WELS in the News

December 19, 2023

WSAW-TV highlighted the live nativity being put on by students at Northland Lutheran High School, Kronenwetter, Wis., which is also the location of a new home mission congregation.

December 5, 2023

The Mankato Free Press reported that Bethany Lutheran College will be discontinuing some majors and minors, following a study of enrollment trends. According to the article, no full-time faculty will be laid off.

November 21, 2023

On Nov. 20, the Daily Jefferson County Union included an article about how Fort Atkinson local businesses and residents donated time and materials to help Crown of Life Christian Academy, Fort Atkinson, Wis., build a concrete patio and pathway to allow students with disabilities to access the playground.

October 17, 2023

On Oct. 13, the Rice Lake Chronotype announced that Matthew Thiel has started as vicar at Redeemer, Rice Lake, Wis.

On its Oct. 13 Faith Page, Norfolk Daily News announced an upcoming fall concert by the Martin Luther College Choir at St. Paul, Norfolk, Neb.

In its Oct. 3 edition, the Manistee News Advocate introduced Rev. Dennis Himm, the new pastor at St. Paul, Manistee, Mich.

On Sept. 30, The Journal in New Ulm, Minn., included an article about St. Paul’s Lutheran School and its 138-year history in the New Ulm community and where it is headed in the future.

On Sept. 29, CBS News Minnesota featured a story on Rachel Grev, who is in her 25th season of serving as the volleyball coach at St. Croix Lutheran Academy, West St. Paul, Minn.

September 26, 2023

On Sept. 25, KFIZ featured an article about Trinity, Campbellsport, Wis., breaking ground for a new church building that will be located on the same site as its school.

The Sept. 21 edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel included an article about faith leaders’ reactions to Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin beginning to offer abortions again in Wisconsin. Rev. Robert Fleischmann, national director of Christian Life Resources, shared some thoughts.

On Sept. 3, WMTV in Madison, Wis., featured a story on Bethlehem Lutheran Academy, Richland Center, Wis., which opened this fall for early childhood education. The new center, a ministry of Christ Countryside Ministries, is housed in a Richland County school that has been remodeled after sitting empty for almost 20 years.

The Sept. 1 edition of the Watertown Daily Times highlighted the start of three new teachers at St. John’s Lutheran School, Watertown, Wis.

On Aug. 27, AdaIcon included a story about the 75th anniversary of Trinity Lutheran School, Jenera, Ohio, featuring a short history of the school since its start in the fall of 1948.

August 22, 2023

On Aug. 18, The Journal highlighted the start of school for Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn. On-campus enrollment is at a little over 600 full-time students.

The Aug. 21 edition of The Monroe News included an article about a new Worship at the Cross service for those with special needs being held monthly at Zion, Monroe, Mich.

On Aug. 11, Liberty Hill Independent featured a photo of the ribbon cutting at Divine Savior Academy–Santa Rita Ranch, Liberty Hill, Texas, for its phase two expansion project.

On Aug. 11, The Pilot Independent highlighted Walker on the Water Lutheran Church, a preaching station of St. Mark, Bemidji, Minn., that meets for worship twice a month in Walker, Minn.

The Aug. 5 edition of The Journal featured a history of St. John’s, New Ulm, Minn., which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

August 22, 2023

On Aug. 18, The Journal highlighted the start of school for Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn. On-campus enrollment is at a little over 600 full-time students.

The Aug. 21 edition of The Monroe News included an article about a new Worship at the Cross service for those with special needs being held monthly at Zion, Monroe, Mich.

On Aug. 11, Liberty Hill Independent featured a photo of the ribbon cutting at Divine Savior Academy–Santa Rita Ranch, Liberty Hill, Texas, for its phase two expansion project.

On Aug. 11, The Pilot Independent highlighted Walker on the Water Lutheran Church, a preaching station of St. Mark, Bemidji, Minn., that meets for worship twice a month in Walker, Minn.

The Aug. 5 edition of The Journal featured a history of St. John’s, New Ulm, Minn., which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

August 8, 2023

On Aug. 3, Daily Press out of Escanaba, Mich., featured an article about local women from various WELS congregations who attended the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society convention in La Crosse, Wis., in June.

On July 27, The Brookings Register highlighted Isaiah and Michaela Zabell, who will both be serving at Our Savior, Brookings, S.D., for the next year. Isaiah will be vicaring at the congregation, while Michaela will serve as the second teacher at the congregation’s school, which just opened last year.

