Together Video – July 15, 2025
Missionary Dan Witte talks about how WELS Missions assists with theological training for WELS’ sister church bodies throughout Africa.
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Fellowship declaration deferred, partnerships strengthened
For the past few years, the WELS Commission on Inter-Church Relations (CICR) has been exploring a declaration of fellowship with the Africa Mission Evangelism Church (AMEC), a confessional Lutheran church in Tanzania, Africa. The CICR, along with the One Africa Team of WELS World Missions, has been holding doctrinal discussions to determine whether or not there is agreement between our two church bodies. Based on those discussions, the CICR was prepared to recommend a declaration of fellowship at our synodās convention this July. Because of recent developments, however, both the WELS CICR and representatives of AMEC have agreed that the declaration of fellowship should be delayed at this time.
Rev. Larry Schlomer, administrator for WELS World Missions and a member of the CICR, provides the context and rationale for this delay:
WELS greatly values its expanding partnerships with sister churches worldwide, which include mission work, theological training, and shared confessional Lutheran principles. These collaborations highlight WELSā commitment to building unity in faith through careful and deliberate processes.
We are excited about our continuous journey with the Africa Mission Evangelism Church (AMEC) in Tanzania. Since its establishment in 1993, AMEC has grown significantly, with 12,605 members across 78 parishes. AMEC’s dedication to spreading the gospel is evident in its vibrant congregations and active participation in the Lordās Supper, with 6,255 members partaking last year. AMEC’s structure includes 61 pastors and 50 evangelists, all supported by community contributions. Its grassroots initiatives demonstrate its commitment to spiritual growth through prayer, Bible study, and mutual support despite challenges, such as a shortage of trained pastors and resources. Recently retired Bishop Baltazar Kaaya has been a joy for our mission team to work with, and our work has been very blessed.Ā
The WELS Commission on Inter-Church Relations (CICR) has decided to delay declaring fellowship at the 2025 WELS synod convention. This brief delay is due to new leadership within the Africa Mission Evangelism Church needing additional time to discuss its doctrinal statement within its congregations. This statement, developed collaboratively with AMECās leaders, the WELS One Africa Team, the CICR, and the WELS Board for World Missions (BWM), remains robust and free of doctrinal objections.
The proactive approach of AMEC’s new leadership is commendable, emphasizing leaders’ dedication to ensuring complete unity in faith. The CICR, BWM, and One Africa Team wholeheartedly support this careful and patient process. We remain confident that with continued collaboration, our fellowship with AMEC will be realized soon.
We are immensely grateful for the strong relationship between AMEC and the One Africa Team, which has facilitated numerous workshops and fostered a deeper understanding among Lutherans in Africa. AMECās new bishop, Rev. Judah Pallangyo, exemplifies this church bodyās ongoing leadership and vision.
As we look to the future, we are filled with optimism and gratitude for our shared journey. The declaration of fellowship between WELS and AMEC is not just a milestone but a testament to our united faith and mission. We pray for AMECās continued faithfulness and boldness in spreading the gospel, just as AMEC’s members pray for WELSā ongoing success in our mission work.
Thank you for your support and prayers. Together, we will continue to encourage and strengthen our global fellowship, sharing the joy of Godās Word with all.
We pray that once all things are in place, our synods will be able to declare fellowship in the near future.
Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder
New national coordinator of early childhood ministries
This summer, after 14 years of foundational service and leadership, Mrs. Cindi Holman retired from her role as the WELS national coordinator of early childhood ministries, which she established in 2011. In all, she served as a called worker for 40 years.
Beginning July 1, Mrs. Jamie Walta (pictured in the center) stepped into her new role as the WELS national coordinator of early childhood ministries. Walta brings extensive experience working both as a teacher and a director in early childhood settings. Since 2015, Walta has served as the early childhood director at Faith Lutheran School, Fond du Lac, Wis., where she was called to help launch the schoolās now flourishing preschool program.
