From decline to resurrection: The story of Saint Mark Mankato

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Churches, like people, can go through seasonsā€”dying to mission and then, in the strength of Christ, rising to it. Saint Mark Mankato is one such story.

You can think of the story like this: Saint Mark is Saint Markā€”not Saint Markā€™s. In other words, the church does not come from Saint Mark. Instead, itā€™s like him. The church has lived his same story.

Markā€™s story, our story
Likely, the first cameo we get of Saint Mark in Scripture is that of the young man fleeing from Gethsemane, running away naked. He makes the same move later, deserting Paul and Barnabas on a missionary journey. To Paul, Mark was unreliableā€”a deserter. But Mark rose again in mission. We know that. In one of the most touching reconciliations of the New Testament, Paul, facing execution, asks for Mark, declaring him ā€œuseful to me in ministry.ā€ Mark, once a deserter, rises again and even later writes the gospel of Mark.

Saint Mark in Mankato has lived out that same rhythm of death and resurrection.

A church in need of renewal
Founded about 80 years ago as a Home Missions church plant, Saint Mark quickly grew into a dynamic and mission-focused church. It launched a school, started a campus ministry at what is now Minnesota State University, and stood as a hub of outreach and service.

But over the decades, energy dwindled. Membership slipped. By the time a new pastor arrived three years ago, the congregation described itself as a patient on the brinkā€”needing ā€œpaddles like a paramedic to bring it back.ā€ The pastor recalls walking in prepared for decline but finding the reality even more dire.

And yet, the central question of the Christian faith pressed in: Do you believe that God raises the dead?

Resurrection at work
Instead of rushing to programs or gimmicks, the congregation leaned on the simple power of the gospel to establish the new foundation. ā€œIā€™m not going to change a thing,ā€ the pastor decided when he first got there. ā€œIā€™m just going to preach. Iā€™m just going to teach the gospel.ā€ The results have been nothing short of remarkable. In three years, Saint Mark has grown by more than 40 percent. Entire households have been baptizedā€”something the pastor admits he had never experienced before. Families are returning. The church is seeing new life.

The revival of Saint Mark is even more striking when viewed against its surroundings. Mankato is dotted with large Lutheran congregations, some even ranking among the biggest in their denominations. Yet despite their size, more than 60 percent of the city remains unchurched. The mission field is vast, and Saint Mark has only begun to scratch the surface.

Hope for hollowed-out churches
Saint Markā€™s story is not just its own. Itā€™s a word of encouragement for congregations everywhere. Churches donā€™t have to die. They can rise. They can rediscover purpose, mission, and vitality, resting in Christā€™s power to resurrect what seems lost.

The transformation of Saint Mark in Mankato stands as a living testimony: God still raises the dead. And for churches wondering if their best days are behind them, Saint Markā€™s story whispers back with hopeā€”not yet.

Written by Jonathan Bourman, home missionary at Saint Mark Mankato, Mankato, Minn.




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Moments with Missionaries – Nathan Savage

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Rev. Nathan Savage shares an update from his first weeks at Heritage Lutheran Church in San Tan Valley, Ariz. This rapidly growing community near Phoenix is full of people who need to hear the gospelā€”and Heritage members are already hard at work connecting, serving, and sharing Godā€™s Word. God bless their efforts to reach the lost with the good news of the gospel!

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

The fruits of the Spirit on full display

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More than a decade ago, a program was established to offer a profoundly transformative experience: a high-quality Christian education at an accessible cost. This initiative, known as the Crossing Bridges program, has since enabled numerous families to access Christ-centered education that would have otherwise been logistically unattainable. Its impact has extended far beyond the classroomā€”equipping young people not only to serve as Christian leaders but also to share the gospel and connect with people in their communities. Recently, God has blessed this program beyond what was initially imaginable.

This year, four students from Palabra de Vida, a home mission church in Detroit, Mich., successfully completed the Crossing Bridges program, graduating from Hope Christian Academy (HCA). All four of these students are pursuing a bachelorā€™s degree, a pursuit undertaken by only 7 percent of individuals from Southwest Detroit, with one of them aspiring to enter the full-time gospel ministry.

Jorge Mitchell (pictured above, right) was born in Honduras, a small country in Central America, but has lived in Southwest Detroit almost his entire life. With support from his pastors, teachers, and family, he has decided to embark on a totally different journeyā€”life in cold, rural New Ulm, Minn., at Martin Luther College (MLC). His reason? ā€œTo be a Spanish teacher and help spread Godā€™s Word in two languages.ā€ Jorge will be the first MLC attendee from Palabra de Vida in Detroit since its inception in 2008.

During the winter of his junior year at HCA, Jorge had the opportunity to visit Martin Luther College with one of his classmates. After touring MLC and New Ulm on a 60-degree day in February (maybe not the most realistic experience), Jorge noticed one thing right awayā€”there werenā€™t a lot of people that looked like him. He made it his mission to change that and said the following about his goals for MLC: ā€œMy heritage can impact Godā€™s kingdom. By knowing both English and Spanish, I can connect and communicate with Hispanic people all across the country.ā€ Praise be to God that he has moved Jorge to pursue being a teacher at MLC. We pray Jorgeā€™s future role as a teacher wonā€™t just shape classroomsā€”it will open doors for the gospel among people who might otherwise never hear it.

Jorgeā€™s story is a testament to the ripple effect of supportā€”how pastors, teachers, congregations, and countless individuals behind the scenes use their time, prayers, and donations to help raise up leaders who in turn reach others for Christ. Please continue to pray for Jorge as he begins his journey at MLC this fall, and pray for Christian education programs across the country, which not only provide a transformative, high-quality education but also multiply opportunities for outreach and gospel connection in communities near and far.

Written by Lucas Martin, staff minister at Palabra de Vida in Detroit, Mich.




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Spring/Summer 2025 Mission Journeys in review

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WELS Missions Journeys has been sending teams on mission trips all over the world, giving both called workers and lay members the opportunity to serve home mission congregations and world mission fields. Some churches have formed partnerships with existing home mission congregations and new mission starts to assist them in regular outreach . Various WELS Campus Ministry students also have participated in Mission Journeys trips over their spring and summer breaks.

