Tag Archive for: Home Missions

Faces of Faith ā€“ Eian

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As a disabled veteran and first responder who was spending his first year in Texas, Eian Poblador was struggling more than words can say. He remembers waking up one night and concluding that it was time for real help and answers. Heā€™d seen churches that would model something spiritual in this world, but what caught his eye was a church that modeled ā€œpeace.ā€ He walked into Amazing Grace. He said, ā€œI felt no fear from God or others . . . the church and its pastor were the first people to take time to know me and spend time to teach me Godā€™s Word, the forgiveness of my sins, and the gift of the Lordā€™s grace.ā€

Eian defended, served, and protected his country, and now he protects the special gifts that he received from Godā€™s Word. Itā€™s no small task to cherish, uphold, and defend how pure the law is and how amazing grace is each day. Today, you will find Eian sitting in the back of Amazing Grace with a friendly smile. Heā€™s keeping watch. Why? He knows that someone else is keeping watch over his soul for eternal life to come. He has a story, just like each person who needs to hear Godā€™s Word and come to know their Savior.

From Hans Thomford, home missionary at Amazing Grace in Amarillo, Tex.

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Faces of Faith ā€“ The Joseph Family

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Jemoye and Kandy wanted a good education for their daughter. Thatā€™s how they found St. Johnā€™s Lutheran School. In 2017, their daughter graduated! The parents celebrated their new gradā€™s achievement and then did what many parents do . . . moved on. Jemoye and Kandy were unchurched, and they really didnā€™t have an interest in joining a congregation.

One day in 2022, they showed up with Jessie, their baby boy. The birth of their son stirred something in them. Their growing family needed something more. They needed a church home. The seed that had been planted years ago at St. Johnā€™s took root! For their family, 2024 was a special yearā€”Jemoye was baptized along with their new baby girl. Jemoye and Kandy married, and the whole family joined their new Christian community! As Jemoye describes it, ā€œSt. Johnā€™s is a place that helps us pursue godliness and follow Godā€™s Word. A place I find support on my journey with Christ.ā€ If the Joseph family is any indication, no matter how long ago seeds of the gospel have been planted, the Lord can cause them to grow!

From Jonathan Kehl, home missionary at St. Johnā€™s, Saint John, Antigua and Barbuda

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Reece and Caroline

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Reece and Caroline started out as classmates, attending the same middle school and high school. Conversations and overall knowledge of each otherā€™s existence was minimal in their earliest years, and their paths split after their 2018 high school graduation. Caroline went on to nursing school, and Reece joined the United States Marine Corps. In many instances, they were on opposite sides of the planet. The culmination of Carolineā€™s four-year education and graduation alongside Reeceā€™s final year of military service led to a reconnection and eventual relationship that would start because of a simple match of mutual interests. Their relationship soon grew to be one rooted in faith, grace, and an overall understanding that to best serve each other, they must center themselves in Christ.

Finding Divine Peace in Rockwall, Tex., was, at first, just a place for weekly worship, but it soon became Reece and Carolineā€™s new home. They are unified and committed to each other as husband and wife, but also to Christ. The two of them appreciate everything they have learned and been provided by Divine Peace, as well as Pastor Gunnar, who has been an invaluable source of support and education for them. As a newlywed couple, Reece and Caroline appreciate the constant spiritual growth opportunities that help them grow in their faith.

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Johnathon

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My wife, Sarah, our children, and I have been going to Anchor Church in Marquette, Mich., from the beginning. We were on the hunt for a family church. Our children are eager to learn about Jesus and have a lot of energy and personality, and we were looking for an understanding church that could provide a setting to learn more in a fun and engaging way.

I met Pastor Joe about a year before Anchor opened its doors to the community. Our families loved getting to know each other. One Friday morning on a toddler hike, Pastor Joe asked what we needed in a church, and we got to sit down and brainstorm how Anchor could best serve the community youth.

Fast-forward to now. Our children have fallen in love with their church family. They light up when they see Pastor Joe. Itā€™s the most wonderful opportunity that I have as a husband and father to be empowered and equipped to lead my family in their faith journey. Iā€™m thankful for Anchor Church that gave that to me. As my family grows, I look forward to joining in more and serving our God and our community.

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Thomas

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It was a Sunday evening in July when I received an e-mail from Thomas. He and his family were preparing to move from East Asia to Boston so he could pursue further education. Additionally, they were eager to join our home mission church and become part of our community. What joy! From the moment they arrived, Thomas and his family have been an incredible blessing to mission work in Boston. They regularly welcome Thomasā€™ classmates into their home for study nights and meals, hosted a Lunar New Year celebration, and share the gospel freely with anyone who will listen. Their faith and hospitality serve as a powerful example and highlight the many opportunities we have in Bostonā€”both in cross-cultural ministry and among college and graduate students.

From Joshua Koelpin, home missionary at Harbor in Boston, Mass.

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Channel

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At the beginning of this year, I found myself a brand-new staff member at an unfamiliar school. As an evangelist, the idea is to connect school families to our church and share opportunities to grow in relationship to Jesus. It was, admittedly, a bit intimidating for me, but God always provides the opportunity.

