A season of planting and growing

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Small group ministry is the heart of the work thatā€™s begun in Australia. From small group leader training to groups that meet in homes in different cities, the theme of our work to reach this large continent has been to start small.

Take our Melbourne group. Our two Aussie leaders, Tom and Ann Belcher, have returned to Australia by way of Hope Lutheran Church in Toronto, which played an integral part in their faith formation. Now they meet weekly with four other people for Bible study, prayer, singing, and fellowship in their homes. Their group is growing slowly as they invite friends to join.

The Melbourne group

In Brisbane, we have spent the last year getting to know our community. We offer English classes to immigrants at two different local libraries, one of which has basically adopted our program as their own. Through these classes we can connect with people from all over the worldā€”Colombia, Iraq, China, Japan, France, and Taiwan, just to name a few!

To develop deeper relationships with our students, we offer several social activities throughout the month such as hiking, cultural festivals, game days, and holiday parties. These larger gatherings lead to one-on-one interaction or opportunities in smaller settings, such as dinner in our home, coffee in local cafes, or private English tutoring. God has blessed our efforts with many opportunities for personal gospel presentations. As a result of all this, we have started some small group Bible studies, sometimes at the request of the students themselves.

Our experience has taught us that there are seasons in ministry. Seasons of plowing, planting, growing, pulling weeds, and harvesting. By Godā€™s grace, we seem to be in a season of planting and growing. But we know that just as Jesus taught us in the parable of the sower, not all seeds we plant will produce a fruitful crop. There will be heavy stones to unlodge and razor-sharp thorns to uproot. Realizing that hardships and persecution are inevitable gives us a deep appreciation for this season. It is a giftā€”each baptism, each profession of faith, each student who receives his or her instruction with joy and gratitude. We wish you could have witnessed the sheer delight of our Colombian friend when we introduced her to Academia Cristo and she heard Missionary Nixon Vivar welcoming her to study the Bible in Spanish! We do not take these experiences for granted. We wish you could hear our new sister in the faith thank God for being her faithful Father every day. We wish you could see how the leaders grow in facilitating studies, addressing challenges, and modeling their faith. Itā€™s a great season!

Leader meeting

One way we prepare for every season is through our weekly prayer time, established by former Asia-Oceania Team Leader Dr. Steve Witte. We pray for all the ministries, local leaders, churches, small groups, missionaries, and families in Asia-Oceania. Another way we prepare is by developing resources for small groups and training for leaders in cultivating character and preparing solid Bible studies. There is a special emphasis on reaching those who are not native English speakers and/or are brand new to Christianity.

Small groups. English classes. Seasons. You are our partners in all of these efforts. We appreciate your ongoing prayers, offerings, and local efforts that move the mission forward!

Written by Matt Doebler, world missionary on the Asia-Oceania Team

P.S. – If you would be interested in volunteering in Australia through a Mission Journeys trip in Fall 2026, visit wels.net/mission-journeys-volunteer-opportunity-in-brisbane-australia/ to learn more.




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Mission Journeys volunteer opportunity in Brisbane, Australia

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Are you looking for a meaningful way to serve, build relationships, and share Christā€™s love with people from around the world? Mission Journeys is excited to partner with the WELS World Missions team in Brisbane, Australia, to offer a new volunteer opportunity.

The Conversation Partners Program connects Christian volunteers with immigrants in South Brisbaneā€”many from Asian and African backgroundsā€”who want to improve their English and build friendships. Volunteers are paired with students for weekly conversations, both online (before the trip) and in person (during your stay), focusing on language practice, cultural exchange, and genuine Christian care.

Volunteer responsibilities

  • Before the trip: Complete online training in cross-cultural communication and faith-sharing and meet weekly with your assigned language partner via video call.
  • During the trip (dates are flexible, 10ā€“14 days, sometime in fall 2026): Travel to Brisbane, continue weekly conversations, participate in group activities, and help the local missionary team with outreach.

Who should apply?

We welcome mature, patient Christians of all ages who are passionate about cross-cultural ministryā€”no teaching experience required! Weā€™re looking for anywhere from four to eight people to serve on the team.

Estimated costs:

  • Airfare: $1,600ā€“$2,000
  • Airbnb: $3,000ā€“$4,000 (split among volunteer group)
  • Food: $100/day (covers you and your language partner)
  • Transportation: $25/day
  • Sightseeing/touring: optional

Whatā€™s the impact?

  • Help newcomers gain confidence in English and feel welcomed.
  • Help scale the ministryā€™s impact and create opportunities for authentic gospel conversations.
  • Build lasting friendships and share Christā€™s love in practical ways.
  • Experience world mission work in a flexible, relational, and impactful setting.

Ready to join? Contact Mission Journeys Coordinator Mr. Shannon Bohme at [email protected] or by calling 651-324-4218 to learn more. OR fill out the interest sign-up form online today at wels.net/missionjourneys.

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

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Seven new home missions approved

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For generations, WELS congregations have been beacons of Christā€™s light, proclaiming the gospel and nurturing faith. Yet millions in North America still live beyond the reach of a WELS church. Through the 100 Missions in 10 Years initiative, WELS Home Missions is planting new churches where hope is needed most, while strengthening our synod and building a growing network of gospel outposts.

This vision is coming to life thanks to your prayers and support. At the fall Board for Home Missions meeting, seven new missions were approvedā€”each one a new beacon of Christā€™s light, made possible by your generosity.

