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“Through space sharing, we have opened the doors to more impactful cross-cultural ministry.”
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In one of Canada’s most diverse neighborhoods, members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Calgary are finding creative ways to share Christ’s love with people from around the world—without ever leaving their community. From welcoming thousands during a Sikh community parade to supporting South Sudanese refugees through local outreach efforts, God is using these connections to bring people into contact with his Word.
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Read how a congregation is turning its church building into a place of welcome, service, and gospel outreach for neighbors from more than 20 countries.
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New seminary graduate Stephen Gerling and his wife, Hannah, will serve as one of two missionary families sent to a new mission in Senegal. Drawing from their unique international backgrounds and experiences growing up in mission fields, the Gerlings share their excitement, challenges, and hopes as they prepare to build relationships and share the gospel with the Wolof people in Senegal.
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Veteran WELS world missionary Dan Kroll and his wife, Karen, will serve alongside the Gerlings as they minister to the Wolof tribe. Both Stephen Gerling and Dan Kroll will be commissioned by WELS Missions at Taste of Missions on June 13.
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Various teachers, pastors, and missionaries will be commissioned to begin their new divine call:
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Rev. Ronny Nguyen
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Minh (Ronny) Nguyen was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In 2014, he came to St. Croix Lutheran Academy in West St. Paul, Minn. There, he was first exposed to the Bible through daily chapel, religion classes, and the godly encouragement of his teachers. The Holy Spirit worked through the Word to bring Ronny to faith and trust in Christ as his Savior.
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After high school, Nguyen attended the University of Manitoba before transferring to Martin Luther College. He later attended Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, where he served his vicar year at Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel in Madison, Wis. In May 2026, he was assigned to serve Mount Olive in St. Paul, Minn., a mission restart congregation that was approved as a home mission enhancement in spring 2026.
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Rev. Stephen Gerling
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Missionary Stephen Gerling graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in May 2026. He was assigned to serve as a missionary to Senegal, a primarily Muslim nation, to serve the Wolof people. He will partner with Missionary Dan Kroll, initially focusing on learning the language, building relationships, and gaining an understanding of this unique culture to formulate a plan for future ministry. God willing, the Senegal team will also serve as a resource for future outreach in Muslim communities around the world. The Gerling's will relocate and begin their work in Senegal in September 2026, pending no unexpected delays with visas.
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Rev. Dr. Francisco Cossio
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Rev. Dr. Francisco Cossio La Rosa accepted the call to serve as a missionary on the One Latin America Team in May 2026. He will help teach online courses through Academia Cristo and support students who are planting churches in their own communities. Prior to this role, he served as pastor at Santo Tomás Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Ariz.
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Cossio was born in Holguín, Cuba. He earned degrees as a medical doctor and worked as a physician before hearing the Word of God and being brought to faith through the work of WELS missionaries. He was confirmed at Pescadores de Hombres congregation in Cuba in 2001 and served as its pastor while taking classes through the Pastoral Studies Institute’s Hispanic branch. In July 2009, Cossio finished his theological studies and served as a vicar at Santo Tomás Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Ariz. He graduated in 2010 from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s Pastoral Studies Institute. After graduating, Cossio continued serving at Santo Tomás.
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If you are unable to join us in person, join us for the commissioning service and afternoon presentations via livestream at tasteofmissions.com/videos.
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“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity." (Psalm 133:1)
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From May 29–June 1, delegates gathered in Lusaka, Zambia, for the 2026 Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) convention.
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Every three years, representatives from CELC member churches around the world come together for fellowship, encouragement, and mutual support in their shared confession of faith. The convention also provides an opportunity to welcome new church bodies into this worldwide fellowship.
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This year, Sínodo Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional was welcomed as a member of the CELC, and Rev. Nathan Seiltz was installed as the new CELC president.
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We thank God for the unity he continues to provide among believers across nations, languages, and cultures as we work together to proclaim the gospel throughout the world.
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Support Home Missions
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Thank you for supporting WELS Home Missions through your prayers, congregational offerings, and special offerings made to Home Missions. If you'd like to support mission work, visit wels.net/hmgift.
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Host a Mission Festival
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Request a mission speaker and let the WELS Missions team help find you a mission speaker for your event.
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Faces of Faith
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Read stories of the Holy Spirit at work in Faces of Faith, WELS Missions' annual magazine. Request free copies for your church or LWMS circuit rally at wels.net/facesoffaith.
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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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