Within the first week on the job, I was walking up the sidewalk for 3:00 p.m. dismissal and heard beautiful worship music blaring from a car that was waiting to pick up a scholar. I walked up to the window and met Channel McClellan. After a brief initial chat, she attended church and shortly after we were running through virtual membership Bible classes. In addition to her growing faith, she and her fifth-grade daughter, Kellise, have a unique spiritual habit. Every morning at 7:45 a.m., they pull up in front of school, but the car doors donā€™t open; Channel and Kellise remain in the vehicle and pray together. Channel prays over her daughter and the day ahead, inviting Jesus into every moment of their life. What an example of faith, even to the lifelong Christianā€”a humble mother and her daughter, sitting in the chilly Wisconsin winter air, praying before they each run off to their busy days. I need more faith like that in my life. We all do.

From Brent Krohn, campus evangelist at St. Marcus in Milwaukee, Wis.

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Todd and Rochelle

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Rochelle and I faced some challenges in our life. We struggled with faith and constantly questioned why evil seemed so pervasive in the world and good was scarce. In the middle of these struggles, like most people, we couldnā€™t find a solid foundation. However, through our family, we discovered The Vine in Hayden, Idaho. When we heard Pastor Schultzā€™s message one Sunday, we realized where our true strength wasā€”in Jesus. The Vine has brought us immense joy, peace, and grace amidst the turmoil of our world. And weā€™ve formed cherished connections with so many others in The Vine family. While life still presents its difficulties, we now can see the goodness of God that was once so elusive in our lives.

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Cheri

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In 2025, God led a precious soul to the waters of Baptism through . . . TikTok!

Our congregation has been using a free online ad tool that connects local pastors to people in their zip code who have spiritual questions. One day Cheri was scrolling through TikTok when she saw a video ad and clicked on it. Soon, she found herself messaging with our pastor. After asking about our churchā€™s core beliefs and our worship service, she decided to attend worship the very next Sunday. A new round of Bible Basics class happened to be starting immediately after worship. Cheri agreed to try the class and was immediately hooked! She became a regular at both worship and Bible study, with a boundless appetite for asking deep spiritual questions and finding the answers in Godā€™s Word.

Cheri joined our congregation in fall 2024. She was baptized, confirmed, and received the Lordā€™s Supper all on the same day. Now, she rarely misses a Sunday of worship, a Bible study, or any church event and has become a key volunteer on our AV team.

Who knows how many more ā€œCherisā€ might be out there right now, spending time online while longing deep down to learn more about God. We thank the Lord for every opportunity to connect with peopleā€”even through TikTok!

From Lucas Bitter, home missionary at Intown in Atlanta, Ga.

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Moments with Missionaries – Jeremy Mattek

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Rev. Jeremy Mattek shares an update from TheMission in Willis, Texas, as they will soon complete their building project. June 21 marked the one year since breaking ground for the new building and now it is near completion and ready to host members and be an outreach tool in the community. Hear more from Missionary Mattek about TheMission and its building project and how it will serve both the members at TheMission and the community.

P.S. – Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to watch even more videos from our missionaries in the upcoming weeks!

Faces of Faith – Jett

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ā€œYouā€™re chasing joy, happinessā€”youā€™re trying to find it in all these other things that arenā€™t Christ, and it leaves you feeling empty,ā€ says Jett. ā€œBut coming back to church and growing my relationship with the Lordā€”itā€™s changed my life.ā€

Hear more from Jett Starzynski, a college student at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich., who found lasting joy not in success or status but in returning to the Savior heā€™d drifted from. Through the welcoming community at Anchor, a WELS home mission congregation, Jett rediscovered what it means to be truly anchored in Christā€”and now shares that hope with others.

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

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Summer 2025 Home Missionsā€™ milestones

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A number of home mission congregations have experienced major milestones during spring and summer 2025:

Foundation in Peyton, Colo. – New church building
On March 23, 2025, Foundation Lutheran Church in Peyton, Colo., was able to have their first worship service in their brand new church building! God’s blessings to this home mission congregation as they continue to spread the gospel and welcome the community into their new space. View photos from their first worship service and of their new building in our Flickr album.

Christ the King Buffalo, Wyo. – Worship launch (pictured above)
On Sunday, April 13, 2025, Christ the King Lutheran Church officially launched their public worship services in Buffalo, Wyoming. The celebration was a joy and faith-filled milestone for this growing church family! May God continue to bless the mission and ministry of Christ the King as they share the gospel in Buffalo and beyond. View photos from their launch in our Flickr album.

Sure Foundation, Brandon, S.D. – New church building
In April 2025, Sure Foundation Lutheran Church in Brandon, S.D., celebrated the grand opening of their new church building and hosted a formal dedication worship service in July 2025. God’s blessings as they continue to share the gospel in their new space with the people in the community. Hear more about the new church building from Rev. Craig Wilke in his Moments with Missionaries video update and view photos of their new building in our Flickr album.

Huntersville Lutheran Church – New church building
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, Huntersville Lutheran Church in Cornelius, N.C., dedicated their new facility in a special worship service. The purpose is more than just the square footage and number of rooms; its a place for people to learn about Jesus and a place for future generations to hear that Good News. Learn more about their building project at www.huntersvillelutheran.com/building.

Stay up-to-date on news from WELS’ 140+ home mission congregations by following WELS Missions on Facebook and Instagram.