The seven new mission starts include:

  • Altoona, Wis.: Just east of Eau Claire, Altoona is rapidly growing. A core group from St. Mark in Eau Claire has been doing outreach since early 2023, steadily building interest.
  • Buffalo, N.Y.: With 95,000 people in the target area and no WELS church nearby, a committed group is meeting to lay the foundation for a new church.
  • Naples, Fla.: Naples is growing quickly and changing demographically. Leaders are meeting with locals and planning outreach to connect with unchurched residents.
  • Olathe, Kan.: A booming, family-friendly city in the Kansas City metro, Olathe is home to a core group from Mt. Olive in Overland Park thatā€™s planning for future growth.
  • The Sandhills, N.C.: This growing region near Fort Bragg attracts retirees and military families. A group from Tree of Life in Cary is actively canvassing and building a prospect list.
  • West Richland, Wash.: Near the Tri-Cities, West Richland is expanding quickly. A group from Southridge in Kennewick began outreach and plans to launch worship in 2025.
  • Wilmington, N.C.: In a fast-growing area with no nearby WELS church, a group from Ascension in Jacksonville meets regularly in preparation to launch their church.

Learn more about these new starts at wels100in10.net.

This isnā€™t a short burst of effortā€”itā€™s the steady building of a lighthouse. Each new congregation is another beacon of Christā€™s light in a darkening world. With your help, weā€™re building a network of gospel outpostsā€”one light, one soul at a time.

Thank you for your partnership. Your gifts are bringing the gospel to new communities and strengthening our synodā€™s foundation for generations to come.

In Christā€™s service,
The WELS Missions Team

 

P.S. Planting new churches isnā€™t just about numbersā€”itā€™s about reaching individual souls with the gospel. Watch Jettā€™s story in our ā€œFaces of Faithā€ video to see how your support helps bring Christā€™s love to people who need it most.

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Faces of Faith – Jill

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ā€œWhen we got here, there was just something right. There was something here that we didnā€™t know that we needed.ā€

Jill never expected to find hope in a church again. Years of pain and anger had left her convinced she was done with faithā€”until a persistent invitation led her and her family to Illumine, a WELS home mission church in Rock Hill, S.C. There, surrounded by a caring church family and the pure gospel message, Jill discovered comfort and purpose she didnā€™t know she was missing.

Watch Jillā€™s story and see how Godā€™s love can reach us in the most unexpected waysā€”bringing healing, belonging, and a future filled with hope.

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

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Moments with Missionaries – Jim Brandt

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Missionary Jim Brandt, Asia-Oceania Team leader, and his wife, Kathy, have now settled into Chiang Mai, Thailand, after a few weeks traveling throughout the field. He shares a glimpse of life in Thailand, the people theyā€™ve met, and the diverse beliefs that surround them. Hear more from Missionary Brandt about the work the Asia-Oceania Team is doing to share the message of the gospel throughout Asia-Oceania.

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

Outreach is a little bit like bull-riding

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Outreach in a home mission congregation can be like riding a bull. Every second is precious when riding a bull. You want to hold on until the 8-second mark for maximum impact on your score. However, with an animal that unpredictable, you never truly know when the ride will end.

So it is with outreach. Every opportunity to meet new people is precious. Every second of conversation with a prospect is important, and you want it to last as long as possible for maximum impact in building a relationship. Most importantly, every opportunity is precious as you share Jesus and grow that relationship. Who knows when the encounter could end because, after all, life is unpredictable.

Opportunities for outreach are also unpredictable at times. It was the summer of 2024 and I received a phone call from a group representing a traveling rodeo that was coming to Ladysmith in July 2025. They inquired about the use of the parking lot of Our Redeemer for their rodeo. It was as if it were meant to be! We had just enlarged the parking lot, put in a big new playset, and made the property more accessible and inviting to the public.

This was great! The rodeo group wanted to pay us rent for the use of our parking lot and encouraged us to use the property to welcome their patrons. Even better, we were given the opportunity to connect with up to two thousand people. But the best part? It would be an opportunity to share Jesus.

Remember that the bull is unpredictable. As plans were being made with the playset and bounce house, free waters and even, just maybe, horse-drawn wagon rides on the church property, the bull started bucking. Two weeks before the event, the rodeo group decided the property next to the church wouldnā€™t be suitable, and they moved the rodeo down the road.

However, the Lord opens doors for outreach in unexpected ways. A local community group was going to be serving food for the event. They asked if we could help them. They needed help. It was the only group serving food for two thousand people. The ride was back on, and what a ride it was! Twelve members of Our Redeemer and I, all wearing our blue Our Redeemer Lutheranā€”Ladysmith shirts, worked nonstop in almost 100-degree heat and let the light of Christ shine.

This group of Christians made a maximum impact as they worked and served and did whatever was asked of them to help at the rodeo. Some also made maximum impact by sharing Jesus that day with those they interacted with. Standing next to the fryer waiting for the French fries to cook allows some downtime for evangelism. The very next day at 8 a.m. worship, two people from the community group the day before were in our church wanting to hear more about Jesus.

Thatā€™s outreach in our communities today. Itā€™s like riding a bull, unpredictable. But we have the assurance that when things donā€™t go as expected or we feel like we have failed, the Lord opens another gate. We pray that we are always prepared for another opportunity to give an answer for the hope that we have in Jesus. It is our joy to do what our Savior has called us to doā€”share the gospel!

Written by Christian Christenson, home missionary at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ladysmith, Wis.




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From TELL student to TELL leader

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ā€œThe program has helped me much to grow in my understanding of the gospel and help me know how I can share it with others,ā€ says Opiew Adiew.

Opiew is from Gambella, Ethiopia. Heā€™s a TELL student who not only has completed all of the online courses that make up the TELL Network Christian leader training program, but he also led a recent online recognition service. The recognition service celebrated 72 students for completing eight or more courses. Thirty-eight of those students have finished the full 13-course Discipleship track. The recognition service is usually held once per quarter; this recent Zoom room gathering included Joel Hoff, our TELL missionary, and One Africa Team teacher Dan Kroll along with TELL team members to help facilitate. Each student is individually highlighted among their peers throughout the service. Witnessing a TELL student lead and share in this way was heartwarming and encouraging for all the TELL teachers and students in attendance.

