Europe

The Europe team goes to Brazil

2026/02/03/in Europe, Missions, WELS Blogs, World Missions

Yes, you read that correctly. I don’t know much about Brazil, but I do know it’s not in Europe. So why is the Europe Team going to Brazil?

Remember middle school social studies? During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal led the world in exploration. Portuguese-speaking colonies sprang up across the globe, including one very large region in South America. As a result, Brazil and Portugal still share deep historical, cultural, and economic ties—and strong connections among believers too!

Dr. Artur Villares, president of the Lutheran Church of Portugal, actively fosters relationships with Portuguese-speaking Christians in Brazil and with our sister church there, the Brazilian Lutheran Church. Because the Europe Team treasures these partnerships, we not only support missionaries on the ground but also appoint stateside representatives to focus on specific churches. We are especially blessed to have Rev. Dr. Ken Cherney of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., serving as our representative to Portuguese speakers. Prof. Cherney is a former missionary in Brazil, speaks Portuguese, and enjoys a long-standing friendship with Pastor Villares. Over the Christmas holidays, Dr. Cherney and his wife, Kris, traveled to Brazil to build relationships, encourage leaders, and—most joyfully—celebrate the ordination of a new pastor.

Pastor Gilberto, Marta, Missionary Charlie Flunker, and Dr. Cherney

Saying they “traveled to three locations” sounds simple, but the reality is closer to visiting congregations in Maine, New Mexico, and Florida on a single trip. Brazil is larger than the continental United States, and these small congregations are separated by vast distances. That isolation means they rarely have the opportunity to gather with fellow believers for encouragement. Dr. Cherney’s visit, therefore, was especially meaningful.

Their first stop was Fortaleza, a city in northeastern Brazil. There, Dr. Cherney met two gifted Lutheran leaders, Daniel and Marcelo, who hope to join fellowship with the Lutheran Church of Portugal. Daniel pastors a small congregation, holds a PhD in philosophy, and has written several books, including a defense of the doctrine of objective justification. Marcelo, a member of Daniel’s congregation, is currently completing graduate studies. Both men are warm, passionate about Lutheran theology, and deeply committed to ministry.

Ordination and installation of Gilberto Andrade da Silva

From Fortaleza, Dr. Cherney and Kris traveled 14 hours to Dourados, a city of 265,000 in southwestern Brazil, for a very special event. On December 28, 2025, Gilberto Andrade da Silva was ordained and installed as pastor of Star of Bethlehem Congregation in Dourados (pictured above), as well as a daughter congregation located six hours away. Gilberto is a humble, friendly man who speaks easily about his deep love for the Lord, for Scripture, and for souls. His wife, Marta, is a joyful and supportive partner in his ministry.

Missionary Charlie Flunker and his wife, Beth, began serving in Dourados in 1989, and later served the daughter congregation as well—that’s nearly 40 years of faithful service! Beth has returned to the United States for health reasons, and now that Gilberto has been installed, Charlie plans to conclude his work and join her in retirement. Charlie and Beth, thank you for your tireless dedication to God’s people in Brazil. We pray that the Lord bless you with many happy years ahead, and that he richly bless Gilberto, Marta, and the congregations they serve.

Pastor Gilberto and his wife, Marta

Finally, Dr. Cherney and Kris traveled 24 hours to Governador Valadares, a city of 260,000 more than 1,000 miles to the east. There they met with Evangelist Denício Godoy, who translates materials into Portuguese and manages the Brazilian Lutheran Church’s online presence. Denício also works as a radio announcer and is completing certification to teach in public schools.

Please join me in thanking God for our brothers and sisters in Brazil—for faithful leaders and members, for a new pastor, and for the strong partnership we share with the Lutheran churches in Portugal and Brazil. As Dr. Cherney put it, “If you’re a WELS member, you have Brazilian brothers and sisters in Christ who love and respect your church and are excited to partner with you in bringing the unconditional gospel to their country. They would want me to send you um grande abraço em Cristo – a big hug in Christ!”

Written by Jennifer Wolfgramm, world missionary in Europe

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An unexpected journey

2025/10/30/in Europe, Missions, WELS Blogs, World Missions

Cross-cultural outreach centers around diaspora (people group) connections, through which immigrants who have joined WELS congregations in North America are able to take the gospel back to friends and family in their home countries.

I am Wei Nadine Li from Hong Kong, originally from mainland East Asia. I am a non-traditional student studying elementary education at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn. For many years, I was a happy full-time mother until an unexpected journey brought me to the United States in the summer of 2022. During that time, Pastor Titus, from our home church in Hong Kong, strongly encouraged me to visit MLC for my son Ben’s future college application. I listened and that visit changed my life.

Wei Nadine Li (right) spends time at Oak Hill Living Center with the Anchor Club at MLC

After Ben transferred to East Asia Rising Eagles School, I joined Mrs. Hannah Boughton/Zhang’s mom’s group. Ben was taught religion by Mr. Philip Scriver, a former Friends Network teacher. Soon after, our family of three was baptized together in front of the East Asia WELS church congregation and Friends Network ministry workers.

Now, nine years later, I am a student teacher receiving training in Mr. Scriver’s classroom at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in New Ulm, Minn. How amazing is that? God is almighty! I am also thankful for my husband, Steve. Without his strong support, I could not have completed this life-changing chance.

I cannot count the times I have cried tears of gratitude. Many times, I wondered how I could survive even a week without all the kind help I have received from so many people. But I know that God remembers every single name. The love shown to me has been the picture of true Christian faith. I feel loved every day, and I often think about how I can repay that love.

