Tag Archive for: Mission Journeys

Mission Journeys volunteer opportunity in North Carolina

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Are you a veteran looking for a meaningful way to serve and support gospel outreach?

Mission Journeys is partnering with WELS Military Services and the Lutheran Military Support Group to offer a volunteer opportunity designed especially for veterans who want to use their experiences in service to Christ and his church.

This trip will support mission work in North Carolina, with activities taking place in Jacksonville and possibly Wilmington, two communities where outreach opportunities are growing.

Trip details

  • Dates: July 21–27, 2026
  • Location: Jacksonville, N.C., and possibly Wilmington, N.C.
  • Volunteers needed: 6–10 (in addition to trip leaders)

What you’ll do

In Jacksonville, volunteers will serve alongside members of Ascension Lutheran Church, a congregation that includes a strong number of veterans and active‑duty military members who are deeply committed to outreach and relationship‑building in their community.

In Wilmington, volunteers may assist with groundwork and outreach connected to a new mission plant, where there is not yet an established congregation. This work would support local efforts to plan a new church in the area.

While specific activities will be finalized closer to the trip, volunteers can expect to:

  • Support general community outreach focused on building relationships.
  • Assist local members and mission leaders as they connect with neighbors.
  • Encourage and support developing mission work.
  • Serve, worship, and pray alongside fellow volunteers and local believers.

Who should apply?

Veterans are especially encouraged to apply. No prior mission trip experience is required—just a willingness to serve, listen, and support gospel outreach through relationships.

Why it matters

God is already at work through congregations and mission efforts eager to reach their communities with the gospel. By serving alongside members with a strong spirit of service and leadership, volunteers can strengthen outreach efforts and encourage mission work in places where new opportunities are emerging.

Ready to learn more?

Learn more about this opportunity by contacting Mission Journeys Coordinator, Mr. Shannon Bohme, at [email protected] or by calling 651 324 4218. You can also learn more about Mission Journeys and upcoming trips at wels.net/missionjourneys.

Space is limited, and early inquiries are encouraged.

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Mission Journeys volunteer opportunity in Brisbane, Australia

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Are you looking for a meaningful way to serve, build relationships, and share Christ’s love with people from around the world? Mission Journeys is excited to partner with the WELS World Missions team in Brisbane, Australia, to offer a new volunteer opportunity.

The Conversation Partners Program connects Christian volunteers with immigrants in South Brisbane—many from Asian and African backgrounds—who want to improve their English and build friendships. Volunteers are paired with students for weekly conversations, both online (before the trip) and in person (during your stay), focusing on language practice, cultural exchange, and genuine Christian care.

Volunteer responsibilities

  • Before the trip: Complete online training in cross-cultural communication and faith-sharing and meet weekly with your assigned language partner via video call.
  • During the trip (dates are flexible, 10–14 days, sometime in 2027): Travel to Brisbane, continue weekly conversations, participate in group activities, and help the local missionary team with outreach.

Who should apply?

We welcome mature, patient Christians of all ages who are passionate about cross-cultural ministry—no teaching experience required! We’re looking for anywhere from four to eight people to serve on the team.

Estimated costs:

  • Airfare: $1,600–$2,000
  • Airbnb: $3,000–$4,000 (split among volunteer group)
  • Food: $100/day (covers you and your language partner)
  • Transportation: $25/day
  • Sightseeing/touring: optional

What’s the impact?

  • Help newcomers gain confidence in English and feel welcomed.
  • Help scale the ministry’s impact and create opportunities for authentic gospel conversations.
  • Build lasting friendships and share Christ’s love in practical ways.
  • Experience world mission work in a flexible, relational, and impactful setting.

Ready to join? Contact Mission Journeys Coordinator Mr. Shannon Bohme at [email protected] or by calling 651-324-4218 to learn more. OR fill out the interest sign-up form online today at wels.net/missionjourneys.

Stay up to date on additional Mission Journeys trips by following WELS Missions on Facebook and Instagram.

