Tag Archive for: CELC

Building fellowship in Finland

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One of the greatest joys of belonging to the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) is the fellowship we share with believers around the world. For the Europe Team, this fellowship is not an abstract idea—it is real and personal. When we pursue Christ-centered relationships, God is present to encourage us and open doors for gospel partnership.

Greg, Luke, and the Åkerlund Family from the congregation at St. Johannes

From our base in Leipzig, Germany, Jennifer and I often travel to visit believers across continental Europe. But our Europe Team also builds fellowship through “ET Reps.” ET Reps generally live in the United States but are focused on one or two sister churches in Europe. They write, they pray, they encourage, and they develop lasting friendships with pastors, leaders, and church members. Through their work, our Christian unity grows warmer and stronger.

Let me share a recent example.

Greg Schibbelhut teaches science at Luther High School in Onalaska, Wis. Recently he has also begun serving as ET Rep for our two sister churches in Finland. In July, Greg joined Jennifer and me for his first chance to meet our Finnish brothers and sisters face to face.

Our travels first took us to St. Johannes on the western edge of Finland, where people generally speak Swedish. Pastor David Åkerlund and his wife, Marika, hosted us and arranged outings with other church families. Summer is a happy time in Finland. The long, warm days and beautiful landscape provided a perfect setting for good food and relaxed conversation. Together we shared the joys and challenges of family life and our great Christian mission—including a new evangelism effort in Jakobstad. This is how the best friendships are built.

From there, we traveled south to a Bible camp hosted by the Lutheran Confessional Church—Finland (LBK-Finland), a Finnish-speaking church. Here Greg met Pastor Juhani Viitala, his wife, Virpi, and other leaders and laypeople. Greg taught a children’s lesson on Jesus’ death and resurrection, and he listened. Again, God provided encouraging conversations and new possibilities for working together.

We live in an age of screens. Video calls and e-mails are wonderful blessings, but there is something special—necessary—about face-to-face fellowship. Conversation across a kitchen table, joint worship, Bible study, and good food foster openness, understanding, and trust. Greg carried home not only knowledge of these churches’ blessings, challenges, and opportunities but also real friendships.

Fellowship doesn’t end when the plane touches down back in the United States. Greg continues to pray for our Finnish brothers and sisters. He stays in touch online and looks for ways to support their gospel outreach. Greg shared, “What an exciting, wonderful, and humbling opportunity it has been learning about our synod’s work in Europe. The pastors and members of our sister churches in Finland graciously welcomed me into their homes and churches. Their deep love for their Savior Jesus and desire to share that love is very evident. I look forward to continuing to foster this relationship with our brothers and sisters in Finland as we encourage their work with prayer, communication, and in-person visits.”

We thank God for all our ET Reps and their growing connections with believers across the ocean. Please pray that God would strengthen our fellowship and open new doors for sharing his good news.

Written by Luke Wolfgramm, world missionary for the Europe Team.




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United in Christ, sharing the gospel

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Nearly six out of every ten people in the world’s 8.2 billion population live in Asia and Oceania. Yet only 8 percent in this vast region know Christ as their Savior, leaving more than 4.5 billion souls in spiritual darkness. Jesus’ words ring true: “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35).

“That All May Hear and Believe” was the theme of the Asia-Oceania Convention of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC), held June 9-13, 2025, in Bali, Indonesia. The CELC is a worldwide fellowship of Lutheran church bodies committed to the teachings of the Bible as expressed in the Lutheran Confessions. Since its start in 1993 with 13 churches, the CELC has grown by God’s grace to 34 member church bodies today.

Geraja Lutheran Indonesia hosted the gathering, welcoming participants from 14 countries representing 17 groups that included current and prospective CELC member church bodies. They were joined by WELS mission workers and several WELS and Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) administrative representatives, bringing the total attendance to 72.

WELS has 17 missionaries serving in 18 countries throughout Asia and Oceania, with team members based in Thailand, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Australia. Our partners in some countries cannot be named publicly for security reasons. That reality makes gatherings like this convention especially precious as a rare and safe opportunity for church leaders to worship, pray, study God’s Word, and encourage one another in person.

During the convention, WELS Missionary Joel Nitz asked our international partners what blessings they experienced through their time together. Three key overlapping themes stood out:

Encouragement in Christ

Meeting others who share their faith brought participants much-needed encouragement. Many work in places where there are very few Christians, and being together reminded them they are not alone in the work God has given them. Time spent in God’s Word, praying, and talking openly about the joys and struggles of gospel ministry gave them renewed strength.

  • “I experienced great encouragement. We are so small. Here I see our unity in the Word on a larger scale.”
  • “In [our country] we have so few believers; [there is] no fellowship like this.”
  • “It was comforting to see we have the same struggles, big and small, but also to see how God provides for our ministries.”

Building connections

Many valued meeting others who serve in gospel ministry across the region. They traded contact information, hoping to support each other in prayer and stay in touch. Some talked about studying the Word together or sharing resources to help one another as they continue serving in their own countries.

  • “It was a good opportunity for networking for our ministries in Asia.”
  • “The conference helped me see the need for patient endurance. I would like to keep meeting and following up on ideas.”
  • “We hope the connections from this conference will continue.”

Sharing ministry practices

Participants gained practical ideas by listening to those who face similar challenges. They enjoyed hearing how others in different countries teach the Word, plan worship, and reach out to their neighbors. These conversations gave them new ideas and fresh motivation for their work. Many hope to keep learning together through online classes, follow-up chats, and by sharing helpful materials.

  • “I learned about planning, studying the Word, and the hardships others face.”
  • “Each country has something to offer. I learned how I can help others and they can help me.”
  • “Hearing how others handle challenges encouraged me to keep serving and look for solutions.”

These days in Bali were a compelling reminder that God’s workers are not alone in the harvest. United in Christ, our mission partners returned home encouraged and equipped to continue sharing the good news of Jesus. We pray that God will bless their ongoing work so that all may hear and believe.

Written by Prof. Lawrence Olson, Administrative Committee member for the Asia-Oceania Team




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