Opiew has served as a visionary founder of Gambella Evangelical Lutheran Church with some others who had realized that their churches’ teachings were not in line with Scripture. Opiew says, ā€œI had been looking for a church with whom we could workā€”a mother church. God connected me with WELS. When I requested to join WELS, they connected me to Pastor John Hartmanā€”at that time the outreach leader of the One Africa Team.ā€

Pastor Hartman encouraged Opiew to join WELS’ Multi-Language Productions (MLP) TELL leader training program. ā€œI enjoyed the TELL classes because the instructor allows, even invites, students to share their thoughts. The program has helped me much to grow in my understanding of the gospel and help me know how I can share it with others. I use the TELL method to share the Word of God in Bible study and in my preaching still today,ā€ says Opiew.

MLPā€™s TELL Network has had some notable successes in the last quarter. God is truly blessing our efforts, and the TELL team continues to refine our proven process. Since the recognition service, 40 more students have completed eight or more courses, and 18 more have finished the Discipleship level. Even more exciting is that two of our Discipleship graduates, both leaders in Lagos, Nigeriaā€”serving different groupsā€”are now teaching The Four Key Concepts (a Bible study on sin, grace, faith, and works) to their own students. This a wonderful example of multiplication in action!

Because of the continued growth of our higher-level study body, we’re working on ways to scale the administration of our current student experience even more. New Doctrine Discovery courses are now in production to bring even more students at one time to becoming group leaders who are also in doctrinal agreement.

TELL has eight students leading groups in six different countries! We expect that number to increase to 32 by the end of 2025. Praise God for these men in training. And please continue to pray for these students as they grow and share the gospel.

Written by Nate Seiltz, director of Multi-Language Productions




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Why we visit

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This article originally appeared in the One Africa Team blog. Subscribe to future updates from Africa at oneafricateam.com.

A pastor who visits people makes people who visit church. Thatā€™s why I devoted two nights a week to visit both members and visitors when I lived in the United States. Sometimes I would call ahead; most times I just showed up at the door. I only got a gun pulled on me onceā€”but thatā€™s how he greeted everyone.

I donā€™t make house calls anymore because I donā€™t have a congregation. However, every other month Iā€™m on the road. My father asked me, ā€œIs it necessary to visit all these people?ā€ Itā€™s true that we can handle a lot of our work online. But this post will show why we visit in person.

What we saw

I just returned home after a two-week visit to Uganda, where we partner with the Obadiah Lutheran Synod. We are also pursuing relationships with two new groups. One is called the Confessional Lutheran Synod of Uganda (CLSU). Two years ago, conservative pastors broke away from the Lutheran Church of Uganda. They formed their own church body and seminary and are seeking a partnership with WELS.

Missionary Ben Foxen and I were greatly encouraged by what we saw during our visit. Members of Christ the Vine enthusiastically welcomed us. We worshiped in their newly constructed sanctuary, constructed of mud and wattle and roofing sheets. We witnessed baptisms, confirmations, and the installation of four congregational evangelists. They were greatly honored by our visit.

We also visited Mt. Calvary congregation, whose members worship in a schoolroom. Several CLSU congregations have started schools as a means to reach out to the community. Bishop Benson Barahuka, the leader of the CLSU, joined in the dancing and fun. He asked the members to contribute toward a church building project. A visit like ours shows that every member and congregation are valued and connected to the body of Christ.

Missionary Foxen and I sat down with CLSU leaders for a week to study Lutheran teachings and practice. I had met some of them previously, while leading an online course on the Augsburg Confession. We all agreed that meeting face to face is better. Bishop Benson thanked WELS donors for making our visit possible. He told us, ā€œYou care.ā€ He was glad we made a visitā€”and so are we.

What needs work

The other group we are working with in Uganda is the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession Uganda (ECACU). This group also came out of the Lutheran Church of Uganda. Rev. Simon Peter Waako is their leader.

At our opening worship service we sang from The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH), which had been donated by LCMS congregations in the U.S. The tunes we sang did not always match what was printed in the hymnal. Almost all of the long meter (LM) hymns were sung to the tune of ā€œI Know that My Redeemer Lives.ā€

The liturgy was conducted in the Runyoro language, although not everyone in attendance spoke that tongue. Throughout our visit, everything we spoke in English had to be translated twice. This slowed us down considerably. Did you know that more than 3,000 languages are spoken on the African continent?

Our visit to God Bought congregation was also a challenge. Our van got stuck in the mud and we had to walk the last kilometer to the church site. A small group of Christians gather every Sunday under a tree. The owner of the adjacent property evicted them from their building because he wants to farm crops there.

The next visit was to Kakasato church, which has 50 members. A local man invited ECACU to start a congregation in his barn. They offer Sunday school and Bible class in addition to worship. We also made a visit to Kabatindule, which means ā€œfelling a tree.ā€ The congregation meets under a lean-to on the property of one of the members. They do not have any Bibles, catechisms, or hymnals.

Our visit showed us thereā€™s a lot of work to be done with ECACU before we declare fellowship. Thereā€™s no way we could know this without coming in person. This is why we visit. And God willing, we will make another visit soon.

Written by Missionary John Roebke, missionary on the One Africa Team




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Work for the kingdom

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Tom walked into my office in rough shape: drunk and homeless. He needed help. I bought him some food, invited him to church, and told him about Jesus. Over the next year, that pattern repeated. Finally, though, enough was enough. ā€œTom, I just canā€™t keep enabling this kind of behavior.ā€ He got mad and walked out of my office.

