Tag Archive for: Faces of Faith Home Missions

Faces of Faith ā€“ Greta

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When I started as a freshman at University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in the Fall of 2022, I was nervous about finding people to connect with. A goal of mine was to check out the WELS Campus Ministry called The Point of Grace (TPOG). At the time, I didnā€™t anticipate the impact this decision would have on me. Through The Point of Grace, I have gained friends that feel like family.

I have realized that college is a huge test of faith and a turning point in the lives of young adults. Campus Ministry is something that is close to my heart because it has kept me on Godā€™s path, not the worldā€™s. Being around other Christians who are experiencing this same season of life is encouraging. My time at church or study time with other Christ-focused individuals matures my faith and motivates me to look to God in my daily struggles.

The Point of Grace has become a lifeline for me. I look forward to Wednesday, when the weight of my week is lifted off my shoulders. I always understood that God was important, but I never gave God the time he deserved. Through The Point of Grace, I have gained a community of God-fearing fellow students who show their care for my soul and their own. My experience with campus ministry continues to be a great blessing!

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Wade

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Zijian ā€œWadeā€ Wei (pictured right) was baptized on November 30, 2021, while attending Arizona Lutheran Academy in Phoenix, Ariz. Since he was a foreign exchange student during the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was forced to make the U.S. more of a home than perhaps he ever intended. We thank God for the Christian family and friends who were there for him. A family of special note was the Gutierrez family, members of Crosswalk in Laveen, Ariz.

Now as a student at Arizona State University (ASU), Wade remains close to the Gutierrez family. In his first year at ASU, Wade continued to room with the sons of the Gutierrez family, Cole and Jonah (pictured center). Cole and Jonah are officers for the registered student organization, Light in the Valley, the WELS campus ministry.

Every week, Wade joins the Light in the Valley group for food, fellowship, and a Bible study. While studying engineering at ASU, he can continue to grow in his faith. This WELS campus ministry is not the only way that Wade continues to be served with the Means of Grace. Wade and his friends rent a house just a few blocks from Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tempe and attend worship every Sunday to receive Godā€™s gifts in Word and Sacrament.

From Christopher Pflughoeft (pictured left), campus ministry pastor for Light in the Valley and pastor at Emmanuel in Tempe, Ariz.

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Faces of Faith – Kehinde

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Kehinde [CANE-deh] is originally from Lagos, Nigeria. He moved to Mississauga to attend school. Though he has some extended family in the Toronto area, he was mostly alone. After attending our church, he found a family in Mississauga. He was included with our lay-led menā€™s group and visited with me regularly for Bible study. He also got a job through one of our members who owns a business. After studying Baptism, he said that he was unsure if he was baptized. We had the privilege of giving him a ā€œpledge of a clear conscience towards Godā€ and officially welcomed him into our church family in February 2024. He is a perfect example of an entire congregation coming together to love and welcome someone new to the country. He is a breath of fresh air with his honesty and willingness to grow together with us. We pray that he continues to grow as a Christian among us.

From Caleb Schultz, home missionary at Cross of Life in Mississauga, Ont., Canada

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Faces of Faith – Jacob and Abby

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Jacob and Abby Hicks were just dating when we first met them. Abby would occasionally come to church with her parents who had just become members a year prior. After visiting a couple times with Jacob, they agreed to take Bible information class. We found out Jacob had never been baptized and by the seventh lesson he wanted to be. We baptized Jacob, confirmed both Jacob and Abby, and later performed their marriage at Cross of Glory. Last November we welcomed their firstborn, Benjamin, baptizing him into the family of God. They continue to be a large part of Cross of Glory and are always excited to hear more of the Word and grow in their relationship with God.

From Andrew Schrimpf, home missionary at Cross of Glory in Baton Rouge, La.

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Faces of Faith – Paulo and Flavia

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Paulo and Flavia moved to Canada from Brazil about seven years ago. They originally moved to the Niagara Falls area but settled in Mississauga for work. When they moved, they were in search of a Lutheran church. Having attended some other Lutheran churches, they loved what they found at Cross of Life. They noticed our love for Scripture and our emphasis on outreach and discipleship and gladly became part of our family. Though we have been able to bless them with a church family, they also have blessed us immensely. Their family gladly serves and supports our ministry. Paulo, Flavia, and their son, Lucas, are all involved with our music team and are active in welcoming new people to our congregation. They encourage and support me, my wife, and our daughters, who are ā€œbest friendsā€ and ā€œsistersā€ in a way only three and four-year-old girls can be. We would not have this wonderful family who adds so much value to our church if it werenā€™t for Home Missions supporting churches in Toronto.