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Spring/Summer 2025 Mission Journeys in review

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WELS Missions Journeys has been sending teams on mission trips all over the world, giving both called workers and lay members the opportunity to serve home mission congregations and world mission fields. Some churches have formed partnerships with existing home mission congregations and new mission starts to assist them in regular outreach . Various WELS Campus Ministry students also have participated in Mission Journeys trips over their spring and summer breaks.

Students from the University of Wisconsin–Stout Campus Ministry took a Mission Journeys trip to Citrus Grove, Wesley Chapel, Fla.
Students from the University of Wisconsin–Stout Campus Ministry traveled to the home mission Citrus Grove, Wesley Chapel, Fla. During their time there, these campus ministry students helped with outreach efforts like canvassing door-to-door and inviting people from the community to come to church.

University of Wisconsin–Madison and University of Wisconsin–Whitewater students assisted Amazing Grace, Amarillo, Texas.
Six campus ministry students from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater took a Mission Journeys trip to help Amazing Grace, Amarillo, Texas.
The Concordia University Wisconsin Campus Ministry, Mequon, Wis., traveled to Illume, Seattle, Wash.

Students from the Concordia University Wisconsin Campus Ministry in Mequon, Wis., took a Mission Journeys trip to Illume, Seattle, Wash.

They spent their spring break supporting Illume with hands-on service projects, including painting, property beautification, outreach, and event setup.

Peace, Janesville, Wis., partnered with Cornerstone, Centerton, Ark.
Members from Peace, Janesville, Wis., partnered with Cornerstone, Centerton, Ark., for a weekend Mission Journeys trip. Additional members from The Vine, Joplin, Mo., and St. Matthew’s, Oconomowoc, Wis., also assisted with outreach efforts. Together the group gathered donations for a local food pantry and hosted a neighborhood grill out.

St. Matthew’s, Oconomowoc, Wis., took a journey to Yakima, Wash.
St. Matthew’s, Oconomowoc, Wis., sent a Missions Journeys group to Yakima, Wash. The group assisted with hosting two art camps at Grace, Yakima.

Fox Valley Lutheran High School students assisted in Jacksonville, N.C.
A team from Fox Valley Lutheran High School, Appleton, Wis., traveled to Ascension, Jacksonville, N.C. Team members helped with many outreach efforts like getting the word out about a new mission church starting up in Wilmington, N.C. They also participated in an incredible fiesta-themed Life Group night and gathered food for NourishNC.

Learn how you can get involved in a Mission Journeys trip and how you church could former a partnership with a home mission congregation at wels.net/missionjourneys. View photos from each Mission Journeys trip on the Missions Flickr.

Stay up-to-date on additional Mission Journeys trips by following WELS Missions on Facebook and Instagram.

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Mission Journeys volunteer project at 2025 LWMS Convention

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Serve those who serve: Join the Mission Journeys volunteer project at the 2025 LWMS Convention

WELS Mission Journeys is excited to partner with WELS Ministry to the Military at the 2025 Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) Convention. All convention attendees are invited to participate in a special volunteer project focused on supporting active military personnel and their families.

Event Details

  • Date: Thursday, June 26
  • Time: 2:00–5:00 p.m.
  • Location: Arvest Convention Center (onsite)

This hands-on service opportunity will take place before the convention officially begins. Participants can help in two key ways:

  • Assemble care packages for deployed service members and their families
  • Write personal notes of encouragement, including uplifting Bible passages, to be included inside the care packages (materials for notes will be provided)

Whether you’re looking to serve for a few minutes or a few hours, all are welcome to stop by the Mission Journeys area and take part!

Support the project before you arrive

Want to get involved early? You can purchase items from our Amazon wish lists—either directly from Amazon or as inspiration for purchases from another retailer:

Wish list - Deployed service members Wish list - Families of deployed service members

Item purchase & shipping options

  • Bring items with you to the Arvest Convention Center on Thursday, June 26 (2–5 p.m.)
  • Ship items ahead of time to a local volunteer in Tulsa who will deliver them for you (perfect for those flying to Convention with limited luggage space)

There’s no limit to how much you can give—every item and every note will help brighten the day of someone serving our country.

Make plans now to join us in serving those who serve!

