Tag Archive for: WELS Christian Aid and Relief

Hope in the California fires

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Over the last two weeks, fires ravaged entire neighborhoods and communities in southern California. The two main blazes, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, destroyed or damaged more than 15,000 structures and displaced nearly 200,000 people, according to a report on nbcnews.com.Ā 

We thank God for sparing Hope Lutheran Church, in Los Angeles, which was within 10 miles of the fires. Additionally, there have been no reports of significant loss or damage from members.Ā 

But the surrounding devastation left Hopeā€™s neighbors and community in need.Ā  By Sat., Jan. 11, Hope partnered with Pali Fire Support to operate a donation and distribution center on the congregationā€™s campus, which they were able to open that Saturday and Sun., Jan. 12. While providing material aid, such as clothes, toiletries, diapers, and gift cards, the congregationā€™s members were also providing spiritual and emotional support to those in need. Ā 

The congregation and Pali Fire Support opened the center again on Sat., Jan. 18. Rev. Steven Gabb, pastor at Hope, says, ā€œAt the same time, ā€˜pop upā€™ efforts like ours are naturally giving way to well-established organizations with the infrastructure, manpower, storage space, and experience in providing humanitarian aid on such a large scale. As such, by the end of the day on Saturday (January 18), we had made plans to cease our operation and move our inventory to one of those larger community organizations.ā€Ā 

ā€œOur role, along with countless others throughout Los Angeles,ā€ explains Gabb, ā€œhas been to help bridge the gap between the event and the time when insurance and government aid is able to provide more comprehensive support. It has been a humbling privilege to do our part as Godā€™s instruments and voices in our community.ā€Ā 

WELS Christian Aid and Relief provided a $6,000 grant to Hope to help with local efforts and to provide gift cards for people who lost their homes or were displaced. In addition, Christian Aid and Relief gave $5,000 to Direct Relief, an organization that specializes in medical assistance in disaster situations.Ā 

Gabb concludes, ā€œMany thanks to WELS members throughout the synod for their prayers and financial donations to support the effort, to WELS Christian Aid and Relief, and to the Lord for the opportunity to show Christian love and to let our Christian light shine in our community.ā€Ā 

As of Sun., Jan. 19, NBC reported that the Palisades Fire was 56 percent contained, and the Eaton Fire was 81 percent contained. We pray that the fires continue to die out and all who have been affected find hope in the Lordā€™s promises to care for his people.Ā 

For future updates, follow WELS Christian Aid and Relief on Facebook at fb.com/WELSChristianAidAndRelief.Ā 

Did you know . . .Ā 

WELS Christian Aid and Relief has prepared an online library of resources to assist congregations in preparing for a variety of natural disasters.Ā Ā 

View resourcesĀ 

 

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Update on California fires – Jan. 13, 2025

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Dear friends in Christ,

I want to give you another update on the situation in California. I spoke with Pastor Steve Gabb of Hope Lutheran in Los Angeles this morning. So far, our congregations and members in the LA area are safe from the fires. We thank God for this good news!

Pastor Gabb and the members of Hope are working with other community organizations to aid those displaced by the fires. They are basing their efforts at the Hope Lutheran campus. WELS Christian Aid and Relief has provided grants totaling $6,000 to be used to purchase gift cards and other supplies to share with those in need.

I have also authorized a gift of $5,000 to Direct Relief, an organization that specializes in medical assistance in disaster situations. You can learn more about what they do by visiting directrelief.org.

If you would like to support our efforts in the LA area, please visit wels.net/cargift and designate your gift for disaster relief. You can also mail a check to:

WELS Christian Aid and Relief
N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive
Waukesha, WI 53188

Please pray for all those impacted by this fire: displaced people, firefighters and other first responders, volunteers, and government leaders. They all have a lot on their plate. Pray also for our WELS brothers and sisters in LA who are sharing the compassion of Christ in both words and actions.

Thanks so much for your prayers and your support! You are a blessing to so many!

In Christ our compassionate Savior,

Pastor Dan Sims
Director, WELS Christian Aid and Relief

 

 

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Update on California fires – Jan. 11, 2025

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Dear friends in Christ,

Here is an update on the situation in Los Angeles from local Pastor Steve Gabb:

I was asked by our district president to send an update regarding the fires here in Los Angeles.

First of all, none of our WELS churches have been in any of the fire or evacuation zones. The congregation where I serve (Hope, on the west side of LA) is the closest to any of the fires, as we are located about 7 miles from Pacific Palisades. We aren’t downwind from the fire, so we haven’t been in any immediate danger. We have been downwind from the Eaton fire (Altadena, CA) about 20 miles away, which resulted in very poor air quality for a few days. We canceled school on Wednesday and Thursday, and were open in a limited capacity on Friday morning. Later in the day on Friday, the winds shifted and are now driving the Palisades fire east and north toward the Valley where St. John’s, Tarzana and St. Paul’s First, North Hollywood are located, but they are still not in a fire or evacuation zone. Pray that that continues to be the case.

As far as I know, no members of our WELS congregations have experienced significant loss. However, a number of connections we have here at Hope to preschool families (current and former) are experiencing significant loss, both in terms of homes and businesses.

As you can imagine, it’s been both chaotic and surreal, but nothing compared to those who are experiencing significant, if not total, loss. I have been in touch with Pastor Dan Sims (WELS Christian Aid & Relief) for how we can support those directly impacted by the fires. We are also looking for opportunities to mobilize our Hope members to serve in a variety of ways: 1) Distributing gift cards to victims (with financial support from Christian Aid & Relief); 2) Financial support for individual families connected to our church and/or school to recoup losses; 3) Provide temporary housing for displaced individuals or families; 4) Volunteers to help at donation centers. As of Friday afternoon, our church has partnered with a grass roots effort of Palisades High School parents, operating a donation center out of our church.