From Caleb Schultz, home missionary at Cross of Life in Mississauga, Ont., Canada.

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Faces of Faith – Grenada

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Cassia is in grade five at Grace Lutheran School. Her parents are not believers, and up until recently, Cassia was not baptized. Brianna, a classmate, is baptized and lives with her grandmother who is not a believer. Samantha, another classmate, is baptized and her parents are believers. These three young ladies are Grenadian, the best of friends, from vastly different backgrounds and families, and all three believe that Jesus is their Savior. Now, we can say they are all born again through baptism and sealed into Godā€™s family.

Cassia was baptized on a Sunday afternoon. As we hiked through the jungle to the major pool of the Seven Sisters Falls, there was laughter and discussion coming from our group. Lucy Bartz and Rachel Ihlenfeldt, two teachers at Grace, and Brianna and Samantha all accompanied Cassia to her baptism. They had played their God-given roles in planting, watering, and tending to the seed of the gospel as it grew into faith in Cassia. A faith firmly planted in her Savior, Jesus Christ. They escorted her into the pool at the base of the falls and rejoiced as she came out born again into Godā€™s ever-growing family.

From Ib Meyer, home missionary at Grace in Grand Anse, Saint George, Grenada

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Katelyn and Hali

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Starting college at Coastal Carolina University in 2021 was a challenging time for Katelyn and me. We both grew up in WELS congregations, and we struggled to adjust to an environment that pushed values and beliefs that we did not share. There were many moments when we felt alone on campus.

The family and support we found at church was what encouraged us during difficult times and reminded us of the comfort we could find in God and our church family. Our freshman year was the first year that there was a steady group of college students who attended Amazing Grace in Myrtle Beach, S.C. We began having dinners at Katelynā€™s house as a small escape from the pressures of Coastal, with friends who we knew shared the same faith. After a few dinners, our vicar at the time approached us with the idea of starting a Campus Ministry program as an outlet to strengthen our faith and enjoy fellowship. We were all very excited to start!

We began meeting for Bible studies twice a month and have continued for the past three years. There are still only five or six of us who attend, but as Matthew 18:20 says, ā€œFor where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.ā€ We find comfort in this promise and are grateful for the time we get to spend in Godā€™s Word and for the support of our Campus Ministry family on campus.

From Katelyn Baker and Hali Tainatongo, campus ministry students at Coastal Carolina University

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Drake

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What comes to mind when people think of NCAA Division 1 athletics? Dedication, drive, determination, devotion, competition, and so much more. One thing noticeably absent is any reference to faith or a relationship with Christ. I suppose that is not surprising given the culture of universities. But Drake Andrews, a freshman at Ohio State University (OSU) and a D1 menā€™s gymnastics competitor is seeking to change that. While Drake was working hard academically and physically during his first semester at OSU, he felt like something was missing. After being encouraged by close friends to seek out a church, Drake found his way to St. Paulā€™s, and the Holy Spirit ignited a flame of faith that has only gotten brighter. In Drakeā€™s own words, ā€œI knew from the first service I attended that I had found my new home. I am extremely excited to be confirmed. This is one of the most important aspects of my life, and I am thankful for the gifts that God has provided me with: a loving and supportive family, friends, the ability to train and compete in the sport I love, and most of all, the ability to serve him while here on earth.ā€ Drake was confirmed and welcomed into membership on March 10, 2024, and I am excited to see his faith and passion for Christ grow in the years to come.

From Ross Gottschalk, campus ministry pastor at St. Paulā€™s in Columbus, Ohio

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Faces of Faith – Sean

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“It was amazing. It was the greatest thing. . . just to know that Jesus still loved me and still cared about me and wanted me to be part of his family again, that meant the world to me.”

Hear more from Sean Oā€™Doherty, member at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Nampa, Idaho, about how the gospel shared with him through a WELS home mission congregation brought him back to his Savior.

Learn more about the WELS 100 Missions in 10 Years initiative at wels100in10.net.

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