Evangelism is not easy. It becomes easier over time, that’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 Spirit’s intimate movements in getting God’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. Marcus’ 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 “friendship” 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, we’re more than 94 worshipers greater in attendance per week across services compared to last year’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 evangelist’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 God’s Word even more accessible and relatable to our inner-city families.

Enhancement of vibrant, small group ministries:

• Family Ministry has implemented “Discipleship Steps,” in which we connect our families more deeply to the Word of God. This includes not only “members” but our surrounding community and school families as well (ex.: Bible handout to primary-grade children, a “service” morning, study of Habits of the Household book, and practical gatherings).
• Men That Matter is our official men’s ministry. Part of the campus evangelist’s role is to work toward fostering a community of men that seek God’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 church’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. Marcus’ 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 “members,” gather around God’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.