We have received inquiries from a number of WELS congregations for how to support to the effort. First of all, please pray. Pray for safety for those in the fire zones, and also for fire fighters and first responders. Pray that weather conditions become more favorable for gaining control of the fires (we’re expecting another increase in wind early next week). Pray that the fires would be fully contained sooner rather than later. Pray that this would allow for opportunities to share the Good News of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

In addition to prayer …

For congregations in the LA area: Let me know if you’d like to be notified of any ‘boots on the ground’ efforts we organize (e.g. volunteer at a donation or evacuation center). At this point, the Palisades HS group is the only effort we’re involved with, and this group already has enough volunteers. However, we may get involved with other groups in the upcoming days and weeks.

For those outside the LA area: Financial donations might be the best way to support the effort (see instructions below).

FYI: We are not taking collections of food or clothing because we’ve heard that many donation centers are already at capacity.

Thank you to those who have reached out to check in and/or to offer support and thank you for your prayers!
Blessings,

Steven Gabb
Hope Lutheran Church | Los Angeles, CA

 

To give a financial gift through WELS Christian aid and relief visit wels.net/cargift and designate your gift to Disaster Relief. You can also send a check to the following address:

WELS Christian Aid and Relief
N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive
Waukesha, WI 53188

 

Thanks for all your prayers and support. It means the world to those who are hurting.

In Jesus our compassionate Savior,

Pastor Dan Sims
Director, WELS Christian Aid and Relief

 

 

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Resolve to help the hurting

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Dear Friend,

How are your New Yearā€™s resolutions going? Are you getting more exercise? Have you lost any weight? Did you pick up that guitar again? Are you drinking less?

Iā€™ve never been big on making New Yearā€™s resolutions. Itā€™s just not my thing. However, I can think of one resolution that would be worthwhile. Iā€™d like to do more to help people in need. You too?

We find a great model to imitate in Christian brothers and sisters who lived 2,000 years ago. ā€œAll the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had needā€ (Acts 2:44-45).

The Holy Spirit blessed the members of the early church with a wondrous unity. They were always together worshiping the Lord, studying his Word, and enjoying one anotherā€™s company. This encouraging, Christ-centered atmosphere led to godly action: They used their resources to help people. They fed the hungry and clothed the naked. They visited prisoners and cared for widows and orphans. They resolved to help anyone who was in need.

What moved them to do this? Luke tells us that ā€œJesus resolutely set out for Jerusalemā€ (9:51). Jesus made a resolution. He resolved to go to the cross for us. He shed his blood to save the world. It is this incredible act of love and compassion that moves believersā€”early Christians and usā€”to show compassion to people in need. We do this to thank Jesus for his love and compassion.

How do we do this? There are many ways, but Iā€™d like to suggest one way that you can help our brothers and sisters in WELS who experience times of crisis and need. May I suggest a gift to WELS Christian Aid and Relief (general fund)?

Every year we respond to dozens of requests from our congregations to help them assist their members in need. In each case, this is a crisis that goes beyond the ability of the congregation to handle alone. It might be a child who needs expensive surgery thatā€™s not covered by insurance or an elderly couple who needs a new roof that they cannot afford. Or it could be someone like Lina who received a grant to help with the purchase of a desperately needed car.

Pastor Steve Mueller describes the impact of your generosity on Lina and her family: ā€œSeeing the love shown by you, their fellow Christians whom they have never met, has encouraged them and has helped to take away a burden of anxiety that threatened to overwhelm them.ā€

New Yearā€™s resolutions may help you to lose a few pounds or finally take up that hobby, but resolving to help those in need can be a life-changer for someone who is struggling.

Would you please resolve today to make a donation to fund personal relief grants? In this way, you can help your brothers and sisters who are in need as you give thanks to the One who resolved to save you.

In Christ, our compassionate Savior,
Pastor Dan Sims
Director, WELS Christian Aid and Relief

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Prayer: Lord Jesus, you met our greatest need when you saved us from sin and death with your precious blood and restored our relationship with you. Trusting in you we can focus on helping others, like you have helped us. Bless WELS Christian Aid and Relief as they support people through humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and personal relief grants. Help us see the opportunities you provide to love and support our neighbors and, in doing so, point people to you. Amen.

Christian Aid and Relief responds to Hurricane Helene

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Hurricane Helene roared ashore on the evening of Sept. 26 bringing a huge swath of destruction in her path from the Big Bend region of Florida all the way to southern Appalachia. The death toll from this terrible storm stands at 120 and is rising. Millions are still without power or water.

WELS Christian Aid and Relief has been in contact with district leaders and pastors in the impacted areas to ascertain needs. I am pleased to report that none of our churches experienced major damage and none of our members lost their lives. However, many experienced extensive damages to their properties. Some even lost their homes entirely. Many of our brothers and sisters are in need.

I am working with our pastors to provide immediate financial assistance to those who need it. In addition, our assessment team will soon visit congregations in North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee to assess needs before potential deployments to the region.

Many of you have reached out to ask how you can help. Currently, the best way to help is to give a donation through our disaster relief fund. You can do that by visiting wels.net/CARgift. You can also send a check to the following address:

WELS Christian Aid and Relief
N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive
Waukesha, WI 53188-1108

Thank you for your compassion, support, and generosity.

