Tag Archive for: World Missions

A season of planting and growing

/in , ,

Small group ministry is the heart of the work thatā€™s begun in Australia. From small group leader training to groups that meet in homes in different cities, the theme of our work to reach this large continent has been to start small.

Take our Melbourne group. Our two Aussie leaders, Tom and Ann Belcher, have returned to Australia by way of Hope Lutheran Church in Toronto, which played an integral part in their faith formation. Now they meet weekly with four other people for Bible study, prayer, singing, and fellowship in their homes. Their group is growing slowly as they invite friends to join.

The Melbourne group

In Brisbane, we have spent the last year getting to know our community. We offer English classes to immigrants at two different local libraries, one of which has basically adopted our program as their own. Through these classes we can connect with people from all over the worldā€”Colombia, Iraq, China, Japan, France, and Taiwan, just to name a few!

To develop deeper relationships with our students, we offer several social activities throughout the month such as hiking, cultural festivals, game days, and holiday parties. These larger gatherings lead to one-on-one interaction or opportunities in smaller settings, such as dinner in our home, coffee in local cafes, or private English tutoring. God has blessed our efforts with many opportunities for personal gospel presentations. As a result of all this, we have started some small group Bible studies, sometimes at the request of the students themselves.

Our experience has taught us that there are seasons in ministry. Seasons of plowing, planting, growing, pulling weeds, and harvesting. By Godā€™s grace, we seem to be in a season of planting and growing. But we know that just as Jesus taught us in the parable of the sower, not all seeds we plant will produce a fruitful crop. There will be heavy stones to unlodge and razor-sharp thorns to uproot. Realizing that hardships and persecution are inevitable gives us a deep appreciation for this season. It is a giftā€”each baptism, each profession of faith, each student who receives his or her instruction with joy and gratitude. We wish you could have witnessed the sheer delight of our Colombian friend when we introduced her to Academia Cristo and she heard Missionary Nixon Vivar welcoming her to study the Bible in Spanish! We do not take these experiences for granted. We wish you could hear our new sister in the faith thank God for being her faithful Father every day. We wish you could see how the leaders grow in facilitating studies, addressing challenges, and modeling their faith. Itā€™s a great season!

Leader meeting

One way we prepare for every season is through our weekly prayer time, established by former Asia-Oceania Team Leader Dr. Steve Witte. We pray for all the ministries, local leaders, churches, small groups, missionaries, and families in Asia-Oceania. Another way we prepare is by developing resources for small groups and training for leaders in cultivating character and preparing solid Bible studies. There is a special emphasis on reaching those who are not native English speakers and/or are brand new to Christianity.

Small groups. English classes. Seasons. You are our partners in all of these efforts. We appreciate your ongoing prayers, offerings, and local efforts that move the mission forward!

Written by Matt Doebler, world missionary on the Asia-Oceania Team

P.S. – If you would be interested in volunteering in Australia through a Mission Journeys trip in Fall 2026, visit wels.net/mission-journeys-volunteer-opportunity-in-brisbane-australia/ to learn more.




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Mission Journeys volunteer opportunity in Brisbane, Australia

/in ,

Are you looking for a meaningful way to serve, build relationships, and share Christā€™s love with people from around the world? Mission Journeys is excited to partner with the WELS World Missions team in Brisbane, Australia, to offer a new volunteer opportunity.

The Conversation Partners Program connects Christian volunteers with immigrants in South Brisbaneā€”many from Asian and African backgroundsā€”who want to improve their English and build friendships. Volunteers are paired with students for weekly conversations, both online (before the trip) and in person (during your stay), focusing on language practice, cultural exchange, and genuine Christian care.

Volunteer responsibilities

  • Before the trip: Complete online training in cross-cultural communication and faith-sharing and meet weekly with your assigned language partner via video call.
  • During the trip (dates are flexible, 10ā€“14 days, sometime in 2027): Travel to Brisbane, continue weekly conversations, participate in group activities, and help the local missionary team with outreach.

Who should apply?

We welcome mature, patient Christians of all ages who are passionate about cross-cultural ministryā€”no teaching experience required! Weā€™re looking for anywhere from four to eight people to serve on the team.

Estimated costs:

  • Airfare: $1,600ā€“$2,000
  • Airbnb: $3,000ā€“$4,000 (split among volunteer group)
  • Food: $100/day (covers you and your language partner)
  • Transportation: $25/day
  • Sightseeing/touring: optional

Whatā€™s the impact?

  • Help newcomers gain confidence in English and feel welcomed.
  • Help scale the ministryā€™s impact and create opportunities for authentic gospel conversations.
  • Build lasting friendships and share Christā€™s love in practical ways.
  • Experience world mission work in a flexible, relational, and impactful setting.

Ready to join? Contact Mission Journeys Coordinator Mr. Shannon Bohme at [email protected] or by calling 651-324-4218 to learn more. OR fill out the interest sign-up form online today at wels.net/missionjourneys.

Stay up to date on additional Mission Journeys trips by following WELS Missions on Facebook and Instagram.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Moments with Missionaries – Jim Brandt

/in , ,

Missionary Jim Brandt, Asia-Oceania Team leader, and his wife, Kathy, have now settled into Chiang Mai, Thailand, after a few weeks traveling throughout the field. He shares a glimpse of life in Thailand, the people theyā€™ve met, and the diverse beliefs that surround them. Hear more from Missionary Brandt about the work the Asia-Oceania Team is doing to share the message of the gospel throughout Asia-Oceania.

