry Conference:

WELS summer events involve thousands

2024/07/23/in News, Together

For a church body the size of WELS, our synod is blessed to be able to provide a wide variety of spring and summer events. Each of those events presents opportunities for worship, spiritual growth, supporting the synod’s mission, training for service in various ways, and Christian fellowship. Some of the events held in 2024 feature all five elements.

Two of the synod’s summer events happen next week:

WELS Women’s Ministry Conference
The WELS Women’s Ministry Conference will be held July 28-30 at the Ingleside Hotel, Pewaukee, Wis. It is a sold-out conference with 450 attendees planning to come.

WELS National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts
The National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts will take place on the Carthage College campus in Kenosha, Wis., July 30-Aug. 2. More than 800 people have registered to attend. Walk-ins are welcome at the event.

Several other events occurred earlier this summer:

Taste of Missions
Nearly 500 people attended the annual Taste of Missions on June 15 at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., for a day of food, fellowship, fun, and learning about WELS mission work. The event kicked off with a special worship service in the morning, during which nine new home and world missionaries were commissioned.

2024 WELS International Youth Rally

WELS International Youth Rally
From June 25-28, WELS teens had the opportunity to worship together, learn and study God’s Word, grow in faith and fellowship with one another, as well as enjoy recreation and entertainment at the 2024 WELS International Youth Rally. Around 2,200 teens and 600 adults convened at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo. This was the second largest rally ever, second only to the 2005 rally in Orlando, Fla.

Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society convention
The 61st annual convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) in Sioux Falls, S.D., on June 27-30 drew more than 1,000 people for the opening service. This year’s convention theme was “Being Built into a Spiritual House.” Convention highlights included the presentation of more than $100,000 to support WELS Home and World Missions projects and an opportunity to hear about the latest developments from mission administrators. In addition, the LWMS kids c.a.r.e. program received more than $43,000 in 2023–24 to support annual retreats for children of world missionaries who assimilate back to American culture.

WELS Night at the Brewers
More than 2,000 members from around the Midwest enjoyed an evening of fellowship, fun, and baseball at the annual WELS Night at the Brewers on July 12.

Rev. Paul Lindhorst sang the national anthem at WELS Night at the Brewers.

In addition to those synodwide events, summer is also the time throughout the synod when district or regional gatherings are held. Those include such things as district conventions, Sunday school workshops, marriage retreats, Lutheran summer camps, handbell festivals, and lay leadership retreats.

The popularity of these events indicates that we are a synod whose members are willing to give their time to events that support the mission of the synod and provide them with opportunities to grow in their knowledge and be equipped for service.

Learn more about upcoming events at wels.net/events.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

Apache congregations look to offer aid after fire

2024/07/23/in News, Together

Two WELS congregations and one school—Grace Lutheran Church, San Carlos, and Peridot-Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and School, Peridot—were spared any damage when a wildfire swept through parts of the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona on July 11, burning more than 2,000 acres. The fire destroyed 15 homes, displacing 75 people in those communities.

Larger relief organizations provided immediate aid with food, clothing, and personal items to those affected by the fire, but more help will be needed in the weeks and months following the fire. “Now the Lord is giving us an opportunity to help those who aren’t part of our church,” says Rev. Dan Rautenberg, team leader of the Native Christians One Team, who could see the fire burning from his back porch in Peridot.

He continues, “You can’t build a home that quickly. Some of these families will be displaced for quite a length of time. We’re part of the community, and we want to be there and be part of the ongoing support as they get back to their lives.”

Rautenberg says that after reaching out to the families to talk about their needs, the congregations are looking to provide cleaning supplies, tools, and transportation help as these families get back on their feet. They also are working to put together community seminars with counseling for the victims.

The Native Christians One Team will be working closely with WELS Christian Aid and Relief. “In the immediate aftermath of a disaster there is always a lot of help, often more than can be used. Later, interest often wanes and with it the needed assistance,” says Rev. Dan Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief. “We are excited to be partnering with our Native Christians Mission Team to provide ongoing support to those in need.”