In Christ, our compassionate Savior,
Pastor Dan Sims
Director, WELS Christian Aid and Relief

Update from South Atlantic District President Rev. Charles Westra

Thanks to all of you for your prayers for our brothers and sisters affected by Helene. Our prayers continue for the many affected.

At this point, we still have no reports of loss of life among our WELS congregations. Many of our congregations celebrated ā€œMichael and all angelsā€ last Sunday. We give thanks to our God for his protection among us.

Pastor Paul Zell in Hendersonville, N.C., shared that communication has been very difficult because cell service is spotty at best. He has spoken to most of his members, and all are safe, but there are many in the greater Asheville, N.C., area that are still missing. Widespread flooding and mudslides were a severe threat. Many members suffered significant damage to homes and property. WELS Christian Aid and Relief representatives will be in Asheville on Saturday to do assessment and begin the coordination of assistance.

Pastor Jonathan Neumann in Martinez, Ga., told me this morning that they are on day five without power. A shortage of drinking water is also a problem for many. Extensive cleanup is needed on the church property. Many members have suffered significant damage to homes and property. WELS Christian Aid and Relief will be on site there early next week.

Pastor David Priebe shared that six families at Bay Pines, Fla., have been displaced from their homes on the barrier islands due to the storm surge. Most of the damage was confined to the narrow strip of Pinellas County along the beach. Three families from Living Savior in Valrico, Fla., also suffered significant damage to their homes. Pastor Priebe also reported that two families from Peace in Trinity, Fla., lost all the contents of their homes.

 

 

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Texas wildfire update from WELS Christian Aid and Relief

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Rev. Dan Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief (CAR), provided an update to CARā€™s Facebook page today regarding the wildfires in Texas:

ā€œThis morning, I spoke with Rev. Hans Thomford, pastor of Amazing Grace, a small mission congregation in Amarillo, Texas. We have been working together with him and his congregation and with other district leaders since the Smokehouse Creek Fire broke out. He and members of his congregation have been reaching out to the local community impacted by the fire. With support from WELS Christian Aid and Relief and other local donations, they have been able to give away gift cards to help people with immediate needs and have also provided some cattle feed to help take care of scattered herds until they can be moved to better pasture. They continue to monitor the situation and look for opportunities to assist those in need.

ā€œAs of now, CAR has no plans to deploy volunteers to Texas. However, plans can change. Stay tuned to this page for further updates, and please continue to remember those impacted by this terrible fire in your prayers.ā€

To stay up to date, follow CAR on Facebook at fb.com/WELSChristianAidandRelief.

 

 

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Idalia update from WELS Christian Aid and Relief

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WELS Christian Aid and Relief (CAR) has provided a brief update on Hurricane Idalia, which has been downgraded to a tropical storm. Rev. Dan Sims, director of CAR, says, ā€œThis was a powerful stormĀ that had the potential to wreak havocĀ to all in its path, but our merciful GodĀ saw fit to minimize damage and loss. Based on communication with our pastors and other leaders, we are pleased to announce that, at this time, our churches and members are all okay.ā€

As CAR is a church-based disaster relief organization, it deploys volunteers and assistance to areas that have a WELS church, since the congregation serves as base for CAR to support and supply its volunteers. Thankfully, none of the communities where WELS has churches are in need at this time, and CAR will not be deploying volunteers to help with clean-up work.

Sims says, ā€œIf you are in need, or have a neighbor in need, please reach out to your pastor and make him aware of the situation. Your pastor will thenĀ get in touch withĀ us.Ā Please continue to rememberĀ in your prayersĀ all those impactedĀ by this storm as well as all thoseĀ working hard to help people inĀ need.ā€

 

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2023 humanitarian aid grants announced

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At its May 1, 2023, meeting, WELS Christian Aid and Relief approved humanitarian aid grants totaling $702,390 for FY 23/24. WELS home missions will receive $43,498 in assistance; $658,892 will go to support world mission efforts. These are projects developed by WELS home and world missionaries to reflect Christā€™s compassion to the people of their communities and build relationships that lead to opportunities to share the gospel.

ā€œSeven hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money, but I believe it is money well spent. These dollars assist our missionaries at home and abroad to reach out in compassion to hurting people and help them. Thatā€™s reason enough for such an investment!ā€ says Rev. Dan Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief. ā€œBut these acts of kindness help to build trusting relationships and lead to many opportunities to share the good news of our Savior.ā€

Major items include support for health clinics (including the Central Africa Medical Mission), borehole drilling to provide clean water, food for the hungry, warm clothes for widows and orphans, aid for legal immigrants, school supplies for underprivileged kids, education for refugees, scholarships for poor students, smokeless stoves, mosquito nets, vocational training, and many other forms of assistance.

Home missions receiving grants include:

  • Foundation, Las Vegas, Nev.
  • Hope, Toronto, Ont., Canada
  • Shepherd of the Valley, Arvada, Colo.
  • Living Hope, Commerce City, Colo.
  • Christ, Denver, Colo.
  • Carbon Valley, Firestone, Colo.
  • The Vine, Hayden, Idaho
  • Christ the Rock, Farmington, N.M.
  • Living Hope, Chattanooga, Tenn.
  • Amazing Grace, Amarillo, Tex.
  • The Mission, Conroe, Tex.
  • Christ Our Refuge, Hewitt, Tex.
  • Christ the Rock, Hutto, Tex.
  • Abiding Savior, Killeen, Tex.
  • Divine Peace, Rockwall, Tex.
  • Faith, Tyler, Tex.
  • Our Savior, West San Antonio, Tex.