 

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Moments with Missionaries – Paul Krueger

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Rev. Paul Krueger shares an updates from Christ Alone Lutheran Church in Ammon, Idaho. Rev. Krueger and his family joined the core group in early 2024 and since then have grown. God has also blessed them with a facility to host their weekly worship and invite others in as well. Hear more from Rev. Krueger about Christ Alone Lutheran Church and some of their upcoming milestones, and save the date for next year’s Taste of Missions on June 13, 2026, at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis.

P.S. – Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to watch even more videos from our missionaries in the upcoming weeks!

Ready to talk about Jesus

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Evangelism is not easy. It becomes easier over time, thatā€™s true; but it is not a simple task to discipline oneself to constantly be ready to talk about Jesus, to share the Good News. At St. Marcus, we are seeking to challenge, first and foremost, our comfort level, educating our congregation to be evangelists themselves and to become more aware of the Spiritā€™s intimate movements in getting Godā€™s Word to those who live in our very city of Milwaukee but do not yet know or believe the truth. This is our task. And not only are we an urban church, but we are also a church directly connected to a school system that, every day, educates more than 1,200 students. Of those roughly 1,000 families, only 25 percent share that they have a vibrant faith life and are connected to a church. This is our mission field!

Men That Matter ministry

Membership challenge: St. Marcusā€™ community council came up with Radical Withness Discipleship. In this program, we pair a member of our congregation with a member of the surrounding community. This pair then informally seeks out a ā€œfriendshipā€ together. Whether it is a meeting over coffee, praying over the phone, sharing an encouraging Bible verse, or sharing a meal, we seek to challenge our members and ourselves to immerse and encourage the community around us in Christ.

Vibrant worship: Through the first five months of 2025, weā€™re more than 94 worshipers greater in attendance per week across services compared to last yearā€™s same time period. We invest heavily in school choirs, allowing our parents to naturally attend our worship services when their children sing. Part of the campus evangelistā€™s job is to oversee all worship operations, including music styles, hymns, and organization of services. This allows our team to, in a prayerful and godly way, make the truth of Godā€™s Word even more accessible and relatable to our inner-city families.

Enhancement of vibrant, small group ministries:

  • Family Ministry has implemented ā€œDiscipleship Steps,ā€ in which we connect our families more deeply to the Word of God. This includes not only ā€œmembersā€ but our surrounding community and school families as well (ex.: Bible handout to primary-grade children, a ā€œserviceā€ morning, study of Habits of the Household book, and practical gatherings).
  • Men That Matter is our official menā€™s ministry. Part of the campus evangelist’s role is to work toward fostering a community of men that seek Godā€™s will in their lives. Events take place on multiple evenings/mornings, and though each welcomes men from all walks of life, each is specifically designed to address a different angle of the churchā€™s ministry, seeking to carry out biblical instruction and provide fellowship opportunities for our school male role models, fathers, single men, and husbands.
  • Embrace Grace and Embrace Life Ministries (pictured in the header photo): St. Marcus has become a hub of godly support for single mothers who are pregnant or have recently had a child. Through a 16-week program on Tuesday evenings, church members gather with these community mothers and offer prayer, support, and grace as they enter motherhood.
  • Fusion is St. Marcusā€™ youth ministry (grades 7-12), held on Sunday mornings in conjunction with the 10:30 a.m. worship service. On average, 15 students, many from the community rather than ā€œmembers,ā€ gather around Godā€™s Word and fellowship. We are in the planning stages of setting up a ride-share network to allow more youth the ability to get to church on the weekends.

Throughout all of this, our largest effort goes into maintaining a cohesive church staff team. Prospects and visitors who have expressed interest in the church are contacted on a regular basis by the team, and weekly meetings allow us to maintain accountability.

Our congregation’s greatest challenge is not to send people to share the gospel in foreign lands but to humbly seek opportunities to share God’s Word with the people of inner city Milwaukee. We pray for God’s continued guidance and help in this.

Written by Brent Krohn, campus evangelist at St. Marcus Lutheran Church and School in Milwaukee, Wis.




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Let the little children come

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Jesus said, ā€œLet the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.ā€ ā€”Matthew 19:14

Abiding Love is dedicated to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to Chinese people in Metro Vancouver. Since we launched on November 27, 2022, our church has experienced both challenges and blessings. One significant challenge we faced was a lack of volunteers in the music ministry. Each week, Pastor Wang faithfully stepped in to play the guitar and lead the hymns all by himself. While we were thankful for his dedication, we also longed and prayed for others to join this important ministry.

God, in his faithfulness, answered those prayers. Earlier this year, we encouraged young Noblessa to try playing the piano during worship services. Though she was nervous at first, she stepped up with courage. Week by week, her confidence grew, and now she blesses the entire congregation through her music.

Noblessa playing piano for worship

Soon after, two young boysā€”Mike and Ivanā€”joined the music team as well. Their enthusiasm and willingness to serve brought fresh joy and energy to our worship services. It was deeply moving to see children take part in leading Godā€™s people in praise. Jesusā€™ words echo in our hearts: ā€œLet the little children come to me.ā€

Even more encouraging, their example inspired two of our adult members to begin leading hymns as well. The childrenā€™s service didnā€™t just fill a needā€”it stirred hearts and created a ripple effect of participation. What began with one young pianist became a growing team of worship leaders, both young and old.