I didnā€™t see Tom again . . . until I got back from vacation last summer. I listened to my messages: ā€œPastor, this is Tom. Iā€™m 30 days sober and want to come to church. Am I still invited?ā€ I saw Tom every Sunday after that. He completed our new member class. He was overjoyed. ā€œThis is my church,ā€ he would tell me. His favorite part of the service was Confession and Absolution. He knew his sin. He loved his Savior.

Tomā€™s time at our church didnā€™t last long. Problems at home and his search for a job took him away. Finally, he found a place and a job at a sober living organization. Restrictions in communication have prevented me from talking to or messaging him. I honestly donā€™t know where he is. What I do know is this. For the short time Tom was at our church, he heard the Word of God proclaim forgiveness of sins through Jesus. Godā€™s kingdom spread.

Do you know someone like Tom? Perhaps you have a similar story to mine. Often, we get to share Jesus with people for just a little while before life takes them away. This helped me learn an important truth about gospel work: Itā€™s about Godā€™s kingdom, not about me.

Itā€™s easy for us to get discouraged. ā€œWhy donā€™t we have more baptisms, adult confirmations, visitors, or worshipers?” “Why did that family have to move away?ā€ Itā€™s not about us or our church. We work for the kingdom of Godā€”so that the message of salvation will be proclaimed, so that people will spend eternity in heaven.

This brings joy and delight into our gospel work. Every candle we light, invitation we give, or person we greet is work done for God. Every time we share Jesus, whether itā€™s a quick exchange, over a few months, or for many years, Godā€™s kingdom comes. God delights to use us in his plans, and itā€™s our delight to work for him.

This work is done all the time, whenever we share Jesus or invite someone to hear the good news. Sometimes God grants major victories, as he did to the apostles on Pentecost. But more often, Godā€™s kingdom comes in small, daily, countless victories, as the gospel takes root and grows in hearts. This happens maybe even years after we meet someone. Itā€™s not always for us to know the outcome of our work. Itā€™s our joy simply to do the work God puts before us.

I donā€™t know where Tom is right now. We arenā€™t sure what happens with all the invitations, proclamations, and work done for Godā€™s kingdom. I like to say to my church, ā€œThatā€™s above our pay grade.ā€ But we can be confident of this: Godā€™s kingdom comes. May we always joyfully pray, ā€œYour kingdom come.” No work done for God’s kingdom, no matter how small, is ever in vain.

Written by Orie Thomford, home missionary at Our Savior in Burlington, Iowa




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Moments with Missionaries – Fred Berger

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Rev. Freg Berger, home missionary at Forgiven Lutheran Church in Kronenwetter, Wis., shares how their mission is using available resources and the surrounding community to build up their church by hosting thing like weekly bible studies and worship. God’s blessing to Forgiven Lutheran Church at they prepare for their upcoming worship launch on September 14!

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

The first WELS Lutheran in Uruguay

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Viviana and I sat on a ferry, crossing from Buenos Aires to Montevideo. As far as I knew, I was the first WELS missionary to set foot in Uruguay.

We were traveling to meet Nahir, a faithful Academia Cristo student nearing the end of her Discipleship courses. Like many students, she first discovered our ministry through social media when a YouTube video led her to our self-study courses. She enjoyed the thoughtful questions and was eager to earn the certificate offered at the end. When the invitation came to join live Zoom classes, her motivation grew. Many months later, she was about to complete her 13th live course.

Viviana and Missionary Elise Gross take a ferry from Argentina to Uruguay to see Nahir

Nahir picked us up from customs, and we rode an hour east to her home, enjoying glimpses of the coast and Uruguayan culture. Soon, we were gathered around her kitchen table, sharing mateā€”the traditional hot drinkā€”and a few snacks.

But soon the purpose of our visit came into focus. My travel companion, Viviana, herself a graduate and now an Academia Cristo professor, placed a document on the table with the bold title ā€œConfesiĆ³n de fe.ā€ I listened as Viviana guided Nahir through the confession of faith processā€”96 questions giving Nahir the opportunity to confess the biblical truths she had studied.

Throughout her courses, Nahir had learned that faith is not about dramatic emotional displays but about knowing Jesus and his saving work. She was particularly moved by lessons on the sacraments, realizing that there is only one Baptismā€”despite having been told previously that her infant Catholic baptism was invalid. The course Spiritual Identification had challenged her to confront misconceptions, uncovering biblical truths about the end times she had never been taught.

Now, Nahir confidently confessed her faith and thanked God for the work of the Holy Spirit through the pastors and teachers of Academia Cristo. The evening ended with hugs and far too many plates of food, celebrating genuine fellowship. As far as we know, Nahir is the first confessional WELS Lutheran in Uruguay.

Nahir (left) and Viviana (right) at Nahir’s house in Uruguay

Today, Nahir continues studying with Academia Cristo at the ā€œChurch Planting Level.ā€ She leads a Bible study with her neighbors and shares the Word weekly at a local nursing home. She worships weekly online with other confessional Lutherans through services led by the Latin America WELS synod (Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional).

When asked how she would encourage other women to boldly share the faith they profess, Nahir answered: ā€œSharing the Word is our mission. Itā€™s not easy. At first it brings fear and even shame, but as you begin doing it you will see that even if just one person listens, it is wonderful. Even when it feels discouragingā€”itā€™s important not to give up. They need to know the Lord, because their salvation depends on it. Itā€™s worth the sacrifice to serve the Lord and to do it with joy. The Lord is the one who does the work; we are simply instruments in his hands.ā€

Nahir especially enjoys her ministry at the nursing home, preparing others for eternal life with Jesus. Seeing people respond to the gospel moves her to tears. ā€œI see how the Lord is at work in them, and that brings me joy and happiness.ā€ Nahir prays to expand her ministry to other nursing homes soon.