My previous advisor, Prof. Tingting Schwartz, once told me, “Do not think of rewarding those who helped you, but reward others.” Through her words, I realized that I owe everything to God himself. His love pours into me through the many Christians I’ve met. They fill my heart, and the love of Jesus wants to flow through me to anyone who needs him, especially those in East Asia.

I love to share my experiences with my friends back in East Asia. My Christian friends and I thank God and marvel that such a place like New Ulm exists in the world. They are encouraged by the Christians I have met there. Even my non-Christian friends are often surprised by the blessings God has given me and say with amazement, “Your God is so good!” Each time, I can’t help but smile and reply, “Jesus is not only my God, he is yours as well.” Those words often lead to long talks. I admit I am not always able to give the perfect Bible passage, but I know my mission as a Christian is to spread God’s Word with all people in all places. With Jesus leading me, I am on the right path.

Now graduation is coming soon, and I continue to ask myself how I can thank him. My prayer is simple: “Send me, send me, my Lord. Here am I.”

Written by Wei Nadine Li

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From a U.K. Baptist to a confessional Lutheran pastor

2025/07/24/in Europe, Missions, WELS Blogs, World Missions

In August 2010, my wife Caroline and I moved from Gloucester, England, to the east coast of the United States for a temporary work relocation. Having been active in our local Baptist church in England for more than 20 years, we naturally sought a Baptist church in the area. After attending services at Baptist and non-denominational churches nearby, we had a deep sense of unease and realized something fundamental was missing—but we weren’t sure what that might be. After listening to sermons from the local WELS church online, there was something different about them. We thought we’d give it a go.

The very first service we attended blew us away: the liturgy, the Christ-centered sermons, worship that put the majesty of God the Father and Jesus Christ’s sacrifice at its core, Law and Gospel, the knowledge that scripture is God’s Holy Word, using Scripture to interpret Scripture, justification by faith alone, the clear doctrine, the incredible deep teaching of the truth. . . wow! We realized we’d been missing so many things for so long that we weren’t even aware we were missing.

We completed Bible information class, and after spending some extra time challenging our Baptist understanding of the truth of Scripture on infant baptism and close communion, we became members of Christ Lutheran Church in Clarksville, Md., in early 2011.

Returning to the U.K. in September 2015, we were filled with trepidation. We couldn’t go back to the Baptist church—but where would we find a WELS-affiliated, English-speaking church in the U.K.? Did one even exist?

Miraculously, we found that a WELS pastor commuted all the way from Ramstein, Germany, to hold a service on the first Sunday of each month at a place called Northwood, in the suburbs of northwest London. Despite being almost 100 miles away, we were so grateful to God for providing this congregation and a wonderful WELS pastor that the four-hour round trip once a month was no problem. We continued to pray that God would send a permanent WELS pastor to the U.K. so that we could have weekly services.

In 2022, WELS members at Northwood officially invited WELS World Missions to send trained pastors to help establish and serve congregations in the U.K.

In an astonishing answer to prayer, two missionary pastors were sent: Pastor Mike Hartman and Pastor Conifer Berg. By June 2023, weekly services were established in Aldgate, London—soon followed by a WELS family in Wolverhampton (near Birmingham, U.K.) generously opening their home to host weekly Sunday services. The location in Wolverhampton was led by retired Pastor Paul Hartman, who had graciously committed to spending six months in the U.K. with his wife Carol to help establish the congregation there, while the congregation in London grew under the leadership of Pastor Mike and Pastor Conifer.

As Wolverhampton is only just over an hour drive for us, my wife and I were able to support this fledgling congregation. We started attending weekly services there in August 2023. Our prayers had remarkably been answered! But this wasn’t sufficient for God—he had bigger plans!

Pastor Paul and Carol’s tourist visa expired in March 2024, so Pastor Conifer Berg stepped in to lead the Wolverhampton house church for one Sunday per month, and two other men and I stepped up as lay leaders to lead the other three Sundays each month. We were soon blessed by the hospitality of the local Anglican church at St. John’s Church, Essington, who kindly offered the use of their newly built church hall. Our first service there took place in July 2024.

In August 2024, I retired from my secular job and enrolled at the Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI) in October 2024, with the aim of achieving a B.Div. (Bachelor of Divinity) to become a full-time pastor and help bring true biblical teaching to the people of the U.K.

In September, Pastor Conifer and his family returned to the U.S., and within weeks, the congregation at Wolverhampton called me to be their pastor! What an honor! Praise God! Since October 2024, I have been leading services, writing sermons and mid-week Bible studies. And although I’ve a long way to go in my training, I can truly call the congregation at Wolverhampton my sheep. It still raises a lump in my throat when they call me “pastor.”

There have been so many miracles along the way that I’m sometimes in danger of taking them for granted. Having the opportunity to reflect and write this blog is a humbling experience—it shows God’s hand is in all that we’re doing, and he has an amazing plan for the U.K.

The Lutheran Reformation that swept through Europe in the 16th century bypassed U.K. Christians. But non-Christians in the U.K. are growing in hunger for the truth and the certainty of salvation that can only come from the true gospel. It is our heartfelt prayer that we can help to bring that to the people of the U.K., so that when they walk into our church, they have the same “wow” experience Caroline and I had back in 2010 when we walked into Christ Lutheran Church—and continue to have every time we hear God’s Word.

Written by Mr. Lawrence McCatty, Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI) student and leader at Holy Word in Wolverhampton.

Read more about Lawrence and Caroline McCatty in their Confessions of faith story from Forward in Christ magazine.

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European Regional CELC Conference

2025/06/24/in Europe, Missions, World Missions

Originally appears in the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) newsletter. Subscribe to future updates from the CELC at celc.info/signup.