P.S. – Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to watch even more videos from our missionaries in the upcoming weeks and months!

From TELL student to TELL leader

/in , ,

ā€œThe program has helped me much to grow in my understanding of the gospel and help me know how I can share it with others,ā€ says Opiew Adiew.

Opiew is from Gambella, Ethiopia. Heā€™s a TELL student who not only has completed all of the online courses that make up the TELL Network Christian leader training program, but he also led a recent online recognition service. The recognition service celebrated 72 students for completing eight or more courses. Thirty-eight of those students have finished the full 13-course Discipleship track. The recognition service is usually held once per quarter; this recent Zoom room gathering included Joel Hoff, our TELL missionary, and One Africa Team teacher Dan Kroll along with TELL team members to help facilitate. Each student is individually highlighted among their peers throughout the service. Witnessing a TELL student lead and share in this way was heartwarming and encouraging for all the TELL teachers and students in attendance.

Opiew has served as a visionary founder of Gambella Evangelical Lutheran Church with some others who had realized that their churches’ teachings were not in line with Scripture. Opiew says, ā€œI had been looking for a church with whom we could workā€”a mother church. God connected me with WELS. When I requested to join WELS, they connected me to Pastor John Hartmanā€”at that time the outreach leader of the One Africa Team.ā€

Pastor Hartman encouraged Opiew to join WELS’ Multi-Language Productions (MLP) TELL leader training program. ā€œI enjoyed the TELL classes because the instructor allows, even invites, students to share their thoughts. The program has helped me much to grow in my understanding of the gospel and help me know how I can share it with others. I use the TELL method to share the Word of God in Bible study and in my preaching still today,ā€ says Opiew.

MLPā€™s TELL Network has had some notable successes in the last quarter. God is truly blessing our efforts, and the TELL team continues to refine our proven process. Since the recognition service, 40 more students have completed eight or more courses, and 18 more have finished the Discipleship level. Even more exciting is that two of our Discipleship graduates, both leaders in Lagos, Nigeriaā€”serving different groupsā€”are now teaching The Four Key Concepts (a Bible study on sin, grace, faith, and works) to their own students. This a wonderful example of multiplication in action!

Because of the continued growth of our higher-level study body, we’re working on ways to scale the administration of our current student experience even more. New Doctrine Discovery courses are now in production to bring even more students at one time to becoming group leaders who are also in doctrinal agreement.

TELL has eight students leading groups in six different countries! We expect that number to increase to 32 by the end of 2025. Praise God for these men in training. And please continue to pray for these students as they grow and share the gospel.

Written by Nate Seiltz, director of Multi-Language Productions




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Why we visit

/in , ,

This article originally appeared in the One Africa Team blog. Subscribe to future updates from Africa at oneafricateam.com.

A pastor who visits people makes people who visit church. Thatā€™s why I devoted two nights a week to visit both members and visitors when I lived in the United States. Sometimes I would call ahead; most times I just showed up at the door. I only got a gun pulled on me onceā€”but thatā€™s how he greeted everyone.

I donā€™t make house calls anymore because I donā€™t have a congregation. However, every other month Iā€™m on the road. My father asked me, ā€œIs it necessary to visit all these people?ā€ Itā€™s true that we can handle a lot of our work online. But this post will show why we visit in person.

What we saw

I just returned home after a two-week visit to Uganda, where we partner with the Obadiah Lutheran Synod. We are also pursuing relationships with two new groups. One is called the Confessional Lutheran Synod of Uganda (CLSU). Two years ago, conservative pastors broke away from the Lutheran Church of Uganda. They formed their own church body and seminary and are seeking a partnership with WELS.

Missionary Ben Foxen and I were greatly encouraged by what we saw during our visit. Members of Christ the Vine enthusiastically welcomed us. We worshiped in their newly constructed sanctuary, constructed of mud and wattle and roofing sheets. We witnessed baptisms, confirmations, and the installation of four congregational evangelists. They were greatly honored by our visit.

We also visited Mt. Calvary congregation, whose members worship in a schoolroom. Several CLSU congregations have started schools as a means to reach out to the community. Bishop Benson Barahuka, the leader of the CLSU, joined in the dancing and fun. He asked the members to contribute toward a church building project. A visit like ours shows that every member and congregation are valued and connected to the body of Christ.

Missionary Foxen and I sat down with CLSU leaders for a week to study Lutheran teachings and practice. I had met some of them previously, while leading an online course on the Augsburg Confession. We all agreed that meeting face to face is better. Bishop Benson thanked WELS donors for making our visit possible. He told us, ā€œYou care.ā€ He was glad we made a visitā€”and so are we.

What needs work

The other group we are working with in Uganda is the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession Uganda (ECACU). This group also came out of the Lutheran Church of Uganda. Rev. Simon Peter Waako is their leader.

At our opening worship service we sang from The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH), which had been donated by LCMS congregations in the U.S. The tunes we sang did not always match what was printed in the hymnal. Almost all of the long meter (LM) hymns were sung to the tune of ā€œI Know that My Redeemer Lives.ā€

The liturgy was conducted in the Runyoro language, although not everyone in attendance spoke that tongue. Throughout our visit, everything we spoke in English had to be translated twice. This slowed us down considerably. Did you know that more than 3,000 languages are spoken on the African continent?

Our visit to God Bought congregation was also a challenge. Our van got stuck in the mud and we had to walk the last kilometer to the church site. A small group of Christians gather every Sunday under a tree. The owner of the adjacent property evicted them from their building because he wants to farm crops there.