From a YouTube video to Nahirā€™s kitchen table to her faithful studies with neighbors and nursing home residents, the gospel is bearing fruit in Uruguay.

As the Lord himself promises: ā€œSo is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent itā€ (Isaiah 55:11).

Written by Missionary Elise Gross, director ofĀ  Women’s Ministry on the One Latin America Team




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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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Goodbye and hello

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Originally appears in the Native American Missions (NAM) News from August 2025

Pastor Dave and Jo Bostedt

On Sunday, May 25, 2025, the Lord blessed the congregations of Canyon Day and East Fork as they celebrated the ministry of Pastor Dave and Jo Bostedt. The Bostedts served God’s people on the White Mountain Apache Reservation faithfully for the past eight years. It was a beautiful day full of heartfelt gratitude and love. We pray the Lord bless them richly in their retirement!

On Sunday, August 3, 2025, the Lord continued to bless the congregations of Canyon Day and East Fork as they installed Pastor David Wietzke as their new shepherd. It, too, was a beautiful day with participation from all of the Apache congregations and beyond.

Pastor David was born on December 26, 1975, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Will and Charlotte Wietzke. His father and grandfather were Lutheran pastors who served churches in Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa. He moved to Nebraska and attended Lutheran elementary school there. He graduated from Nebraska Lutheran High School in 1994. In 1998, he graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn., with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He attended Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary from 1998 to 2002, including his vicar year at St. Johnā€™s Lutheran Church in Hastings, Minn.

He has previously served as pastor at three congregations: Peace Lutheran Church in Hartford, Wis. (2002-2007), Christ Lutheran Church in Grand Island, Neb. (2007-2015), and Crown of Life Lutheran Church in Pueblo West, Colo. (2015-2025).

Pastor David Wietzke and family

Pastor and Mary met at college in Minnesota. Mary was born in Illinois and grew up in Lusaka, Zambia, and New Orleans, La., where her father was missionary and pastor. She is also a 1998 graduate of Martin Luther College (MLC) and has worked as a teacher and in speech therapy. They were married in 2000 and God has blessed them with four children: Andrew (23) graduated from MLC this spring and is beginning his first year as a science teacher at Northland Lutheran High School in Kronenwetter, Wis. Stephen (21) will be a senior at MLC and Adam (19) will be a sophomore at MLC, both in the pastoral studies program. Joanna (17) will be a senior at Swallows Charter Academy in Pueblo West, Colo.

Pastor and Mary enjoy hiking, camping, and learning about new places. Mary loves animals and helping children. Pastor loves history and driving around the mountains, and is looking forward to exploring a new state. We are thankful that God has brought them safely to Arizona. They are excited to meet new people and share the good news of Jesus with as many as possible as we learn and grow together.

As we say goodbye to the Bostedts, we echo Jesus’ words, “Well done, good and faithful servants!” We know that our goodbye is not forever as we remain united in the body of Christ and look forward to forever together.

We also say hello to the Wietzkes, fully confident the Lord will bless their ministry among us. Welcome to the team, Pastor David, Mary, Andrew, Stephen, Adam, and Joanna!

Written by Missionary Nathan Wagenknecht, Native Christians outreach counselor on the Native American mission team




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One Latin America Team – Summer 2025 Quarterly Update

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A snapshot of blessings during the past quarter:

  • The number of students completing Academia Cristoā€™s four WhatsApp self-study courses continues to climbā€”from the 20s to the 50s, and now into the 70s weekly. These courses are the entry point for all students into the Academia Cristo
  • New churches were planted in Puente Piedras, Peru; San JosĆ© de CaaguazĆŗ, Paraguay; ConcepciĆ³n del Uruguay, Argentina.
  • Academia Cristo graduate Dr. Eduardo Milanesi previously started a church plant in Cochabamba that became a member of Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional (ICWI). He has now launched a second group in Santa Cruz, recently gathering over 30 eager listeners to Godā€™s Word.
  • Missionary Nixon Vivar onboarded three new instructors: Shawn Marron, a Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary student; Latin America Vicar Matthew Rugen; and Jennifer Proeber, who teaches at Arizona Lutheran Academy. Next quarter, he will help onboard four new instructors: Lester Soto, an Academia Cristo graduate from Nicaragua; Zach Satorius, new One Latin America Team missionary; Alex Dimke, a Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary student; and Tim Walsh, a WELS pastor from New York.
  • Missionary Abe Degner visited Manglio Dider, his family, and his church plant in GuayaramerĆ­n, Bolivia (pictured above). During the visit, a memorial service was held for Manglioā€™s son, giving Missionary Degner the opportunity to share the gospel with over 100 attendees.

A look ahead

  • The One Latin America Team will be onboarding Rev. Zach Satorius as a new missionary. He and his wife, Ava, will be spending one month in Argentina for language training. While there, they will visit church planters with other missionaries.
  • Plans are in place to call an additional missionary will be called to serve as a church planting facilitator.
  • The team is planning a Spanish Outreach Intensive event to support Academia Cristo outreach in the U.S.

Fast facts

  • A total ofĀ 50,866 students have enrolled in the Self-Study Level of courses
  • 1,400+ students have completed one Discipleship Level live course
  • 165 students have completed the Discipleship Level (13 live courses)
  • 54Ā students have completed the Church Planting Level (ten live courses)
  • 45Ā Academia CristoĀ students are actively leading church plantsĀ (Grupos Sembrador)Ā 




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CELC Commission on Theology meets in Zambia

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

Pictured above, left to right: Michael Smith (ELS), Thomas Nass (CELC President), David Kamwata (LCCA, Zambia), Jonas Schroeter (ELFK, Germany), Mascrif Mulonda (LCCA Chairman, Zambia), Ugis Sildegs (CLCL, Latvia), Joel Otto (WELS)

If youā€™re wondering what it may be like to be in Zambia for next yearā€™s triennial convention, the CELC Commission on Theology can give a hearty encouragement to try your best to be there!