Learn more about Native American Missions at wels.net/missions.

LWMS meets in South Dakota for annual convention

2024/07/09/in News, Together

“We are here tonight, and we are here this weekend to remember and to rejoice again that God too has a long-range building plan. And that includes me and you and every single person that our ministries might touch.”

Rev. Jonathan Schroeder from Sharpsburg, Ga., set the tone for the 61st annual convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) in Sioux Falls, S.D., with those words from his sermon in the convention’s opening service.

More than 1,000 people gathered for the opening service. Among them was Paula Pease from Maitland, Fla. Attending her first convention, Pease noted, “The opening service was just phenomenal. Hearing a thousand people singing was just very—I’m going to say it—inspiring.”

This year’s convention theme was “Being Built into a Spiritual House.” Attendees learned about the expanding outreach by One Europe and Native Christians Network mission teams.

Conifer Berg presented information on his work as a missionary to the United Kingdom. He explained the importance of attending the convention—his first: “Our church is a group of maybe 70 people, and they feel really alone. So, I think for them to know that there are 1,000 people in this room who believe the same things they do, it’s huge! It’s like we’re not doing this ministry alone. It really is everything to have that support.”

“The convention,” Berg said, “is such a warm event. It’s like a big hug.”

In addition to world missionaries, home missionaries also shared experiences on outreach in Brandon, S.D., and West Des Moines, Iowa.

Workshops included: The Impact of Indigenous Art and Music on Missions, Trends in Engaging Your Community, Navigating Changes with an Unchanging God, The Real Missionary Wives—A Panel of Current and Former Missionary Wives, and a special Zoom presentation: The Lord Is With You, Mighty Warrior from a missionary in Boston, Mass.

Jacky Stoll from Oconto Falls, Wis., the current president of LWMS, marveled, “How amazing it is to hear from the missionaries in the field, engage with them and their families directly, and network with fellow believers from all over the United States and really the world!”

Convention highlights included the presentation of more than $100,000 to support WELS Home and World Missions projects and an opportunity to hear about the latest developments from WELS Home and World Missions administrators. In addition, the LWMS kids c.a.r.e. program received more than $43,000 in 2023-24 to support annual retreats for children of world missionaries who assimilate back to American culture.

For Mary Watson of Tucson, Ariz., the convention did more than inform her about missionaries who serve where she cannot go in person. She remarked, “What impressed me was just how many missions there are and how many of them just start with a single person connected with another single person, and—maybe that’s what I need to learn more about—making connections with other people in my everyday life. You just don’t know where that’s going to end up.”

The 62nd annual LWMS convention is scheduled to take place June 26-29, 2025, in Tulsa, Okla.

View additional photos:

The Word of the Lord grows—from Hong Kong to New Zealand

2024/07/09/in News, Together

The South Asian Lutheran Evangelical Mission (SALEM) is a sister church body comprised of ten congregations located in Hong Kong. This week, five members of SALEM visited our synod’s headquarters in Waukesha, Wis. They had attended the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society convention and now were visiting various WELS sites in Wisconsin.

What made this visit especially interesting was the report this group shared about a new mission effort in New Zealand. Since 2020, about two dozen members of SALEM moved from Hong Kong to New Zealand. With the help of SALEM, they formed a new mission congregation called SALEM New Zealand Lutheran Church. In the three years since, their group has grown to about 40 Chinese-speaking members. They joyfully described the blessings of their fellowship in this new land, and they were very excited to be sharing the gospel with other Chinese-speaking people there. SALEM will be continuing its support of SALEM New Zealand in the coming years.

The WELS Board for World Missions has provided some modest funding to support their effort. In addition, Missionary Matt Doebler, located in Thailand, will also be providing additional guidance and encouragement to this group.

This is a beautiful reminder that our sister church bodies around the world are not content to keep the gospel for themselves but are also dedicating time and resources to take the gospel to new places and new people.