July 18, 2023

The July 24 edition of the Antigo Daily Journal introduced Rev. Erik Alair, the new pastor at Ascension, Antigo, Wis.

On July 15, The Journal in New Ulm, Minn., highlighted a project to create a series of illustrations that tells Bible stories, which will be used overseas in places like Zambia and Vietnam. Artists include teachers and art students from Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minn. The project is coordinated through WELS Missionary Rev. Terry Schultz and Multi-Language Productions. Read more about the project.

On July 1, The Journal Times in Racine announced the installation service of a new inreach pastor at Water of Life, Racine/Caledonia, Wis.

The June 24 edition of Wiscnews highlighted the 150th anniversary of St. John, Baraboo, Wis., which will be celebrated throughout the year with special services.

June 20, 2023

A fellowship life group from Lamb of God, Phoenix, Ariz., called the ROMEOs (Religious Old Men Eating Out) recently received local news coverage from FOX 10 in Phoenix and the Ahwatukee Foothill News.

June 6, 2023

On June 2, the Washington County Insider included an article written by Olivia Rodriguez-Golner, a recent graduate from Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School, Jackson, Wis., about her recent diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. Rodriguez-Golner also hosts WELS Kids Connection.

The May 23 edition of the Watertown Daily Times highlighted the 40th anniversary in the teaching ministry of Janet Hathaway and Jeanne Fischer, teachers at St. John, Watertown, Wis.

On May 22, The Free Press in Mankato, Minn., featured the groundbreaking for a $11.8 million expansion at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, New Ulm, Minn. The expansion includes four new additions to the existing high school.

May 16, 2023

CBS 58 in Milwaukee, Wis., featured international student Quan Pham Gia An, a junior at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Milwaukee, who scored a perfect score on the ACT.

On May 10, the Washington County Insider included an article announcing the upcoming Miriam’s Walk for Life at Kettle Moraine High School, Jackson, Wis., to benefit WELS Lutherans for Life. Miriam Kremer, a senior at Kettle Moraine, passed away in November 2022.

May 2, 2023

On April 24, Seehafer News included an article about Beth Messman, teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School, Two Rivers, Wis. Messman was a recipient of Artsonia’s 2023 Art Education Leadership Award.

On April 28, Fox 11 News included a story about the grand opening of the fourth campus of Lighthouse Youth Center in Appleton, Wis. Lighthouse has three other campuses in the Milwaukee area.

My KLGR highlighted a celebration of the 125th anniversary of St. John Lutheran Church, Redwood Falls, Minn., and the 40th anniversary of St. John’s school.

April 18, 2023

On April 7, Seehafer News reported on a pipe organ refurbishment project at First German, Manitowoc, Wis.

March 21, 2023

A March 6 article by the Manitowoc County Historical Society highlighted a recent acquisition of photos of the 1904 flood in Mishicot, Wis. The photos were taken by Rev. Gustave Vater, who was pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Mishicot from 1902-1908.

The March 16 edition of the Wisconsin Examiner profiled how a Green Bay company is testing a new benefit for its employees in Richland Center, Wis.—helping cover child care expenses. A new child care center at Bethlehem, Richland Center, Wis., will help provide that care in its community.

On March 17, the Monroe News profiled Zion, Monroe, Mich., and its worship and ministry opportunities.

March 7, 2023

On Feb. 27, the Daily Jefferson County Union highlighted the eight musicians from the band at Lakeside Lutheran High School, Lake Mills, Wis., who will attend the 2023 WELS National Band Festival in March at Luther High School, Onalaska, Wis.

The March 6 edition of Neighborhood News for New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, Fla., featured an article about Citrus Grove Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel and its outreach in the neighborhood.

February 21, 2023

The Feb. 18 edition of the Herald Times Reporter included an article about how Noah Lukasek, a junior at Manitowoc Lutheran High School, Manitowoc, Wis., led the efforts for donating more than $1,500 worth of toys and baby supplies to Bellin’s Family Integrated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit by auctioning off his own artwork.

February 7, 2023

On Feb. 6, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel announced that Dr. Joan Prince was named to serve on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents. Prince, a member at St. Philip, Milwaukee, Wis., recently spoke at the WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership.

The Journal in New Ulm, Minn., highlighted St. Paul Lutheran Elementary School’s annual Amazing Race competition on Feb. 6.

On Feb. 6, TMJ4, Milwaukee, Wis., featured a story on Kon Knueppel, a basketball standout at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Milwaukee.

The Jan. 30 edition of The News-Herald featured an article on Rev. Jeffrey Duquaine, who started as pastor at King of Kings, Willoughby, Ohio, last March.