The next visit was to Kakasato church, which has 50 members. A local man invited ECACU to start a congregation in his barn. They offer Sunday school and Bible class in addition to worship. We also made a visit to Kabatindule, which means ā€œfelling a tree.ā€ The congregation meets under a lean-to on the property of one of the members. They do not have any Bibles, catechisms, or hymnals.

Our visit showed us thereā€™s a lot of work to be done with ECACU before we declare fellowship. Thereā€™s no way we could know this without coming in person. This is why we visit. And God willing, we will make another visit soon.

Written by Missionary John Roebke, missionary on the One Africa Team




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

The first WELS Lutheran in Uruguay

/in , ,

Viviana and I sat on a ferry, crossing from Buenos Aires to Montevideo. As far as I knew, I was the first WELS missionary to set foot in Uruguay.

We were traveling to meet Nahir, a faithful Academia Cristo student nearing the end of her Discipleship courses. Like many students, she first discovered our ministry through social media when a YouTube video led her to our self-study courses. She enjoyed the thoughtful questions and was eager to earn the certificate offered at the end. When the invitation came to join live Zoom classes, her motivation grew. Many months later, she was about to complete her 13th live course.

Viviana and Missionary Elise Gross take a ferry from Argentina to Uruguay to see Nahir

Nahir picked us up from customs, and we rode an hour east to her home, enjoying glimpses of the coast and Uruguayan culture. Soon, we were gathered around her kitchen table, sharing mateā€”the traditional hot drinkā€”and a few snacks.

But soon the purpose of our visit came into focus. My travel companion, Viviana, herself a graduate and now an Academia Cristo professor, placed a document on the table with the bold title ā€œConfesiĆ³n de fe.ā€ I listened as Viviana guided Nahir through the confession of faith processā€”96 questions giving Nahir the opportunity to confess the biblical truths she had studied.

Throughout her courses, Nahir had learned that faith is not about dramatic emotional displays but about knowing Jesus and his saving work. She was particularly moved by lessons on the sacraments, realizing that there is only one Baptismā€”despite having been told previously that her infant Catholic baptism was invalid. The course Spiritual Identification had challenged her to confront misconceptions, uncovering biblical truths about the end times she had never been taught.

Now, Nahir confidently confessed her faith and thanked God for the work of the Holy Spirit through the pastors and teachers of Academia Cristo. The evening ended with hugs and far too many plates of food, celebrating genuine fellowship. As far as we know, Nahir is the first confessional WELS Lutheran in Uruguay.

Nahir (left) and Viviana (right) at Nahir’s house in Uruguay

Today, Nahir continues studying with Academia Cristo at the ā€œChurch Planting Level.ā€ She leads a Bible study with her neighbors and shares the Word weekly at a local nursing home. She worships weekly online with other confessional Lutherans through services led by the Latin America WELS synod (Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional).

When asked how she would encourage other women to boldly share the faith they profess, Nahir answered: ā€œSharing the Word is our mission. Itā€™s not easy. At first it brings fear and even shame, but as you begin doing it you will see that even if just one person listens, it is wonderful. Even when it feels discouragingā€”itā€™s important not to give up. They need to know the Lord, because their salvation depends on it. Itā€™s worth the sacrifice to serve the Lord and to do it with joy. The Lord is the one who does the work; we are simply instruments in his hands.ā€

Nahir especially enjoys her ministry at the nursing home, preparing others for eternal life with Jesus. Seeing people respond to the gospel moves her to tears. ā€œI see how the Lord is at work in them, and that brings me joy and happiness.ā€ Nahir prays to expand her ministry to other nursing homes soon.

From a YouTube video to Nahirā€™s kitchen table to her faithful studies with neighbors and nursing home residents, the gospel is bearing fruit in Uruguay.

As the Lord himself promises: ā€œSo is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent itā€ (Isaiah 55:11).

Written by Missionary Elise Gross, director ofĀ  Women’s Ministry on the One Latin America Team




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Goodbye and hello

/in , ,

Originally appears in the Native American Missions (NAM) News from August 2025

Pastor Dave and Jo Bostedt

On Sunday, May 25, 2025, the Lord blessed the congregations of Canyon Day and East Fork as they celebrated the ministry of Pastor Dave and Jo Bostedt. The Bostedts served God’s people on the White Mountain Apache Reservation faithfully for the past eight years. It was a beautiful day full of heartfelt gratitude and love. We pray the Lord bless them richly in their retirement!

On Sunday, August 3, 2025, the Lord continued to bless the congregations of Canyon Day and East Fork as they installed Pastor David Wietzke as their new shepherd. It, too, was a beautiful day with participation from all of the Apache congregations and beyond.

Pastor David was born on December 26, 1975, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Will and Charlotte Wietzke. His father and grandfather were Lutheran pastors who served churches in Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa. He moved to Nebraska and attended Lutheran elementary school there. He graduated from Nebraska Lutheran High School in 1994. In 1998, he graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn., with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He attended Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary from 1998 to 2002, including his vicar year at St. Johnā€™s Lutheran Church in Hastings, Minn.

He has previously served as pastor at three congregations: Peace Lutheran Church in Hartford, Wis. (2002-2007), Christ Lutheran Church in Grand Island, Neb. (2007-2015), and Crown of Life Lutheran Church in Pueblo West, Colo. (2015-2025).

