Tag Archive for: WELS Foundation

From gratitude to generosity: How the Luehmanns put their faith into action through a donor-advised fund

/in , , ,

As Thanksgiving approaches, Joel and Denise Luehmann are reflecting on the many blessings God has given their family. ā€œWe are so thankful for our faith, family, church, and the opportunities
God has provided,ā€ Denise shared. ā€œWe want to give back in gratitudeā€”to honor God with the gifts he has entrusted to us.ā€

Now in a new stage of life with their children grown, they wanted to give in a way that is both intentional and impactful. They found a donor-advised fund (DAF) to be the ideal tool. It allows them to ā€œbunchā€ donations and provide consistent gifts to the ministries they supportā€”a feature they value because it helps ministries better plan for the gifts they receive each year. ā€œDenise and I have also used the DAF for appreciated assets due to the tax and administrative advantages,ā€ Joel added. They appreciated how a WELS Christian giving counselor helped clarify the details and guide them through the process. Working with their giving counselor and WELS Foundation, which manages DAFs and other planned gifts, the Luehmanns found the process straightforward and rewarding. ā€œThe WELS Foundation staff was warm and helpful and made it easy to get started,ā€ Joel said. ā€œThey explained the options, answered our questions, and helped us implement a giving plan that fit perfectly with our goals.ā€

The Luehmanns also appreciate that their DAF is invested through WELS Investment Funds, which has generated strong returns. ā€œItā€™s an underappreciated program,ā€ Joel shared. ā€œProfessional management, very low fees, and the ability to pool investments with othersā€”it actually generates better returns than we could on our own. The Lord increases the returns, which gives us even more to giveā€”and more joy in giving.ā€ Through their DAF, Joel and Denise support their home congregationā€”St. Paulā€™s in North Mankato, Minn.ā€”as well as their area Lutheran high school, ELS ministries, and several WELS-affiliated ministries.

This Thanksgiving, you too can turn gratitude into lasting impact. To explore these opportunitiesā€”or to learn how to establish or donor-advised fund for a ministry close to your heartā€”contact your local WELS Christian giving counselor at wels.net/giving-counselors or call 800-827-5482.

From New Zealand to Texas: How Sue found a church home and a way to give back

/in ,

Sueā€™s journey of faith led her to a WELS congregationā€”and to a joyful way of supporting gospel ministry for generations to come.

Sue Strickerā€™s faith journey began far from Dallas, Texas. Originally from New Zealand, she came to the United States as a student and eventually settled in Dallas. Raised Anglican, she longed for a deeper spiritual nourishment she wasn’t finding at the first churches she visited.

That changed when she walked through the doors of Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church, a WELS congregation in Dallas. The service structure felt familiar, but the Christ-centered preaching truly fed her soul. Soon she became active in her new church homeā€”teaching Sunday school, serving on the altar guild, and sharing her musical gifts by playing piano for worship services.

Now, at age 88, Sue reflects with gratitude: “The Lord has given me good health and so many opportunities to serve. I’m thankful I can give back for all he’s done for me in Christ.”

Through her local WELS Christian giving counselor, Sue learned about charitable gift annuities (CGAs). A CGA allows her to receive quarterly payments during her lifetime while designating the remainder to support gospel ministry after the Lord calls her home to heaven. Over the past several years, Sue has established three charitable gift annuitiesā€”benefitting her congregation, supporting Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary students, and strengthening the work of WELS as a whole. ā€œIt’s a meaningful way to help the church further the work of preaching and teaching,ā€ she shares.

She is especially grateful for the assistance of her Christian giving counselor, ā€œI trust him, and he knows the needs [of the synod].ā€

Sue’s joy is contagious. ā€œIā€™m happy Iā€™m able to do this. Iā€™ve been blessed in many ways. To others in the same position who can do itā€”I would encourage it!ā€

Like Sue, you can use planned giving tools to support the ministries that mean the most to you. Options include charitable gift annuities, gifts of cash or appreciated assets, or designating a gift through your will, trust, retirement account, or life insurance. Each provides a meaningful way to care for loved ones and advance gospel ministry for generations to come.