“The creation of man—Wonderful news for the world.” This was the topic of our European Regional CELC Conference hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (ELFK) in Nerchau, Germany, on May 22-25, 2025. Nerchau is close to Grimma, the place of the ninth triennial convention of the CELC in 2017. St. John’s Congregation in Nerchau is currently vacant, but a group of volunteers supported the preparation of this regional CELC conference.

Approximately 50 guests from different countries attended the conference. We were especially thankful that Bishop Horpynchuk from the Ukrainian Lutheran Church and Dmytro Maksymenko were among them. The latter serves as the Director of the “Gift of Life” International Charitable Foundation in Ukraine. Our Russian brothers sent a video message, and our brother Iliyan Itsov (Bulgaria) wrote greetings, since he was not able to attend our conference. Dr. Ugis Sildegs (Latvia), who had prepared one of the four papers, could not attend the conference because of problems with his car. As guests from outside of Europe, we welcomed Prof. Tim Schmeling (ELS) as guest presenter, Rev. Larry Schlomer (WELS World Missions administrator), Rev. Jonathan Schroeder (WELS Board for World Missions chairman), and Rev. Tom Heyn (ELS).

We enjoyed a blessed time together with four excellent papers. Two of the papers were prepared by Prof. Tim Schmeling. His first lecture was titled, “Man—Created by God.” His second lecture was our last and titled, “Man—Created in the Image of God.” Our second lecture was prepared by Rev. Nikolla Bishka from Albania, together with Rev. Luke Wolfgramm, the WELS World Missionary and Pastoral Studies Institute adjunct instructor for Europe. “Man—Created as Male and Female” was the topic of their paper. The third lecture was prepared by Dr. Ugis Sildegs. His paper was titled: “Man—Creation with Body and Soul: Today’s Challenges” and was presented by Rev. Holger Weiß, the chairman of CELC European Region.

Rev. Jonathan Schroeder gave a short overview of the WELS worldwide mission work. Rev. Tom Heyn gave some information about the ELS work, especially in Europe, but also worldwide. Larry Schlomer introduced the WELS call for Jennifer Wolfgramm as WELS mobile ministry partner for women in Europe. He explained her tasks and offered her help for all the work among women in the European CELC churches.

The conference ended with a closing worship service including the Lord’s Supper. The liturgy was conducted in German by myself, and Rev. Holger Weiß preached the sermon on Isaiah 55:6-11 under the topic “Seek the Lord!” After the sermon, Jennifer Wolfgramm was installed by Rev. Larry Schlomer. You can watch the video of the closing service on YouTube.

God willing, the next European Regional CELC conference will be hosted by the LBK Sweden on June 18-20, 2027. But before that, we are looking forward to the next triennial CELC Convention in Zambia on May 29–June 1, 2026.

Written by Rev. Michael Herbst, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (ELFK) in Germany

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Moments with Missionaries – Erik Landwehr

2025/05/21/in Europe, Home Missions, Missions, World Missions

Missionary Erik Landwehr shares and update from Peridot Lutheran School on the San Carlos Reservation. Rev. Landwehr shares some goals the Native American mission team has for the mission field and the work being done to train Native American leaders through the Apache Christian Training School (ACTS) program. Hear more from Missionary Landwehr and save the date for this year’s Taste of Missions on June 14, 2025, at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis.

P.S. – Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to watch even more videos from our missionaries in the upcoming weeks!

Moments with Missionaries – Mike Hartman

2025/05/08/in Europe, Home Missions, Missions, World Missions

Missionary Mike Hartman shares and update from the mission in London! London’s international population brings together a diverse range of religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds. Rev. Mike Hartman shares how his ministry is reaching communities across England and beyond, and and save the date for this year’s Taste of Missions on June 14, 2025 at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

P.S. – Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to watch even more videos from our missionaries in the upcoming weeks!

A partnership for the gospel

2025/04/17/in Europe, Missions, WELS Blogs, World Missions

When I was a girl, I remember learning about church fellowship. It was always something negative. “Don’t commune with them,” or “I can’t worship with her.” Now, on the Europe Team, I am blessed to see the positive, warm, happy side of church fellowship. And I see it every day! The Europe Team partners with about a dozen sister churches—churches with whom we share fellowship. What does that actually mean? Does it mean that when I visit Berlin, or Tirana, or Stockholm, there is a worship service that I can gladly join? Yes, absolutely, and much, much more!

In Philippians 1:4,5, St. Paul gives thanks for believers with whom he shares a “partnership in the gospel.” Fellowship means working together to proclaim Jesus’ good news. None of our churches is large, or has all the ideas, or has all the gifts. Fellowship means partnering to share experiences, ideas, resources, and gifts.

Meet Benni (Benjamin Hugk)—a seminary student at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary from the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church—Germany (ELFK), our sister church in Germany.

Let me give you a concrete example.

Meet Benni. Benjamin (Benni) Hugk is a seminary student from the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church—Germany (ELFK), our sister church in Germany. For a while, Benni was the only student in the ELFK seminary. Benni loves people, so studying alone was not so easy. Benni applied to study for a year at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis. He wanted to meet and study with many brothers as well as have the opportunity to get to know WELS better.

Benni arrived in Mequon in August 2024, eager to make the most of his year in the United States.

Benni’s love for people goes hand-in-hand with his special gift for evangelism. He finds it easy to talk with people and naturally directs their conversation to Christ. Benni set the goal for himself to develop his evangelism skills even more at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Here are a few examples:

He’s taking as many evangelism courses as possible. For one course, he and a partner set up a donut stand at Marquette University in Milwaukee. The price of a donut? Asking Benni a spiritual question and discussing it.
During Winterim, he joined Prof. Allen Sorum on an evangelism trip to Houston for canvassing and a food drive. There he learned to “be comfortable with the uncomfortable.”
At Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s Mission and Ministry event in February, he listened to presentations about encouraging and motivating others in our congregations to do personal evangelism. He loved the mission mindset throughout the event: “I want to keep that mindset and bring it home to Germany.”