God often builds his church through small, faithful steps. Children are not merely the future of the churchā€”they are an essential part of the church today. When we make space for them, encourage them, and allow them to use their gifts, we witness the fruit of Godā€™s work among us. Their faith, joy, and eagerness to serve are a powerful testimony to all generations.

Mike playing piano

One of the greatest blessings we now enjoy is the regular presence of five to six children in Sunday worship. This has allowed us to launch an in-person Sunday school, where we teach Godā€™s Word to the next generation. There is nothing quite like hearing children recite Scripture, ask thoughtful questions about Jesus, and pray with open hearts. It brings renewal and vitality to our church family.

Childrenā€™s ministry doesnā€™t only impact the kidsā€”it strengthens the entire congregation. Weā€™ve seen children invite their parents, siblings, and friends to church events. One child coming to faith in Jesus can open the door for an entire family to encounter his love. This is how the kingdom of God growsā€”one small step of faith at a time.

Let us be a church that continues to welcome children with open armsā€”not just to attend, but to serve, grow, and lead. Let us never underestimate what God can do through young lives that are open to him. When we create space for children, we reflect the very heart of Jesus.

Thanks be to God for his provision, his blessings, and for each child he brings through our doors. May we continue to nurture, guide, and celebrate the next generation. To God be all the glory!

Written by Rev. Qiang Wang, Abiding Love Lutheran Church, Burnaby, BC, Canada




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We go together – Five missionaries commissioned at Taste of Missions

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At Taste of Missions, held on June 14, 2025, five new missionaries were commissioned to share Jesus in communities across the U.S. and around the world:

  • Mr. James Brandt ā€“ Asia-Oceania Team leader
  • Rev. Jacob Bitter ā€“ Pan de Vida, Garden Grove, Calif.
  • Rev. Jacob Borgwardt ā€“ Crossroads, Chicago, Ill.
  • Rev. Ethan Schultz ā€“ Lamb of God, Williston, N.D.
  • Rev. Phillip Valdez ā€“ Abiding Savior, Killeen, Texas

When you pray, give, and gather with fellow believers, youā€™re not just witnessing mission workā€”youā€™re part of sending them. From your church pew to mission fields around the worldā€”we go together.

Please pray with us:

Gracious Lord,

At Taste of Missions, we witnessed your grace in action as we in WELS commissioned five men to serve in your harvest field. We lift up to you Mr. James Brandt, serving in Asia-Oceania; Rev. Jacob Bitter, at Pan de Vida in Garden Grove, California; Rev. Jacob Borgwardt, at Crossroads in Chicago; Rev. Ethan Schultz, at Lamb of God in Williston, North Dakota; and Rev. Phillip Valdez, at Abiding Savior in Killeen, Texas.

As you have called them, now equip them and their families. Fill them with zeal to share Christ and him crucified. Strengthen their faith, guard them, and bless the communities they serve with open hearts to hear the gospel. May their work be fruitful, their hearts joyful, and their eyes always fixed on Jesus.

To you alone be all glory, now and forever.

Amen.

Learn more at tasteofmissions.com.

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Rethinking Northwoods ministry

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Our Savior in Phillips, Wis., was approved as an unsubsidized home mission congregation in spring 2025. Unsubsidized, or self-funded, home missions do not receive direct financial support but still have access to the many other benefits offered to all home mission congregations: assistance through their district mission board, mission counselors, and synodical support staff plus access to WELS Church Extension Fund and grants from the Board for Home Missions.

We were not unlike dozens of WELS congregations north of a line drawn from Green Bay to Wausau to Eau Claire. We were and continue to be a small Northwoods congregation.

We shared a pastor with another church 90 minutes north of us. He spent at least 40 hours a month on the roadā€”almost as much as he spent in our community. Our building was in disrepair. Architectural engineers estimated it would take $150,000 to bring it up to code. Our numbers were staticā€”well below what was needed to support a pastor. Our congregational meetings usually ended with different opinions on ministry and solutions to our building issues.

Our leaders were exasperatedā€”tempted to plod along and just survive.

But then something happened. The Lord emboldened a group of laypeople who pushed the issues and took action. Members were encouraged to unite behind solutions, and a sense of urgency regarding our building developed.

Then God opened our eyes. First, it was an idea we had never considered: what about a different building closer to town that would be handicap accessible and provide more space for ministry? Then, he showed us a local Family Dollar store that came on the marketā€”8,000 sq. ft. of ā€œvanilla box.ā€ The price was not much more than the repair costs for our present building, so within a month we bought it. Next, we received a generous offer for our old building. Phase 1 of renovating the commercial building would eat up nearly $400,000. Our tiny group of average income retirees and wage earners said, ā€œYes.ā€

The more we studied our dual parish arrangement, the more it seemed to hinder ministry to the community. But once again, the Lord opened our eyes to solutions. The congregation called a retired pastor in the congregation to serve part time. Then, we asked three lay leaders to assist the pastor in leading worship. Finally, an outreach team, made up mostly of women, now organizes events to publicize our ministry in Price County.

