Dear Friend,

“It was a great, pleasant surprise.” That was the reaction of Mike Perez, a WELS member serving in the U.S. Army, when he learned of WELS worship services being offered in Germany by the WELS European chaplain. He had previously served a tour of duty in Germany without realizing this was available to him and his family. “It’s great to be fulfilled with the sacrament,” said Mike. “That’s something that was missing the entire four years that we were here last time. It’s been a treat to be able to receive that on a regular basis.”

WELS has a chaplain (pastor) in Europe whose primary role is to bring through Word and sacrament Jesus’ victory over sin and death to active-duty WELS military members and their families like Mike Perez. The chaplain is based in Germany and has typically served people in Germany and adjoining countries. While the chaplain primarily serves active-duty military members, he also serves civilians such as retired U.S. military members who have married foreign nationals and now reside in Europe as well as WELS members who are working as contractors with the military in Europe or who are there for business or tourism.

The scattered worship groups served by our chaplain also gather for twice-a-year retreats at various locations in Europe. The large group celebrates Reformation and Easter services with worship, Bible study, and fellowship. During these retreats, the scattered groups essentially become one large European congregation.

Now, we’re hoping to grow the number of souls served by our European chaplain! In the past year, WELS Military Services has received requests to serve active-duty military members in a wider path across Europe in countries like Spain, Italy, and Poland. Recently Chaplain Weiss made several trips to serve a military family in Spain who was not able to travel to the Easter retreat in Germany because the father was deployed. Their daughter was a part of Weiss’ online confirmation classes. On the latest trip, Chaplain Weiss went to Spain to confirm the daughter.

Serving military members and others in these countries requires more travel on the part of the chaplain. One trip to any of these extended areas in Europe typically costs several thousand dollars to cover his flight, vehicle rental, and lodging and meals.

The vital work of the European chaplain is part of WELS Military Services and is supported by the prayers and generous gifts of God’s people who love or are served by this ministry. Please consider donating today to help expand the ministry of our WELS European chaplain.

This support not only brings the gospel to those who are far from home, it encourages them in their faith as they provide protection and security to us and our country.

In Christ,
Rev. Joel Gaertner
Director, WELS Commission on Special Ministries

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for the long-time blessing of a WELS European chaplain who provides spiritual support to civilians and military personnel living in Europe. We pray that people in Europe will know of the chaplain’s availability so that they can be strengthened by Christ’s good news in Word and sacrament. Bless the groups that gather regularly for worship, Bible study, and fellowship—as well as larger retreats twice each year. If it’s your will, please grant that the chaplain’s ministry may extend to more countries across Europe. Amen.