The Commission on Theology met June 10-12, 2025, in Lusaka in the early days of its winter season. The weather was fantastic, and we enjoyed the fellowship of some wonderful brothers and sisters in the faith.

During these days, we focused on two of our commissionā€™s primary tasks: reviewing applications for membership in the CELC and composing articles for the CELCā€™s Eternal Word series. Three church bodies are applying for membership (two from Africa and one from Latin America). The commission is currently reviewing these applications so we can make recommendations for next yearā€™s convention.

We spent time putting some final touches on Article IX of the Eternal Word series, which focuses on our triune God. The commission will bring this article to next yearā€™s convention for ratification. It can be viewed here. We also thoroughly reviewed drafts of Article X, which focuses on civil government.

Five men serve on the commission: David Kamwata (LCCA-Zambia), Joel Otto (WELS), Jonas Schroeter (ELFK), Ugis Sildegs (CLCL), and Michael Smith (ELS). Thomas Nass, president of the CELC, serves as an ex-officio member.

We look forward to returning to Lusaka for next yearā€™s convention.

Written by Michael K. Smith, Chairman of the CELC Commission on Theology

 




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Extending beyond clinic walls

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The work of the Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) in Malawi extends far beyond the clinic walls of the four villages of Suzi, Mwalaulomwe, Thunga, and Msambo that we serve. While nurses, clinic staff, and volunteers work tirelessly to care for patients during clinic hours, the commitment of the staff doesnā€™t end thereā€”their service continues long after the last patient has been seen.

The Malawi Ministry of Health requires CAMM to regularly submit detailed reports. These reports include the number of patients seen, ailments treated, and cases referred to government healthcare facilities. This ongoing collaboration ensures transparency and reinforces CAMMā€™s vital role in conducting healthcare in Malawi. For example, the most frequent ailment we saw in April was malaria (1,533 patients) followed by the common cold (1,030 patients). This data is reported on the monthly and annual reports.

All prescriptions, medications, and medical equipment are stored onsite in the clinicā€™s pharmacy in Lilongwe. Once a month, staff conduct a thorough inventory to track what supplies were used and identify any shortages. Violet Chikwatu, nurse in charge, and Lusungu Mwambeye, clinic administrator, play a key role in compiling reports, submitting required documentation, and restocking essential medications. Lusungu often contacts multiple pharmacies to secure necessary stock at the best available prices.

For the Under-Five program, the clinic provides wellness checks and immunizations for all children under five years old. Staff ensure each childā€™s health record is up to date and that vaccines are stored securely and correctly to maintain effectiveness. In April alone, the clinics in Malawi saw more than 4,000 children in the Under-Five program.

We are incredibly grateful for the dedicated staff of the Lutheran Mobile Clinic in Malawi. Their attention to detail, compassion for every patient, and unwavering commitment to excellence reflect the mission of providing ā€œChrist-centered healthcare that supports the gospel.ā€ Their work is a true blessing to the communities we serve.

We thank all of our supporters who help keep our medications and supplies readily available. Whether itā€™s through financial contributions for purchasing prescriptions or sending packages filled with pill bottles, sunscreen, and other essential itemsā€”we are truly blessed by your generosity.

If youā€™re interested in supporting CAMMā€™s mission, visit their website at camm.us. Your partnership helps us continue providing life-changing, Christ-centered healthcare to those in need.

Written by Angela Sievert, Central Africa Medical Mission chair




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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!

Moments with Missionaries – Ben Foxen

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Missionary Ben Foxen shares an update from Lusaka, Zambia about the work being done with churches in Tanzania and Uganda! One of these churches includes the Africa Mission Evangelism Church (AMEC), which is in the process of reviewing doctrine and working towards declaring fellowship with WELS. Hear more from Missionary Ben Foxen about his work for the One Africa Team.

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

CAMM August 2025 newsletter

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Nutrition challenges in Mwembezhi

Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre stands as a beacon of hope for communities that face limited access to healthcare and resources. For many families, it is the first and sometimes only line of defense against malnutrition and its far-reaching consequences. At the heart of these efforts lies the Nutrition Department, a dedicated team working tirelessly to ensure that no child or mother is left behind in the fight against hunger and poor nutrition.

Mwembezhi Lutheran’s catchment area is predominantly rural, with most households relying on subsistence farming for both food and income. Seasonal food shortages, poor diets, and widespread poverty often make it difficult for families to provide consistent balanced meals. Limited awareness about proper nutrition further contributes to high rates of undernutrition, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies among children under 5. Nutrition is not just a health issue; it’s a barrier to education and overall community development. Recognizing these challenges, Mwembezhi Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre has a nutrition segment to help in early detection and treatment of malnourished children. We do clinical care, education, and community engagement to create lasting change.

Nutrition services at Mwembezhi
1. Growth monitoring and promotion (GMP)
We provide regular weighing and height checks for children who are under 5. Growth monitoring helps us detect early signs of malnutrition and intervene before problems escalate. Caregivers receive personalized counseling on age-appropriate feeding, hygiene practices, and how to make the most of locally available foods. Early childhood development (ECD) services are integrated into GMP, allowing us to assess developmental milestones and ensure that children are not only well fed but also mentally stimulated through play, laying the groundwork for a healthier future.

2. Management of acute malnutrition
Children presenting with moderate or severe acute malnutrition are given life-saving care. This includes Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF), High Energy Protein Supplements (HEPS), and close follow-ups to monitor recovery. Children with medical complications are referred for inpatient treatment to ensure that no case falls through the cracks.