Students from the University of Wisconsinā€“Stout Campus Ministry took a Mission Journeys trip to Citrus Grove, Wesley Chapel, Fla.
Students from the University of Wisconsinā€“Stout Campus Ministry traveled to the home mission Citrus Grove, Wesley Chapel, Fla. During their time there, these campus ministry students helped with outreach efforts like canvassing door-to-door and inviting people from the community to come to church.

University of Wisconsinā€“Madison and University of Wisconsinā€“Whitewater students assisted Amazing Grace, Amarillo, Texas.
Six campus ministry students from the University of Wisconsinā€“Madison and the University of Wisconsinā€“Whitewater took a Mission Journeys trip to help Amazing Grace, Amarillo, Texas.
The Concordia University Wisconsin Campus Ministry, Mequon, Wis., traveled to Illume, Seattle, Wash.

Students from the Concordia University Wisconsin Campus Ministry in Mequon, Wis., took a Mission Journeys trip to Illume, Seattle, Wash.

They spent their spring break supporting Illume with hands-on service projects, including painting, property beautification, outreach, and event setup.

Peace, Janesville, Wis., partnered with Cornerstone, Centerton, Ark.
Members from Peace, Janesville, Wis., partnered with Cornerstone, Centerton, Ark., for a weekend Mission Journeys trip. Additional members from The Vine, Joplin, Mo., and St. Matthew’s, Oconomowoc, Wis., also assisted with outreach efforts. Together the group gathered donations for a local food pantry and hosted a neighborhood grill out.

St. Matthew’s, Oconomowoc, Wis., took a journey to Yakima, Wash.
St. Matthew’s, Oconomowoc, Wis., sent a Missions Journeys group to Yakima, Wash. The group assisted with hosting two art camps at Grace, Yakima.

Fox Valley Lutheran High School students assisted in Jacksonville, N.C.
A team from Fox Valley Lutheran High School, Appleton, Wis., traveled to Ascension, Jacksonville, N.C. Team members helped with many outreach efforts like getting the word out about a new mission church starting up in Wilmington, N.C. They also participated in an incredible fiesta-themed Life Group night and gathered food for NourishNC.

Learn how you can get involved in a Mission Journeys trip and how you church could former a partnership with a home mission congregation at wels.net/missionjourneys. View photos from each Mission Journeys trip on the Missions Flickr.

Stay up-to-date on additional Mission Journeys trips by following WELS Missions on Facebook and Instagram.

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Adjusting to ministry at Lamb of God

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Ministry is people. Those people live in a particular place. Your home mission at Lamb of God in West Lafayette is ripe for the harvest. Together with Lafayette and Purdue University, it has been a fascinating place to learn and conduct gospel ministry.

Moving into town, I noticed how abruptly the cornfields give way to neighborhoods. A few months later, I see a highly developing area with new housing coming in just about everywhere. In my ten-minute drive to our church, I pass multiple housing developments, and another new apartment complex just started construction. But I also see the fringes of a more pastoral setting. The same drive from my house to church also passes multiple cornfields. In West Lafayette, the farm meets urban life. A town of 45,000 people is quickly outgrowing its agricultural roots and expanding beyond a small college town.

Lamb of God Lutheran Church in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue University is a major draw to the area. When school is in session, the student body of roughly 50,000 doubles the population of West Lafayette. Local students may come for the College of Agriculture or College of Veterinary Medicine, but Purdueā€™s reputation as an engineering school has achieved international fame. We see that reflected in the diversity of West Lafayette. We have neighbors from Indiana and all over the States, India, China, and Mexico. We see diversity in grocery stores representing India, Korea, China, Japan, and Mexico, most of which we have visited. Our local libraryā€™s story time for children has connected us to people from Latin America, Europe, and Asia. In West Lafayette, the world comes to us.

With factories and major manufacturers like Subaru and Caterpillar, Lafayette adds more souls to the community. About 75,000 people live on the east side of the Wabash River. During the school year, we have more than 150,000 souls in the area, many of whom donā€™t know the love of our Savior Jesus. That means we can make disciples of all nations just by reaching out to the neighbors around us.

Our church is located in West Lafayette, near the interstate that serves as the most prominent route out of town. As West Lafayette continues to develop, more houses and businesses are starting to creep closer to our church campus. We are blessed with great facilities that feature a playground, a garden, a large yard, and even a hiking trail, all on our property.

Ministry is people in this place, taking action as Godā€™s people. God has blessed us with faithful people. One member just performed an oil change on my car for me. Another cleans the church every Saturday. One member held a professional-caliber paint night; some others participate in campus ministry and exercise nights. Still more have helped put in raised garden beds for our community gardens. We have a weekly newsletter for all our members. We have a diversity of giftsā€”musicians, doctors, engineers, teachers, listeners, encouragers; friendly, caring, tight-knit people dedicated to the everlasting gospel.

God is blessing our efforts too. One by one, more souls are hearing about Jesus. A couple of new members joined recently; one of them was an adult baptism. Now, his wife and daughter have started to attend church as well. His daughter asked to be baptized, and his wife would like to start instruction classes. It seems every time I finish one Bible information class, God sends me new students who want to learn his Word.

Written by Andrew Ewings, home missionary at Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Lafayette, Ind.




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Moments with Missionaries – Jeremy Mattek

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Rev. Jeremy Mattek shares an update from TheMission in Willis, Texas, as they will soon complete their building project. June 21 marked the one year since breaking ground for the new building and now it is near completion and ready to host members and be an outreach tool in the community. Hear more from Missionary Mattek about TheMission and its building project and how it will serve both the members at TheMission and the community.

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

Faces of Faith – Jett

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ā€œYouā€™re chasing joy, happinessā€”youā€™re trying to find it in all these other things that arenā€™t Christ, and it leaves you feeling empty,ā€ says Jett. ā€œBut coming back to church and growing my relationship with the Lordā€”itā€™s changed my life.ā€

Hear more from Jett Starzynski, a college student at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich., who found lasting joy not in success or status but in returning to the Savior heā€™d drifted from. Through the welcoming community at Anchor, a WELS home mission congregation, Jett rediscovered what it means to be truly anchored in Christā€”and now shares that hope with others.

