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"Starting a church is many things. It’s exciting and exhausting, humbling and rewarding, daunting and wonderful – often all at once. Oh, and it’s one more thing: unpredictable. The lead-up to our launch service felt less like following a carefully planned timeline and more like learning to keep our footing as the waves kept coming."
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Church planting rarely follows a tidy timeline, more often, it looks different for each location and is often unpredictable. Rev. Evan Chartrand shares some of the unexpected moments Anchor Lutheran Church in Panama City Beach, Fla., experienced as they prepared for preview services and a public worship launch. Read more about how God used every unexpected moment to bring his forgiveness and salvation to this community.
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On Sunday, January 18, 2026, home mission Harbor Lutheran Church in Cambridge, Mass., hosted their launch service in their newly finished worship space. God's blessings as they continue to spread the gospel with the surrounding communities.
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On Saturday, January 17, 2026, Rev. Samuel Boeder was installed at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Barre, Vt. God's blessings as he begins his ministry and shepherds the congregation.
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Prayers are needed for a member of our World Mission family
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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 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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