World Mission fields receiving grants include:

  • Africa: Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda
  • Asia: Indonesia, Thailand, and others
  • Europe: Albania
  • Latin America: Mexico

Learn more about WELS Christian Aid and Relief at wels.net/relief.

 

 

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Severe storms ravage Malawi

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In Malawi, where the Lutheran Church of Central Africaā€“Malawi has many churches and members, floods caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy swept away entire villages earlier this month. Many homes have collapsed. Police officers and soldiers have been digging for victims buried under the mud and rocks as the death toll rose sharply. In the three countries affected (Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar), more than 500 people have been killed and hundreds are still missing. Those numbers will likely rise as information comes in from places that have been cut off from communication.

More than 300,000 people have been displaced. More than 280,000 children have been affected by the storm.

In addition to the destruction of homes and roads, the storm has inundated farmlands and destroyed crops, just as farmers were about to harvest the only crop of the year. This only increases the food crisis in Malawi, where 3.8 million people were already in need of food assistance before the storm.

Many governmental and private relief efforts are already underway to address the immediate needs. No doubt, there will be need for longer term assistance once the immediate crisis has passed.

As of today, we are waiting to hear how the storm has affected the congregations and members of the Lutheran Church of Central Africaā€“Malawi. There is no doubt that our sister church body has been impacted. As we wait for word, WELS Christian Aid and Relief is ready to provide assistance in whatever way it can. If you would like to help in this effort with a financial gift, you can do so by making a gift online.

Please keep our brothers and sisters in Malawi in your prayers.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

 

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A small book with a big impact

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Since its inception, WELS Christian Aid and Relief has been delivering hands-on disaster relief and humanitarian aid to communities around the world. During these times of disaster and trauma, WELS missionaries and volunteers aim to provide not only physical relief and assistance, but spiritual nourishment as well. The aim is to help people in their time of need and connect them with a church community for ongoing support.

To help get the gospel in the hands of disaster survivors, WELS Christian Aid and Relief developed a short devotional booklet in 2021 entitled An Ever-Present Help in Trouble. Rev. Daniel Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief, explains, ā€œI recognized that we really didnā€™t have a printed resource that pastors and church members in areas that have been hit by a disaster could use as a tool for ministering to those who have been through the trauma of a disaster.ā€

So Sims and nine of his colleagues wrote a total of 40 devotions and prayers based on gospel promises that are comforting to people who have lived through a crisis or trauma. ā€œWhen we have a major disaster situation, one of the first things we do is ship boxes of these devotions down to our churches so that the pastor and the people can begin using and distributing them,ā€ says Sims.

The books were thoughtfully designed with designated space in the front where a church body can place an informational sticker. Above that space it reads, ā€œThis little book of devotions is a gift to you from Godā€™s people at . . .ā€ Readers are encouraged to contact the listed congregation for anything they might need.

The devotions and prayers within An Ever-Present Help in Trouble are brief with simple, straight-forward language. Sims explains that he and the other authors wrote these devotions with two audiences in mind. ā€œOne [is an audience] of people who have been through a huge disaster . . . and the other is for people who donā€™t know much about Jesus.ā€

These devotion books have already been put to good use in communities facing disasters. For example, after Hurricane Ida hit the Gulf Coast in 2021, a WELS congregation in Louisiana distributed copies of the book along with free meal packets to community members.

WELS Christian Aid and Relief now has partnered with Northwestern Publishing House to make copies available for everyone. Purchase An Ever-Present Help in Trouble at Northwestern Publishing House for personal use or evangelism efforts.

 

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WELS Christian Aid and Relief responds to Hurricane Ian

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Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida on Sept. 28 as a powerful Category 4 storm. Rev. Dan Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief, provides an update on how WELS congregations were affected and on current relief efforts in those areas.

On Oct. 3, 2022, a four-person assessment team from WELS Christian Aid and Relief arrived in Sarasota, Fla. They met with Rev. Marty Mielke, the secretary of the South Atlantic District and ā€œpoint manā€ for disaster relief operations following Hurricane Ian. Mielke has been in regular communication with the pastors and congregational leaders in the district. He gave the team an overview of the situation in south Florida. The team plans to spend two days visiting WELS congregations in the area; assessing their needs; and planning the best ways to utilize money, volunteers, and other resources to help those who are affected.

Congregations to the north and in the immediate Tampa area received the least damage. WELS churches in Odessa, Tampa, Clearwater, Valrico, Seminole, and Parrish were largely untouched with only a few downed trees and light flooding. Risen Savior in Lakewood Ranch sustained significant roof damage. Ascension in Sarasota has some roof and soffit damage as well as a 40-foot palm tree on the roof.

Congregations and communities farther south were hit the hardest. At Prince of Peace in Englewood, the churchā€™s cupola was breached, causing water to soak the sanctuary and pews. Christ the King in Port Charlotte received roof and water damage, causing part of the ceiling to collapse. Bethany in North Fort Myers is going to need a new roof and has a large amount of downed timber and brush on the property. At Crown of Life in Fort Meyers the roof on the gymnasium was severely damaged and water entered the sanctuary. The church and school at Abiding Love in Cape Coral sustained roof damage; water also penetrated into the offices, hallways, classrooms, kitchen, and fellowship hall. Portions of the ceilings have collapsed.

We are happy to report that among our members, no injury or loss of life has been reported. Praise God for his mercy!