To explore these opportunitiesā€”or to learn how to establish or add to an endowment for a ministry close to your heartā€”contact your local WELS Christian giving counselor at wels.net/giving-counselors or call 800-827-5482.

WELS Foundation makes annual endowment distributions to support ministry

/in ,

Thanks to the generosity of Godā€™s people, WELS Foundation distributed $1.4 million for our Saviorā€™s gospel ministry in July from the WELS endowment funds. The endowment funds managed by WELS Foundation provide ongoing, dependable support for the Lordā€™s work in WELS Ministerial Education, WELS Home and World Missions, and cross-cultural outreach.

WELS Foundation also manages endowments established by individuals, congregations, and other WELS-affiliated ministries. In total, WELS Foundation distributed $4.7 million from more than 400 endowments this year, providing ongoing financial support for Christā€™s gospel work throughout WELS.

ā€œAn endowment is a long-term fund in which the principal is invested, and a portion of the earnings is distributed annually to support ministry,ā€ explains Mr. Jim Holm, executive director of WELS Foundation. ā€œEndowments are invested and managed through WELS Investment Funds, ensuring responsible stewardship of every dollar.ā€

Endowment support in action

Every year, young men at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., dedicate themselves to rigorous theological training in preparation for a life of service as pastors in WELS. Their calling is clearā€”but covering the cost of their education can be a challenge.

Thankfully, God is working through the generosity of his people.

In July 2025, more than $52,000 in scholarship support was distributed to seminary students from donor-established endowments through WELS Foundation. These gifts are the result of faithful Christians who were motivated by love for the gospel and a desire to help the next generation of shepherds proclaim Christ. By establishing endowments, they have created a legacy of Christian generosityā€”one that provides reliable, yearly support for seminary students answering the Lordā€™s call.

In addition to student scholarships, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary received $98,469 from the WELS Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Endowment. This endowment provides ongoing support for seminary operations, helping ensure the seminary can continue its mission of preparing the next generation of pastors.

Seminarian Connor Herter shares, ā€œOver the past two years, I have been showered with abundant financial gifts, which have enabled me to focus on fulfilling our Lordā€™s Great Commission. The gifts ensure that there is no financial barrier for any young man who seeks to serve as a pastor in our synod.ā€

Herter relays his gratitude to those who have provided support through endowments. ā€œWhile you and I may never meet, I can only express my deepest appreciation and love for your generous hearts,ā€ he says. ā€œYour gifts have enabled me to stand shoulder to shoulder with other young men who seek to do the same thing: serve God and love his people. God bless each one of you.ā€

Supporting endowments for generations to come

ā€œWhether you establish your own named endowment or contribute to an existing one, your support becomes part of something enduringā€”a legacy that supports gospel work for years to come,ā€ concludes Holm.

To learn more about adding to an existing endowment or establishing a new endowment for a ministry close to your heart, contact your local WELS Christian giving counselor atĀ wels.net/giving-counselorsĀ or call 800-827-5482.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

The charitable gift annuity: “The best thing since sliced bread!”

/in

Marvin and Marilyn Hoepken first learned about the benefits of a charitable gift annuity (CGA) through American Cancer Society mailings: a tax deduction, quarterly annuity payments for life, and a final gift to charity after the Lord takes you to heaven.

Marvin talked to his pastor, Don Patterson, about using a CGA to support WELS ministry, and Pastor Patterson contacted their local WELS Christian giving counselor for help. After speaking to the giving counselor, Marvin was very pleased with the payment rate heā€™d receive as an 85-year-old, saying, ā€œThis is the best thing since sliced bread!ā€

Ultimately the Hoepkensā€™ CGA will support WELS Christian Aid and Relief, Martin Luther College, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and their home congregation, Holy Word in Austin, Texas. But Marvinā€™s favorite part (besides the great rate) is that, instead of taking the quarterly annuity payments, he can give those away as well.

ā€œWith a CGA the quarterly distributions can go to whomever you want them to go to,ā€ he explained. ā€œSo you can already give things away while youā€™re still alive.ā€ The Hoepkens plan to use the payments to provide financial assistance to students preparing for ministry (like Martin Luther College students, pictured above).