Learn more about the WELS 100 Missions in 10 Years initiative at wels100in10.net.

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Summer 2025 Home Missionsā€™ milestones

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A number of home mission congregations have experienced major milestones during spring and summer 2025:

Foundation in Peyton, Colo. – New church building
On March 23, 2025, Foundation Lutheran Church in Peyton, Colo., was able to have their first worship service in their brand new church building! God’s blessings to this home mission congregation as they continue to spread the gospel and welcome the community into their new space. View photos from their first worship service and of their new building in our Flickr album.

Christ the King Buffalo, Wyo. – Worship launch (pictured above)
On Sunday, April 13, 2025, Christ the King Lutheran Church officially launched their public worship services in Buffalo, Wyoming. The celebration was a joy and faith-filled milestone for this growing church family! May God continue to bless the mission and ministry of Christ the King as they share the gospel in Buffalo and beyond. View photos from their launch in our Flickr album.

Sure Foundation, Brandon, S.D. – New church building
In April 2025, Sure Foundation Lutheran Church in Brandon, S.D., celebrated the grand opening of their new church building and hosted a formal dedication worship service in July 2025. God’s blessings as they continue to share the gospel in their new space with the people in the community. Hear more about the new church building from Rev. Craig Wilke in his Moments with Missionaries video update and view photos of their new building in our Flickr album.

Huntersville Lutheran Church – New church building
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, Huntersville Lutheran Church in Cornelius, N.C., dedicated their new facility in a special worship service. The purpose is more than just the square footage and number of rooms; its a place for people to learn about Jesus and a place for future generations to hear that Good News. Learn more about their building project at www.huntersvillelutheran.com/building.

Stay up-to-date on news from WELS’ 140+ home mission congregations by following WELS Missions on Facebook and Instagram.

 

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Moments with Missionaries – Paul Krueger

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Rev. Paul Krueger shares an updates from Christ Alone Lutheran Church in Ammon, Idaho. Rev. Krueger and his family joined the core group in early 2024 and since then have grown. God has also blessed them with a facility to host their weekly worship and invite others in as well. Hear more from Rev. Krueger about Christ Alone Lutheran Church and some of their upcoming milestones, and save the date for next year’s Taste of Missions on June 13, 2026, 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!

Ready to talk about Jesus

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Evangelism is not easy. It becomes easier over time, thatā€™s true; but it is not a simple task to discipline oneself to constantly be ready to talk about Jesus, to share the Good News. At St. Marcus, we are seeking to challenge, first and foremost, our comfort level, educating our congregation to be evangelists themselves and to become more aware of the Spiritā€™s intimate movements in getting Godā€™s Word to those who live in our very city of Milwaukee but do not yet know or believe the truth. This is our task. And not only are we an urban church, but we are also a church directly connected to a school system that, every day, educates more than 1,200 students. Of those roughly 1,000 families, only 25 percent share that they have a vibrant faith life and are connected to a church. This is our mission field!

Men That Matter ministry

Membership challenge: St. Marcusā€™ community council came up with Radical Withness Discipleship. In this program, we pair a member of our congregation with a member of the surrounding community. This pair then informally seeks out a ā€œfriendshipā€ together. Whether it is a meeting over coffee, praying over the phone, sharing an encouraging Bible verse, or sharing a meal, we seek to challenge our members and ourselves to immerse and encourage the community around us in Christ.

Vibrant worship: Through the first five months of 2025, weā€™re more than 94 worshipers greater in attendance per week across services compared to last yearā€™s same time period. We invest heavily in school choirs, allowing our parents to naturally attend our worship services when their children sing. Part of the campus evangelistā€™s job is to oversee all worship operations, including music styles, hymns, and organization of services. This allows our team to, in a prayerful and godly way, make the truth of Godā€™s Word even more accessible and relatable to our inner-city families.

Enhancement of vibrant, small group ministries:

  • Family Ministry has implemented ā€œDiscipleship Steps,ā€ in which we connect our families more deeply to the Word of God. This includes not only ā€œmembersā€ but our surrounding community and school families as well (ex.: Bible handout to primary-grade children, a ā€œserviceā€ morning, study of Habits of the Household book, and practical gatherings).
  • Men That Matter is our official menā€™s ministry. Part of the campus evangelist’s role is to work toward fostering a community of men that seek Godā€™s will in their lives. Events take place on multiple evenings/mornings, and though each welcomes men from all walks of life, each is specifically designed to address a different angle of the churchā€™s ministry, seeking to carry out biblical instruction and provide fellowship opportunities for our school male role models, fathers, single men, and husbands.
  • Embrace Grace and Embrace Life Ministries (pictured in the header photo): St. Marcus has become a hub of godly support for single mothers who are pregnant or have recently had a child. Through a 16-week program on Tuesday evenings, church members gather with these community mothers and offer prayer, support, and grace as they enter motherhood.
  • Fusion is St. Marcusā€™ youth ministry (grades 7-12), held on Sunday mornings in conjunction with the 10:30 a.m. worship service. On average, 15 students, many from the community rather than ā€œmembers,ā€ gather around Godā€™s Word and fellowship. We are in the planning stages of setting up a ride-share network to allow more youth the ability to get to church on the weekends.

Throughout all of this, our largest effort goes into maintaining a cohesive church staff team. Prospects and visitors who have expressed interest in the church are contacted on a regular basis by the team, and weekly meetings allow us to maintain accountability.

Our congregation’s greatest challenge is not to send people to share the gospel in foreign lands but to humbly seek opportunities to share God’s Word with the people of inner city Milwaukee. We pray for God’s continued guidance and help in this.

Written by Brent Krohn, campus evangelist at St. Marcus Lutheran Church and School in Milwaukee, Wis.