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Faces of Faith – Jake, Gary, and Michelle

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WELS Mission Journeys provides an opportunity for all WELS members to walk together in the Great Commission. Short- or long-term service opportunities in WELS mission fields at home and abroad will prayerfully inspire a lifelong journey of service for all who volunteer. Ascension in Harrisburg, Penn., sent a Mission Journeys team to volunteer at Living Savior, a home mission congregation in Hendersonville, N.C. Hear from a couple of their team members:

Faces of Faith – Jake (pictured second from left)

Our church, Ascension in Harrisburg, Penn., was deemed a home mission restart in 2019. The Lord has blessed our church immensely since then, and we couldn’t think of a better way to share our joy in his blessings than by sharing ourselves as blessings to another church in need, as many had done for us!

Mission trips are an incredible way to live the Great Commission. As we shared the Good News with many people of Huntersville, N.C., the Lord found ways to work even more through our trip. He drew our team of five volunteers tighter together, strengthened our bond, and sharpened our outreach skills as we returned to reach out to our local community. We found fellowship within our group and within the greater body of believers as we connected with many members of Living Savior. These mission trips open you up for God to bless you in ways you never imagined!

Faces of Faith – Gary (pictured left)

I’m Gary Piatkowski, and I’m a member at Ascension in Harrisburg, Pa. It’s so exciting to share the Good News of salvation on a Mission Journey trip. I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and generosity to spread the gospel amongst the unchurched. With the Holy Spirt guiding us, we let people know how life-changing his word can be. Mission Journeys give you the opportunity to change lives, just as our lives have been changed, in Christ.

Faces of Faith – Michelle (pictured center)

Our Mission Journeys team helped Living Savior go door-to-door in neighborhoods nearby to spread the word about their upcoming youth sports camp. At first, I was nervous and slightly hesitant to participate, as I am more introverted and was only confirmed in WELS less than two months prior. My attitude changed quickly. I really enjoyed the opportunity to go door-to-door in a new community to not only promote the sports camp, but to also shine Christ’s light and love to strangers. The congregation was very appreciative of the work we completed while we were with them. They were so welcoming and kind, and it was wonderful to experience and interact with a WELS community outside of our own!

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Mission Journeys: Connecting with cultures in the U.K.

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“John 3:16 tells us that ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ Our sins are forgiven and heaven is our home because of Jesus!”

This was our response to a question moments earlier. We were attending a course on Christianity and a young man had asked, “But why did Jesus need to die on the cross?” As lifelong WELS Lutherans, we were eager to provide the answer we knew so well. But, as we surveyed the room, we were met with blank stares and raised eyebrows. The course leader moved on quickly with another question, “So, do you guys actually think Jesus rose from the dead?” People went on to debate theories and opinions, never once mentioning the Bible. We left the class with heavy hearts. In a room full of 30 questioning Christians, why did our words have little to no effect? Why did the Bible cause so much confusion and offense? We realized that for those British Christians, evidence, emotion, and reason determined faith; not God’s Word.

How do we communicate God’s word in a culture that is not our own? During our six months of volunteering for WELS Missions in the United Kingdom, Pastor Michael Hartman challenged us to answer this question while working to start a church in Central London. By visiting other churches and building relationships with locals, we have learned that the vast majority of London churches lack a clear understanding of the Bible and disregard the Means of Grace entirely. They view Jesus as a good role model and God as our benevolent cheerleader. People in the U.K. are missing the real hope found in the Bible.

Realizing that Biblical illiteracy would play a role in how we communicate Christ, British members of the U.K. mission effort decided to name the church, “Holy Word – Your Hope.” This name and tagline communicates that our church values God’s holy word as its foundation. Through Scripture-based worship services and quality Bible courses, we plan to spread our hope to searching souls in London and across the U.K.

Connecting with cultural values provides opportunities to share God’s Word in an unfamiliar setting. In the past, WELS has done this in various countries by providing free medical care, English classes, and soccer camps. In the United Kingdom, we have found that charity work is highly valued. There are thousands of charities sprinkled throughout London, with programs to help protect the environment, make and distribute meals for the poor, and provide companionship for the lonely. Many people, including the royal family, dedicate hours of their time to volunteer work. We plan to reach out within our communities by providing volunteers for various charities in London throughout the summer. We hope to build relationships through these volunteers and connect people to Holy Word.