Their pastor shared that the Hoepkens remind him of the Macedonians in 2 Corinthians 8: ā€œThey gave themselves first to the Lord and then begged for an opportunity to share in this work. Because they live for Jesus, it was easy for them to decide to share their blessings with gospel ministries after they find their place in heaven.ā€

You can fund a gift annuity for yourself, a loved one, or a friend. And you can direct the remainder of the gift to your church, school, synod, area Lutheran high school, or other WELS-affiliated ministry.

To determine whether a charitable gift annuity could be a good way for you to support the ministry or ministries that you love, you can run a personalized gift illustration.

For personal guidanceā€”whether youā€™d just like to learn more or move forward with setting up a CGAā€”call WELS Ministry of Christian Giving at 800-827-5482, or e-mail [email protected].

WELS endowments help support tuition assistance

/in

Thanks to the generosity of Godā€™s people, WELS Foundation distributed $1.3 million to gospel ministry in July through the WELS endowment funds. These funds were established by delegates at the 2005 synod convention to provide ongoing, dependable support for the Lordā€™s work in WELS Ministerial Education and WELS Home, World, and Joint Missions.

In addition to the WELS endowments, WELS Foundation also manages endowments that are set up by individuals, congregations, and other WELS-affiliated ministries. In total, WELS Foundation distributed $4.1 million from more than 375 endowments this year, providing ongoing financial support for Christā€™s gospel work throughout WELS.

Several of the endowments managed by WELS Foundation benefit Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., providing tuition assistance to students training to become teachers.

Katie Rosenau, a member at St. Mark, Leesburg, Fla., is entering her second year at MLC in the Elementary Education and Communication Arts and Literature program. Katie feels blessed to have received crucial financial support through endowments. ā€œThe academic scholarships I have received through the endowment funds have certainly been a blessing,ā€ she says. ā€œMore traditional tuition assistance was not available to me, making the academic scholarships all the more important. It is a gift that my efforts in studying and focusing on classes are being rewarded.ā€

To Rosenau, the support she has received is more than just a financial blessing: ā€œIn working hard to achieve academic excellence, I often end up spending more time in Godā€™s Word. Being blessed through my studies allows me to dedicate even more time to growing spiritually in my faith.ā€

Rosenau extends her thanks to those who have generously supported her through their financial gifts. ā€œKnowing there is support for my academic achievements helps encourage me to strive for my very best,ā€ she says. ā€œI am grateful for all the people behind the gifts who are helping those who might not qualify for other types of assistance. Your gifts are received with appreciation!ā€

ā€œProviding tuition assistance for those wanting to serve in the teaching ministry is a goal everyone can support,ā€ says Mr. Jim Holm, executive director of WELS Foundation. ā€œAn endowment fund can provide a source of stable financial support for these young men and women.ā€

There are a variety of ways to give to an endowment: cash or appreciated assets, or through a will, trust, beneficiary designation on a retirement account, or insurance proceeds. To learn more about adding to an existing endowment or establishing a new endowment for a ministry that you love, contact your local WELS Christian giving counselor at wels.net/giving-counselors or call 800-827-5482.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Together Video Update – December 13, 2022

/in
WELS Foundation Executive Director Mr. Jim Holm provides guidance on different kinds of gifts that will support ministry for years to come. Visit wels.net/foundation to learn more.

Ā 

 

Watch more videos

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

 

WELS again celebrates blessings in endowments program

/in ,

Thanks to the generosity of Godā€™s people, WELS Foundation was blessed to distribute almost $1.2 million to gospel ministry in July through the WELS endowment funds. These funds were established by delegates at the 2005 synod convention to provide ongoing support for the Lordā€™s work in WELS Ministerial Education and WELS Home, Joint, and World Missions.

In addition to the WELS endowments, WELS Foundation also manages endowments that are set up by individuals, congregations, and other WELS-affiliated ministries. In total, WELS Foundation distributed $3.8 million from more than 375 endowments this year, providing ongoing financial support for Christā€™s gospel work throughout WELS.