To get a small glimpse of their faith and mission zeal, you can watch a brief video introducing you to these brothers and sisters in Christ.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

Teens gather for 2024 WELS International Youth Rally

2024/07/09/in News, Together

From June 25-28, WELS teens had the opportunity to worship together, learn and study God’s Word together, grow in faith and fellowship with one another, as well as enjoy recreation and entertainment at the 2024 WELS International Youth Rally. Around 2,200 teens and 600 adults convened at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo. This was the second largest rally ever, second only to the 2005 rally in Orlando, Fla.

The rally started Tues., June 25, with an opening worship service in the evening. Wednesday and Thursday were packed with keynote speakers, small group workshops, and excursions. After closing worship on Friday morning, it was time for everyone to head home.

Rev. Donn Dobberstein, director of discipleship, the area of ministry that holds the event, said, “Keynotes and breakouts were practical and relatable. To sum up what I heard from others regarding the two keynotes—the speakers, their stories, and the Scriptures on which their presentations were based connected with our heads and hearts. Most importantly, they pointed to and connected young hearts and heads with Christ.”

Rev. Dr. Phil Huebner, campus pastor at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Milwaukee, Wis., along with a panel of high school students, presented the first keynote, titled You Are Not Alone! The teens who joined him shared their own journeys filled with mountains and valleys and how God, Christian friends, and family supported them.

“I was really looking forward to speaking to WELS teens because I know how much they are hurting and suffering in very challenging times, and I viewed it as an absolute privilege to be able to encourage them with the message that they are not alone,” says Huebner. “I hope that the teens clearly understood that, most importantly, they are not alone in what they are going through because Jesus is with them every step of the way. Secondly, in Christ we have a family of brothers and sisters, and there are many teens who are going through the same things they are. We can look for opportunities to encourage one another as we find strength in Christ and fellow Christians.”

Rev. Alex Groth, Beautiful Savior, Cincinnati, Ohio, presented the second keynote, titled Certainty from the Mountaintop. Groth says, “When I accepted the invitation, it struck me how important it would be to put a spotlight on God’s grace to this giant gathering of young people. Our culture is pulling them in a million directions, and most of those directions are dangerous. Having a chance to talk about Jesus and the means of grace felt like both a great privilege and a serious responsibility.”

He continues, “I pray that those who heard my presentation first understood the importance of clinging to the means of grace and, second, grasped the reality that our time on earth can be so short. We aren’t guaranteed a certain amount of time on this earth. Therefore, let’s focus on both hearing God’s Word for our own eternal benefit and sharing it with those who haven’t heard it yet.”

Throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, the attendees had a variety of small group workshops to choose from, with topics ranging from tips on how to study the Bible, apologetics, outreach through creating a community and relationships, and Christian vocation.

While in Fort Collins, attendees had the opportunity to enjoy optional recreational activities, including the popular whitewater rafting option, hiking, horseback riding, or the Fort Collins museum.

Mrs. Kris Snyder, event organizer, says, “The comment I hear over and over is how incredible it is to be with so many teens who face the same struggles but have the same hope in Jesus—that WELS teens from around North America get to be with so many other teens who all believe the same thing.” She adds, “Worship in that setting with 2,800 people is incredibly powerful. When do you get the chance to do that? When I heard the musicians, assembly, and choir all join to sing ‘Praise to the Lord, the Almighty’ at closing worship, it was overwhelming!”

View more photos from the event.

Obituary – Steven Lance Witte

2024/07/05/in News

Steven Lance Witte was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., on September 6, 1957, and officially made a child of God through baptism. He was raised in South Haven, Mich., where the Lord grew his faith at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and grade school. He graduated from L.C. Mohr High School in South Haven in 1976, then followed the Lord’s calling to study in the pastoral ministry at Northwestern College in Watertown, Wis. Part time jobs included life guarding at the Watertown community pool and summer camp manager at Camp Lor-Ray Lutheran kids camp near Muskegon, Mich. In 1985 he completed his ministerial studies at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis. Later in 2007, Steve went on to complete a doctorate in divinity at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Boston, Mass.