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Let the little children come

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Jesus said, ā€œLet the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.ā€ ā€”Matthew 19:14

Abiding Love is dedicated to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to Chinese people in Metro Vancouver. Since we launched on November 27, 2022, our church has experienced both challenges and blessings. One significant challenge we faced was a lack of volunteers in the music ministry. Each week, Pastor Wang faithfully stepped in to play the guitar and lead the hymns all by himself. While we were thankful for his dedication, we also longed and prayed for others to join this important ministry.

God, in his faithfulness, answered those prayers. Earlier this year, we encouraged young Noblessa to try playing the piano during worship services. Though she was nervous at first, she stepped up with courage. Week by week, her confidence grew, and now she blesses the entire congregation through her music.

Noblessa playing piano for worship

Soon after, two young boysā€”Mike and Ivanā€”joined the music team as well. Their enthusiasm and willingness to serve brought fresh joy and energy to our worship services. It was deeply moving to see children take part in leading Godā€™s people in praise. Jesusā€™ words echo in our hearts: ā€œLet the little children come to me.ā€

Even more encouraging, their example inspired two of our adult members to begin leading hymns as well. The childrenā€™s service didnā€™t just fill a needā€”it stirred hearts and created a ripple effect of participation. What began with one young pianist became a growing team of worship leaders, both young and old.

God often builds his church through small, faithful steps. Children are not merely the future of the churchā€”they are an essential part of the church today. When we make space for them, encourage them, and allow them to use their gifts, we witness the fruit of Godā€™s work among us. Their faith, joy, and eagerness to serve are a powerful testimony to all generations.

Mike playing piano

One of the greatest blessings we now enjoy is the regular presence of five to six children in Sunday worship. This has allowed us to launch an in-person Sunday school, where we teach Godā€™s Word to the next generation. There is nothing quite like hearing children recite Scripture, ask thoughtful questions about Jesus, and pray with open hearts. It brings renewal and vitality to our church family.

Childrenā€™s ministry doesnā€™t only impact the kidsā€”it strengthens the entire congregation. Weā€™ve seen children invite their parents, siblings, and friends to church events. One child coming to faith in Jesus can open the door for an entire family to encounter his love. This is how the kingdom of God growsā€”one small step of faith at a time.

Let us be a church that continues to welcome children with open armsā€”not just to attend, but to serve, grow, and lead. Let us never underestimate what God can do through young lives that are open to him. When we create space for children, we reflect the very heart of Jesus.

Thanks be to God for his provision, his blessings, and for each child he brings through our doors. May we continue to nurture, guide, and celebrate the next generation. To God be all the glory!

Written by Rev. Qiang Wang, Abiding Love Lutheran Church, Burnaby, BC, Canada




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We go together – Five missionaries commissioned at Taste of Missions

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At Taste of Missions, held on June 14, 2025, five new missionaries were commissioned to share Jesus in communities across the U.S. and around the world:

  • Mr. James Brandt ā€“ Asia-Oceania Team leader
  • Rev. Jacob Bitter ā€“ Pan de Vida, Garden Grove, Calif.
  • Rev. Jacob Borgwardt ā€“ Crossroads, Chicago, Ill.
  • Rev. Ethan Schultz ā€“ Lamb of God, Williston, N.D.
  • Rev. Phillip Valdez ā€“ Abiding Savior, Killeen, Texas

When you pray, give, and gather with fellow believers, youā€™re not just witnessing mission workā€”youā€™re part of sending them. From your church pew to mission fields around the worldā€”we go together.

Please pray with us:

Gracious Lord,

At Taste of Missions, we witnessed your grace in action as we in WELS commissioned five men to serve in your harvest field. We lift up to you Mr. James Brandt, serving in Asia-Oceania; Rev. Jacob Bitter, at Pan de Vida in Garden Grove, California; Rev. Jacob Borgwardt, at Crossroads in Chicago; Rev. Ethan Schultz, at Lamb of God in Williston, North Dakota; and Rev. Phillip Valdez, at Abiding Savior in Killeen, Texas.

As you have called them, now equip them and their families. Fill them with zeal to share Christ and him crucified. Strengthen their faith, guard them, and bless the communities they serve with open hearts to hear the gospel. May their work be fruitful, their hearts joyful, and their eyes always fixed on Jesus.

To you alone be all glory, now and forever.

Amen.

Learn more at tasteofmissions.com.

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Rethinking Northwoods ministry

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Our Savior in Phillips, Wis., was approved as an unsubsidized home mission congregation in spring 2025. Unsubsidized, or self-funded, home missions do not receive direct financial support but still have access to the many other benefits offered to all home mission congregations: assistance through their district mission board, mission counselors, and synodical support staff plus access to WELS Church Extension Fund and grants from the Board for Home Missions.

We were not unlike dozens of WELS congregations north of a line drawn from Green Bay to Wausau to Eau Claire. We were and continue to be a small Northwoods congregation.

We shared a pastor with another church 90 minutes north of us. He spent at least 40 hours a month on the roadā€”almost as much as he spent in our community. Our building was in disrepair. Architectural engineers estimated it would take $150,000 to bring it up to code. Our numbers were staticā€”well below what was needed to support a pastor. Our congregational meetings usually ended with different opinions on ministry and solutions to our building issues.

Our leaders were exasperatedā€”tempted to plod along and just survive.

But then something happened. The Lord emboldened a group of laypeople who pushed the issues and took action. Members were encouraged to unite behind solutions, and a sense of urgency regarding our building developed.

Then God opened our eyes. First, it was an idea we had never considered: what about a different building closer to town that would be handicap accessible and provide more space for ministry? Then, he showed us a local Family Dollar store that came on the marketā€”8,000 sq. ft. of ā€œvanilla box.ā€ The price was not much more than the repair costs for our present building, so within a month we bought it. Next, we received a generous offer for our old building. Phase 1 of renovating the commercial building would eat up nearly $400,000. Our tiny group of average income retirees and wage earners said, ā€œYes.ā€

The more we studied our dual parish arrangement, the more it seemed to hinder ministry to the community. But once again, the Lord opened our eyes to solutions. The congregation called a retired pastor in the congregation to serve part time. Then, we asked three lay leaders to assist the pastor in leading worship. Finally, an outreach team, made up mostly of women, now organizes events to publicize our ministry in Price County.