Pastor David Wietzke and family

Pastor and Mary met at college in Minnesota. Mary was born in Illinois and grew up in Lusaka, Zambia, and New Orleans, La., where her father was missionary and pastor. She is also a 1998 graduate of Martin Luther College (MLC) and has worked as a teacher and in speech therapy. They were married in 2000 and God has blessed them with four children: Andrew (23) graduated from MLC this spring and is beginning his first year as a science teacher at Northland Lutheran High School in Kronenwetter, Wis. Stephen (21) will be a senior at MLC and Adam (19) will be a sophomore at MLC, both in the pastoral studies program. Joanna (17) will be a senior at Swallows Charter Academy in Pueblo West, Colo.

Pastor and Mary enjoy hiking, camping, and learning about new places. Mary loves animals and helping children. Pastor loves history and driving around the mountains, and is looking forward to exploring a new state. We are thankful that God has brought them safely to Arizona. They are excited to meet new people and share the good news of Jesus with as many as possible as we learn and grow together.

As we say goodbye to the Bostedts, we echo Jesus’ words, “Well done, good and faithful servants!” We know that our goodbye is not forever as we remain united in the body of Christ and look forward to forever together.

We also say hello to the Wietzkes, fully confident the Lord will bless their ministry among us. Welcome to the team, Pastor David, Mary, Andrew, Stephen, Adam, and Joanna!

Written by Missionary Nathan Wagenknecht, Native Christians outreach counselor on the Native American mission team




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

One Latin America Team – Summer 2025 Quarterly Update

/in , ,

A snapshot of blessings during the past quarter:

  • The number of students completing Academia Cristoā€™s four WhatsApp self-study courses continues to climbā€”from the 20s to the 50s, and now into the 70s weekly. These courses are the entry point for all students into the Academia Cristo
  • New churches were planted in Puente Piedras, Peru; San JosĆ© de CaaguazĆŗ, Paraguay; ConcepciĆ³n del Uruguay, Argentina.
  • Academia Cristo graduate Dr. Eduardo Milanesi previously started a church plant in Cochabamba that became a member of Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional (ICWI). He has now launched a second group in Santa Cruz, recently gathering over 30 eager listeners to Godā€™s Word.
  • Missionary Nixon Vivar onboarded three new instructors: Shawn Marron, a Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary student; Latin America Vicar Matthew Rugen; and Jennifer Proeber, who teaches at Arizona Lutheran Academy. Next quarter, he will help onboard four new instructors: Lester Soto, an Academia Cristo graduate from Nicaragua; Zach Satorius, new One Latin America Team missionary; Alex Dimke, a Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary student; and Tim Walsh, a WELS pastor from New York.
  • Missionary Abe Degner visited Manglio Dider, his family, and his church plant in GuayaramerĆ­n, Bolivia (pictured above). During the visit, a memorial service was held for Manglioā€™s son, giving Missionary Degner the opportunity to share the gospel with over 100 attendees.

A look ahead

  • The One Latin America Team will be onboarding Rev. Zach Satorius as a new missionary. He and his wife, Ava, will be spending one month in Argentina for language training. While there, they will visit church planters with other missionaries.
  • Plans are in place to call an additional missionary will be called to serve as a church planting facilitator.
  • The team is planning a Spanish Outreach Intensive event to support Academia Cristo outreach in the U.S.

Fast facts

  • A total ofĀ 50,866 students have enrolled in the Self-Study Level of courses
  • 1,400+ students have completed one Discipleship Level live course
  • 165 students have completed the Discipleship Level (13 live courses)
  • 54Ā students have completed the Church Planting Level (ten live courses)
  • 45Ā Academia CristoĀ students are actively leading church plantsĀ (Grupos Sembrador)Ā 




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

CELC Commission on Theology meets in Zambia

/in ,

Originally appears in the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) newsletter. Subscribe to future updates from the CELC at celc.info/signup.

Pictured above, left to right: Michael Smith (ELS), Thomas Nass (CELC President), David Kamwata (LCCA, Zambia), Jonas Schroeter (ELFK, Germany), Mascrif Mulonda (LCCA Chairman, Zambia), Ugis Sildegs (CLCL, Latvia), Joel Otto (WELS)

If youā€™re wondering what it may be like to be in Zambia for next yearā€™s triennial convention, the CELC Commission on Theology can give a hearty encouragement to try your best to be there!

The Commission on Theology met June 10-12, 2025, in Lusaka in the early days of its winter season. The weather was fantastic, and we enjoyed the fellowship of some wonderful brothers and sisters in the faith.

During these days, we focused on two of our commissionā€™s primary tasks: reviewing applications for membership in the CELC and composing articles for the CELCā€™s Eternal Word series. Three church bodies are applying for membership (two from Africa and one from Latin America). The commission is currently reviewing these applications so we can make recommendations for next yearā€™s convention.

We spent time putting some final touches on Article IX of the Eternal Word series, which focuses on our triune God. The commission will bring this article to next yearā€™s convention for ratification. It can be viewed here. We also thoroughly reviewed drafts of Article X, which focuses on civil government.

Five men serve on the commission: David Kamwata (LCCA-Zambia), Joel Otto (WELS), Jonas Schroeter (ELFK), Ugis Sildegs (CLCL), and Michael Smith (ELS). Thomas Nass, president of the CELC, serves as an ex-officio member.

We look forward to returning to Lusaka for next yearā€™s convention.