The Lord blessed our effortsā€”not with large gainsā€”but with individual souls. An unbaptized 19-year-old named Ethan came to live with his grandparents, and they brought him to worship services. In time, he studied the Creed and Baptism and asked to be baptized. Ethan is currently finishing instructions for confirmation. Another example was Bill’s mother, who invited him to a service. In time, Bill brought his girlfriend, Mari. Both Bill and Mari took instructions and were added to our congregation earlier this year, and in May they were married.

In the last two years, we have had three baptisms, and Sunday Bible class attendance frequently exceeds 50 percent of the Sunday attendees. We thank God for each of these souls.

Written by James Naumann, home missionary at Our Savior in Phillips, Wis.




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Moments with Missionaries – Timothy Bourman

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Rev. Tim Bourman shares an update from Sure Foundation Lutheran Church in Queens, N.Y. This year marks a big milestone for the congregation as it celebrates 25 years of mission work in New York. We ask that God bless them as they celebrate this milestone in October 2025 and continue to share the saving news of the gospel with a the wide range of nations, tribes, people, and languages. Hear more from Missionary Bourman about Sure Foundation, and save the date for this year’s Taste of Missions on June 14, 2025, at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis.

P.S. – Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to watch even more videos from our missionaries in the upcoming weeks!

Bringing a gospel message of hope to Ellensburg, Wash.

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The Pacific Northwest District Mission Board is partnering with Grace Lutheran Church in Yakima, Wash., to help restart a WELS congregation in Ellensburg, Wash. More than one hundred years ago, several WELS congregations were established throughout central Washington. A mission-minded pastor in Yakima arrived by train to small cities and looked in the phone book for German-sounding last names to contact and start German Lutheran congregations. This was successful church planting in the early 1900s. Over time, there were seven or eight thriving churches scattered throughout the eastern range and valleys of the Cascade Mountains.

Sadly, many of these churches have either closed or are about to close their doors. This included Good Hope Lutheran Church in Ellensburg, which closed several years ago. But this is not the desire of three WELS families who have moved into the area. Together, they have formed a core group under the direction of Rev. Nathan Zastrow from Grace in Yakima, with prayerful intent to apply for and receive mission restart status from WELS Board for Home Missions.

The committed core group has spent the past year doing extensive work both inside and outside the existing church property. A WELS Mission Journeys team from Appleton, Wis., arrived to assist with landscaping, rebuild stairs to the entrance, and provide a fresh coat of paint. Recently, the interior of the church is slowly being transformed into an open space for worship and will be used as a meeting place for community groups. Currently, a home school co-op rents the facility two days per week. These have been major accomplishments, yet there is still plenty of work to be done.

This past spring, the core group received evangelism training and has completed extensive planning to define the core values and direction for the gospel ministries in Yakima and Ellensburg. The group members have put their training into action by going door-to-door, introducing themselves, and bringing the gospel message of what Christ has done to people both personally and digitally. People have been directed to their website, hopeinellensburg.com, to receive a message of true hope found only in Christ. In May, the core group was blessed with an adult baptism: the fiancƩe of one of the members.

This summer, two youth groups from Oconomowoc, Wis., and Fairfax, Minn., are arriving to help lead STEM camps. Andrew and Lauren Lindloff from Fount of Life in Colorado Springs, Colo., arrived in early June to spend four days going door-to-door to proclaim the gospel. Their WELS Mission JourneysĀ experience was a part of celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary.

We donā€™t know how the Lord will bless these faithful efforts, and although there is hard work that still lies ahead, the core group members have embraced the concept that the Lord blesses gospel activity. While concentrating on making Christ known in the community of Ellensburg and on the campus of Central Washington University, they are ā€œkeeping good hope aliveā€ by fully trusting that the power of Godā€™s Word is at work whenever the gospel is proclaimed.

It is a great day to be Godā€™s messengers. And we ask for your prayers that the Lord bless these efforts to rebuild a gospel presence in central Washington.

Written by Mr. Dave Malnes, Pacific Northwest District Mission Board member




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WELS Christian Aid and Relief provides care through humanitarian aid grants

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To help carry out its ministry of compassion, WELS Christian Aid and Relief announced that it has approved $426,357 to support humanitarian aid projects in WELS mission fields throughout the United States and worldwide for fiscal year 2025-26.

ā€œThese grants are huge for our missions,ā€ shares Rev. Dan Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief. ā€œThey provide an opportunity to show compassion to those who are struggling and lead to many conversations about our compassionate Savior.ā€

The humanitarian aid projects supported by the grants take many forms, including health care for the sick and dying, borehole drilling to provide clean drinking water, food and warm clothing, school supplies for underprivileged kids, assistance for legal immigrants, scholarships for poor students, mosquito nets, and vocational training.

Amazing Grace, Amarillo, Texas, plans to use grant funds in multiple waysā€”providing school supplies to kids in need, delivering meals door to door in community neighborhoods, and helping feed those who are homeless.

Hans Thomford, pastor at Amazing Grace, says, ā€œThese grants help us to love our community and put ourselves and our new mission around even more people in need of Jesusā€™ love and forgiveness! The compassion net can really go a great distance with these funds.ā€

View a complete list of the humanitarian aid projectsĀ supported by WELS Christian Aid and Relief through your offerings.

To learn more about the work of WELS Christian Aid and Relief or to support its ministry, visit wels.net/relief.