He married Mary Serwe in 1982. Steve served the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod for many years: as a pastor at Emanuel Lutheran Church in New London, Wis. (07/85 – 08/01), Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Green Bay, Wis. (08/01-08/09), Asia Lutheran Seminary in Kowloon, Hong Kong (08/09-10/21), and most recently on the Asia One Team (Chiang Mai, Thailand). He was faithful, tenacious, creative, and humble in carrying out God’s mission—sharing the Gospel of Christ, the WORD to many, many people in Asia and beyond!

Steve and Mary had five children and 11 grandchildren. Steve, two daughters (Charis Kuehl and Lydia Witte) and three granddaughters (Stella Kuehl, Lena and Merci Henselin) all perished in a house fire on a family vacation. He is survived by wife Mary, sons Seth (Katelyn) in Egan, Minn., and Micah in Columbus, Ohio, daughter Hannah (Karl) and seven grandchildren: Isaiah and Zachary Henselin, Norah and Vera Kuehl, Josiah, Micah and Anna Witte.

Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” pretty much sums up this faithful servant’s life.

A joint memorial service for Steve and his daughter Lydia will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at St. Mark Lutheran Church in De Pere, Wis. (2066 Lawrence Dr, De Pere, WI 54115). Visitation will be from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. with the service to follow at 3:00 p.m. A livestream will also be available at this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/gZpwPbeOpEE

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation to the Steve Witte Memorial Scholarship that will help continue Rev. Dr. Steve Witte’s legacy of helping more people share the gospel with those who have not yet heard of Jesus’ love. It will assist Asia Lutheran Seminary students with tuition (or other costs associated with attending classes) who otherwise would be unable to take classes, receive training, and become leaders throughout Asia.

Support for Missionary Steve Witte’s family

2024/07/03/in Christian Aid and Relief Blog, Disaster Relief, News

Dear friends in Christ,

By now, most of you are aware of the terrible tragedy that has befallen the Witte, Kuehl, and Henselin families. We join you in fervent prayer to our heavenly Father for our dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

WELS Christian Aid and Relief has been working with synodical leadership to determine the best ways for us to assist the families. We are partnering with Christian Family Solutions to provide counseling to family members and others impacted by this tragedy. In addition, we are exploring other ways that we can help in the coming days and weeks.

Some of you have reached out and asked about donations for the families. The best way to do that is to give directly to the families or to make use of the support pages that have been set up to assist them. Here are the links that we have at this time:

Go Fund Me Page for the Kuehl Family

Give Send Go Page for the Henselin Family

We will share more information about how to support the families as it becomes available.

Thank you all for your care, concern, and compassion. Please continue to remember the families in your prayers.

Jesus lives!

In Jesus, our compassionate Savior,
Pastor Dan Sims
Director, WELS Christian Aid and Relief
wels.net/relief

A special statement from WELS President Mark Schroeder

2024/07/01/in News

WELS Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Yesterday, we received the news of a terrible tragedy. Six members of an extended family lost their lives in a house fire at a vacation rental near Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Those now in heaven are:

Pastor Steve Witte, missionary in Thailand

Lydia Witte, daughter of Steve and Mary Witte

Charis Kuehl, wife of Pastor Steve Kuehl, also the daughter of Steve and Mary Witte

Stella Kuehl, daughter of Pastor Steve Kuehl and Charis

Lena Henselin, Karl and Hannah’s daughter (Hannah is the daughter of Pastor Witte)

Merci Henselin, Karl and Hannah’s youngest daughter

By God’s grace, a number of other family members survived. As of now, there are many unanswered questions; authorities continue to investigate.

The pain of losing six members of one family cannot be described with words. The only thing that can begin to bring comfort in such a time of grievous loss are the words that God himself speaks to us. Those words remind us that these members of our extended WELS family are now resting in perfect joy and peace at the side of their Savior. Because he lives, they also live. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11: 25-26). “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:55).

God graciously reminds us what he has done for these faithful servants. His words and promises bring sure hope when hope seems absent. They bring confidence when confidence has been shaken. They bring assurance and comfort when nothing else can do that.