Written by Michael K. Smith, Chairman of the CELC Commission on Theology

 




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Extending beyond clinic walls

/in , ,

The work of the Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) in Malawi extends far beyond the clinic walls of the four villages of Suzi, Mwalaulomwe, Thunga, and Msambo that we serve. While nurses, clinic staff, and volunteers work tirelessly to care for patients during clinic hours, the commitment of the staff doesnā€™t end thereā€”their service continues long after the last patient has been seen.

The Malawi Ministry of Health requires CAMM to regularly submit detailed reports. These reports include the number of patients seen, ailments treated, and cases referred to government healthcare facilities. This ongoing collaboration ensures transparency and reinforces CAMMā€™s vital role in conducting healthcare in Malawi. For example, the most frequent ailment we saw in April was malaria (1,533 patients) followed by the common cold (1,030 patients). This data is reported on the monthly and annual reports.

All prescriptions, medications, and medical equipment are stored onsite in the clinicā€™s pharmacy in Lilongwe. Once a month, staff conduct a thorough inventory to track what supplies were used and identify any shortages. Violet Chikwatu, nurse in charge, and Lusungu Mwambeye, clinic administrator, play a key role in compiling reports, submitting required documentation, and restocking essential medications. Lusungu often contacts multiple pharmacies to secure necessary stock at the best available prices.

For the Under-Five program, the clinic provides wellness checks and immunizations for all children under five years old. Staff ensure each childā€™s health record is up to date and that vaccines are stored securely and correctly to maintain effectiveness. In April alone, the clinics in Malawi saw more than 4,000 children in the Under-Five program.

We are incredibly grateful for the dedicated staff of the Lutheran Mobile Clinic in Malawi. Their attention to detail, compassion for every patient, and unwavering commitment to excellence reflect the mission of providing ā€œChrist-centered healthcare that supports the gospel.ā€ Their work is a true blessing to the communities we serve.

We thank all of our supporters who help keep our medications and supplies readily available. Whether itā€™s through financial contributions for purchasing prescriptions or sending packages filled with pill bottles, sunscreen, and other essential itemsā€”we are truly blessed by your generosity.

If youā€™re interested in supporting CAMMā€™s mission, visit their website at camm.us. Your partnership helps us continue providing life-changing, Christ-centered healthcare to those in need.

Written by Angela Sievert, Central Africa Medical Mission chair




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Moments with Missionaries – Ben Foxen

/in , ,

Missionary Ben Foxen shares an update from Lusaka, Zambia about the work being done with churches in Tanzania and Uganda! One of these churches includes the Africa Mission Evangelism Church (AMEC), which is in the process of reviewing doctrine and working towards declaring fellowship with WELS. Hear more from Missionary Ben Foxen about his work for the One Africa Team.

P.S. – Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to watch even more videos from our missionaries in the upcoming weeks!

CAMM August 2025 newsletter

/in , , ,

Nutrition challenges in Mwembezhi

Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre stands as a beacon of hope for communities that face limited access to healthcare and resources. For many families, it is the first and sometimes only line of defense against malnutrition and its far-reaching consequences. At the heart of these efforts lies the Nutrition Department, a dedicated team working tirelessly to ensure that no child or mother is left behind in the fight against hunger and poor nutrition.

Mwembezhi Lutheran’s catchment area is predominantly rural, with most households relying on subsistence farming for both food and income. Seasonal food shortages, poor diets, and widespread poverty often make it difficult for families to provide consistent balanced meals. Limited awareness about proper nutrition further contributes to high rates of undernutrition, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies among children under 5. Nutrition is not just a health issue; it’s a barrier to education and overall community development. Recognizing these challenges, Mwembezhi Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre has a nutrition segment to help in early detection and treatment of malnourished children. We do clinical care, education, and community engagement to create lasting change.

Nutrition services at Mwembezhi
1. Growth monitoring and promotion (GMP)
We provide regular weighing and height checks for children who are under 5. Growth monitoring helps us detect early signs of malnutrition and intervene before problems escalate. Caregivers receive personalized counseling on age-appropriate feeding, hygiene practices, and how to make the most of locally available foods. Early childhood development (ECD) services are integrated into GMP, allowing us to assess developmental milestones and ensure that children are not only well fed but also mentally stimulated through play, laying the groundwork for a healthier future.

2. Management of acute malnutrition
Children presenting with moderate or severe acute malnutrition are given life-saving care. This includes Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF), High Energy Protein Supplements (HEPS), and close follow-ups to monitor recovery. Children with medical complications are referred for inpatient treatment to ensure that no case falls through the cracks.

3. Maternal and child education and counseling
Expectant and breastfeeding mothers receive essential information on maintaining a balanced diet during pregnancy and lactation. Health talks emphasize exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, timely introduction of complementary foods, and continued breastfeeding up to two years and beyond. Mothers are also encouraged to incorporate nutrient-rich locally available foods into their family meals.

4. Community outreach and awareness campaigns
Beyond the clinic walls, the staff and community health volunteers work hand-in-hand with villages. They conduct home visits, follow up with at-risk families, and lead cooking demonstrations that teach caregivers how to prepare balanced meals using locally available foods. These outreach activities not only extend the reach but also foster trust and awareness in the community.

5. Integration with other health services
We work together with Maternal and Child Health, HIV care, diabetes and hypertension clinics, and immunization programs. Late last year, one notable success story was of a diabetic patient who was on the verge of giving up life due to his condition. Through consistent counseling, dietary monitoring, and regular blood sugar checks, his glucose levels were brought under control solely through proper nutrition. Remarkably, he has maintained normal blood sugar levels for more than eight months without the need for medication. This integrated approach demonstrates that nutrition is not treated in isolation but as part of a broader continuum of care, addressing both the immediate and underlying causes of poor health.