On Jan. 27, NBC 26 included a story about Rev. David Wenzel, coach of the women’s basketball team at Fox Valley Lutheran High School, Appleton, Wis. He recently won his 500th career win and is now up to 503 wins, the 16th most wins in state history.

January 24, 2023

On Jan. 20, CBS Colorado included an article about a fire at Abiding Love, Loveland, Colo. The church suffered water damage. An investigation is underway.

The Jan. 19 edition of the Washington County Insider reported on a fire on the cross of the steeple of St. Paul, Lomira, Wis. Damage was isolated to that area with no fire, smoke, or water damage to the rest of the church.

On Jan. 19, WSMJ featured a story on St. Matthew, Benton Harbor, Mich., which will hold its final service Jan. 29. It is merging with nearby congregation Good Shepherd, Benton Harbor. The new combined congregation will be called Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church.

November 15, 2022

The Nov. 3 edition of the Herald Times Reporter featured an article on the 70th anniversary of Raymond and June Haack. They have been members at St. Peter, Mishicot, Wis., for 60 years.

On Nov. 3, Watertown Radio included information about the completion of the expansion of Great Plains Lutheran High School, Watertown, S.D.

November 1, 2022

On Oct. 25, The Waynedale News announced the dedication of a community walking path at Holy Scripture, Fort Wayne, Ind., built right by the church’s playground. The dedication ceremony was part of Holy Scripture’s Fall Festival.

On Oct. 31, the Daily Jefferson County Union included an article about the accreditation of St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Fort Atkinson, Wis.

October 18, 2022

On Oct. 17, the Fillmore County Journal featured a story on Morgan Pablubicki, a new teacher at St. John’s, Caledonia, Minn.

The Oct. 14 edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel included an article about Rev. Aaron Strong, pastor at Grace, Milwaukee, who was killed in a car crash.

October 4, 2022

On Sept. 28, Fox 11 News included an article about fifth-grader Natalie Bendix, a member at Redeemer, Fond du Lac, Wis., who was selected to join the Scholastics Kids Press program.

TMJ4 in Milwaukee, Wis., featured an article about Organ Guy John Miller, a member at St. John, Milwaukee, Wis. Twenty-nine-year-old Miller repairs and refurbishes pipe organs, after studying pipe organ building in Germany.

September 20, 2022

The Sept. 11 edition of the Mankato Free Press included an article about an art exhibit at Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minn., that displayed images of Bible stories created by Bethany students for use in Zambian churches. The college worked with WELS Multi-Language Productions on the exhibit.

On Sept. 8, The Las Cruces Bulletin reported on a truck crashing into Cross of Christ, Las Cruces, N.M., on Aug. 20. The congregation has since put up a temporary wall and resumed worship in the building.

On Sept. 1, The Dickinson Press introduced Rev. Joel Prange as the pastor leading a new mission church, Amazing Grace, Dickinson, N.D.

In August, the Pioneer included a story about the new stained glass windows at Redeemer, Big Rapids, Mich. Congregation members worked together to create and construct these eight stained glass windows.

August 23, 2022

KFOX out of El Paso, Texas, recounted a story about a truck crashing into Cross of Christ, Las Cruces, N.M. Two members were in the building at the time. Those members and the pastor shared their experience.

August 16, 2022

In its Aug. 15 edition, the Jefferson County Daily Union included an article about the start of the school year for Lakeside Lutheran High School, Lake Mills, Wis.

On Aug. 9, the York News-Times highlighted Nebraska Lutheran High School, Waco, Neb., as it started its 44th year. The school is expecting 60 students this year.

In its Aug. 4 edition, the Waupaca County News featured St. Peter, Weyauwega, Wis., and its 150th anniversary celebration this year. The church is having special services throughout the month of August.

On Aug. 3, KARE 11 included a story on Grant Loven, a six-year-old who wished for a new playground for Bloomington Living Hope Lutheran School, Bloomington, Minn., through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

August 2, 2022

The Journal, in New Ulm, Minn., included an article about Prof. Jim Unke, who died June 30. Unke served at Martin Luther College for the past 25 years, including serving as the college’s athletic director since 1997.

SYNOD EVENTS

Interested in attending choir concerts, leadership conferences, and retreats? View upcoming synod-level events and attend an event in your area.

Synod events

DAILY DEVOTIONS

Read today’s daily devotion or browse the archive, which has several months’ worth of devotions to uplift and encourage you with the Word.

Daily Devotion