We mourn with these families. We grieve at their terrible loss. But we also know that God will bring healing. As he promised, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). “I will be with you always!” (Matthew 28:20).

On behalf of our entire synod, I want to assure these families that they are in our prayers. We pray that God will remind them of his grace and promises and bring healing to them. We pray that he will continue to help them to hold on to his assurance that he will never leave them or forsake them.

In Christ,

WELS President Mark Schroeder

WELS Christian Aid and Relief, in partnership with Christian Family Solutions, will provide counseling to any family member, church coworker, or any members from impacted congregations where the family worshiped or served. If you, or someone you know, would like to speak with a counselor, you are invited to complete the online request form: https://mapintake.christianfamilysolutions.org.

Rev. Glenn Obenberger, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, offered word of condolences to the Witte, Kuehl, and Henselin families, as well as all WELS members who knew the families:

My heart truly aches for you and all our WELS brothers and sisters in Christ who are so grieved by the tragedy that befell the Witte, Kuehl, and Henselin families. May God grant you the grace of knowing that nothing is able to separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Be assured as your brothers and sisters in the ELS learn of this painful news, we are all offering up prayers on your behalf and will for a long time to follow.

The words of Paul Gerhardt’s hymn come to mind at a time like this:

Why should cross and trial grieve me?
Christ is near With His cheer;
Never will He leave me.
Who can rob me of the heaven
That God’s Son For my own
To my faith hath given?

God oft gives me days of gladness;
Shall I grieve If He give
Seasons, too, of sadness?
God is good and tempers ever
All my ill, And He will
Wholly leave me never.
ELH #377, vv. 1 & 3

May our God and Father comfort and console you with His Word of Resurrection and Life and grant you His merciful help to have courage to face the days ahead trusting in His never-ending love for you all in Christ, our Savior.

In Jesus’ name,
Glenn R. Obenberger

2023 WELS statistical summary

2024/06/18/in News, Together

Rev. Jonathan Hein, WELS Congregational Services coordinator, serves as the guest writer for President Schroeder’s Together column this week.

Each year, WELS collects data from all congregations and schools. WELS Congregational Services compiles this data into a comprehensive statistical report and publishes a statistical summary and analysis.

The 2023 statistical summary shares some good news for which we give thanks to God. Last year, even though WELS total membership declined by about 5,300 (-1.6 percent), the number of WELS members participating in in-person weekly worship increased by almost 8,000 (+6.7 percent). Adult Bible study and Sunday school also saw large increases in participation. 2023 also saw WELS congregations blessed with almost 5,800 adult spiritual gains, the highest total in over a decade.

The statistical analysis for 2023 also digs into the shortage of called workers. In 2023, WELS congregations reported having 264,500 communicant members, a decline of almost 17 percent from the statistical high year of 1990. Yet, WELS has 46 percent more teachers today than in 1990 (about 970 total) and almost the exact same number of active pastors today as in 1990. So, the reality is WELS has more called workers active today than at any point in WELS history. So how can there be a high vacancy rate? The Lord has simply increased the gospel opportunities before us: to grow our local ministries (particularly school expansion), to start new congregations around the country, and to plant new outreach locations around the world.

The statistical analysis discusses the importance of strengthening our efforts to recruit people for gospel ministry as well as creating new pipelines by which one can enter ministry. It also reviews the growing challenge of those efforts in light of the fact that the need for called workers is growing at approximately 2 percent annually at the same time WELS membership is declining at approximately 1.3 percent annually.

You can find the WELS 2023 Statistical Summary and Analysis at welscongregationalservices.net/stats.

Your input is requested! The Together newsletter is produced four times per month and features news articles and videos about mission and ministry news at WELS. Your input has been requested because you have viewed Together content. Thank you for helping WELS Communication Services serve WELS members with news from their synod.