The Lord blessed our effortsā€”not with large gainsā€”but with individual souls. An unbaptized 19-year-old named Ethan came to live with his grandparents, and they brought him to worship services. In time, he studied the Creed and Baptism and asked to be baptized. Ethan is currently finishing instructions for confirmation. Another example was Bill’s mother, who invited him to a service. In time, Bill brought his girlfriend, Mari. Both Bill and Mari took instructions and were added to our congregation earlier this year, and in May they were married.

In the last two years, we have had three baptisms, and Sunday Bible class attendance frequently exceeds 50 percent of the Sunday attendees. We thank God for each of these souls.

Written by James Naumann, home missionary at Our Savior in Phillips, Wis.




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Moments with Missionaries – Timothy Bourman

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Rev. Tim Bourman shares an update from Sure Foundation Lutheran Church in Queens, N.Y. This year marks a big milestone for the congregation as it celebrates 25 years of mission work in New York. We ask that God bless them as they celebrate this milestone in October 2025 and continue to share the saving news of the gospel with a the wide range of nations, tribes, people, and languages. Hear more from Missionary Bourman about Sure Foundation, 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!

Bringing a gospel message of hope to Ellensburg, Wash.

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The Pacific Northwest District Mission Board is partnering with Grace Lutheran Church in Yakima, Wash., to help restart a WELS congregation in Ellensburg, Wash. More than one hundred years ago, several WELS congregations were established throughout central Washington. A mission-minded pastor in Yakima arrived by train to small cities and looked in the phone book for German-sounding last names to contact and start German Lutheran congregations. This was successful church planting in the early 1900s. Over time, there were seven or eight thriving churches scattered throughout the eastern range and valleys of the Cascade Mountains.

Sadly, many of these churches have either closed or are about to close their doors. This included Good Hope Lutheran Church in Ellensburg, which closed several years ago. But this is not the desire of three WELS families who have moved into the area. Together, they have formed a core group under the direction of Rev. Nathan Zastrow from Grace in Yakima, with prayerful intent to apply for and receive mission restart status from WELS Board for Home Missions.

The committed core group has spent the past year doing extensive work both inside and outside the existing church property. A WELS Mission Journeys team from Appleton, Wis., arrived to assist with landscaping, rebuild stairs to the entrance, and provide a fresh coat of paint. Recently, the interior of the church is slowly being transformed into an open space for worship and will be used as a meeting place for community groups. Currently, a home school co-op rents the facility two days per week. These have been major accomplishments, yet there is still plenty of work to be done.

This past spring, the core group received evangelism training and has completed extensive planning to define the core values and direction for the gospel ministries in Yakima and Ellensburg. The group members have put their training into action by going door-to-door, introducing themselves, and bringing the gospel message of what Christ has done to people both personally and digitally. People have been directed to their website, hopeinellensburg.com, to receive a message of true hope found only in Christ. In May, the core group was blessed with an adult baptism: the fiancƩe of one of the members.

This summer, two youth groups from Oconomowoc, Wis., and Fairfax, Minn., are arriving to help lead STEM camps. Andrew and Lauren Lindloff from Fount of Life in Colorado Springs, Colo., arrived in early June to spend four days going door-to-door to proclaim the gospel. Their WELS Mission JourneysĀ experience was a part of celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary.

We donā€™t know how the Lord will bless these faithful efforts, and although there is hard work that still lies ahead, the core group members have embraced the concept that the Lord blesses gospel activity. While concentrating on making Christ known in the community of Ellensburg and on the campus of Central Washington University, they are ā€œkeeping good hope aliveā€ by fully trusting that the power of Godā€™s Word is at work whenever the gospel is proclaimed.

It is a great day to be Godā€™s messengers. And we ask for your prayers that the Lord bless these efforts to rebuild a gospel presence in central Washington.

Written by Mr. Dave Malnes, Pacific Northwest District Mission Board member




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Together Video – June 3, 2025

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Crossroads in Chicago, Ill., experienced a long pastoral vacancy, which ended on Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s call day when a graduating pastor was assigned to the church. Hear from members of the church as they share their hope about the future of the congregation’s ministry and from Jacob Borgwardt, the graduate who will be starting his full-time ministry there.

 

 

 

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Two Pastoral Studies Institute students graduate

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Mark Jiang and David Shang have graduated from the Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI) and will be continuing their current Chinese outreach in North America.

Mark Jiang serves Apostles in San Jose, Calif., as outreach pastor to the Chinese community. A growing Chinese fellowship and Bible study already meets every Sunday afternoon. In addition, Mark will continue teaching international high school students at Apostles Lutheran High School, offering classes like Bible Information Class and Intro to Christianity. David Shang will continue serving in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he is helping grow a local Chinese ministry supported by Hope Lutheran Church and another active PSI student. Additional details regarding his ministry are still in the works. Both of these efforts are currently supported by the Joint Mission Committee.

The Pastoral Studies Institute provides pre-seminary and seminary training to students from a variety of countries and cultures. As WELS congregations reach out to immigrants with the gospel, the PSI team equips future spiritual leadersā€”often right where they live and serve. In many cases, this training leads to international gospel connections as well.

Please keep Mark and David in your prayers continue to share the gospel and serve their communities. We thank God for raising up leaders through the PSI to bring Christā€™s love to the nations!

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Graduates and vicars assigned to home and world mission fields

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Seminary pastoral assignments to home mission congregations and world mission fields:

Six pastoral graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary were assigned this morning to serve WELS home mission congregations and one to a world mission field:

  • Bitter, Jacob ā€“ Pan de Vida, Garden Grove, Calif. (Hispanic outreach)
  • Borgwardt, Jacob ā€“ Crossroads, Chicago, Ill.
  • Satorius, Noah ā€“ Northdale, Tampa, Fla. (Hispanic outreach)
  • Satorius, Zachary ā€“ World Missionary, One Latin America Team
  • Schultz, Ethan ā€“ Lamb of God (New mission start), Williston, N.D.
  • Stein, Nathaniel ā€“ Christ, Clarksville, Md.
  • Valdez, Phillip ā€“ Abiding Savior, Killeen, Texas
May God bless these men and their families as they transition to their new roles and reach out with the saving gospel message in their new communities! For the full assignment list, visit wisluthsem.org/about-wls/assignment-list/.