Several of the endowments managed by WELS Foundation benefit Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., providing tuition assistance to students training to become pastors.

Seminarian Jacob Borgwardt, a member at Redeemer, Fond du Lac, Wis., shares one of the blessings of the tuition assistance he has received through endowments: ā€œ[It] helps me focus on training to be a pastor. Instead of having to work full time to pay off student loans and be a part-time student, itā€™s the other way around. Seminarians can be full-time students, spending the majority of our time studying Godā€™s Word.ā€

He continues: ā€œOn the spiritual side, Iā€™ll never forget something one of my professors once said in regard to tuition assistance: The people giving generously to these endowments see the support of seminarians as a tangible way to give to the gospel. What a blessing and responsibility!ā€

Borgwardt extends his gratitude to those who have supported him and his wife through their financial gifts: ā€œWe thank God that he has given you such Christlike generosity. You are a help and a blessing to us and to so many of my classmates. Your gifts and prayers are extremely encouraging! Knowing that there are so many people who support us in our pastoral training makes us that much more excited to serve a church someday.ā€

ā€œAn endowment is a great way to create a lasting legacy of Christian faith while providing for the Lordā€™s workā€”like supporting our future pastors,ā€ says Mr. Jim Holm, executive director of WELS Foundation.

There are a variety of ways to give to an endowment: cash or appreciated assets; or through a will, trust, beneficiary designation on a retirement account, or insurance proceeds. To learn more about adding to an existing endowment or establishing a new endowment for a ministry close to your heart, contact your local WELS Christian giving counselor at wels.net/giving-counselors or call 800-827-5482.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

 

WELS Endowment Fund again receives accolade

/in

For the second year in a row, the WELS Endowment Fundā€™s net investment return placed in the 90th percentile of the foundations that participated in the 2020 Council on Foundationsā€”Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community FoundationsĀ®. The investment returns for the WELS Endowment Fund were 22.39% and 21.22% in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

ā€œThis is a tremendous blessing to WELS organizations that have an endowment fund through WELS Foundation, because the distributions from the endowments help fund ministry,ā€ says Mr. Jim Holm, WELS Foundation executive director. ā€œThis year, WELS Foundation distributed a total of $3.5 million to gospel work from more than 350 endowments. We praise God for his blessings!ā€

The 2020 study marks the ninth year that Commonfund Institute and the Council on Foundations have partnered to produce this research. With 260 participating private and community foundations representing combined assets of $115.4 billion, the study is believed to be the most comprehensive annual survey of its kind.

The WELS Endowment Fund is one of four portfolios managed by WELS Investment Funds, a self-supporting subsidiary of WELS. Synodical endowments, along with endowment funds benefiting WELS congregations and WELS-affiliated ministries, are invested in the WELS Endowment Fund.

To set up an endowment fund or learn how an endowment fund can support your ministry for years to come, contact Jim Holm at [email protected] or 414-256-3206. Learn more about WELS Foundation at wels.net/foundation.

 

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

 

WELS celebrates milestone in endowments program

/in

This year WELS Ministry of Christian Giving and WELS Foundation are celebrating 16 years of Godā€™s blessingsā€”and the generosity of Godā€™s peopleā€”through the WELS endowment funds.

In 2005, synod convention delegates prayerfully considered how WELS could help support gospel ministry in a predictable and ever-increasing manner. One answer was to establish the WELS endowments, which benefit the Lordā€™s work in WELS Home, World, and Joint Missions and at our four ministerial education schools. Out of gratitude for Godā€™s love and a desire to help more people know Jesus as their Savior, WELS members have faithfully contributed to these endowments over the last 16 years, resulting in more than $100 million in gifts received ($36.7 million) and expected ($68.9 million).

ā€œWe praise Jesus for guiding our synodā€™s plans and prompting our membersā€™ gifts so that weā€™re now able to distribute more than $1 million from these endowments for greater tuition assistance for ministerial education students and the funding of mission work to people groups located both in the U.S. and in foreign fields,ā€ says Rev. Kurt Lueneburg, director of WELS Ministry of Christian Giving.