Many offers of help have come in from individuals and organizations across the synod. Thank you so much! Again, we ask for your patience as we prioritize and plan. The best way for you to help at this time is to give a financial gift. You can do that by going to wels.net/CARgift or mailing a check to WELS, N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188, and designating your gift to ā€œDisaster Relief.ā€

Small, local efforts to provide needed supplies and clear debris have begun. Christian Aid and Relief has already provided $10,000 to the South Atlantic District to purchase supplies, generators, and tarps.

It would be easy to look at this disaster as only thatā€”a terrible storm that caused tremendous damage and loss. If we take a closer look, we will see that the Lord is using Ian to remind us of whatā€™s really important and to give us the opportunity to imitate the compassion of Christ as we love and serve one another and those around us. Please continue to pray.

 

WELS CAR - Hurricane Ian 2022

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Humanitarian aid grants announced

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Rev. Dan Sims, administrator for WELS Christian Aid and Relief, announced its annual grants for humanitarian aid. In contrast to disaster relief, which is given in response to various kinds of disasters when they occur, WELS Christian Aid and Relief also invites Home and World Missions to submit grant requests for various types of humanitarian aid projects as one way to show Christian love and compassion in a variety of ways. Here is his report:

At their May 17, 2022, meeting, members of WELS ChristianĀ AidĀ and Relief approved humanitarian aid grants totaling $628,480 for FY 22-23. This is the highest amount ever approved. These grants support projects developed by WELS home and world missionaries to reflect Christā€™s love to the people of their communities. These acts of mercy and compassion regularly lead to opportunities to share the gospel.

Some examples of the compassion ministry being carried out in home and world mission settings include support for legal immigrants; Bibles for foster children and support for their families; books, backpacks, and other school supplies for underprivileged students; horseback riding for disadvantaged and differently abled children; food and personal items for struggling individuals and families; medical clinics; access to clean drinking water; mosquito netting; support for persecuted Christians; education for refugee children; vocational, technological, and agricultural training; scholarships for poor students; smokeless stoves for safer heating and cooking; and warm clothing for widows and orphans.

These Home Missions congregations received grants:

  • African Chapel of Improvement, Las Vegas, Nev.
  • Hope, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Christ the Rock, Farmington, N.M.
  • Christ, Denver, Colo.
  • Carbon Valley, Firestone, Colo.
  • Risen Savior, Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
  • Amazing Grace, Amarillo, Texas
  • Hope, Houston, Texas
  • Christ the Rock, Hutto, Texas
  • Abiding Savior, Killeen, Texas
  • Living Faith, Midlothian Texas
  • Our Savior, West San Antonio, Texas

These World Missions fields received grants this year:

  • Africaā€“Malawi, Zambia, Nigeria, and the Central African Medical Mission
  • Asiaā€“India, Indonesia, and Thailand
  • Europeā€“Albania and Bulgaria

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

 

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Reaching communities with compassion

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Through its new Community Care & Compassion Matching Grants Program, WELS Christian Aid and Relief is offering matching grants to congregations that want to reach out in their community through a compassion ministry. Grants are available up to $2,500.

Grants can support any compassion ministry in a community, such as a Christmas toy drive or a Thanksgiving meal at your church. It can also support those who need encouragement, like seniors, veterans, or victims of domestic violence. WELS Christian Aid and Relief Director Rev. Daniel Sims recommends that a good place to start is to determine the particular needs in your community. If there is a local charity working to serve those needs, find ways to assist them.

ā€œWhen we act with compassion and love, it gains us opportunities to talk about our Savior,ā€ says Sims. ā€œI encourage congregations to find the people who are hurting in your community, formulate a plan to help them, and get in touch with us. Let us help you reach out to them in love.ā€ To learn more and apply for a grant, visit wels.net/relief.

One example of a congregation taking advantage of this new grant program is Bethlehem, Richland Center, Wis. In 2020, this exploratory mission was looking for a ministry space to call home. God provided a perfect fit: a former elementary school that had just come on the market.

The building was more than just a former school. It was also home to a county-run program that provides hot meals each week to senior adults. ā€œWe didnā€™t just purchase a facility,ā€ says Rev. Daniel Lewig, pastor at Bethlehem. ā€œWe got a ministry right along with itā€”and an open door to see where God leads.ā€

Supported by offerings and a pandemic relief grant from WELS Christian Aid and Relief, Bethlehem members upgraded the former classroom in which the meals are served to make it more welcoming and encourage conversation and connections.

The revitalized dining area also serves as Bethlehemā€™s fellowship hall, and seniors from the community are invited to all church activities. In addition, Lewig visits with guests each week and leads them in prayer. Bethlehem members help serve the meals or simply spend time getting to know their neighbors.

Once the seniors are in the building, itā€™s a natural progression to introduce them to the worship space in the gym. Through Godā€™s blessing, several of the seniors have attended worship, and some have taken Bible information classes and become members.

Bethlehem plans to apply for a new Community Care & Compassion Matching Grant through WELS Christian Aid and Relief to offer even more fellowship opportunities for local seniors, like dinners and movie nights.

ā€œItā€™s not the food that brings them together,ā€ Lewig says. ā€œItā€™s the connection. Our members help with that connection and connect it to a higher purpose. We created an environment where youā€™re not just eating a meal for a day but a meal for eternity.ā€

Sims discussed the Community Care & Compassion Matching Grants Program in last week’s Together video update.

 

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Aid continues to Ukraine

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We are in constant contact with the bishop (president) of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC). He reports that thus far no members of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church have lost their lives or been injured. Some of their homes have been damaged or destroyed. None of the ULC churches have been destroyed in the conflict, although three parsonages have been damaged.