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Two district presidents elected at district conventions

2024/06/18/in News, Together

During this summer’s district conventions, two districts elected new presidents. The Pacific Northwest District elected Rev. Daniel Lange, and the Arizona-California District elected Rev. Joel Heckendorf. They will replace the outgoing presidents: Rev. John Steinbrenner from the Pacific Northwest District, who accepted a call to serve as pastor at Martin Luther, Oshkosh, Wis., and Rev. Jon Buchholz, who chose not to stand for reelection in the Arizona-California District.

Rev. Daniel Lange, Pacific Northwest District president

Rev. Daniel Lange currently serves as pastor at Light of Life, Covington, Wash. Lange was born in Arkansas where his father, Rev. Douglas Lange, was assigned to plant a mission church.

During his childhood summers, Lange, with his family, had the opportunity to stay at a family property near Eagle River, Wis. “This place holds a special place in my heart,” says Lange. “It was here that I received most of my ministry encouragement from my grandfather, Robert Otterstatter. It was at his side, fixing a broken pipe or shingling a cabin roof, where he spent hours talking to me about ‘the good Lord.’”

Lange met his wife, Sara, at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn. “I didn’t know at the time how tremendously the Lord would bless me through Sara,” remarks Lange. “For all the sermons I’ve given, my wife has given more. Her text is ‘Love your husband!’ and her sermons are preached through her daily actions in our house, at our church, and everywhere in our life together.” The Langes have been blessed with three children—Madelyn (14), Olivia (12), and Zachary (9).

As he begins his new role, Lange is grateful for the support and advice he has received from the outgoing district president. “John Steinbrenner continues to teach me many lessons,” says Lange. “In all things, he has placed the kingdom first.”

He continues, “I look forward to visiting our churches and schools. I’m eager to witness how Jesus is blessing them, to pray with them, and to serve them in any manner possible.”

Rev. Joel Heckendorf, Arizona-California District president

Rev. Joel Heckendorf currently serves as pastor at Light of the Valleys, Reno, Nev. As a Wisconsin native who grew up on a dairy farm in Jackson, Heckendorf remarks, “When I took the call to start a mission in Reno, it was the first time I lived outside of Wisconsin and it was the first time I was part of a congregation with less than one thousand members. Being in a mission has helped me gain a whole new perspective on ministry.”

Heckendorf has gathered insights from various people and congregations throughout his life. First, he learned from his parents, who were both involved in their home congregation. But it wasn’t until his senior year in high school that he considered becoming a pastor. “The summer before my senior year, I’d spend a few mornings a week lifting weights and playing basketball with a seminarian from my congregation,” explains Heckendorf. “As he let 17-year-old me hang around his seminary buddies, I started to consider pastoral ministry because of their peer influence.”

Now as he considers his new role as district president, Heckendorf can see how the Lord has prepared him for this path. For example, while serving as pastor at Immanuel, Greenville, Wis., Heckendorf served on the praesidium of the Northern Wisconsin District and learned a great deal from its president, Rev. Joel Zank. Additionally, Heckendorf explains, “Being on Synodical Council the past few years, I admired the laymen and administrators of our synod. Also, serving as Multi-Language Productions’ administrative chairman has broadened my experience to consider many cultures and to work alongside many gifted people.” He also notes how God prepared him through his wife, Mary. “Whether it’s watching her use her gifts or receiving her support, I thank God for providing the perfect complement.”

Heckendorf says he is grateful for all the prayers and words of encouragement through the years. “The number of people who have said they’d love to be my ‘Aaron’— to help hold me up—is amazing,” he says. “No matter what challenges we experience in our personal or professional lives, we can rejoice in the Lord, knowing that he is our Savior.”

Learn more about the role of district presidents in WELS President Rev. Mark Schroeder’s column in this month’s Forward in Christ.

Your input is requested! The Together newsletter is produced four times per month and features news articles and videos about mission and ministry news at WELS. Your input has been requested because you have viewed Together content. Thank you for helping WELS Communication Services serve WELS members with news from their synod.

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A special gift

2023/09/12/in News

Pictured above: Pam with her great-nephew, Shaun, who attends St. Croix Lutheran High School.

Pam with her mother, Esther.