Vicar in a Mission Setting program assignments

Twenty-three Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary students were assigned to serve as vicars through the Vicar in a Mission Setting program, and one additional vicar was assigned to serve a WELS World Missions partner in Colombia. *Denotes home mission congregation

  • Arrowsmith, Adam ā€“ Risen Savior, Chula Vista, Calif.
  • Arstein, Calvin ā€“ Good News, Mt. Horeb, Wis.*
  • Blumer, Ezra ā€“ The Way, Fredericksburg, Va.*
  • Eickhoff, Samuel ā€“ St. Peter, Schofield, Wis.
  • Engel, Samuel ā€“ Christ Alone, Keller, Texas*
  • Escobar, JuanDa ā€“ Sure Foundation, Woodside, N.Y.*
  • Golisch, Nathan ā€“ Beautiful Savior, Marietta, Ga.
  • Gregorius, Zachary ā€“ Carbon Valley, Firestone, Colo.*
  • Guse, Brice ā€“ Gethsemane, Omaha, Neb.
  • Hackbarth, Seth ā€“ Zion, Denver, Colo.
  • Heiman, Alexander ā€“ Beautiful Savior, College Station, Texas
  • Hengst, Caleb ā€“ Christ, Denver, Colo.*
  • Herter, Connor ā€“ Tree of Life, Cary, N.C.
  • Knoll, Cooper ā€“ Our Savior, San Antonio, Texas
  • Landwehr, Jonas ā€“ SantĆ­sima Trinidad, MedellĆ­n, Colombia (World Missions)
  • Maurice, Collin ā€“ Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel, Madison, Wis.
  • Pederson, Isaiah ā€“ Christ the King, Bremerton, Wash.
  • Schroeder, Cameron ā€“ Faith, Sharpsburg, Ga.
  • Schwartz, Benjamin ā€“ Living Savior, Asheville, N.C.
  • Sievert, Eli ā€“ Amazing Grace, Myrtle Beach, S.C.*
  • Thiel, Zachary ā€“ Cornerstone, Bentonville, Ark.*
  • Vogel, Jack ā€“ Resurrection, Verona, Wis.
  • Wessel, Joseph ā€“ Abiding Faith, Smyrna, Tenn.
  • Winkel, Josiah ā€“ Bethel, Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Vicar in a Mission Setting program allows third-year seminary students to experience ministry in a mission-minded congregation thanks to financial support from WELS Home Missions and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. For the full assignment list, visit wisluthsem.org/about-wls/assignment-list/.

Martin Luther College graduate to world mission field

  • Rieger, Matthew T. ā€“ East Fork Lutheran School, Whiteriver, Ariz. ā€“ Grades 5-8 Departmentalized Mathematics

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Hakim

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Hakim Kon came to Canada in December 2022 to be with his wife, Nyariek. It wasnā€™t the first time God turned his life upside down. As a young man, he was impacted by the violence in South Sudan but decided long ago that he wanted to use his life to reach others with the words of Godā€™s mercy. When he got to Canada, he was welcomed by the South Sudanese community and found our WELS mission church in Surrey, serving people from the Nuer tribe.

Hakim had a background in theological training, so after getting confirmed in the summer of 2023 while trying to get settled with his wife in a new country and pursue a cybersecurity degree, God turned his life upside down again. This time it was the request of his new congregation to be an elder and to consider training in our Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI).

Hakim is learning what it means that Jesus gives some to be pastors and teachers to build and equip his church for works of service. This new husband, new immigrant, new student, and new worker (and very recently new father!) is adding ā€œPSI studentā€ to his list of vocations as he is equipped to lead in the church. But Hakim believes it is more than worth it: ā€œI focus on the Lord because he continues to surprise me from time to time. His mercy and love changed my life. I have that confidence that he can use me to change others’ lives.ā€

Written by Geoff Cortright, pastor at Saviour of the Nations Lutheran Church in Vancouver, BC

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Moments with Missionaries – Erik Landwehr

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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!

Moving fast but staying grounded

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What do you do when it suddenly becomes possible for your mission church to hit its long-term goals in months rather than years? Thatā€™s the question weā€™ve been asking ourselves at Ascension! Our two long-term goals were: 1) to become a self-supporting home mission congregation (meaning weā€™ll still benefit from our mission board and mission counselor but wonā€™t need a financial subsidy from WELS to meet our budget) AND 2) to help start at least one new mission church in eastern North Carolina. In three months, Ascension will officially become a self-supporting home mission, and itā€™s possible that not long after that, a new core group from Ascension will be applying for home mission status and funding for a new mission in Wilmington, N.C.

How did we get here so fast? Godā€™s been blessing us in amazing ways. Almost every week we get connected with new people from our community who donā€™t have a church home and invite them to join us for life groups, worship, or weekly story time for families. People thank us for the invite, show up to check things out, and get more connected from then on. Weā€™ve needed to do multiple Starting Point studies (think Bible information class) for all the people interested in learning more about the Bible. Our sanctuary has been fuller on Sundays, kids and their parents are baptized, and our offerings have increased. God has blessed Ascension here and now with opportunities to do what churches do.

At the same time, it became obvious that God was showing us that now is the right time to form a core group for a new mission about an hour away. Multiple families live closer to Wilmington than Jacksonville and have been driving an hour (or more) for years. The outreach mindset and culture at Ascension is exactly what our core group brings to the effort of starting a new church. And there is no WELS church anywhere close to serve a rapidly growing community with more than 100,000 people who need Jesus.