The bishop (whose congregation is in the capital city of Kyiv) has been staying outside of Kyiv for safety reasons. Last Sunday he was able to return to Kyiv temporarily to lead worship and to deliver much needed supplies of food and medicine. Yesterday he provided this report: ā€œPeople were very happy to see each other again especially after recent missile attacks, although we did not have as many people at the worship service as on Easter. Shut-ins also rejoiced to be visited and communed and are grateful for the food aid received. Thank you very much! Many thanks to all brothers and sisters in WELS, to the U.S., and praise to the Lord!ā€

Generous WELS donors have provided significant funds to enable the ULC to purchase supplies of clothing, food, and medicine. Those supplies are provided to refugees from different places around the country and for the people of the communities in which ULC congregations are located. Our synod has forwarded funds to the ULC upon its request. Itā€™s important to note that these requests are coming to us in amounts that enable the ULC to purchase what is needed and what it can distribute. To date, $66,000 has been requested and sent directly to the ULC. We are ready to send more as soon as the ULC requests it. Another $100,000 has been sent to a reputable agency (Direct Relief) that is assisting Ukrainian refugees in Poland and other countries. We are also making plans to provide funds to our sister church in Bulgaria, which is caring for Ukrainian refugees arriving there.

The synod is also ready to provide help to Ukrainian refugees who are able to come to the United States. Ukrainians who come to the U.S. as refugees need to work with the U.S. State Department, and we are looking for ways to assist in that process.

We are also looking forward to the day when the war is over and resettlement and rebuilding can begin. Because of the generosity of WELS members, we believe that some of the funds already given will be able to be used for those efforts.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

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WELS Christian Aid and Relief responds to South Central tornadoes

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On Dec. 10, tornadoes caused devastation across the South Central part of the United States. Rev. Daniel Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief, reports: ā€œAt this time, we are unaware of any of our WELS congregations or members who have been directly impacted by this storm. Praise God for watching over his people!ā€

Because no WELS congregations are near the affected areas, WELS Christian Aid and Relief is currently not planning to mobilize volunteers for onsite disaster relief work. ā€œBecause we donā€™t have the deep resources or infrastructure of FEMA or the Red Cross, itā€™s very difficult to go into areas where we donā€™t have a congregation nearby to use as our ā€˜home baseā€™ for volunteers,ā€ says Sims. ā€œHowever, we will continue to look for opportunities to go to the area and help those in need.ā€

To support those affected by the tornadoes, WELS Christian Aid and Relief has sent a gift of $10,000 to Direct Relief, which has people on-site and active in providing disaster relief in the form of medical aid.

Sims is thankful for the response from WELS members wanting to help: ā€œWe are grateful for your support and your messages of care and concern. Your love for those who are hurting is obvious. May the Lord continue to bless our efforts to ā€˜do good to all peopleā€™ (Galatians 6:10).ā€

To help those affected by the tornadoes, you can make a financial gift through WELS Christian Aid and Reliefā€™s disaster fund at wels.net/CARgift (designate the gift to ā€œdisaster reliefā€). Stay updated on relief efforts at wels.net/relief.

 

 

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Providing care through humanitarian aid grants

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WELS Christian Aid and Relief announced it has approved $470,882 for humanitarian aid projects in WELS mission fields throughout the United States and worldwide for fiscal year 2021-22.

Projects are developed by WELS home and world missionaries, who continually look for opportunities to serve hurting people in their communities with ongoing basic needs, like food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. Rev. Daniel Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief, says, ā€œWhen our missionaries can assist people in this way, it also helps to build trust and leads to many opportunities to then share the life-changing news of the gospel.ā€

The humanitarian aid granted through WELS Christian Aid and Relief takes many forms, including providing smokeless stoves to safely heat homes in Asia, medical clinics, assistance for legal immigrants, vocational training, and backpacks and school supplies for underprivileged kids.

One of the most recent aid projects was supporting the digging of five boreholes in Zambia to provide clean and safe drinking water. ā€œHere in the United States, we take fresh drinking water for granted, but in Africa access to fresh, clean water is often severely limited,ā€ says Sims. ā€œThese boreholes, which are often built near our churches, provide our missionaries a point of contact and an opportunity to talk to people about Jesus. The care and compassion shown by the gift of the borehole means that many are more willing to listen.ā€

Sims continues to be thankful for Godā€™s blessings on these projects, which are supported through the generosity of Godā€™s people. ā€œEven though our ministry is not part of the synodical budget, we are able to carry out this vital ministry of compassion. Godā€™s people, moved by his love, are generous.ā€

WELS members can support the work ofĀ WELS Christian Aid and ReliefĀ through prayers and offerings. In addition to humanitarian aid grants, the organization also provides disaster relief and medical financial emergency grants to people in need.

View aĀ complete list of humanitarian aid projectsĀ supported by WELS Christian Aid and Relief through your offerings.

 

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New opportunities to offer pandemic relief

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WELS Christian Aid and Relief has set aside $200,000 to help WELS congregations offer pandemic relief to their communities. Congregations can receive up to $2,500 in matching grant money to provide aid to those who are struggling in their neighborhoods.

ā€œLike no other time in most of our lives, people are hurtingā€”both in our churches and in our communities. And we can help them,ā€ says Rev. Daniel Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief. ā€œGod has blessed us with an abundance of daily bread and with the good news of the Bread of Life, our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a tremendous opportunity to bring relief to those struggling during this challenging time.ā€

WELS Christian Aid and Relief already has distributed pandemic relief funding this year when it teamed up with WELS Home Missions to offer more than $160,000 in matching grant money to 24 mission congregations.

