The WELS Military Services Committee provides spiritual services to WELS members and others who serve in the United States Armed Forces, including those in the National Guard and the Reserves.

The committee carries out its mission through a full-time civilian chaplain in Europe, and a national civilian chaplain and liaison to the military, and a network of WELS military contact pastors across the United States.

As WELS’ national civilian chaplain and liaison to the military, Pastor Paul Ziemer maintains regular contact with many WELS troops and their families. He orients, trains, and mentors new WELS military contact pastors.  Military Services offers military contact pastors online training resources at welscongregationalservices.net and regularly conducts training conferences for them. When WELS military families need Christian counseling, Pastor Ziemer provides a referral to WLCFS Christian Family Solutions, where therapists with understanding of military life provide video counseling. Several, if not all, of the therapy sessions are covered financially by Military Services Member Assistance Program, funded though a grant from Lutheran Military Support Group, an organization of WELS and ELS veterans.

One hundred twenty-two WELS pastors who live near military installations in the continental U.S. and select nations overseas stand ready to serve our military personnel and their families as part-time WELS civilian chaplains.

Send the names and addresses of those serving in the military or living in Europe via the online referral form or to the Commission on Special Ministries at N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188.

For more information about WELS ministry to the military, you can find useful information on the Military Services FAQ.