Benni appreciates that Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary holds the students to high standards but also provides great support. “The professors are real people who care about the students and understand struggles. They provide support and encouragement so that no one falls through the cracks.”

When I spoke with Benni, he had just returned from a ten-day tour singing with the Seminary Chorus at churches in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota, and Minnesota. The first concert of the tour at St. John’s on the Hillside in Milwaukee drew more than 1,100 listeners! Almost every night, the choir stayed with host families. “I got to know very different families and how they live, their view on church and things in the world. It’s nice to have this point of view.”

So far Benni’s favorite experience has been spending Christmas vacation with a host family in Connecticut. “Staying with a family 24/7 gives you a chance to get beyond the usual questions and have a chance to open up.”

Throughout the tour Benni saw that WELS is a “large and strong synod across the ocean who recognizes and supports us. We share the same faith with them.” Being part of a large fellowship is very encouraging, and it’s even more amazing when you are blessed to see this large fellowship with your own eyes!

But Benni isn’t the only one who has been blessed by the year at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Prof. Sorum says, “Benni has been a wonderful addition to our seminary family. He brings an important perspective to our classroom discussions. He brings a special charm to every interaction with his American cohorts. Benni’s visit has expanded our grasp and appreciation of an international Lutheran fellowship.”

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” When you think of fellowship, remember Benni—the German seminary student with a heart for people—having conversations about Christ from Leipzig to Mequon to Connecticut to Houston to Denver.

Written by Jennifer Wolfgramm, wife of a world missionary on the Europe mission team

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Blessings through war—an update from Ukraine

2025/01/21/in Europe, Missions, News, Together, World Missions

It has been nearly three years since Russia first invaded Ukraine in an attempt to take control of the country. Cities have been destroyed and infrastructure decimated. The number of casualties Ukraine has suffered is difficult to ascertain, but it is well into the tens of thousands.

Against this backdrop of devastation, destruction, and death, God is working. The power of his love and his Word can be seen clearly in the updates from the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC), WELS’ sister synod in Ukraine.

From the beginning of the war, WELS provided financial assistance to the ULC so our brothers and sisters could help each other and their neighbors with basic needs, such as food, medicine, clothing, and fuel. In fact, Christ’s love flowed so generously through WELS members that there is enough funding to cover current needs and anticipated future aid. The most important thing shared, however, has been the saving gospel message of Christ and the hope all Christians have through our risen Savior.

Pastor Vyacheslav Horpynchuk, bishop of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church, recently provided a detailed update. Here is a summary of the highlights:

The ULC has 14 congregations, 12 pastors, and 5 deacons, serving 655 members.
Three congregations had to temporarily suspend worship services due to attacks in their areas.
While services in Bereznehuvate had to cease temporarily, once Russian forces were out of the area, the congregation not only resumed regular worship, but also started a mission in Snihurivka, with an average of 100 people attending each week.
The pastor for the congregation in Tokmak had to leave the city after Russians started arresting Protestant pastors. Many members left as well.
Thousands of people have received aid in the form of food, medicine, household supplies, clothes, and more through the ULC.

“We are grateful to WELS for helping us to buy electric generators, charging stations, electric inverters, and lots of firewood. During three war winters we have light in our churches, in most of our homes, and we are warm. Thank you also for the warm clothes and winter shoes!”—Horpynchuk

With the aid, ULC members have been able to help each other repair damage to homes after attacks.
In Kyiv, 90 people have joined the church and 30 more are taking catechism class.

“People suffer and we continue to help them. We have about 150 new communicant members [throughout ULC churches] because of our humanitarian efforts, and about 100 more people are currently studying Luther’s Small Catechism. In addition, several hundred new people attend the church every Sunday without enrolling in catechism classes. We hope and pray the Word will not return empty in their case as well.”—Horpynchuk

“God’s Word provided us comfort and strength to live, resist the Russian invasion, and help thousands of suffering people around us,” concluded Horpynchuk. “Please continue to pray for us and help us in time of our dire need. We are grateful to all WELS members and to the United States of America. God bless WELS! God bless America! Please pray that this war is finished soon!”

Read the entire, unedited update from Pastor Vyacheslav Horpynchuk.

“Night of house music” in Leipzig, Germany

2024/12/05/in Europe, Missions, WELS Blogs, World Missions

On Sat., Nov. 23, 2024, our sister congregation in Leipzig, Germany, participated in an annual citywide event sponsored by a cultural group called the Leipzig Music Trail Association. Lu Hirsch, a member of Holy Trinity Congregation, organized the event. Read Lu’s description:

Every year the Leipzig Music Trail Association organizes a “Night of House Music.” Hosts open their homes, stores, rooms, and museums to enjoy music together. The event always takes place the evening before the last Sunday of the church year at 7:00 p.m.

Those who wish to host a concert register with the association. They tell how many musicians and which instruments will be featured. The association posts all the concerts on its website, and people can sign up to attend concerts throughout the city.

This year, our congregation, Holy Trinity, hosted a concert for the second time.

Fifteen amateur musicians from our congregation play many different instruments: piano, organ, violin, flute, trumpet, bass clarinet, cello, and double bass. We were able to perform very different pieces from baroque to classical to klezmer.

During a short intermission, we had opportunity to talk to our guests. A woman who also attended last year particularly enjoyed the many young musicians and the variety of music. She was also interested in our congregation, church services, and other events we might host.