The human impact
Beyond every statistic lies a story. Mothers who once feared losing their children to malnutrition now return to the center with healthy, thriving toddlers. Caregivers often share testimonials about how simple lessons on meal preparation and hygiene have transformed their family’s health. In October of last year, 1,700 children under 5 were screened for malnutrition, and 12.6 percent (214) were found to be moderately malnourished and 1.8 percent (31) were severely malnourished. This represented an overall malnutrition rate of 14.4 percent. Following close follow-ups and interventions, moderate cases reduced from 214 to 17 (92.1 percent reduction), severe cases from 31 to 6 (80.6 percent reduction), and the overall caseload from 245 to 23, marking a 90.6 percent overall improvement.

All the achievements in nutrition programs are a result of your support, help from CAMM, and the efforts of our dedicated staff.

Looking ahead
Despite successes, challenges remain. Persistent poverty, cultural feeding practices, and seasonal hunger continue to put families at risk. We will continue to encourage parents to bring their children for growth monitoring and promotion, ensuring that no child misses essential health services.

Written by Jackson Kalewka, clinical officer in charge




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Updates from Thailand

/in ,

Graduation from Asia Lutheran Seminary’s Regional Theological Education Program

Celebrating a graduation in Thailand may look different, but it is no less exciting. The churches in Thailand just celebrated the graduation of three evangelists from the Pastoral Studies Institute program run with the assistance of Asia Lutheran Seminaryā€™s Regional Theological Education Program (RTEP). Two of these men will continue their work planting churches in two different nearby villages. The third will help support the ministry of another church in the area. Lord willing, we will see more leaders trained in the future by them!

We thank God for these pastorsā€™ many years of training. We thank God for their many teachers over the years, including, but not limited to, Pastor Robert Meister, Pastor Pheng Moua, and President Jonathan Bare. Ultimately, we thank God for his answer to prayers: ā€œThen [Jesus] said to his disciples, ā€˜The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.ā€™ ā€ These men are Godā€™s answers to this prayer. Letā€™s thank God that he continues to answer this prayer with a resounding, ā€œYes! Here they are!ā€

The Zondags move to Bangkok

Our family recently moved from Chiang Mai to Bangkokā€”a journey of about nine hours by car. After packing up our belongings, movers transported everything to our new home on the eastern side of the city.

The transition has felt like moving from the outskirts of Green Bay, Wis., to the outskirts of New York Cityā€”more people, faster pace, and more complexity. While much has changed, our mission remains the same: to bring grace to all in Asia-Oceania, including those living in Bangkok.

Here are a few reasons that led us here:

  1. Around half of Bangkokā€™s population comes from outside the region.
  2. An estimated 30-40 percent of Thai people will live in Bangkok at some point in their lives.
  3. Bangkok is home to 11 million people, but only 1.1 percent identify as Christian.

This means many still need to hear about Jesus. And those who come to faith here often carry the message back to their hometownsā€”potentially spreading the gospel throughout Thailand.

Please pray for us as we settle into our new home, face new challenges, and seek opportunities to share Godā€™s grace with those around us.

Written by Mark Zondag, missionary on the Asia-Oceania Team




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

A new bishop in Tanzania

/in , ,

This article originally appeared in the One Africa Team blog. Subscribe to future updates from Africa at oneafricateam.com.

The apostle Paul once wrote to Timothy, ā€œThis is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good workā€ (1 Timothy 3:1, NKJV). In other translations, the word bishop is rendered ā€œoverseer.ā€ Regardless of the term used, the role carries the same weight: to care for Christā€™s church, to faithfully teach Godā€™s Word, and to lead with humilityā€”much like a father guiding his family. Paulā€™s words remind us that this is indeed a noble calling.

A historic day in Arusha

On Sunday, June 29, 2025, just outside Arusha, Tanzania, a significant milestone was reached. After 17 years of faithful service, Bishop Baltazar Kaaya (pictured above, right) of the Africa Mission Evangelism Church (AMEC) consecrated Pastor Judah Pallangyo (pictured above, left) as the newly elected bishop. Bishop Pallangyo has long been a dedicated servant within AMEC, having served both as a pastor and as secretary of theological training.

AMEC and WELS: A growing relationship

In recognition of the growing relationship between WELS and AMEC, Missionary Howard Mohlke was invited to attend the consecration. The relationship between AMEC and WELS began in 2020 through online conversations with Pastor Makundi Davis, leader of the Kilimanjaro District. The following year, WELS Missionary John Hartmann visited Tanzania, marking the beginning of a deeper partnership.

Over the past four years, WELS missionaries and members of the Commission on Inter-Church Relations (CICR) have met regularly with AMEC leaders, pastors, and elders. These meetings have focused on studying Scripture together and exploring whether a shared confession of faith existsā€”one that could be publicly affirmed through a declaration of fellowship.

A pause for reflection

Originally, it was hoped that a formal declaration of fellowship could be made at the 2025 WELS synod convention. However, as is often the case in ministry, plans can shift. Bishop Pallangyo has requested more time to revisit the statements of faith with AMECā€™s pastors and elders before moving forward.

While this delay may be disappointing to some, it is also understandable. A new bishop stepping into such a pivotal moment naturally wants to ensure unity and clarity among his church leaders.