Over the years, other early childhood ministry (ECM) programs and directors across the country have also benefited from Waltaās support. As a New Teacher Induction (NTI) mentor through Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., Walta mentored new ECM directors during their first two years of ministry. More recently, she has served as a ministry coach through Grace in Action, a WELS-affiliated, Bible-based ministry that provides leadership training and tools. āI love connecting with people, hearing their story, learning how I can support them, and reminding them of their identity and purpose in Christ,ā Walta explains. āThat has been a really cool experience for me to be able to touch base on a monthly basis with some of our teachers and directors. I feel like [these experiences] have prepared me for this call.ā
More than 11,000 children attend a WELS early childhood ministry each week, and 32 percent of those children come from families with no church affiliation. āAmericans are flocking to our schools looking for Christian values,ā says Mr. Jim Rademan, director of WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools (CLS). āOur team sees this as a critical time to provide resources, support, and training to assist ministries in connecting not only children but also their families to Jesus.ā
Rademan and the CLS team are confident in Waltaās ability to lead and forge relationships at this crucial time. Says Rademan, āJamie is the model of an experienced early childhood director who has served in both small and very large settings. She understands the unique early childhood role and will carry that humble, faithful, and positive spirit into this role.ā
Walta plans to work closely with schools and congregationsābuilding relationships and connections, encouraging directors and teachers, helping new programs get started, and identifying or developing helpful resources. āThere are many early childhood programs around the country, and I want to be in touch with them all!ā she says. āI want them to feel strong and fully supported by their church families and by the synod as a whole.ā
62nd annual LWMS convention held in Tulsa
The 62nd annual Lutheran Womenās Missionary Society (LWMS) Convention took place at the Arvest Center in Tulsa, Okla., June 26-29, under the theme āSowing the Seeds of Faith.ā
About 650 women (and men) met at this annual event for mission support, spiritual renewal, inspiration, and fellowship.
In his sermon for the opening worship service, WELS President Mark Schroeder encouraged convention attendees to āEmbrace the mission. Seize the opportunities. Remember Godās promises. And, as you plant the seed of the gospel, watch as God makes it grow.ā
Ms. Kelly Mitchell, a member of Mt. Calvary, Redding, Calif., reflected on the opening worship service: āI loved the singing. I come from a small church; maybe 100 people worship at a time. And so, hearing all of us singing just filled my heart. I loved it.ā
Convention attendees learned about the expanding outreach in Asia and Latin America. In addition, home missionaries shared updates and experiences with church planting in northwest Arkansas and establishing a campus ministry in Waco, Texas.
Workshops included TELL Network: Training Leaders for Christ, A Blue Sky and a Big Heart: Godās Power and Promises in the High Plains of Texas, Sowing Seeds Always Works! (just not always the way you think it should), Church Planting from a District Mission Board Perspective, A Beautiful Neighborhood, and a special live Zoom presentation with a missionary team in Australia.
Ms. Tammy Heckendorf, a member of Mt. Olive, Overland Park, Kan., was attending her first LWMS convention. She noted, āItās good to be around a large body of Christian women from throughout the United States. Having recently moved from Wisconsin to Kansas, I donāt have as many people in my fellowship, and to have this encouragement is wonderful.ā
The convention marked the end of Ms. Jacky Stollās term as president of LWMS. As Ms. Melinda Sims assumes the presidency of the organization, she wants women of WELS to know about the service opportunities LWMS provides: āMost people know LWMS as an organization that supports and promotes missions. But another large aspect of it is giving a space for women to move into leadership positions. Within their own church, they can be a reporter and share mission information at a more regional level. We have our circuits where they can take officer positions. And then, of course, we have the international board for those women who are looking for a chance to spread their wings a little bit more beyond their local congregation or even their region.ā
The 63rd annual LWMS convention is scheduled to take place at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison, Wis., June 25-28, 2026. The theme of the convention will be āCast Out Your Nets.ā