 

 

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Together Video – June 3, 2025

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Crossroads in Chicago, Ill., experienced a long pastoral vacancy, which ended on Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s call day when a graduating pastor was assigned to the church. Hear from members of the church as they share their hope about the future of the congregation’s ministry and from Jacob Borgwardt, the graduate who will be starting his full-time ministry there.

 

 

 

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Two Pastoral Studies Institute students graduate

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Mark Jiang and David Shang have graduated from the Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI) and will be continuing their current Chinese outreach in North America.

Mark Jiang serves Apostles in San Jose, Calif., as outreach pastor to the Chinese community. A growing Chinese fellowship and Bible study already meets every Sunday afternoon. In addition, Mark will continue teaching international high school students at Apostles Lutheran High School, offering classes like Bible Information Class and Intro to Christianity. David Shang will continue serving in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he is helping grow a local Chinese ministry supported by Hope Lutheran Church and another active PSI student. Additional details regarding his ministry are still in the works. Both of these efforts are currently supported by the Joint Mission Committee.

The Pastoral Studies Institute provides pre-seminary and seminary training to students from a variety of countries and cultures. As WELS congregations reach out to immigrants with the gospel, the PSI team equips future spiritual leadersā€”often right where they live and serve. In many cases, this training leads to international gospel connections as well.

Please keep Mark and David in your prayers continue to share the gospel and serve their communities. We thank God for raising up leaders through the PSI to bring Christā€™s love to the nations!

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Atlanta, Ga.

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On Sun., March 30, 2025, Intown Lutheran Church welcomed three college students as adult confirmands. These young women impressively completed our 12-lesson Bible Basics class while also managing busy academic schedules and student-athlete responsibilities. All three of them are new to Lutheranism and very excited to be part of our church family!

Grace says: “Intown Lutheran Church not only gave me a place to learn straight from the Scripture and truly understand it, but it also gave me a new family of fellow Christians. This is a place where I can be myself and never feel alone, judged, or out of place.”

Kennedi says:ā€Æā€œUpon arriving in Georgia for college, I hoped to find a local church. Thankfully, a friend attending Intown Lutheran Church invited me to the worship service one Sunday. Being exposed to the great teachings of the Good News and the kind fellowship, I decided to continue attending Intown and even join various Bible study sessions each week. Now that Iā€™m officially a member, I can say that the meaning of Intown Lutheran Church is to cultivate a body of Godā€™s children and teach and learn the meaning and importance of his Word so that we all grow in our faithful walk with him.ā€

Written by Lucas Bitter, Intown Lutheran Church, Atlanta, Ga.

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Graduates and vicars assigned to home and world mission fields

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Seminary pastoral assignments to home mission congregations and world mission fields:

Six pastoral graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary were assigned this morning to serve WELS home mission congregations and one to a world mission field:

  • Bitter, Jacob ā€“ Pan de Vida, Garden Grove, Calif. (Hispanic outreach)
  • Borgwardt, Jacob ā€“ Crossroads, Chicago, Ill.
  • Satorius, Noah ā€“ Northdale, Tampa, Fla. (Hispanic outreach)
  • Satorius, Zachary ā€“ World Missionary, One Latin America Team
  • Schultz, Ethan ā€“ Lamb of God (New mission start), Williston, N.D.
  • Stein, Nathaniel ā€“ Christ, Clarksville, Md.
  • Valdez, Phillip ā€“ Abiding Savior, Killeen, Texas
May God bless these men and their families as they transition to their new roles and reach out with the saving gospel message in their new communities! For the full assignment list, visit wisluthsem.org/about-wls/assignment-list/.

Vicar in a Mission Setting program assignments

Twenty-three Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary students were assigned to serve as vicars through the Vicar in a Mission Setting program, and one additional vicar was assigned to serve a WELS World Missions partner in Colombia. *Denotes home mission congregation

  • Arrowsmith, Adam ā€“ Risen Savior, Chula Vista, Calif.
  • Arstein, Calvin ā€“ Good News, Mt. Horeb, Wis.*
  • Blumer, Ezra ā€“ The Way, Fredericksburg, Va.*
  • Eickhoff, Samuel ā€“ St. Peter, Schofield, Wis.
  • Engel, Samuel ā€“ Christ Alone, Keller, Texas*
  • Escobar, JuanDa ā€“ Sure Foundation, Woodside, N.Y.*
  • Golisch, Nathan ā€“ Beautiful Savior, Marietta, Ga.
  • Gregorius, Zachary ā€“ Carbon Valley, Firestone, Colo.*
  • Guse, Brice ā€“ Gethsemane, Omaha, Neb.
  • Hackbarth, Seth ā€“ Zion, Denver, Colo.
  • Heiman, Alexander ā€“ Beautiful Savior, College Station, Texas
  • Hengst, Caleb ā€“ Christ, Denver, Colo.*
  • Herter, Connor ā€“ Tree of Life, Cary, N.C.
  • Knoll, Cooper ā€“ Our Savior, San Antonio, Texas
  • Landwehr, Jonas ā€“ SantĆ­sima Trinidad, MedellĆ­n, Colombia (World Missions)
  • Maurice, Collin ā€“ Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel, Madison, Wis.
  • Pederson, Isaiah ā€“ Christ the King, Bremerton, Wash.
  • Schroeder, Cameron ā€“ Faith, Sharpsburg, Ga.
  • Schwartz, Benjamin ā€“ Living Savior, Asheville, N.C.
  • Sievert, Eli ā€“ Amazing Grace, Myrtle Beach, S.C.*
  • Thiel, Zachary ā€“ Cornerstone, Bentonville, Ark.*
  • Vogel, Jack ā€“ Resurrection, Verona, Wis.
  • Wessel, Joseph ā€“ Abiding Faith, Smyrna, Tenn.
  • Winkel, Josiah ā€“ Bethel, Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Vicar in a Mission Setting program allows third-year seminary students to experience ministry in a mission-minded congregation thanks to financial support from WELS Home Missions and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. For the full assignment list, visit wisluthsem.org/about-wls/assignment-list/.

