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For generations, WELS congregations have been beacons of Christ’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.
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The Board for Home Missions met in September 2025 and approved SEVEN new mission starts!
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These seven new starts put us closer to our goal of starting 100 new missions and enhancing 75 ministries by 2033. Track progress and learn even more about the initiative at wels100in10.net.
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Asia Lutheran Seminary hosted its 12th graduation ceremony at Grace Lutheran Church in Hong Kong on October 19. It was a celebration of the achievement of 35 individual graduates who received various certificates, diplomas, and degrees. These students are now preparing to enter into the mission field to share the gospel throughout Asia. God's blessings to these graduates as they share the gospel wherever they may be.
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“When we got here, there was just something right. There was something here that we didn’t know that we needed.”
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Jill never expected to find hope in a church again. Years of pain and anger had left her convinced she was done with faith—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 didn’t know she was missing.
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Watch Jill’s story and see how God’s love can reach us in the most unexpected ways—bringing healing, belonging, and a future filled with hope.
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Learn more about the WELS 100 Missions in 10 Years initiative at wels100in10.net.
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World Missions Administrator Rev. Larry Schlomer recently traveled to Medellín, Colombia, for the Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional synod convention. This international sister synod of WELS is made up of congregations from across Latin America that work together to do mission work, train pastors, and support each other with prayers and fellowship.
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During this year’s convention, Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional formally welcomed two new church bodies into fellowship: a church plant in Tenancingo, Mexico, represented by Juan Reyes, and the Evangelical Lutheran Confessional Church—Puerto Rico, represented by Sergio Cortijo. The new church in Tenancingo is the second church plant established through Academia Cristo outreach efforts to join this growing synod—a significant milestone for the Academia Cristo program.
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Celebrating a graduation in Thailand may look different, but it is no less exciting. In August, the churches in Thailand celebrated the graduation of three evangelists from the Pastoral Studies Institute program run with the assistance of Asia Lutheran Seminary’s Regional Theological Education Program (RTEP).
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Two of these three 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!
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We thank God for these pastors’ 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, “Then [Jesus] said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’ ” These men are God’s answers to this prayer. Let’s thank God that he continues to answer this prayer with a resounding, “Yes! Here they are!”
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Hello from Bangkok! In August, the Zondag family moved from Chiang Mai to Bangkok—a journey of about nine hours by car. After packing up their belongings, movers transported everything to their new home on the eastern side of the city.
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While much has changed, our mission remains the same: to bring grace to all in Asia-Oceania, including those living in Bangkok. Read more from Missionary Zondag about what led this family to continue ministry in Bangkok at wels.net/updates-from-thailand. View more photos at bit.ly/UpdatesfromThailand.
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A number of home mission congregations have experienced major milestones during Fall 2025.
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- TheMission, Conroe (Willis), Texas, hosts first worship service in new building - August 17, 2025
- Christ Alone, Ammon, Idaho, launch service - August 24, 2025
- Forgiven Lutheran Church, Kronenwetter, Wis., launch service - September 14, 2025
- Beautiful Savior Oakley, Cincinnati, Ohio, launch service - September 27, 2025
- Living Stone Lutheran Church, Conway, Ark., launch service - September 28, 2025
- Rev. Sam Boeder assigned to Christ the Redeemer, Barre, Vt. - October 24, 2025
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"Small group ministry is the heart of the work that’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 . . ."
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Seasons of planting and growing are underway in Australia. Discover how small groups are shaping ministry, building friendships, and changing lives in this blog from Missionary Matt Doebler.
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Are you looking for a meaningful way to serve, build relationships, and share Christ'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.
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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.
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Support WELS Missions
Thank you for supporting WELS mission work through your prayers, congregational offerings, and special offerings made directly to WELS. If you'd like to support WELS mission work, visit
community.wels.net.
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Missions Blogs
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Read inspiring stories from Home and World Missions while also staying up-to-date on the most recent Missions news. Subscribe to receive them in your inbox every week!
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WELS Missions Resources
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Get the latest resources and materials from WELS Home and World Missions at
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Contact us
We'd like to hear from you! Contact us for assistance or additional information regarding WELS Missions or simply visit wels.net/missions.
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