Looking ahead with hope

Even now as of this writing, further meetings for study among the pastors and elders of AMEC are scheduled, as well as meetings to discuss the future work of WELS with AMEC. We pray for Godā€™s guidance and blessing on these discussions and on the future of AMECā€™s relationship with WELS. May this new chapter under Bishop Pallangyoā€™s leadership be marked by wisdom, faith, and fruitful collaboration.

Written by Missionary Howard Mohlke, leader of the One Africa Team.




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Faces of Faith ā€“ Marlene

/in

Mrs. Marlene Truax lets her light shine as the receptionist at East Fork Lutheran School in Whiteriver, Ariz.Ā  Sheā€™s been a friendly face to students, parents, and visitors since 2016. Sheā€™s been a Lutheran her whole life. She was baptized as a baby at Open Bible Lutheran Church, attended East Fork Lutheran School, and raised her family in the Lutheran church. Being a lifelong church member doesnā€™t mean life is easy. Like many fellow Apaches, Marlene has faced some tough times.Ā  She has learned that ā€œGod is always there, no matter what.ā€

Marleneā€™s humble and faithful service supports the teaching staff on the ā€œfront linesā€ in the classroom. She keeps everyone organized and offers a cheerful wave to students who pass by her office. Besides keeping busy with her receptionist duties, she also functions as the school medic! She comforts hurting kids with adhesive bandages and ice packs, and always with compassion.

Known affectionately by the students as ā€œMiss Marlene,ā€ she enjoys seeing the kids each day and watching them grow in size and in faith. ā€œWe have an excellent school because we teach Godā€™s Word,ā€ says Marlene. One of her favorite Bible verses is Matthew 5:16: ā€œLet your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.ā€ Marlene inspires me with her hard work and dedication and love for God and his Word. Iā€™m so thankful for her!

From Mindy Holtz, world missionary wife

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Faces of Faith ā€“ Pastor Davison

/in

ā€œI donā€™t know how I was found, but the Lord found me,ā€ Pastor Davison Mutentami of Zambia shared as he reflected on his ministry. He grew up in the church, and the Christian education he received prepared him to serve in ways and in places he couldnā€™t possibly have imagined.

As a young man, Pastor Davison took on responsibility for Sunday activities in his home congregation when the WELS missionary was traveling to other church locations. He was later recommended by his congregation to study for full-time ministry. He was assigned to serve three churches in northern Lusaka before being called back to the seminary to serve Bethel congregation and was elected to be the Lutheran Church of Central Africa-Zambia synod chairman. He went on to serve a congregation in the Copperbelt for several years before arriving at his current ministry in Chongwe.

Pastor Davison became involved with TELL Network in 2020. He has recorded devotional material and helped produce videos that are part of the curriculum. By Godā€™s grace, he will take on a new role in 2025 as a TELL counselor, encouraging and equipping TELL students to share what theyā€™ve learned with others. Through this work, we pray that many others who are lost will be found and brought into the family of God.

From Joel Hoff, TELL missionary

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Faces of Faith ā€“ Viviana

/in

During the pandemic, churches in Argentina closed their doors, and I felt something was missing. I had always read the Bible, but I longed to truly understand Godā€™s message. With time on my hands, I searched for online Bible studies, carefully avoiding groups that didnā€™t align with Scripture.

Thatā€™s when I found Academia Cristo. The self-study course caught my attention with its biblical questions. It was a study that was rooted entirely in Godā€™s Word. I was so eager that I finished the course in just a day and a half. Then came an invitation to a live class. I signed up right away.

My first course, The Word Grows: Disciple, changed everything. I realized I was a disciple of Christ, called to grow in his truth. At first, I struggled with the idea of salvation by grace alone, as legalism is common in many churches here. But through my studies, I came to fully trust in Christā€™s merits, not my own works.

I never missed a class after that. I learned from incredible teachers, and by Godā€™s grace, I now teach others. Looking back, I see how God prepared me for this path. The best investment Iā€™ve made is not for worldly wealth but for my soulā€”peace, joy, and confidence in Christ alone.

From Viviana Vigna, Buenos Aires, Argentina (pictured second from right)

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Faces of Faith ā€“ Henry

/in

When Christ found me in November 2022, I knew almost nothing about the Christian faith. I downloaded a Bible app, and every time I opened it, I saw an ad for Academia Cristo. At first, I ignored it. The registration asked for my personal information, and I wasnā€™t ready to take that step.

Months later, curiosity got the best of me. I started filling out the form. At the last moment, I hesitated and backed out. After a few more days, I committed and began studying with Academia Cristo. Their program starts with self-paced Bible courses, where I could watch lessons and answer questions to check my understanding. At first, I skipped the videos and just tried to pass the quizzes. But near the end, I started watching the lessons and realized how much I had missed!

After completing the self-study courses, I was invited to live online classes, where I could interact with teachers and other students. Excited to learn more, I signed up for every class available. Today, I continue studying with Academia Cristo, and through its pastors and teachers, I have come to know Godā€™s truth.

From Henry Isidro Chonillo, Guayaquil, Ecuador (pictured left)

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Faces of Faith ā€“ Erik

/in

Erik Pozzato was born and raised in Roman Catholic Italy. ā€œAs a boy, I did what everyone did. I studied in confirmation class, got confirmed, and had a big party,ā€ he shares. ā€œThen I left the church.ā€

Erik married Michela, and they moved to Sweden. They were curious about the spiritual world and began dabbling in Masonry and the occult. Evil spirits started troubling Erikā€™s family in obvious ways. They were afraid. Thatā€™s when Michela said, ā€œWe need protection. We need help from God.ā€

They found a local pastor to bless their house, but that wasnā€™t the answer. Then Erik came across a Lutheran pastor online. ā€œThe pastor taught us that we are saved by grace alone, through faith in Scripture alone. It was what we were waiting for!ā€ Jesus came into the familyā€™s home and hearts, and the demons left. ā€œFaith alone cleared up everything for me. When we put on the whole armor of God, the devil canā€™t hurt us,ā€ Erik says.