Other than a large cross on the outside, our church building looks much like a regular house, so it is always important to make people aware of the congregation here.

The Night of House Music is a good opportunity to invite music lovers and interested people into our worship space to talk about our faith and our hope.

I was honored to attend the Night of House Music at our Leipzig congregation and play a small part. These were my five favorite takeaways:

1. An outreach opportunity especially suited to Leipzig! Leipzig has long celebrated music and musicians. Bach and Mendelssohn spent significant portions of their careers in Leipzig. Mendelssohn founded Germany’s first music conservatory in Leipzig. Here he trained musicians for the city’s orchestra, which he conducted. Leipzig’s prominence as a book and music publishing center from the 18th to the 20th centuries drew composers to the city as well. The love of music lives on! Every weekend the old cathedrals downtown are filled for nearly free concerts by local choirs and instrumentalists. The opera and symphony hold places of honor. Friends gather in their homes to play music and sing together. Leipzigers love music and appreciate musicians! What could be better than a concert to invite the neighborhood into church?

2. A lay-led evangelism effort. The musicians of our Leipzig congregation took the initiative and conducted the event from start to finish, freeing their pastor for other important work. The musicians acted as hosts for the concert, not only introducing the pieces being played, but describing how we gather in this same room every Sunday morning to listen to God’s Word in the Bible, sing hymns, pray, and grow in our faith.

3. More than a third of the musicians were kids! I loved listening to the children and teenagers of the congregation gladly sharing their musical gifts with the neighborhood.

4. More than intermission . . . halfway through the concert, the musicians and guests enjoyed fellowship and refreshments, a valuable time to talk together and make connections with the community.

5. A fun day for the musicians! The musicians came early in the day to rehearse and set up the church for the concert. We enjoyed the afternoon of visiting, decorating, coffee-drinking, and eating together before the guests arrived for the concert. Growing together as a congregation was the icing on the cake!

Written by Jennifer Wolfgramm, wife of world missionary on the Europe One Team, and Lu Hirsch.

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It’s better to have 100 friends than 100 rubles

2024/10/17/in Cross-cultural outreach, Europe, Missions, WELS Blogs, World Missions

“It’s better to have 100 friends than 100 rubles!”

This bit of Russian folk wisdom comes from a time when 100 rubles was worth a lot of money. Having many talented friends who can help in different situations makes life a lot easier – especially for people living in a collective society.

God has blessed me with many friends.

From Siberia to Portugal, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, God has allowed me to develop deep, spiritual relationships with many dear brothers and sisters. The members of Jesus’ body are precious, blood-bought souls carefully gathered by the Lord of the Church and placed exactly where he wants for our mutual edification and his glory.

Recently God has blessed me with some new friends in the U.K. and back “home” in the WELS. Let me explain.

Pete Myers served in the ministerium of the Church of England. He is a Hebrew scholar and worked for several years as a professor of Old Testament studies at a seminary in Ethiopia. Pete is a sincere man who wants to confess solid Biblical faith in Christ. To make a long story short, Pete became Lutheran through an independent study of classic Lutheran writings and began searching for a Lutheran church faithful to scripture. After moving back to London, he met Missionary Michael Hartman. The two of them spent hours discussing what we in WELS believe on the basis of Holy Scripture. God blessed those conversations. Several months ago, Pete and his family joined our fellowship. Since then, they have moved to Manchester (a major city about four hours north of London), where Pete is supporting himself with secular work as a math teacher. But his real passion is to plant a congregation in Manchester that enjoys fellowship with our hub church in London.

We’re thankful for Pete and his family, and we’re excited about blessings God is giving to his people through them. But we also want Pete to deepen his understanding of confessional Lutheranism, and we want those in our broader Lutheran fellowship (CELC) to have confidence that we share a common faith. What should we do?

Let me introduce you to some partners in WELS who are helping us.

Professor Allen Sorum teaches at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. He is also part of the Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI). Professor Sorum has broad experience working with men who want to prepare for ministry not only in North America, but around the world. He serves as the PSI representative to our Europe team. This past June, he arranged for Pete to spend a couple weeks on our seminary campus in Mequon. Here Pete attended summer quarter classes and spoke with faculty members about a wide variety of doctrinal topics.

While in Mequon, Pete met another friend of mine, Professor Jim Danell. Professor Danell serves on the faculty of Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn., where he helps prepare young men for ministry. He also serves as the chairman of WELS Commission on Inter-Church Relations (CICR). This commission works to ensure that we indeed share authentic doctrinal fellowship with our brothers and sisters around the world. He is the CICR representative to our Europe team.

I’m so thankful that Professor Sorum and Professor Danell join our Europe team meetings every week. They understand the work that we are carrying out in Europe. Having PSI and CICR working together with World Missions has been a tremendous blessing. God richly blessed Pete’s time during summer quarter, and there are plans in place for continued doctrinal conversations with key representatives in WELS to ensure that we are all walking together and contending for Jesus’ truth.

Please join me in giving thanks for the gifted friends the Savior gives us in his Church. Let’s continue to work together to share Jesus’ good news with the world!

Written by Rev. Luke Wolfgramm, world missionary on the Europe One Team.

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Summer Quarter in Europe

2024/07/18/in Europe, Missions, WELS Blogs, World Missions

Pastors and members of our European sister churches treasure their rare opportunities for in-person fellowship. Summer Quarters are a special chance for the brothers to gather and study, discuss, listen, encourage, and inspire. I was able to sit down with Benjamin for a little Q&A. Benjamin described this year’s Summer Quarter and how a past Summer Quarter changed his life.