3. Maternal and child education and counseling
Expectant and breastfeeding mothers receive essential information on maintaining a balanced diet during pregnancy and lactation. Health talks emphasize exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, timely introduction of complementary foods, and continued breastfeeding up to two years and beyond. Mothers are also encouraged to incorporate nutrient-rich locally available foods into their family meals.

4. Community outreach and awareness campaigns
Beyond the clinic walls, the staff and community health volunteers work hand-in-hand with villages. They conduct home visits, follow up with at-risk families, and lead cooking demonstrations that teach caregivers how to prepare balanced meals using locally available foods. These outreach activities not only extend the reach but also foster trust and awareness in the community.

5. Integration with other health services
We work together with Maternal and Child Health, HIV care, diabetes and hypertension clinics, and immunization programs. Late last year, one notable success story was of a diabetic patient who was on the verge of giving up life due to his condition. Through consistent counseling, dietary monitoring, and regular blood sugar checks, his glucose levels were brought under control solely through proper nutrition. Remarkably, he has maintained normal blood sugar levels for more than eight months without the need for medication. This integrated approach demonstrates that nutrition is not treated in isolation but as part of a broader continuum of care, addressing both the immediate and underlying causes of poor health.

The human impact
Beyond every statistic lies a story. Mothers who once feared losing their children to malnutrition now return to the center with healthy, thriving toddlers. Caregivers often share testimonials about how simple lessons on meal preparation and hygiene have transformed their family’s health. In October of last year, 1,700 children under 5 were screened for malnutrition, and 12.6 percent (214) were found to be moderately malnourished and 1.8 percent (31) were severely malnourished. This represented an overall malnutrition rate of 14.4 percent. Following close follow-ups and interventions, moderate cases reduced from 214 to 17 (92.1 percent reduction), severe cases from 31 to 6 (80.6 percent reduction), and the overall caseload from 245 to 23, marking a 90.6 percent overall improvement.

All the achievements in nutrition programs are a result of your support, help from CAMM, and the efforts of our dedicated staff.

Looking ahead
Despite successes, challenges remain. Persistent poverty, cultural feeding practices, and seasonal hunger continue to put families at risk. We will continue to encourage parents to bring their children for growth monitoring and promotion, ensuring that no child misses essential health services.

Written by Jackson Kalewka, clinical officer in charge




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Updates from Thailand

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Graduation from Asia Lutheran Seminary’s Regional Theological Education Program

Celebrating a graduation in Thailand may look different, but it is no less exciting. The churches in Thailand just celebrated the graduation of three evangelists from the Pastoral Studies Institute program run with the assistance of Asia Lutheran Seminaryā€™s Regional Theological Education Program (RTEP). Two of these men will continue their work planting churches in two different nearby villages. The third will help support the ministry of another church in the area. Lord willing, we will see more leaders trained in the future by them!

We thank God for these pastorsā€™ many years of training. We thank God for their many teachers over the years, including, but not limited to, Pastor Robert Meister, Pastor Pheng Moua, and President Jonathan Bare. Ultimately, we thank God for his answer to prayers: ā€œThen [Jesus] said to his disciples, ā€˜The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.ā€™ ā€ These men are Godā€™s answers to this prayer. Letā€™s thank God that he continues to answer this prayer with a resounding, ā€œYes! Here they are!ā€

The Zondags move to Bangkok

Our family recently moved from Chiang Mai to Bangkokā€”a journey of about nine hours by car. After packing up our belongings, movers transported everything to our new home on the eastern side of the city.

The transition has felt like moving from the outskirts of Green Bay, Wis., to the outskirts of New York Cityā€”more people, faster pace, and more complexity. While much has changed, our mission remains the same: to bring grace to all in Asia-Oceania, including those living in Bangkok.

Here are a few reasons that led us here:

  1. Around half of Bangkokā€™s population comes from outside the region.
  2. An estimated 30-40 percent of Thai people will live in Bangkok at some point in their lives.
  3. Bangkok is home to 11 million people, but only 1.1 percent identify as Christian.

This means many still need to hear about Jesus. And those who come to faith here often carry the message back to their hometownsā€”potentially spreading the gospel throughout Thailand.

Please pray for us as we settle into our new home, face new challenges, and seek opportunities to share Godā€™s grace with those around us.

Written by Mark Zondag, missionary on the Asia-Oceania Team




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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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A new bishop in Tanzania

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This article originally appeared in the One Africa Team blog. Subscribe to future updates from Africa at oneafricateam.com.

The apostle Paul once wrote to Timothy, ā€œThis is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good workā€ (1 Timothy 3:1, NKJV). In other translations, the word bishop is rendered ā€œoverseer.ā€ Regardless of the term used, the role carries the same weight: to care for Christā€™s church, to faithfully teach Godā€™s Word, and to lead with humilityā€”much like a father guiding his family. Paulā€™s words remind us that this is indeed a noble calling.

A historic day in Arusha

On Sunday, June 29, 2025, just outside Arusha, Tanzania, a significant milestone was reached. After 17 years of faithful service, Bishop Baltazar Kaaya (pictured above, right) of the Africa Mission Evangelism Church (AMEC) consecrated Pastor Judah Pallangyo (pictured above, left) as the newly elected bishop. Bishop Pallangyo has long been a dedicated servant within AMEC, having served both as a pastor and as secretary of theological training.

AMEC and WELS: A growing relationship

In recognition of the growing relationship between WELS and AMEC, Missionary Howard Mohlke was invited to attend the consecration. The relationship between AMEC and WELS began in 2020 through online conversations with Pastor Makundi Davis, leader of the Kilimanjaro District. The following year, WELS Missionary John Hartmann visited Tanzania, marking the beginning of a deeper partnership.

Over the past four years, WELS missionaries and members of the Commission on Inter-Church Relations (CICR) have met regularly with AMEC leaders, pastors, and elders. These meetings have focused on studying Scripture together and exploring whether a shared confession of faith existsā€”one that could be publicly affirmed through a declaration of fellowship.