Martin Luther College graduate to world mission field

  • Rieger, Matthew T. ā€“ East Fork Lutheran School, Whiteriver, Ariz. ā€“ Grades 5-8 Departmentalized Mathematics

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Julia

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Going into my first year of college was a big change for me. I was headed to Northern Michigan University, which was several hours away and in a different state from my home. I didnā€™t know anybody going there, and for the first time I was focusing the majority of my energy into theatre. All of these changes were honestly intimidating, especially the challenge of having to build an entire new support system and community. Finding Anchor Church in Marquette, and especially their campus ministry program, was the blessing I needed in this time of transition.

On my first Sunday at Anchor, I instantly felt welcomed by everyone in the church whether they were college students or not. I quickly got introduced to the music director, Sarah, as soon as Pastor Joe and his wife, Julie, found out that I play instruments and sing. The very next Sunday, I was singing in church and am now involved with music almost every weekend.

The even bigger blessing though is the campus ministry program. After church, all of us college students head over to Joe and Julieā€™s house to make brunch and have a Bible study. From eating good food to having conversations about difficult topics, I have found the community and reprieve I need. I have never felt closer to my faith than I do when Iā€™m making music at Anchor and digging into the Bible with Pastor Joe and the other college students.

Written by Julia Neuman, student at Northern Michigan University

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Moving fast but staying grounded

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What do you do when it suddenly becomes possible for your mission church to hit its long-term goals in months rather than years? Thatā€™s the question weā€™ve been asking ourselves at Ascension! Our two long-term goals were: 1) to become a self-supporting home mission congregation (meaning weā€™ll still benefit from our mission board and mission counselor but wonā€™t need a financial subsidy from WELS to meet our budget) AND 2) to help start at least one new mission church in eastern North Carolina. In three months, Ascension will officially become a self-supporting home mission, and itā€™s possible that not long after that, a new core group from Ascension will be applying for home mission status and funding for a new mission in Wilmington, N.C.

How did we get here so fast? Godā€™s been blessing us in amazing ways. Almost every week we get connected with new people from our community who donā€™t have a church home and invite them to join us for life groups, worship, or weekly story time for families. People thank us for the invite, show up to check things out, and get more connected from then on. Weā€™ve needed to do multiple Starting Point studies (think Bible information class) for all the people interested in learning more about the Bible. Our sanctuary has been fuller on Sundays, kids and their parents are baptized, and our offerings have increased. God has blessed Ascension here and now with opportunities to do what churches do.

At the same time, it became obvious that God was showing us that now is the right time to form a core group for a new mission about an hour away. Multiple families live closer to Wilmington than Jacksonville and have been driving an hour (or more) for years. The outreach mindset and culture at Ascension is exactly what our core group brings to the effort of starting a new church. And there is no WELS church anywhere close to serve a rapidly growing community with more than 100,000 people who need Jesus.

In the last month, weā€™ve assembled a new core group, met multiple times, gotten guidance from our district mission board, and started planning for summer outreach events and core group development. If God keeps giving us green lights, weā€™re going to move fast and apply for full mission status and funding as soon as possible.

So what do you do when things move faster than you expect? You hold on! Just like when youā€™re on a roller coaster. Just like when someone hits the gas and doesnā€™t warn you. Instinctively you hold on because when things move quickly you need something to ground you and make you know itā€™s okay.

What are we doing? Holding on to the messageā€”the good news of Jesus for us sinners who desperately need him. Weā€™re holding on to our identity in Christ as the most important thing about us. Not achieving long-term goals. Not in positive developments like having a newer building and a growing congregation. We hold on to what Jesus has done for us and define ourselves simply as forgiven and loved children of God.

What are we doing? We’re holding on to the mission God has given his church so we donā€™t get lost in details that donā€™t really matter. We work to do everything we can to keep each other connected to Jesus, to grow our faith through his means of grace, and to reach out into our community with the good news that can give them something to hold on to also.

With something to hold on to like that, moving fast is not just okayā€”itā€™s something weā€™re praising God for doing.

Written by Rev. Steven Saatkamp, home missionary at Ascension Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, N.C.