Benjamin: Immediately after the 95th Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (ELFK) Synod Convention, I was able to travel with some brothers to ‘Summer Quarter’ in Nerchau. These are theological courses that are organized for pastors and students from our European sister churches of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) for training and further education and for interested people of all backgrounds. From June 10-21, 2024, up to 10 guests from Albania, Bulgaria, Sweden, and various parts of Germany came together.

The lectures were held in English. In the first week, WELS Missionary Luke Wolfgramm introduced us to the prophet Ezekiel and his message of hope in a world gone mad. We looked at his historical background, his ‘street performances,’ his visions, and God’s amazing messages of judgment and forgiveness.

In the second week, Rector Holger Weiß took us on the three missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul. With Paul, we took a special look at his sermons, his difficulties, and persecutions in his missionary work. In doing so, we repeatedly discovered how skillfully Jesus builds the church through his powerful word and brings his salvation to the ends of the earth. We were able to draw parallels from both weeks for our service as ambassadors of God and our lives as Christians in our present day.

On the weekend between classes, we attended the 100th anniversary celebration of the Schönfeld congregation, visited the Reformation city of Torgau, and just spent time together. We were treated to the best of food with the help of hard-working women from the Leipzig congregation. Praise be given to the hosts, suppliers, and our triune God for this blessed time.

Jennifer: Most of our readers have heard of Wittenberg and Wartburg, but maybe not Torgau. What’s special about Torgau?

Benjamin: Torgau is only about an hour from Wittenberg. Martin Luther and other reformers met there to write the Torgau Articles, which were an important stepping stone to the Augsburg Confession. Also, the chapel of the Torgau castle is significant because it was designed according to Martin Luther’s recommendations. I personally love Torgau because I spent two years working there before I began studying at the seminary.

Jennifer: What was your first profession, and how did you decide to study for ministry?

Benjamin: Ha, Jennifer, it was at a Summer Quarter that it happened, and it was Luke (Missionary Wolfgramm) who was the turning point!

Jennifer: What? My Luke? At a Summer Quarter? I didn’t know that!

Benjamin: I studied to be a chemist for work in a drug store. But I didn’t want to work in a drug store for the rest of my life. Occasionally I thought about studying theology, but I just kept it in the back of my head as one of many possibilities.

My pastor in Dresden had suggested a few times that I go to Summer Quarter. In 2019 my vacation time lined up with the Summer Quarter, which was in Sweden. I have lots of friends in that area, so I thought I could combine some Bible study with visiting friends. And it was at that 2019 Summer Quarter that the turning point for me happened.

Luke and I got to know each other at Summer Quarter that year. There he said to me, ‘Benni, I think you’d be a good fit for seminary. Maybe you should think about studying to be a pastor.’

So I started thinking seriously about being a pastor. After that Summer Quarter, back home in Germany, various troubles were concerning me. I called up a friend who is an ELFK pastor, and he gave me good answers from the Bible about these everyday questions. I thought, if the Bible can give answers to all these questions even about everyday life, I want to share this with others too. Shortly after this, I started studying at our ELFK seminary in Leipzig.

Soon Benni is off for his next ministry adventure: in August he heads to Mequon, Wis., for a year of study at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Please keep Benni in your prayers as he continues his studies and pray that many more brothers are blessed through Summer Quarter in the future!

Shared by Jennifer Wolfgramm, world missionary wife based in Leipzig, Germany

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An update from the Ukrainian Lutheran Church

2024/06/06/in Europe, Missions, WELS Blogs, World Missions

God has not forgotten or forsaken his faithful in Ukraine in the midst of war. The work of the pastors of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC) is an inspiration to many. There are many new opportunities to pray with people, read portions of Scripture, have devotions, and even hold services in new mission stations. Since the beginning of the war, four new missions have begun. The Word of God comforts people in times of sadness and despair, and this is evidenced in large measure to the pastors and those lay people who have remained in their homes.

With support from WELS and WELS sister churches around the world, Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC) pastors have been able to buy and distribute needed food, medicines, fuel, and clothing to help those desperate for these daily needs. Many times these are distributed after a worship service. This way the people receive spiritual food as well as physical provisions. Bishop Horpynchuk, who serves Resurrection Lutheran Church in Kiev, said, “We thank the Lord for our brothers and sisters in WELS, and sister church bodies, for your aid that helps so many people to survive physically. Thousands of the needy around all of Ukraine have received and continue to receive food, clothes, and basic medicine. But you rescue not only bodies. All these people hear also the Word, the law and the gospel. And the Word does its work! Hundreds of people became communicant members of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church and attend the worship services faithfully.”

Resurrection Lutheran in Kiev has had many visitors and has now gone to two Sunday morning worship services, averaging nearly 150 worshipers each Sunday. On Pentecost Sunday in 2023, more than 70 people were confirmed in the Christian faith and now commune with their fellow members. Of those 70, nearly all of them continue to worship regularly each week.

Another example of how God can use even the worst of times to bring about wonderful blessings is told by Pastor Yuri Tytski who serves in Bereznehuvate. Due to the Russian invasion, Pastor Tytski relocated with his family to the city of Kremenets, about 500 miles away. While helping distribute aid in Kremenets, Pastor Tytski met two families who were from Snihurivka, a town very close to Bereznehuvate. He met with them, prayed with them, and began having devotions with them. After some time, when it was safe to return, Pastor Tytski went home to Bereznehuvate and the two families to their homes in Snihurivka. Pastor Tytski then continued to meet with them and have Bible studies; some of their neighbors even came. A few months ago, 30 of these people were instructed and are now members of a mission church where services are held once a month. How can one not see the hand of God at work? God caused these people to travel 500 miles where a pastor was led to them, and now they are redeemed children of God, through the blood of Jesus their Savior. It’s safe to say that the war brought them together. We don’t always know how or why God allows the things that he does, but we rejoice in how God continues to grow his church here on earth during what we would consider the worst of times.