Pam Peterson says her parents, Will and Esther Bauer, were strong Christians who taught her the joy of worship, participating in the congregation, and giving to the Lord. This continued as she grew up, married, and remained active at church. She and her husband were not able to have children, but they were blessed with good jobs, so they supported the Lord’s work at their congregation and through other WELS ministries. They especially enjoyed giving to Christian education, thinking of how their nieces and nephews were blessed through their Lutheran schools.

A couple of years ago God called Pam’s 101-year-old mother to heaven. Pam decided to offer a special gift to honor her parents. She set up a charitable gift annuity with WELS Foundation. Pam shares, “It was one of the things my mom and dad had; they thought it was important enough to do. When my mom passed away in 2021, I took some of the funds that she gave me, and I started that for them in their memory.”

A charitable gift annuity has several benefits. It provides a tax deduction. The quarterly annuity payments that Pam receives are a reminder of her parents’ impact on her life. And Pam appreciates knowing that when she goes to heaven, the remainder of the gift will go to her church and school.

Pam thanks our Savior for the privilege of supporting his kingdom: “I do it because of all the grace the Lord has shown me throughout my life.”

Perhaps a charitable gift annuity is an opportunity for you to support Christ’s work. You can fund a gift annuity for yourself, a loved one, or a friend. And you can direct the remainder of the gift to be used by your congregation, school, synod, area Lutheran high school, or other WELS-affiliated ministry.

Here’s how a charitable gift annuity would work for someone 72 years of age:

Note that this illustration has payments beginning immediately. Payments can also be deferred to a future date. In addition, couples may arrange a gift annuity for both of their lives. You can do a personalized illustration based on your age. Another option is the deferred gift annuity, which provides a tax deduction now while payments start in the future.

If you’re ready to move ahead—or would just like to learn more at this point—your local WELS Christian giving counselor can help. There is no cost or obligation when working with a WELS Christian giving counselor. To get started, call us at 800-827-5482 or e-mail [email protected].

Idalia update from WELS Christian Aid and Relief

2023/08/31/in News

WELS Christian Aid and Relief (CAR) has provided a brief update on Hurricane Idalia, which has been downgraded to a tropical storm. Rev. Dan Sims, director of CAR, says, “This was a powerful storm that had the potential to wreak havoc to all in its path, but our merciful God saw fit to minimize damage and loss. Based on communication with our pastors and other leaders, we are pleased to announce that, at this time, our churches and members are all okay.”

As CAR is a church-based disaster relief organization, it deploys volunteers and assistance to areas that have a WELS church, since the congregation serves as base for CAR to support and supply its volunteers. Thankfully, none of the communities where WELS has churches are in need at this time, and CAR will not be deploying volunteers to help with clean-up work.

Sims says, “If you are in need, or have a neighbor in need, please reach out to your pastor and make him aware of the situation. Your pastor will then get in touch with us. Please continue to remember in your prayers all those impacted by this storm as well as all those working hard to help people in need.”

WELS CENTER FOR MISSION AND MINISTRY

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Christian Aid and Relief responds to Hurricane Helene

Update from South Atlantic District President Rev. Charles Westra

Preparing new home missionaries

Three home missions launch weekly worship

New director named for WELS Church Extension Fund

The charitable gift annuity: “The best thing since sliced bread!”

Encouraging opening enrollment numbers at WELS synodical schools

Kids Connection celebrates 30 years

2025 VEBA open enrollment and rate changes

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New pictorial book will highlight synod history

The Obadiah Lutheran Synod expresses its thanks

Conference aims to empower women to share God’s Word

WELS summer events involve thousands

Apache congregations look to offer aid after fire

LWMS meets in South Dakota for annual convention

The Word of the Lord grows—from Hong Kong to New Zealand

Teens gather for 2024 WELS International Youth Rally

Obituary – Steven Lance Witte

Support for Missionary Steve Witte’s family

A special statement from WELS President Mark Schroeder

2023 WELS statistical summary

Two district presidents elected at district conventions

A special gift

Idalia update from WELS Christian Aid and Relief

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