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WELS World Missions is stepping into new global mission settings to share the life-saving gospel where it is least known. Missionaries Dan and Karen Kroll are beginning work among the Wolof people in Senegal, West Africa, a predominantly Muslim community with very few Christians. At the same time, Pastor John Hildebrant is preparing through language and cultural immersion in India to serve Hindi-speaking peoples across Asia and Oceania. These efforts reflect the ongoing commitment to bring Christ’s forgiveness and salvation to people who have little opportunity to hear the gospel.
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Read more in this article from the December 2025 edition of Forward in Christ magazine.
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WELS is celebrating a renewed focus on gospel outreach through its long-range plan, “Christ through us,” recognizing congregations as the backbone of mission work and calling believers to share Christ’s love near and far.
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In connection with WELS Home Missions, congregations across North America are being encouraged to engage members in mission, support ministry enhancement, and help plant new home mission churches in underserved areas as part of strengthening the synod’s backbone.
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At the same time, WELS World Missions is emphasizing the commission to bring Christ to the nations by expanding international partnerships, equipping global pastors and leaders, and increasing gospel access in unreached and high-need areas around the world.
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Together these efforts reflect a synodwide call to see every believer and congregation as Christ’s ambassadors, empowered by God’s Word to share the good news both at home and abroad.
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Several WELS World Missionaries are relocating to new contexts around the globe to strengthen gospel work and build relationships with believers and church plants. Missionary Matthew Behmer and his family have moved to Mexico City to be closer to multiple church plants and better support emerging leaders. Missionary Joel Sutton will join them in early 2026, while others are being redeployed in Ecuador to coordinate outreach across Latin America. In Bangkok, Thailand, Missionary Mark Zondag has transitioned to focus on sharing Christ with the native Thai population, and in Tanzania, Missionaries Benjamin Foxen and John Roebke are relocating to help train local church workers while learning Swahili. These moves reflect ongoing efforts to advance gospel ministry in strategic global settings.
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Read more in this article from the December 2025 edition of Forward in Christ magazine.
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Several WELS Home Mission churches in places like Florida, Massachusetts, and Tennessee have reached exciting milestones this season. These congregations are rejoicing in God’s continued blessings as they share the gospel and welcome new members in growing communities.
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In case you missed it...
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October 2025 WELS Connection
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Congregations serve an important role in WELS’ ministry because they are the backbone that supports our shared gospel efforts. The “Christ through us” long-range strategic plan details goals that existing congregations can work toward and also encourages strategic church planting of new missions. Learn how you and your congregation can help WELS continue to spread the gospel to those who so desperately need it.
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December 2025 WELS Connection
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Bringing Christ to the nations is the final priority of WELS’ long-range strategic plan titled “Christ through us.” Learn more about the unprecedented opportunities that lie before us, and consider how Christ might work through you to support and encourage the work of WELS World Missions.
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Save the date for Taste of Missions on June 13, 2026! Join us at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis., for a celebration of gospel outreach and the commissioning of new home and world missionaries. The event begins with a special worship service, where we’ll joyfully send these missionaries to share Christ’s love around the globe.
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Following the service, enjoy ethnic cuisine from mission fields, connect with fellow attendees, and hear firsthand accounts from missionaries about their work. Explore mission displays, participate in interactive activities, and ask questions during a panel discussion for deeper insights into the joys and challenges of mission work.
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Registration will open in March 2026.
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Moments with Missionaries video updates
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Enjoy short video updates from some of our WELS Home and World Missionaries around the world.
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Representatives from the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society traveled to Lima and Pucallpa, Peru, in October 2025, meeting church plant families and their children as they live and grow together in faith using Academia Cristo resources. From spirited Bible devotions to seeing young ones actively participate in worship, these visits highlighted how the gospel is passed from parents to children in growing Christian communities across the region.
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Read more in this article from the December 2025 edition of Forward in Christ magazine.
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Prayers requested
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Prayers are needed for a member of our World Mission family. Missionary Jeremy Seeger from the Asia-Oceania Team shares:
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“My wife, Grace, was officially diagnosed with stage IV cancer. There is no stage V. I take comfort in knowing our God is an ‘unreasonable’ God:
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‘Gideon, why take 22,000 men when I can do it with 300?’
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‘Hezekiah, why even lead your army out against 145,000 Assyrians. I’ll take care of it.’
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‘David, you don’t need armor to face Goliath.’
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God demonstrates his power when the outcome is the most unreasonable. Stage I or II, the doctors may treat this and plan and hope for reasonable outcomes. The credit may be given to doctors and modern medicine. Stage IV is a set up for a miracle, it’s a set up for an unreasonable outcome. And I rejoice that we have a God of unreasonable outcomes! Regardless of the outcome in the months and years ahead we remain confident in God's magnificent love for our family. His name will be glorified through this all.”
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A prayer from World Missions Administrator Larry Schlomer:
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Dear Lord Jesus, we bow before you today with hurting hearts. Our dear sister, Grace, has received news about her health that has pierced the hearts of her family and friends. We need the mercy and peace that only you can bring. Reassure Grace, Jeremy, and their precious children with hope that your promises establish beyond a doubt. You overcame death with an indisputable display of power when you rose from the grave. You have promised to bring us to live with you forever. We ask you to cover Grace and her family with that power now. If it is your will, bring miraculous healing to her body. If it is your will to gather Grace to your heavenly embrace, bring miraculous peace and comfort to the hearts and minds of all who love her dearly. Risen Lord, reassure all who hear this news that your love never fails, that your promises stand and that eternal life is sure because you have saved us. In your precious name we pray. Amen.
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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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