All the ULC Pastors are providing an invaluable service to the people of Ukraine by comforting those who they meet with God’s Word and prayer. It reminds us that the kingdom often grows one person at a time. There continue to be so many people who are hurting; those who have lost loved ones, are not certain where their loved ones are, or if they are even alive. Prayers offered by pastors bring these hurting and grieving people true comfort and hope. It also reminds them that there are people who care about them, that they are not alone. Bishop summarized the attitude of the pastors and people of the ULC this way, “The war brought so much suffering, ruin, and death into our country; yet they cannot separate us from Christ’s love and life eternal he has won for us by his holy suffering, death, and resurrection. He lives and we live in him.”

Thank you for your love and concern for the people of Ukraine, the pastors, and Bishop Horpynchuk, their spiritual leader and guide. Your prayers are being heard and God has been protecting his people. May God, in his mercy, bring this war to an end soon.

Written by Rev. Roger Neumann, WELS Liaison to the Ukrainian Lutheran Church

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Mission Journeys: Connecting with cultures in the U.K.

2024/03/26/in Europe, Missions, WELS Blogs, World Missions

“John 3:16 tells us that ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ Our sins are forgiven and heaven is our home because of Jesus!”

This was our response to a question moments earlier. We were attending a course on Christianity and a young man had asked, “But why did Jesus need to die on the cross?” As lifelong WELS Lutherans, we were eager to provide the answer we knew so well. But, as we surveyed the room, we were met with blank stares and raised eyebrows. The course leader moved on quickly with another question, “So, do you guys actually think Jesus rose from the dead?” People went on to debate theories and opinions, never once mentioning the Bible. We left the class with heavy hearts. In a room full of 30 questioning Christians, why did our words have little to no effect? Why did the Bible cause so much confusion and offense? We realized that for those British Christians, evidence, emotion, and reason determined faith; not God’s Word.

How do we communicate God’s word in a culture that is not our own? During our six months of volunteering for WELS Missions in the United Kingdom, Pastor Michael Hartman challenged us to answer this question while working to start a church in Central London. By visiting other churches and building relationships with locals, we have learned that the vast majority of London churches lack a clear understanding of the Bible and disregard the Means of Grace entirely. They view Jesus as a good role model and God as our benevolent cheerleader. People in the U.K. are missing the real hope found in the Bible.

Realizing that Biblical illiteracy would play a role in how we communicate Christ, British members of the U.K. mission effort decided to name the church, “Holy Word – Your Hope.” This name and tagline communicates that our church values God’s holy word as its foundation. Through Scripture-based worship services and quality Bible courses, we plan to spread our hope to searching souls in London and across the U.K.

Connecting with cultural values provides opportunities to share God’s Word in an unfamiliar setting. In the past, WELS has done this in various countries by providing free medical care, English classes, and soccer camps. In the United Kingdom, we have found that charity work is highly valued. There are thousands of charities sprinkled throughout London, with programs to help protect the environment, make and distribute meals for the poor, and provide companionship for the lonely. Many people, including the royal family, dedicate hours of their time to volunteer work. We plan to reach out within our communities by providing volunteers for various charities in London throughout the summer. We hope to build relationships through these volunteers and connect people to Holy Word.

God’s Word transcends cultural barriers. Because London is one of the most diverse cities in the world, our church has the unique opportunity to teach God’s Word globally. We experienced this when we had an opportunity to serve our Christian sister from Pakistan, who left her home to pursue a master’s degree in London. We helped her through extreme culture shock. Despite the vast differences between our cultures, were able to connect and encourage her through our shared faith.

Our experience volunteering in the U.K. has shown us that the Bible is both deeply needed and immensely powerful. In a country struggling with loneliness and doubt, God’s holy word is a sure and certain hope. Our prayer is that God continues to bless the members of Holy Word as they consider how best to communicate the Bible in the U.K. and abroad.

Written by Ben and Abby Hillmer, Mission Journeys volunteers in England.

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A reason to celebrate

2024/03/07/in Europe, Missions, WELS Blogs, World Missions

February 10 seemed like any other Saturday in Birmingham, England, but it was a special day for Allie and Kelly. It was Lunar New Year in East Asia. Allie is in England on a work visa, and Kelly, a former volunteer in that area, is taking a few months off from work to assist the WELS mission in Europe. They came to our Airbnb to celebrate and make dumplings, a special Lunar New Year dish in some parts of East Asia. It turns out they had many shared acquaintances who participated in Christian churches in East Asia, and that Allie had even stayed at Kelly’s apartment.

The next day, they joined us for a special small-group worship service followed by yet another meal, this time provided by Zarah and her family. The Pakistani meal featured chicken tikka, a popular dish in Pakistan, as well as rice, dal, and lamb kebabs. Zarah and her husband, as well as her sister and her husband, are medical doctors who immigrated from their South Asian homeland.

These are some of the people serving the WELS mission in Europe. Immigrants from Zambia to Colombia and from Asia to continental Europe, as well as the United States, have been connected to the mission through our churches and missions around the world. Together with native-born British citizens, the church is starting outreach to both a rapidly growing immigrant population and millions of citizens who do not know the good news about Jesus Christ.

Among Lunar New Year celebrations, one such practice included taping red paper on the sides and top of an outside door frame to keep out a monster who would kill the firstborn. The custom seemed eerily familiar to the Passover when the Israelites in Egypt painted blood of a lamb on their doorposts and lintels so that the angel of the Lord would pass over their homes and spare their firstborn sons. Possibly, Christians from Persia brought the Old Testament story to East Asia many centuries ago. Even in other countries, some stories and practices seem to echo God’s Word, like this particular Lunar New Year tradition.