A pause for reflection

Originally, it was hoped that a formal declaration of fellowship could be made at the 2025 WELS synod convention. However, as is often the case in ministry, plans can shift. Bishop Pallangyo has requested more time to revisit the statements of faith with AMECā€™s pastors and elders before moving forward.

While this delay may be disappointing to some, it is also understandable. A new bishop stepping into such a pivotal moment naturally wants to ensure unity and clarity among his church leaders.

Looking ahead with hope

Even now as of this writing, further meetings for study among the pastors and elders of AMEC are scheduled, as well as meetings to discuss the future work of WELS with AMEC. We pray for Godā€™s guidance and blessing on these discussions and on the future of AMECā€™s relationship with WELS. May this new chapter under Bishop Pallangyoā€™s leadership be marked by wisdom, faith, and fruitful collaboration.

Written by Missionary Howard Mohlke, leader of the One Africa Team.




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

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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 missingā€”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 weā€™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 Christā€™s sacrifice at its core, Law and Gospel, the knowledge that scripture is Godā€™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 weā€™d been missing so many things for so long that we werenā€™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 couldnā€™t go back to the Baptist churchā€”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, Londonā€”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 wasnā€™t sufficient for Godā€”he had bigger plans!

Pastor Paul and Carolā€™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. Johnā€™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 Iā€™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 Iā€™m sometimes in danger of taking them for granted. Having the opportunity to reflect and write this blog is a humbling experienceā€”it shows Godā€™s hand is in all that weā€™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 Churchā€”and continue to have every time we hear Godā€™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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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!

WELS World Missions: Until every nation knows his love

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ā€œMy name will be great among the nations,ā€ says the Lord Almighty. Today, that promise is taking root in places both expected and unexpectedā€”through the mission God has entrusted to his people.

Across Africa, Asia-Oceania, Europe, Latin America, and Native American communities, WELS World Missions partners with local believers to plant churches, train leaders, and share the gospel in heart languages around the world. Itā€™s not just a mission to the nationsā€”itā€™s a movement with the nations.

Through your prayers and support, local leaders are reaching their own people and crossing borders with the good news. Seminaries are equipping faithful shepherds. Digital tools are proclaiming Christ where missionaries canā€™t go. Together, we proclaim his nameā€”until every tribe, tongue, and nation knows the love of the Lamb.

This is not our mission. This is Godā€™s mission. And by his promise, it cannot fail.

Learn more at wels.net/missions.

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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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One Latin America Team – Spring 2025 Quarterly Update

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Changes for the One Latin America Team

With the departure of Missionary Nathan Schulte, who accepted a call to serve at a church in Wisconsin, plans for new locations, personnel, and structure were accelerated.

On May 22, 2025, Rev. Zach Satorius was assigned to the One Latin America Team. Missionary Satorius (pictured above, left, with Missionary Luis Acosta as his installation in June 2025) will be focused on multiplication work, working with advanced students who are in the process of gathering groups. He and his wife, Ava, will initially be based in Doral, Fla. Missionary Satorius previously served as a vicar in MedellĆ­n, Colombia, under Pastor Henry Herrera.

Missionaries will remain in Quito, Ecuador, and Doral, Fla., and those locations will remain as permanent hubs for the team. The plan is to discontinue AsunciĆ³n, Paraguay, as one of the One Latin America Team hubs. Missionaries Joel Sutton and Abe Degner have been asked to redeploy to other locations. Additionally, a new, mobile hub concept is being developed.

The mobile hub is designed to allow the One Latin America Team to remain flexible to pursue emerging opportunities. It also keeps locations diversified in case of regional instability. Using this approach, the One Latin America Team will temporarily place missionaries in various locations. Mexico City has been chosen to serve as the first mobile hub due to feasibility of visas, efficient connections to the rest of the Latin America through its major airport, and the number of active students and church planters. The Behmer family will be moving there after their furlough in summer 2025, with the Sutton family joining them in January 2026.

A snapshot of blessings during the past quarter:Ā 

  • Academia Cristo has their first advanced student from Africa! A student from Equatorial Guinea, Africaā€™s only Spanish-speaking country, has made it through the first 12 live courses of Discipleship Level and is currently participating in the capstone course. He is currently in the doctrinal agreement process with Missionaries Luis Herrera and Luis Acosta.
  • On April 4, 2025, MarĆ­a Vasquez, a called church planter, was called home to heaven after suffering a heart attack. Missionary Matt Behmer was able to travel to Costa Rica and see her and her family after the heart attack and before she passed away. Missionary Angel Otero and his wife Maribel were able to attend a funeral and provide support to the family. On April 27, 2025, an online memorial service was held for the Academia Cristo Missionary Nathan Schulte shared a message of comfort at the service based on Revelation 7:9-17.
  • On April 20, 2025, a special online Easter worship service was held for the entire Academia Cristo student body. Lester Soto from Nicaragua and Camilo Herrera from Colombia, both called church planters, led the liturgy. Missionary Nixon Vivar preached.
  • Over the past several months, 11 students from Paraguay, Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Mexico were welcomed into doctrinal agreement after reviewing 95 key doctrinal questions with a missionary. This means the students have expressed a commitment to the teachings of the confessional Lutheran church and a desire to be doctrinally affiliated with the ministry of Academia Cristo.

Fast facts

  • A total of 37,129 students have enrolled in the Self-Study Level of courses
  • 1,342+ students have completed one Discipleship Level live course
  • 152+ students have completed the Discipleship Level (13 live courses)
  • 53 students have completed the Church Planting Level (ten live courses)
  • 43 Academia CristoĀ students are actively leading church plantsĀ (Grupos Sembrador)Ā 




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