These home missions were creative with their ideas, offering plans to provide food and supplies to families in need and counseling and support groups for those struggling with their mental health. Many are partnering with other community organizations, working closely with local homeless shelters and schools in their area.

ā€œWeā€™re glad this grant program came upā€”not only for the resourcesā€”but just to spur us on to come up with an idea to help our community,ā€ says Mr. Mark Hartman, lay member at Hope in the Heights, a home mission in Houston, Texas, that received one of the grants.

WELS Christian Aid and Relief will offer these new matching grants to congregations until June 1 or when designated funds run out.

ā€œWhat an opportunity to shine the light of Christā€™s love into our communities,ā€ says Sims. ā€œMay God bless our efforts in his saving name.ā€

Learn more about WELS Christian Aid and Relief and these grant opportunities at wels.net/relief.

 

 

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Mission congregations offer aid during the pandemic

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WELS Christian Aid and Relief and WELS Home Missions have teamed up to offer more than $160,000 in pandemic relief matching grants to 24 mission congregations that are offering aid to those in their communities who are struggling. Grants were allocated in January.

ā€œOur mission is to relieve suffering, to reach out to those who have been hit hard by something and help them through it, while we reflect the love of Jesus and gain opportunities to share the good news of Jesus as their Savior,ā€ says Rev. Daniel Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief. ā€œItā€™s easy to look at the pandemic as a problemā€”and it isā€”but itā€™s also a tremendous opportunity to do exactly what our mission is set to do.ā€

These home missions were creative with their ideas, offering plans to provide food and supplies to families in need and counseling and support groups for those struggling with their mental health. Many are partnering with other community organizations, working closely with local homeless shelters and schools in their area.

Hope in the Heights, Houston, Texas, a home mission that started in 2019, is supporting its local Chamber of Commerceā€™s Adopt-a-Teacher program, which provides teachers with needed supplies, personal gifts, support, and prayers during these trying times. ā€œWith all the stress that teachers have been under, we thought it would be a nice thing to help them out,ā€ says Mr. Mark Hartman, a lay member at Hope. The congregation decided to support teachers from two of the schools in the congregationā€™s target area.

Besides helping the teachers, Hope asked each teacher to nominate two families who are struggling because of the pandemic so that Hope could provide groceries to those families.

Hope was so excited about the program that it decided to get started even before the grant money came through. ā€œI just bought groceries for our 18th family since we started [last November],ā€ says Hartman. ā€œWeā€™re glad this grant program came upā€”not only for the resourcesā€”but just to spur us on to come up with an idea to help our community.ā€

He continues, ā€œWhen a program like this comes along, it gives you the opportunity to say, ā€˜I donā€™t have to worry about my budget, I can just go and bless these people in my community.ā€™ ā€

And people are appreciative of that help. One local elementary teacher e-mailed, saying, ā€œI have had the pleasure of hearing the cheerful stories from my students that you purchased groceries for. I wish you could see the look on their faces! I wanted to thank you for your generosity and kindness. This is definitely what this world needs more of.ā€ Another said, ā€œI am truly humbled and blessed that a church and its congregation wanted to help teachersā€”and especially me.ā€

Learn more about Christian Aid and Relief at wels.net/relief. Learn more about Home Missions at wels.net/missions.

 

 

 

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Colorado church receives relief from fires

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ā€œAt our final outdoor worship services at Carbon Valley Lutheran we could see the smoke coming across the sky, and by the end of worship we had ash and burnt pine needles on our cars,ā€ describes Rev. Tim Spiegelberg, pastor at Carbon Valley Lutheran Church, Firestone, Colo., and also vacancy pastor at Peace, Boulder.

While Colorado is no stranger to wildfires, 2020 brought some of the biggest and longest lasting in the stateā€™s history. As the fires closed in, four families from Peace, Boulder, were told to evacuate.

Two of the families needed a place to go, and without hesitation, the council at Peace opened the doors of the church, allowing the members to stay on the church property as needed. Carbon Valley assisted as well, providing gift cards for necessities. Unsure of how widespread, long, or damaging these fires would be for the community, Spiegelberg turned to Christian Aid and Relief, seeking assistance before the crisis got bigger. Christian Aid and Relief answered the call and provided additional funds to help families if needed.

Spiegelberg explains, ā€œIt was incredibly easy working with Pastor Dan Sims [director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief]. I was actually surprised at how easy it was and how receptive he was. It was as simple as a phone call describing the situation and [Sims] gave me the assurance that Christian Aid and Relief was there for us.ā€

ā€œI think the story here is moving swiftly with compassion before things get out of hand,ā€ says Spiegelberg. ā€œIt turned out that those families were okay. They were able to go back. God sent snow and stopped the progression of the fire. But we were in place and ready to go. Immediately and without hesitation, the leadership said to use the church.ā€

After a record fire season, not just in Colorado but on the West coast as well, Sims said he will be meeting with a group of pastors from the fire-hit regions to brainstorm the best ways for Christian Aid and Relief to assist with these disasters in the future.

To learn more about Christian Aid and Relief, visit wels.net/relief.

 

 

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WELS Christian Aid and Relief makes humanitarian aid grants

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WELS Christian Aid and Relief announced it has granted $455,919 to humanitarian aid projects in WELS mission fields around the world for fiscal year 2020-21.

