Europe
The Europe mission team partners to share Christ’s grace in Albania, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Russia, and Ukraine while supporting sister church bodies in seven additional countries. Two WELS missionaries reside in Europe. A stateside administrative committee appointed by the Board for World Missions helps facilitate their work.
The Europe mission team partners with sister synods and independent churches in fellowship with WELS in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Germany. This partnership and support can come in the form of financial assistance, theological training or continuing education, visits and assistance from other World Missions representatives or missionaries, as well as the sharing of outreach ideas. A church in the Czech Republic and a synod in Latvia are directly supported by our mission partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS). Most mission partners are a part of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC), a worldwide fellowship of confessional Lutherans. Learn more at celc.info.
Fast facts
- 13 sister synods in Europe
- Mission partners in 12 countries
- 2 missionaries
Meet the missionaries
Rev. Dr. Michael Hartman - London, United Kingdom
Rev. Dr. Michael Hartman leads church planting efforts in the United Kingdom, focusing on London and international ministry. Exploratory work has led to the establishment of a “hub” church in central London Aldgate, with a network of smaller worship groups in Wolverhampton, Northwoods, and Manchester. Hartman works with individuals who have connections around the world, ranging from Africa and South America to Europe and Asia.
Hartman graduated from the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1999 and has a Doctor of Ministry in church planting. Prior to serving in the U.K., Hartman served as a world missionary in Latin America for 23 years. He led the One Latin America Team to bring the gospel to the Spanish-speaking world and equip leaders with resources to form churches. God used him to found Academia Cristo, a Spanish language Bible Institute and church planting ministry.
Hartman currently lives in London with his wife, Rachel, and their four children.
Download and read more biographies at wels.net/missionarybios.
Rev. Luke Wolfgramm - Leipzig, Germany
After graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1997, Missionary Luke Wolfgramm was assigned to Novosibirsk, Russia, where he served for 25 years. In March 2022, Wolfgramm began a new role where he works more directly with mission churches in Albania and Bulgaria and spends time with independent sister churches in Europe. His visits strengthen WELS fellowship with pastors and congregations who are often small and isolated. Wolfgramm is also partnering with the ELFK, WELS’ sister church in Germany, to enhance ministerial education, leadership, mentoring, and pastoral wellness throughout Europe.
Wolfgramm is married to Jennifer, who loves to work with music and help people get more involved with their congregations. They currently reside in Leipzig, Germany. She travels with Missionary Wolfgramm to build friendships with the women of our sister churches. The Wolfgramms have three adult children that live stateside: Christina, Katie (Xander), and Peter.
Download and read more biographies at wels.net/missionarybios.
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PICTURES OF EUROPE
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