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Faces of Faith ā€“ Mason

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In 2023, the new mission in North Liberty, Iowa, started a campus ministry program at the University of Iowa and the surrounding colleges. What I didnā€™t expect was Eastern Iowa to be a location that was prime to inspire young men to be pastors. I met Mason two years ago when he started attending Kirkwood College, studying in Beef Science Management. He began coming to campus ministry and church right away, but it was immediately apparent that he had another calling. Soon, he began talking to me about what life would look like going to become a pastor after graduation. I asked Mason how campus ministry inspired him to consider this. He said, ā€œCampus Ministry inspired me to share with others the Word that God has shared with me; to introduce them to my closest friend, my Lord Jesus Christ. Now that he has been accepted into Martin Luther College (MLC), he is, ā€œExcited to dive deep into God’s Word and know day by day that Jesusā€™ grace is abounding in love. And then to leave the doors of the school and express my faith to the world.ā€

Mason wasnā€™t the first student in campus ministry here to show an interest in the ministry. Last year, we had another student (Noah) who went on to become a pastor after graduation. Being a transfer-graduate student myself, I am excited to see young men like Mason and Noah being encouraged and willing to become pastors even when their plans are focused elsewhere.

Written by Lucas Callies, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, North Liberty, Iowa .

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Together Video – May 6, 2025

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Rev. Jon Bilitz, pastor at Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel, Madison, Wis., talks about how area college students integrate into a congregation committed to supporting campus ministry work.

 

 

 

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Victory!

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Easter weekend was busy in Boston, Mass. On Sat., April 19, many celebrated the 250th anniversary of the battles at Lexington and Concord. On Mon., April 21, the city celebrated Patriotsā€™ Day, including the 129th running of the Boston Marathon, a home baseball game for the Red Sox, and a day off for many in the city. An even greater event happened on the day in between. Sandwiched in between a day commemorating the ā€œAmerican spiritā€ and one of the premier road races in the world was a humble Easter service on the second floor of a former industrial building (now turned co-working space).

The whole weekend provided the opportunity to reflect on what victory looks like. If you asked someone at the Lexington and Concord festivities what victory looks like, they might say, ā€œVictory looks like winning independence . . . it looks like freedom.ā€ When asked the same question, someone at the Boston Marathon might say, ā€œVictory looks like pushing through the pain to win the race or set a personal best.ā€

What do you think victory looked like for us at Harbor Lutheran on Easter? Did victory look like having to frantically pick up additional chairs from Home Depot the night before? Or did it look like having a full spread for brunch and an Easter egg hunt? What about first-time guests and visitors meeting each other and sharing in fellowship and praise? Or a full room standing and singing in full voice, ā€œI Know That My Redeemer Livesā€? To a certain degree, we can answer with a resounding ā€œyesā€ to all of these.

But to say that extra chairs, brunch, an egg hunt, or even singing is the real victory of Easter might cause us to miss the point. The apostle Paul points to the true victory of Easter in the words we used as our Epistle reading for Easter Sunday:

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?ā€

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

It may not surprise you that our attendance on Easter at Harbor Lutheran was less than that of the Revolutionary War anniversary or the Boston Marathon, but our message was much more powerfulā€”and is why we spend mission dollars to reach places like Boston. We have the message of victory! Christ has defeated sin, death, and the devil! That was the message on Easter at Harbor Lutheranā€”the message of victory in Christ.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement as we share this message of victory with people in Boston.

Written by Rev. Joshua Koelpin, home missionary at Harbor Lutheran Church in Boston, Mass.




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Moments with Missionaries – Craig Wilke

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Rev. Craig Wilke, home missionary at Sure Foundation Lutheran Church in Brandon, S.D., shares an update from their new worship facility. Through the support of WELS Home Missions and WELS Church Extension Fund, they have been in the progress of building a new church, which is just about complete. Hear more from Rev. Craig Wilke as he share more about the their new worship space and the ongoing work spreading the gospel in Brandon, S.D. and save the date for this year’s Taste of Missions on June 14, 2025 at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

P.S. – Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to watch even more videos from our missionaries in the upcoming weeks!

Faces of Faith ā€“ Jonathan

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Jonathan Neuman wanted to know more about Christianity. His parents had went to church when they were younger and he was told he went when he was younger, but he had no memory of this. He remembered going to church on the big holidays ā€“ Christmas and Easter and when they visited grandparents in Goodview.

He had seen stuff about Christianity online, like social media influencers talking about their faith and Christianity. He had seen some videos here and there, but Jonathan wanted to go beyond the echoes of Christianity in his childhood and he wanted to be a part of Christianity.

So, he took action and looked up the closest WELS church. It took him to Crown of Life in Saint Paul, Minn., which was only minutes away from his house. There he met Rev. Kom and Rev. Burgess. After that, he began attending regularly on his own.

Since Jonathan was also a student at the University of Minnesota, Rev. Kom connected him to True North, the University of Minnesotaā€™s WELS campus ministry. He became involved in the campus ministry and finished Bible Information Class there. Now, Jonathan divides his time between Crown of Life and St. John’s, which hosts True North, and is served by both churches. He appreciates the community feel and the message of the gospel taught. Through these two ministries, he is getting to know more about Jesus and Christianity.

Now, Jonathan wants others to know more about Christianity, especially his family. His family has recently been attending church during the holidays. His mom often goes with him, and they both want Jonathanā€™s brother and sister to go through confirmation as well. Jonathan has also been having conversations with his dad as he wants them all to know about Christ .

Written by Samuel Lor, campus ministry pastor at St. Johnā€™s in Minneapolis, Minn.

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