Projects are developed by WELS home and world missionaries to reflect Christā€™s love to the people of their community and open doors to share the gospel. Major items include support for health clinics, borehole drilling to provide clean water, home-based care for the chronically ill and dying, food assistance, adult literacy classes, food and nutrition to orphans and refugees,Ā and medical equipment.

While many projects are ongoing and renewed annually, Rev. Robert Hein, chairman of Christian Aid and Relief, says, ā€œThis year we approved more grants from our home missions, especially as they minister to people in cross-cultural situations, such as providing backpacks to needy children for school.ā€

ā€œMany of the people we serve are lacking in essentials like clean water, food, basic health care, and other supplies.Ā God meets their physical needs through our efforts and they also have the opportunity to learn about their Savior, who met our greatest need,ā€ Hein explains, ā€œAll humanitarian aid projects start with our missionaries in the field.Ā They develop projects to meet community needs and build relationships to share the gospel with the people they serve. All requests are reviewed by our mission leaders and then brought to our commission for funding.ā€

He continues, ā€œMeeting community needs is a great way to put Christā€™s love into action.Ā As we address physical needs, our missionaries also have opportunities to share the good news about Jesus with the people of their community. We are always looking for ways to make a positive impact on our communities.ā€

WELS members can support the work of WELS Christian Aid and Relief through prayers and offerings. In addition to humanitarian aid grants, the organization also provides disaster relief and medical financial emergency grants to people in need.

View a complete list of humanitarian aid projects supported by WELS Christian Aid and Relief through your offerings.

 

 

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Full-time director for WELS Christian Aid and Relief

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Last fall, the Synodical Council made the decision to call a full-time director for WELS Christian Aid and Relief.

WELS Christian Aid and Relief has been the vehicle by which WELS members have generously supported relief efforts in times of natural disaster and in other situations where our Christian love moves us to provide some type of financial assistance. Until now, the work of WELS Christian Aid and Relief has been faithfully overseen by a commission with a chairman who also serves as a full-time pastor. But experience has shown that the scope of the work requires more than what part-time commission members and their chairman can provide. That led to the establishment of a full-time position.

One of the benefits of a full-time director will be the development of a program to prepare and train congregations and their leaders in disaster response before a disaster hits. The new director will spend much of his time developing resources for congregations and providing the training needed to prepare for relief efforts. One part of the plan is to position lay coordinators in all 12 districts who can provide local expertise and advice to congregations when disasters occur.

Why call a pastor for this work? The primary reason is that disaster relief efforts often provide opportunities for gospel outreach efforts in the communities affected by disasters. The Synodical Council recognized that in addition to providing aid as an expression of our Christian love, this work is also a ministry in which the sharing of the gospel can and should play a vital role. As a pastor, the new director will also have many opportunities to preach in congregations throughout the synod as he represents the mission of WELS Christian Aid and Relief.

Learn more about WELS Christian Aid and Relief at wels.net/relief.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

 

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WELS Christian Aid and Relief approves humanitarian aid grants

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The administrative committee for WELS Christian Aid and Relief approved $466,212 for humanitarian aid work in fiscal year 2019-20. These are projects developed by WELS home and world missionaries to reflect Christā€™s love to the people of their community and open doors to share the gospel.

Christian Aid and Relief Chairman Rev. Robert Hein, says, ā€œHumanitarian aid projects help our missions put Christā€™s love into action by meeting community needs. As missionaries develop relationships with the people they serve, they also find opportunities to tell people about Jesus. In some world mission fields, hostile to Christianity, humanitarian aid is essential to keep the doors open to share the gospel.ā€

All projects originate in the mission fields as the missionaries discover opportunities to help. Then the projects are brought to the Christian Aid and Relief administrative committee as well as to the WELS Missions administrators for approval.

Some of the approved projects are:

  • New or repaired water wells in Zambia and Malawi.
  • Medical clinic renovation in Zambia.
  • Rural medical clinic and medical care in Nigeria.
  • Food assistance for the poor in Indonesia.
  • Medical, vacation Bible school, and English training in Thailand.
  • Outreach programs in Bulgaria and Russia.
  • Assistance for war refugees, orphans, and the poor in Ukraine.
  • Food and transportation programs in Mexico.
  • Water projects and medical equipment in South Asia.
  • Medical clinics, sewing classes, clothing for poor, and flood assistance in Nepal.
  • Medical assistance and skill training program in Pakistan.
  • African immigrant assistance in Las Vegas.
  • Welcome programs for immigrants in Toronto.
  • Various outreach and assistance programs in Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, College Station in Texas and Denver, Colo.

To view a complete list of humanitarian aid projects, visit wels.net/relief.

Serving in Christ,
President Mark Schroeder

 

 

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Church dedication in Puerto Rico

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On Sept. 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria swept over the island of Puerto Rico causing great devastation and destruction.

WELS members responded generously with gifts to WELS Christian Aid and Relief. But the devastation caused by the storm made communication with fellow Christians in Puerto Rico difficult. It was hard to know what needed to be done to help and how that help could be delivered.

Early last summer WELS Christian Aid and Relief sent retired missionary Rev. Larry Schlomer Sr. to the island. He was asked to stay for up to a year to help the church leaders determine what needed to be done and then to help organize relief and rebuilding efforts.

God has graciously taken care of the people of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Puerto Rico and restored their church in Humacao. On Feb. 10, 2019, this church celebrated the completion of the rebuilt church with a dedication service. Many of the national pastors were in attendance along with Rev. Larry Schlomer Sr., WELS President Rev. Mark Schroeder, and Rev. Tim Satorius.

View a slideshow of the dedication service.

WELS CAR - Puerto Rico Church Rededication