Dear Friend,

Every congregation has unique blessings—and unique challenges. What if more of them had access to the encouragement and direction they need to move forward in Christ? That’s exactly the vision behind the WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership—a conference focused not on trends, but on biblical clarity and long-term gospel impact. This January, thousands of WELS members will gather in Chicago for three days of worship, training, and planning.

And this conference isn’t just for formal church leaders. It’s for everyone—pastors and laypeople, men and women, high school students and seniors who want to help lead others to Christ. If you care about sharing the life-giving gospel of Jesus with a dying world, this conference is for you.

This conference aligns closely with the synod’s new long-range plan, “Christ through us,” focusing on the most urgent ministry challenges facing our churches today. Leaders will engage deeply with topics like retaining young adults in the faith, building up the next generation of leadership, making better use of the insights and gifts of women, strengthening the mission of our Lutheran schools, and guiding struggling congregations through revitalization. These aren’t abstract lectures; they’re practical, gospel-centered strategies to help congregations carry out Christ’s mission with the zeal and power the Spirit provides.

We’ve heard the impact of previous conferences. One attendee shared, “This is hands-down the best conference I’ve ever been to, both in terms of content and in terms of organization. My faith was fed, and I have concrete ideas of how to help our church.” Another said, “We weren’t sure how much longer our church would be around. I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say this conference turned our church around.”

But not everyone can afford to come. Some congregations struggling to survive would greatly benefit from this experience, but simply don’t have the resources. Some students—our future lay leaders and called workers—want to attend but can’t cover the costs. That’s where you come in.

A gift of $300 can sponsor a young person. A gift of $1,000 can provide a grant to send an entire church team from a challenged congregation. Every gift helps someone hear God’s Word, sharpen their sense of mission, and return home encouraged to serve. As one young attendee shared, “I always thought church leadership was for older people. Now I see it’s something God asks me to do, too.” A veteran pastor reflected, “After 30 years of ministry, this was one of the most encouraging experiences I’ve had. It reminded me why I started.”

The needs are great—but so is the opportunity. With your support, we can bring hope and direction to the next generation of gospel leaders and help congregations rediscover the mission that matters most.

In Christ,
Jonathan Hein
Coordinator, WELS Congregational Services

P.S. Your gift today could be the turning point for a young leader—or an entire congregation—seeking renewal in Christ.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we praise you for your gift of salvation and the privilege of sharing your grace with others. We thank you for the success of the first two WELS National Conferences on Lutheran Leadership. As we prepare for the next one in January, help congregations and members to seize the opportunity to attend and grow from the teaching and encouragement. Move us to provide financial support to enable more individuals and churches to participate so their churches can receive help in challenging times. Grant all of this through your Holy Spirit. Amen.