Summer quarter in Sweden
āTo the twelve tribes scattered among the nationsā (James 1:1).
Thatās the way James begins his powerful little book. The apostle wrote to encourage Godās people and to spur them on to renewed service.
Thatās exactly why European Summer Quarter is so important. WELS has a dozen sister synods in Europe. The brothers and sisters in these small church bodies are often scattered. Congregations tend to be small. Itās easy to feel isolated. Two weeks of Bible study and fellowship can lift spirits for healthy ministry.

Pastor Holger teaching
This year twelve pastors, seminary students, and church leaders gathered at St. Markās congregation in Ljungby, Sweden. These representatives from seven different countries came to dig deeper into Godās word, to grow in personal faith, and rededicate their hearts to service. During the first week, Pastor Holger Weiss, from Germany, led a course on Paulās letters to Timothy and Titus. In these letters the Holy Spirit speaks especially to pastors:
- Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage ā with great patience and careful instruction (2 Timothy 4:2),
- And the things you have heard me say ⦠entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2)
- For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

Missionary Luke Wolfgramm teaches the class; included in the class in Missionary Conifer Berg
During the second week, Missionary Luke Wolfgramm led practical meditations on the life and ministry of Elijah. Participants came to appreciate Jamesā observation: āElijah was a man just like usā (James 5:2). Godās great prophet faced temptations and struggles remarkably similar to contemporary pressures in post-Christian Europe. Nevertheless, the unchanging LORD equipped Elijah to serve his 7,000 elect. The same mighty God remains faithful to his people today.
Everyone enjoyed the studies, but nothing can compete with the fellowship participants enjoyed outside of class time. Evenings and weekends gave plenty of opportunity for discussions, collaboration, and mutual encouragement. Members of St. Markās congregation also enjoyed Sunday sermons from three guest preachers during Summer Quarter.
Hearty spiritual food and unhurried contact with brothers and sisters strengthens European fellowship and reinvigorates zeal to proclaim Christ. Please pray that God would continue to bless pastors and people through ongoing Bible study together.
Written by Rev. Luke Wolfgramm, world missionary on the Europe One Team, based in Leipzig, Germany.
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