Dear Christian Friend,

Greetings in Jesus, the Light of the world!

Our Savior has been working throughout history and among nations to accomplish his saving goals. Think of his special relationship with Israel, through which he sent the Messiah. Also, remember how God humbled Israel through neighboring nations, which were humbled themselves by other nations.

Then, in the fullness of time, God sent Jesus to be born, to keep the law for us, to die for our sins, and rise from the dead—and grow the early church—during a period historians call the “Pax Romana” (Roman Peace). The Roman empire provided a common language, a system of roads, safe transportation, a general tolerance in religious matters, and economic prosperity—all of which benefited Christ’s missionaries as they rapidly spread the gospel across much of the known world.

Does that sound familiar? As we, the members of Christ’s Church, use the New Year to review our service to the Lord and others in 2022 and to plan our future efforts, we have a unique opportunity to share the good news of the Savior with a world that doesn’t know him. We live in a time of relative peace and stability, during the “Information Age,” where people across the world communicate quickly and easily via the Internet, e-mail, text messaging, and social media. Transportation provides safe and speedy access to locations across the world. Many countries give citizens the freedom of religion, speech, and the press. Economic prosperity equips us to help others.

Let us praise Jesus for giving us many opportunities to share his gospel now! Thankfully, WELS members, individually and through their congregations, have worked together with the confidence of Christ’s love for us and the many blessings he has poured out on us to . . .

• provide excellent ministerial training to students from across the world for serving in a variety of ministry settings,
• maximize the number of home missions we can open or enhance in the next ten years,
• use Internet-based training programs to prepare Christians across continents for leading Bible studies and opening churches,
• share the gospel in 44 foreign countries and explore outreach in 18 new world mission fields, and
• support our 1,200 churches and 700 schools and early childhood ministries in all aspects of ministry. To God be the glory!

We know from Scripture that this ideal situation for sharing Christ’s love can change, so we feel an urgency to use the blessings God has given us right now for the salvation of souls and his glory.

Pray that our Lord continues to allow us the privilege of serving him as his gospel ambassadors in our present ministry and doing even more according to his will. Please consider continuing your strong support of WELS Mission and Ministry efforts through your congregation and special gifts. Thank you and God bless you!

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Kurt Lueneburg
Director, WELS Ministry of Christian Giving

Prayer: Lord Jesus, head of the Church, we praise you for the privilege of being part of your body of believers and serving others with love and hope. Thanks for another year of blessings to our congregations and synod in 2022: the restarting of events after the pandemic, the opening of new mission fields, and the unique ministries being carried out by each of our congregations. We pray that you would guide our work this coming year. If it is your will, supply more called workers to lead ministry efforts and help us to reach many more people with the gospel. We pray this knowing that you’ll do for us immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Amen.