God’s Word transcends cultural barriers. Because London is one of the most diverse cities in the world, our church has the unique opportunity to teach God’s Word globally. We experienced this when we had an opportunity to serve our Christian sister from Pakistan, who left her home to pursue a master’s degree in London. We helped her through extreme culture shock. Despite the vast differences between our cultures, were able to connect and encourage her through our shared faith.

Our experience volunteering in the U.K. has shown us that the Bible is both deeply needed and immensely powerful. In a country struggling with loneliness and doubt, God’s holy word is a sure and certain hope. Our prayer is that God continues to bless the members of Holy Word as they consider how best to communicate the Bible in the U.K. and abroad.

Written by Ben and Abby Hillmer, Mission Journeys volunteers in England.

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Mission Journeys offers support and inspiration

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In February 2019, Ascension, Escondido, Calif., welcomed a group of 11 volunteers from Resurrection and Life, Rochester, Minn. Together, they went door-to-door in the neighborhoods of Escondido and San Marcos as an outreach effort for Ascension. This collaboration was made possible through WELS Mission Journeys, the official synod program for short-term mission trips.

Rev. Jeffrey Duquaine, Ascension’s pastor, calls it “a wonderful event of God’s providence.”

As a small congregation near San Diego, Calif., Ascension was struggling. Its previous pastor had resigned, and its school had closed. Due to the dwindling number of active members, the congregation had considered shutting the church’s doors completely.

Upon beginning his ministry at Ascension in January 2018, Duquaine knew he and the congregation needed to plant the seed of God’s Word in the surrounding communities. Duquaine looked for support from Praise and Proclaim Ministries, a WELS parasynodical ministry that trains Christians in sharing their faith confidently and effectively.

Through Praise and Proclaim, Duquaine and the congregation learned about Mission Journeys. Mission Journeys connected Ascension with the volunteers from Resurrection and Life, and the groups joined together in Escondido for a weekend of canvassing.

“The timing worked out for the team from Rochester to join us for our event,” Duquaine explains. “It didn’t take long at all for us to make a connection as brothers and sisters in Christ.”

After training together, the Ascension and Resurrection and Life groups visited nearly 1,000 homes, encouraging people to attend a Neighborhood Safety Night at Ascension. They took every opportunity they could to share the gospel.

Duquaine was overjoyed to see his members find strength and encouragement as they spoke to others about their Savior.

“Presenting the gospel to people while we trained and while we canvassed gave the Holy Spirit plenty of opportunity to work,” Duquaine says. “The fruit of faith growth that I felt was observable was the confidence people showed in sharing their faith with strangers. There were people who were incredibly nervous and afraid to participate, and it was amazing to see them succeed.”

Ascension saw several people members met during their canvassing efforts attend the Neighborhood Safety Night. Duquaine continues to see results in unexpected ways. “Since that weekend of canvassing, I have had three more people in contact about various aspects of our ministry,” he explains. “It seems like when we trust God and go to work reaching out, he brings people in through the side door was well.”

Outreach efforts have just begun for Ascension. “It wasn’t a one-and-done event, but it was a time for us to pivot toward becoming a true mission group who keeps inviting people to learn about Jesus,” Duquaine explains. “That has been our view for the future.”

Ascension is currently planning more events, special mailings, and digital tactics. Mission Journeys helped the congregation take that first step.

Duquaine urges other congregations seeking support for their outreach efforts to consider partnering with Mission Journeys. “Do it! Definitely! It is great for the Mission Journeys group and the host congregation,” he says. “Even if you are afraid or tentative to actually go to a place and canvass, take the leap and trust that the Holy Spirit will provide you with the confidence and strength—he will give you what you need!”

Mission Journeys has 14 trips planned for the next four months. The ministry aims to facilitate 60 trips during its second year of operation beginning on July 1. To learn more about Mission Journeys—including how you and your church can get involved—visit wels.net/missionjourneys.

Watch the March WELS Connection for more on WELS Mission Journeys.