The Joint Mission Council assists WELS congregations and schools as they build relationships with various Asian people-groups throughout North America. Rev. Neil Birkholz serves as the North American Asian Ministry Consultant after previously serving in East Asia. The Joint Mission Council helps to promote, train, guide and advocate for outreach among the North American Asian population.

Regular worship and Bible study takes place each week in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese in established WELS groups in North America. These ministry efforts are often supported by Asian leadership trained by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in both the traditional program and by the Pastoral Studies Institutes (PSI). These established groups are also reaching back to their country of origin with the gospel message. One example of this can be seen in Las Vegas, Nev. The Korean Fellowship Lutheran Church is partnering with and supporting a semi-retired Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) Korean pastor as he serves a small group of Lutheran members in Incheon, South Korea.

Additionally, many of our WELS high schools enroll international students from Asia. In partnership with WELS campus ministries, the Joint Mission Council is actively connecting with these international students. The hope is to serve these international students during their educational years as well as equip them to take the gospel back to their country of origin.

Fast Facts

• Active outreach locations to North American Chinese: 8
• Active outreach locations to North American Koreans: 2
• Active outreach locations to North American Vietnamese: 2