Very few people in England, as well as other parts of the world, know what the Bible teaches. The goal of the Europe One Team is to continue to teach God’s Word, in it’s truth and purity, to every nation, tribe, people and language.

Written by Paul and Carol Hartman, long-term volunteers in London, England

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A testimony of faith and Christian love

2024/03/05/in Europe, Missions, Together, World Missions

Less than two weeks ago, on Feb. 24, the nation of Ukraine marked the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of their country. Now into the third year of the war, the Ukrainian people continue to experience the hardship and tragedy of war.

The Ukrainian Lutheran Church, our sister synod in Ukraine, has been impacted greatly by the war. Some members have fled the country. Pastors’ and members’ homes, as well as churches, have been damaged or destroyed. Shortages of food, medicine, and fuel have made life very difficult. Since the beginning of the conflict, our synod has offered assistance to the Ukrainian Lutheran Church. WELS members have been very generous in their gifts, and relief support has been sent to the Ukrainian Lutheran Church on a regular basis as they have requested it. Those gifts have provided much needed supplies not only to the members of the church but also to people in their communities.

Last week, Bishop V’yacheslav Horpynchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church, was interviewed on a radio show called Issues, Etc. This radio show is affiliated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, which partners with another Lutheran church in Ukraine. In the interview, Horpynchuk describes in vivid detail how the war has affected our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. His story is a beautiful and compelling confession of faith and trust in the Lord even in the darkest of days and a testimony of how God works to bless his church and the spread of the gospel even in the middle of a terrible war.

I thought his story was one that WELS members should hear as a reminder of the power of the gospel. It’s also an encouragement for us to continue our prayers and support for the people of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church and their fellow citizens of Ukraine.

The interview lasts about 45 minutes. You can listen to it or download the podcast online.

Learn more about the Ukrainian Lutheran Church at wels.net/ukraine.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

Ukrainian churches connect through the crisis

2023/07/18/in Europe, Missions, Together, World Missions

As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, pastors and members of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC) continue to gather for worship and find ways to assist and reach out to their communities.

The Holy Spirit has blessed the efforts of the ULC, which has not only provided physical aid to people in need but also the comforting balm of Christ’s gospel message.

The congregation in Ivanivka was able to hold a vacation Bible school this summer. About 25 students from four different villages attended to learn about Jesus’ love as well as enjoy music, crafts, and singing.

In June, Resurrection Lutheran Church in Kyiv welcomed more than 60 people into the family of believers, three through Baptism and 57 through confirmation. Bishop Horpynchuk has been guiding more than 70 refugees and visitors in the study of God’s Word using the catechism. After finishing the course, the people who wished to become members confessed their faith in the Lord, joining in fellowship with the local congregation, the ULC, and all the members of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference.

In just one example of the aid being provided, the church in Kiev is helping a family of five who lost their husband/father in the war. He was the family provider, so the congregation is providing the family food, medicine, and other daily necessities.

In a correspondence with Rev. Roger Neumann, the WELS liaison with Ukraine, Horpynchuk said, “Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we continue with catechism [instruction] and new people enrolled in the catechism class. The Lord is good and faithful; his Word never returns empty. Thank you to all the brothers and sisters in WELS who support us so faithfully in our most difficult times of this war!”

Update on the Ukrainian Lutheran Church

2023/02/07/in Europe, Missions, Together, World Missions

The situation in Ukraine remains very challenging and difficult for our brothers and sisters of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC). Rev. Roger Neumann serves as the WELS liaison to the ULC and is in almost daily contact with Bishop Vyacheslav Horpynchuk, the head of the ULC. Neumann provides regular updates with information provided by Horpynchuk.

Horpynchuk often reports of the situation on the ground in Ukraine. Heavy shelling of populated areas continues. Even though there are widespread power outages and a lack of heat and sometimes even water, the congregations of the ULC continue to meet for worship (dressed in winter clothing) whenever possible. Pastors continue to be faithful to their callings by preaching, teaching, calling on members, and distributing food and medicine to their members, refugees, and communities. Many members have had to flee from their hometowns, but those people are often served by pastors in congregations where the danger is less intense.

Even when it seems safe, often it is not. Last Sunday one worship service was interrupted by a shell that fell 800 meters from the church, shaking the building and breaking some windows. Members in Kiev try to go about their normal life, using public transportation to travel. But when an air raid siren sounds, all public transportation stops. Subways can be stopped for two or more hours. Sometimes people need to remain in bomb shelters for up to seven hours. At night, when missile strikes shake their apartments, they wake up in fear and anxiety, wondering when the next missile will hit. Whenever families are separated by work, school, or buying groceries, they are in constant fear for one another’s safety. Yet they are quick to confess that they believe that the Lord will watch over them and that they await an enduring kingdom that is secured by our Lord Jesus, a kingdom where they will be safe eternally.

Plans for new church buildings have been put on hold, but there is every intention to continue those projects when the war is over. In the meantime, even small temporary places of worship become places of refuge and comfort as God’s Word is preached and his promises proclaimed.

Because of your generous gifts, WELS continues to provide financial support to the ULC. The pastors and people are using those funds carefully and wisely, providing food, clothing, medicine, and transportation to those who need it. Thank you for your generous gifts!

Please continue to keep our brothers and sisters in your prayers. Thank God that they continue to worship and hear his Word. Thank God that he has kept them safe. Pray that God would continue to bless them with his loving protection and that peace will soon be restored throughout Ukraine.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

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