New direction for Muslim outreach

The Joint Mission Council (JMC), which comprises representatives from both Home Missions and World Missions who work collaboratively to meet cross-cultural ministry opportunities, has evaluated the Outreach to Muslim program and is preparing to take the ministry in a new direction.

The JMC determined it would be better stewardship of resources to focus assistance in Muslim outreach at the congregational level in areas with Muslim populations around them and to new congregations that may be started in the future in areas with high density Muslim populations. In addition, funding will be directed toward World Mission efforts in countries with Muslim populations.

With this change, the current position of Muslim outreach coordinator, held by Rev. Pieter Reid, will end on June 30, 2015. The Outreach to Muslims Committee will continue to function to assist in efforts, utilizing the expertise of Reid when possible.

Rev. Keith Free, administrator of WELS Home Missions, says, “We’re very thankful to Rev. Pieter Reid for the 22 years of ministry to Muslims in Indonesia as well as in the United States. He and his wife, Marlys, certainly have raised our church body’s awareness about reaching out to Muslims.”

Learn more about WELS cross cultural ministries at www.wels.net/missions.