Tag Archive for: Together03242026

God’s work in Ukraine continues

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Our sister church the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC), along with all the citizens of Ukraine, has been experiencing the hardship and suffering caused by four years of a terrible and destructive war. Families have had to flee to safer locations, homes have been destroyed, and some pastors have had to relocate to areas away from the war zones.

When the war began, WELS members responded with their own personal prayers and with prayers in their congregations. They also responded generously with gifts and offerings. Those gifts, regularly forwarded to the ULC, have been faithfully used to provide food, fuel, transportation, medicine, and clothing. And the members of the ULC did not keep those gifts for themselves. They have responded to our generosity with generosity of their own, making needed supplies available to many people in their communities who have been affected by the brutality and scarcity of war.

Vyacheslav Horpynchuk, the bishop of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church, tells the story far better than I can. This is what he writes:

Here the fifth year of the full-scale Russian invasion began. Thanks be to God this winter is coming to an end. It has been the most severe winter in the recent decades: lots of snow, very low below freezing temperatures and very heavy bombardments of our electrical, heating systems and residential areas of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, as well as smaller cities and villages. Lord, have mercy.

I would like to thank all the brothers and sisters in WELS who came to help us. Many people did not have any extra warm blankets, and some people requested some help to survive that cold. We provided all our congregation members in need with extra warm blankets to survive the cold in apartments with no heat or with very little heat. We also continued to provide all the needy with thermal wear. All of them send their gratitude to all in WELS for your generous help. Thank you very much!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yet even in these terrible times, God finds ways not only to bless his people but also to create opportunities for God’s people to carry out his mission. Through the works of love done by the members of the ULC, God has brought many non-Christians into contact with Christian love in action, but more important, with the saving gospel of Jesus and the comforting power of his Word. Many have begun to worship regularly in ULC congregations, and dozens of people have been instructed and confirmed.

Roger Neumann, our WELS liaison to the ULC, adds some of his observations:

While the war rages on and people deal with the elements of nature, the gospel ministry is not stopped. I’m very thankful to our Lord for the faith he has given our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine. The ULC pastors continue to preach the gospel, help those who are in desperate need, and offer encouragement and friendship to many people. So many people suffer from depression and anxiety, not certain if they will survive this ordeal or what their futures will be like. The pastors bring them the reassurance that the Lord loves them and will continue to bless them. They also encourage the people to pay more attention to the spiritual blessings that they have in Christ and not focus on the physical needs that are lacking at this time.

While most ULC churches have lost members who have fled from the war and taken refuge in neighboring countries, there are, nevertheless, four new mission sites. Pictured below is mission work being done in one of those sites in Snihurivka.

 

 

 

 

 

People in those towns have welcomed pastors to share the gospel with them. In addition, a number of ULC members have taken refuge near Poznan, Poland. Bishop Horpynchuk will be making a trip there, and it’s hoped that a new mission can be started. God is certainly opening new doors and opportunities, despite the war and adversity. God be praised!

I want to thank all of you who have already responded to this need in Ukraine with your generous gifts and prayers. With the end of the war still not in sight, the need continues. Learn more about the Ukrainian Lutheran Church and how you can support it at wels.net/ukraine.

Serving with you in Christ,

WELS President Mark Schroeder

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WELS Home Missions approves three new mission starts

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At its spring meeting, the WELS Board for Home Missions approved three new mission starts, continuing its work of bringing the gospel to growing communities across the United States while navigating ongoing financial and manpower challenges:

Bastrop, Texas
Located about 25 miles east of Austin, Bastrop is experiencing rapid growth fueled by new residential development and expanding economic activity. Major employers now headquartered in Bastrop, including X and Starlink, have drawn new families to the area. As Bastrop continues to expand, many residents lack church connections, and a confessional Lutheran presence remains limited. Members of Holy Word in Austin, Texas, have formed a committed core group that has been meeting regularly, engaging the community through service and outreach, and building relationships with residents.

Greeneville, Tenn.
Greeneville, Tenn., is a growing community positioned between the Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol metro area and Knoxville. While the area reflects strong Bible Belt culture and openness to conversations about faith, currently no confessional Lutheran church serves the community. A committed core group, supported by nearby WELS congregations in Johnson City and Morristown, has been meeting regularly and actively engaging with the community. The group has already hosted public worship services, drawing more than 40 people to its first service (pictured above) and averaging mid‑20s attendance at subsequent gatherings.