In addition to the two synod endowments, WELS Foundation also manages endowments that are set up by individuals, congregations, and other WELS ministries. In total, WELS Foundation distributed $3.5 million to gospel work from more than 350 endowments this year, providing ongoing financial support for gospel work throughout WELS.

One of the endowments managed by WELS Foundation was established by WELS members David and Lynette Buss, longtime supporters of Jesusā€™ work through their local congregation and area Lutheran high school. ā€œWe read an article about Martin Luther College in a flyer from WELS,ā€ says David, ā€œand we knew we needed to distribute [our blessings] to people in the ministry field.ā€ The Busses are helping reduce the burden of tuition costs for students so they can focus on training for the ministry.

The Busses understand that an endowment fund is an ideal way to support MLC students for years to come. ā€œThis fund will grow as long as we are on this earth, and it will continue to grow and help hundreds of students in future years,ā€ says David.

ā€œAn endowment is a great way to create a lasting legacy of Christian faith while carrying out the Lordā€™s work,ā€ says Mr. Jim Holm, executive director of WELS Foundation, ā€œand there are a variety of ways to set up an endowment: cash or appreciated assets; or through a will, trust, beneficiary designation on a retirement account, or insurance proceeds.ā€

To learn more about adding to an existing endowment or setting up an endowment for a ministry close to your heart, contact your local WELS Christian giving counselor at wels.net/giving-counselors or call 800-827-5482.

 

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

 

Supporting WELS mission work through endowments

/in

Thanks to the generosity of Godā€™s people, WELS Foundation has been blessed to distribute $3.1 million from more than 350 endowments through its endowment program this year. Areas that benefited from the distributions include WELS missions, ministerial education schools, congregations, and other WELS-affiliated ministries.

One of those WELS-affiliated ministries that was blessed through endowment distributions was the Lutheran Womenā€™s Missionary Society (LWMS).

Back in 2015, Mrs. Karen Fischer, who was then the president of LWMS, approached Mr. Jim Holm, the executive director of WELS Foundation, about setting up an endowment through which LWMS could support WELS mission work.

Holm recalls, ā€œKaren knew that the ladies who support LWMS have such a passion for missions, and an endowment would give them another way to continue to provide for the Lordā€™s work after they were called home to heaven. WELS Foundation was thrilled to establish this partnership with LWMS to benefit the spread of the gospel both locally and worldwide.ā€

Fischer was also grateful for the partnership. ā€œWELS Foundation staff walked our entire LWMS board through the process with grace and ease. It was such a blessing,ā€ she recalls. ā€œThis new endowment fund allowed LWMS members to give a gift at any time, knowing it would generate an annual distribution in perpetuity . . . leaving a mission support legacy even after they receive their heavenly crown.ā€

Since 2015, WELS Foundation has distributed over $26,000 to LWMS through two endowment funds. The annual distributions support WELS mission opportunities as selected by the LWMS board of directors. The monies are distributed above and beyond the annual mission collections of members and increase the impact of LWMS giving.

The endowment distributions also allow LWMS to address any immediate needs of WELS missions. For example, a July 2020 endowment fund distribution of $7,976 was donated to support WELS Campus Ministry, in conjunction with its 100th anniversary.

Rev. Larry Schlomer, Board for World Missions administrator, says, ā€œThere is so much opportunity in the LWMS endowments that are managed by WELS Foundation. Each year the distributions from these funds go to support Home and World Missions projects. Gospel work in Mexico, Africa, Asia, and the United States have all benefited.ā€

Mrs. Becky Jungwirth, LWMS treasurer, appreciates the peace of mind that comes from knowing that WELS Foundation shares in LWMSā€™ mission. She adds, ā€œWorking with WELS Foundation is an easy process because they provide all administration and investment management (through WELS Investment Funds) for our endowments. Partnering with WELS Foundation has been a real blessing for LWMS.ā€

To learn more about adding to an existing endowment or setting up an endowment for a ministry close to your heart, contact your local WELS Christian giving counselor at wels.net/giving-counselors. To learn more about WELS Foundation, visit wels.net/foundation.

 

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email