In the last month, weā€™ve assembled a new core group, met multiple times, gotten guidance from our district mission board, and started planning for summer outreach events and core group development. If God keeps giving us green lights, weā€™re going to move fast and apply for full mission status and funding as soon as possible.

So what do you do when things move faster than you expect? You hold on! Just like when youā€™re on a roller coaster. Just like when someone hits the gas and doesnā€™t warn you. Instinctively you hold on because when things move quickly you need something to ground you and make you know itā€™s okay.

What are we doing? Holding on to the messageā€”the good news of Jesus for us sinners who desperately need him. Weā€™re holding on to our identity in Christ as the most important thing about us. Not achieving long-term goals. Not in positive developments like having a newer building and a growing congregation. We hold on to what Jesus has done for us and define ourselves simply as forgiven and loved children of God.

What are we doing? We’re holding on to the mission God has given his church so we donā€™t get lost in details that donā€™t really matter. We work to do everything we can to keep each other connected to Jesus, to grow our faith through his means of grace, and to reach out into our community with the good news that can give them something to hold on to also.

With something to hold on to like that, moving fast is not just okayā€”itā€™s something weā€™re praising God for doing.

Written by Rev. Steven Saatkamp, home missionary at Ascension Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, N.C.




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Moments with Missionaries – Mike Hartman

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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!

Together Video – May 6, 2025

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Rev. Jon Bilitz, pastor at Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel, Madison, Wis., talks about how area college students integrate into a congregation committed to supporting campus ministry work.

 

 

 

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Victory!

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Easter weekend was busy in Boston, Mass. On Sat., April 19, many celebrated the 250th anniversary of the battles at Lexington and Concord. On Mon., April 21, the city celebrated Patriotsā€™ Day, including the 129th running of the Boston Marathon, a home baseball game for the Red Sox, and a day off for many in the city. An even greater event happened on the day in between. Sandwiched in between a day commemorating the ā€œAmerican spiritā€ and one of the premier road races in the world was a humble Easter service on the second floor of a former industrial building (now turned co-working space).

The whole weekend provided the opportunity to reflect on what victory looks like. If you asked someone at the Lexington and Concord festivities what victory looks like, they might say, ā€œVictory looks like winning independence . . . it looks like freedom.ā€ When asked the same question, someone at the Boston Marathon might say, ā€œVictory looks like pushing through the pain to win the race or set a personal best.ā€

What do you think victory looked like for us at Harbor Lutheran on Easter? Did victory look like having to frantically pick up additional chairs from Home Depot the night before? Or did it look like having a full spread for brunch and an Easter egg hunt? What about first-time guests and visitors meeting each other and sharing in fellowship and praise? Or a full room standing and singing in full voice, ā€œI Know That My Redeemer Livesā€? To a certain degree, we can answer with a resounding ā€œyesā€ to all of these.

But to say that extra chairs, brunch, an egg hunt, or even singing is the real victory of Easter might cause us to miss the point. The apostle Paul points to the true victory of Easter in the words we used as our Epistle reading for Easter Sunday:

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?ā€

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

It may not surprise you that our attendance on Easter at Harbor Lutheran was less than that of the Revolutionary War anniversary or the Boston Marathon, but our message was much more powerfulā€”and is why we spend mission dollars to reach places like Boston. We have the message of victory! Christ has defeated sin, death, and the devil! That was the message on Easter at Harbor Lutheranā€”the message of victory in Christ.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement as we share this message of victory with people in Boston.

Written by Rev. Joshua Koelpin, home missionary at Harbor Lutheran Church in Boston, Mass.




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Moments with Missionaries – Craig Wilke

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Rev. Craig Wilke, home missionary at Sure Foundation Lutheran Church in Brandon, S.D., shares an update from their new worship facility. Through the support of WELS Home Missions and WELS Church Extension Fund, they have been in the progress of building a new church, which is just about complete. Hear more from Rev. Craig Wilke as he share more about the their new worship space and the ongoing work spreading the gospel in Brandon, S.D. 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!

Faces of Faith ā€“ Jonathan

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Jonathan Neuman wanted to know more about Christianity. His parents had went to church when they were younger and he was told he went when he was younger, but he had no memory of this. He remembered going to church on the big holidays ā€“ Christmas and Easter and when they visited grandparents in Goodview.

He had seen stuff about Christianity online, like social media influencers talking about their faith and Christianity. He had seen some videos here and there, but Jonathan wanted to go beyond the echoes of Christianity in his childhood and he wanted to be a part of Christianity.

So, he took action and looked up the closest WELS church. It took him to Crown of Life in Saint Paul, Minn., which was only minutes away from his house. There he met Rev. Kom and Rev. Burgess. After that, he began attending regularly on his own.

Since Jonathan was also a student at the University of Minnesota, Rev. Kom connected him to True North, the University of Minnesotaā€™s WELS campus ministry. He became involved in the campus ministry and finished Bible Information Class there. Now, Jonathan divides his time between Crown of Life and St. John’s, which hosts True North, and is served by both churches. He appreciates the community feel and the message of the gospel taught. Through these two ministries, he is getting to know more about Jesus and Christianity.

Now, Jonathan wants others to know more about Christianity, especially his family. His family has recently been attending church during the holidays. His mom often goes with him, and they both want Jonathanā€™s brother and sister to go through confirmation as well. Jonathan has also been having conversations with his dad as he wants them all to know about Christ .

Written by Samuel Lor, campus ministry pastor at St. Johnā€™s in Minneapolis, Minn.

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Finding better in Jesus

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ā€œI have to call my mom about this . . . this is better!ā€ she said. That has become one of my favorite lines I have ever heard in a Bible information class. I sat across the kitchen table from my new friends Dan and Jenny, taking them through the lesson on Baptism and the Lordā€™s Supper. This was a place I wanted to be but a place I was never sure I would be.

You see, our friends Dan and Jenny had both grown up with a Baptist background and were a good Christian family looking for a church in our area. We just happened to meet them when our girls played on the same T-ball team. Before they were ever visitors of our church, they were just our good friendsā€”friends we would have over for dinner and meet at parks, pools, restaurants, and wineries. I wanted nothing more than to baptize all four of their awesome kids (now five!), but I understood thatā€™s not what they believed. If only we could talk about it.