North Marana, Ariz.
North Marana is one of the fastest-growing areas in the Tucson metro area, now home to more than 60,000 residents. A new mission effort—known locally as Mission Marana—is already active in the community, with a committed core group that gathers for Bible study and regularly serves at local events across North Marana.

In addition to the new mission starts, the board approved three Home Missions enhancement grants. Congregations receiving enhancements include Good Shepherd, Holmen, Wis.; Mount Olive, St. Paul, Minn.; and Resurrection, Chesapeake, Va.

Balancing gratitude, needs, and stewardship

Since the launch of the 100 Missions in 10 Years initiative in 2023, 31 new missions have been approved for funding by WELS Home Missions. Approving three new mission starts at the recent meeting of the Board for Home Missions is cause for thanksgiving, but it falls short of the desire to approve ten new starts each year. It does, however, reflect current realities. In WELS today there are 150+ pastoral vacancies. Additionally, Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO) and special gifts to Home Missions have not kept pace with the rising costs of establishing and supporting new missions.

“If these are our current realities as we continue with the 100 Missions in 10 Years initiative,” says Mark Gabb, WELS Home Missions administrator, “then we respond accordingly. Yes, we trust that God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. But we’re also told not to put the Lord to the test.”

Gabb goes on to say, “It isn’t about a lack of opportunities but stewarding the finite resources we do have. This is nothing new. God’s people have been wrestling with money and manpower challenges for generations. As we look at new mission opportunities along with the current home missions we continue to support, our aim will be to wisely steward God’s gifts.”

Despite these challenges, Home Missions leaders remain encouraged by what God is already doing through committed core groups and supportive congregations.

“We thank you for your continued prayers, generosity, and encouragement,” says Gabb. “Our home mission congregations continue to reach people with the gospel. That gospel is transforming hearts and lives, and that will last into eternity. What a privilege and joy it is to be a part of that!”

To learn more about these new mission starts and enhancements, visit wels100in10.net.

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Support for Asia-Oceania ministries

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In late January and early February 2026, Daniel Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief, and Paul Biedenbender, pastor at Christ, Denver, Colo., and a member of the WELS Christian Aid and Relief Commission, traveled to Thailand to meet with WELS missionaries, administrators, and other church leaders from the Asia-Oceania Team. WELS Christian Aid and Relief works with WELS missionaries in this large mission field by providing funding for humanitarian aid and disaster relief programs.

While there, Sims and Biedenbender also attended the dedication of the new training facility for Thai Village in Chiang Mai. More than two hundred friends, artisans, donors, and partners gathered at the dedication to support Thai Village’s mission to train and employ low-income people; support Christian outreach and education; and create opportunities to share God’s love in the community. Thai Village, an independent nonprofit organization, is a WELS-affiliated ministry that works closely with the Asia-Oceania Team.

WELS Christian Aid and Relief contributed funding for the outreach pavilion at the new facility—the place most used by the community. Sims shares, “We support this mission wholeheartedly! It was a joy to meet their artisans and hear their testimonies about how Thai Village and the gospel shared there changed their lives.”


View dedication photos Learn more about Thai Village

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2026 International Youth Rally registration open

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Registration is open for the 2026 WELS International Youth Rally, July 14-17, at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. The cost is $450 if attendees register by April 30 and $475 from May 1-29.

The rally is open to all WELS teens heading into their freshman year of high school through seniors graduating this spring. Teens from across the country will gather to discover ways to lead and serve, worship with thousands, and attend workshops to share the saving gospel.

The theme for the 2026 rally is “Christ through us,” inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 and the synod’s ten-year plan, which calls each of us to be Christ’s ambassadors.

Two keynotes will be presented based on the theme. Luke and Rachel Beilke, who have served as missionaries in Latin America since 2022 and also lead the efforts of Academia Cristo‘s ministry, will present “Christ through ordinary you.” Their presentation will explore how Jesus isn’t just something that happens at church, on mission trips, or is limited to missionaries far away, but he uniquely positions all of us to share his love. Jonathan Hein, director of the WELS Commission on Congregational Counseling, will present “Before you were ready.” His presentation will explore that each time God’s people felt they weren’t ready to shoulder responsibility, God had equipped them for the work he gave them.

Workshops will be held for both youth leaders and youth. Topics include encouragement for Christians in today’s world such as “Why youth leaders matter more than ever” and “Illustrations that impact” for youth leaders, and “A day in the life of a home missionary,” “Who are you when nobody’s watching?,” and “Starting a spiritual conversation” for youth.

Learn more about the workshops, recreational excursions, and the rally—and register—at welsyouthrally.net.

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