I remember the night on my back patio, standing under the awning during a thunderstorm, when Dan asked me, ā€œWhatā€™s the difference between Lutherans and Baptists?ā€ ā€œWell, I think it really comes down to how God works,” I replied. “You see, Lutherans believe that God works in Baptism and the Lordā€™s Supper, giving to his people forgiveness and granting and strengthening faith, whereas Baptists would see it as something that I am doing for God. Itā€™s sort of arrow up versus arrow down theology.ā€ To his credit, and through the working of the Holy Spirit, Dan told me that night, ā€œI think I am on board with that. But it might take a little more discussion with my wife . . . ā€ (sorry, Jenny).

But that discussion happened. It happened informally at picnic tables, at our local winery, standing on the beach of a manmade lake, and around both of our kitchen tables, until finally, Dan and Jenny both saw Baptism for the comfort that it is. God wants you to know that he claims those children too. He forgives their sins too. The Holy Spirit works in their little hearts too.

So, on March 30, we not only baptized the five children but also their dad. You see, Dan had always thought that sometime along the way he had been baptized. But a few phone calls later, he realized he never had. So this was going to be a really special Sunday for their family. As a father, itā€™s an incredible gift not only to tell your children what happens in Baptism but also to show themā€”first by being baptized yourself and then by lifting each of your little ones up to that same font, watching as God claims them as his own, washes away all their sins, and makes to them the very same promises he just made to you. Baptism now saves you also . . . this promise is for you and for your children . . . all of us who have been baptized into Christ have been baptized into his death. We were therefore buried with him through Baptism into death, so that just as he was raised to the glory of the Father, we too walk in new life.

ā€œI have to call my mom about this . . . this is better!ā€ Call your mom, dad, brother, sister, friend, neighbor, stranger on the street! Let them know that in Jesus, it is better.

Written by Rev. Jake Jenswold, home missionary at Victory Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kan.




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Home Missions approves new mission starts and enhancements

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On April 3 and 4, WELS Board for Home Missions approved 11 new missions and enhancements for the synodwide 100 Missions in 10 Years initiative.

ā€œEach of the five new starts is backed by a mature, mission-minded core group that has been actively sharing the gospel in their communitiesā€”even before seeking formal support,ā€ says Rev. Mark Gabb, Home Missions administrator. ā€œThat kind of groundwork helps lay a strong foundation for long-term gospel ministry.ā€

Thanks to the generous gifts received over the past year, WELS Home Missions is also in a financial position to approve up to five additional new missions this fall. Gabb notes, ā€œGiving core groups additional time to prepare their requests will strengthen their proposals for fall.ā€

In the end, Home Missions approved five new starts and six enhancements. The five new mission starts include:

Arlington, Tenn.: Arlington is on the brink of rapid growth with Ford Motor Company set to build a new plant for electric truck production. Since 2022, the South Atlantic District Mission Board has been working with a dedicated group of 60 members and Pastor Jim Turriff from Gloria Dei, Memphis, who plan to relocate and establish a fresh start in Arlington under a new name.

Erie, Colo.: Erie has experienced a 55 percent population increase from 2010 to 2020, with continued growth expected. A core group of ten adults has been gathering for fellowship and Bible study while attending local festivals to share its plans for a new church.

Jarrell, Texas: Jarrell is a rapidly growing town north of Austin. For the past three years, Pastor Don Patterson has been working with a core group of 11, which began holding weekly worship in October 2024. The group has identified 90 prospects, many of whom they connected with by volunteering at the local food pantry.

Madison, Wis.: A core group of 14 adults, familiar with the area, has been working together since 2022ā€”meeting regularly for Bible study and ministry planningā€”and has also secured a rental space for worship and community activities. A new mission plant in the center of rapidly growing urban Madison would allow WELS to reach an entirely new demographic.

San Tan Valley, Ariz.: Since 2022, the Arizona-California District Mission Board has been working with Heritage in Gilbert, Ariz., to plant a new mission in rapidly growing San Tan Valley. A core group of 26 adults has been gathering regularly for Bible study and community events. In October 2024, they began holding regular worship services and have already identified 127 prospects interested in learning more about the new church.

The Board for Home Missions is also financially supporting ministry enhancements for Christ, Clarksville, Md. (restart); Living Word, Petaluma, Calif. (restart); Living Word, Waukesha, Wis.; Redeemer, Edna, Texas; Risen Savior, Lakewood Ranch, Fla.; and Saint Mark Mankato, Mankato, Minn.

Looking ahead, Gabb shares, ā€œWe have limitless opportunities with a limited amount of resources. The Board for Home Missions is actively looking at ways to reduce costs, even in the current economic climate, so that more people can be reached with the gospel.ā€ Gabb continues, ā€œItā€™s all about being faithful stewards of the resources God has given us. We will continue working diligently to aggressively reach the lost with the gospel while also being faithful stewards. We trust God will bless our efforts.ā€

Learn more about these new mission starts and mission enhancements atĀ wels100in10.net.

 

 

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Together Video – April 15, 2025

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WELS Home Mission Counselor Wayne Uhlhorn details ways that new mission congregations get involved in their communities.

 

 

 

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Campus Ministries participate in Mission Journeys to home mission churches

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Concordia University Campus Ministry to Illume Church
Students from Concordia University Wisconsin Campus Ministry in Mequon, Wis., took a Mission Journeys trip to Illume Church in Seattle, Wash. They spent their spring break supporting Illume Church with hands-on service projects, including painting, property beautification, outreach, and event setup. View more pictures of their Mission Journeys trip.

University of Wisconsin-Stout Campus Ministry to Tampa
Students from the University of Wisconsin-Stout Campus Ministry traveled to home mission Citrus Grove Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, Fla. During their time there, these campus ministry students helped with outreach efforts like doing door-to-door canvassing and inviting people from the community to come to church.

Learn more about upcoming Mission Journeys opportunities to home and world missions and how you can serve at wels.net/missionjourneys.

 




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