Today Erik and his family are members of WELSā€™ sister church, LBK-Sweden. Erik landed his dream job, and heā€™s also studying for ministry. ā€œWhen I think about my life and what Jesus did for us, I cannot be silent! I have to share this with everyone.ā€

From Luke Wolfgramm, Europe missionary

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Faces of Faith ā€“ Wynn

/in

Throughout her life, Wynn had sporadic encounters with Godā€™s Word. She attended Christian primary and secondary schools, where pastors would occasionally visit. Later, friends and co-workers would sometimes bring her along to church. Sometimes Wynn accepted these invitations, and sometimes she rejected them.

But God never gave upā€”he was unrelenting in his pursuit of Wynn, continuing to bring her in contact with his Word. DuringĀ COVID, Wynn began attending an English worship service in Hong Kong. Shortly afterward, she moved to the United Kingdom to study abroad. She found herself spending many hours alone in her apartment after the pandemic shut down in-person classes. With time on her hands, Wynn began to pray earnestly, asking God for opportunities to serve him. When she returned to Hong Kong, she joined a local congregation of WELSā€™s sister synod, South Asian Lutheran Evangelical Mission (SALEM). In 2022, Wynn was baptized and confirmed.

God heard, remembered, and answered Wynnā€™s prayer to serve him. Her congregation invited her to help with a summer Bible camp for kids. Soon after, Wynn was asked to be a Sunday school teacherā€”and now, she teaches the Bible to children on Saturdays as well!

From Tony Barthels, Asia-Oceania missionary

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Faces of Faith ā€“ Ramdin

/in

Ramdin is from a tribe in a South Asian country. He had eye problems and could not see properly for many years. He went to an eye clinic, but the doctor said he could not help him. He started visiting many temples, asking religious people to bless his eyes. While traveling, he found a Christian who shared the good news of Jesus with him. Then the Christian prayed for him. His eyesight improved, and Ramdin became a believer in Jesus.

He devoted himself to Jesus. He used to walk over eight miles each Saturday to attend worship. When he became a Christian, there were no other believers in his village, so he began a church in his house. Now others have joined him in the kingdom of God. He is so happy to welcome believers into his house.

From a local leader in South Asia

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Faces of Faith ā€“ Anthony

/in

Anthony Kasonga, a Zambian national, works at the Mwembezhi Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre in Zambia as a medical laboratory technologist. Mr. Kasonga manages the lab and assists Mr. Jackson Kalekwa, clinical officer in charge, in overseeing clinic staff. With a diploma in biomedical science, he was inspired to pursue his career due to his love for microbiology. The faith-based nature of the Centre appeals to him, and his favorite phrase is ā€œWe treat, and God heals.ā€

Mr. Kasongaā€™s favorite Bible verse is John 14:1, ā€œDo not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me,ā€ which comforts him in times of trouble. As chairman of Martin Luther Church, he is often thanked by patients he meets in various settings, motivating him to always give his best. He acknowledges the blessings from supporters and the importance of showing kindness and Godā€™s love to patients.

From Erin Pigeon, Central Africa Medical Mission public relations coordinator

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Faces of Faith ā€“ Pastor Joseph

/in

Four times a year, up to 30 pastors and future pastors from Obadiah Lutheran Synod in Uganda gather for two weeks of training and encouragement. We called our study of the gospel of John ā€œWe have a better story.ā€

And that we do. We have a better story than those lying about Jesus, those leading people away from God. We have a better story: Jesus is Godā€™s eternal Son. He died for all. He lives and reigns. Soon he will reappear. By believing in him we have life in his name.

Pastor Joseph was sharing his own story with us all in the tent during one of our trainings. He used to submit to Allah. He used to wear a tight-fitting capā€”sometimes called a kufiā€”to show his submission. Then he took the cap off and started trusting Jesus. It fascinated the brothers in the tent. What happened next? ā€œOh, I got threats,ā€ Pastor Joseph grinned. And yet, Pastor Joseph still follows Jesus, and he leads others to follow Jesus tooā€”with a smile. Nobody in the tent made everyone laugh more than he did.

May Pastor Josephā€™s Spirit-given smile make you glad too. Share your joy. We have a better story! The best story.

From Dan Witte, Africa missionary

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Faces of Faith ā€“ Bishop Kaaya

/in

The leader of the Africa Mission Evangelism Church (AMEC), Bishop Baltazar Zakayo Kaaya, is a gentle soul. Iā€™ve always been impressed by his respect for others, even if they donā€™t agree with him. He shows care and concern for the individual. This has made him a valuable leader in the years after a split with the much larger Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, which they broke away from in the 1990s.

Bishop Kaaya has worked to make AMEC a distinctively Lutheran church body, founded on Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. He has led AMEC through the process of getting to know WELS and its representatives on the One Africa Team and has also worked with his leaders to create a written confession of faith document and constitution that are faithful to the biblical principles he holds dear.

When you hear the title bishop and see the clothing Bishop Kaaya wears for a church service, you may instinctively think ā€œRoman Catholic,ā€ but you would be wrong. Though the church has adopted some more formal practices in this regard, their teaching and practice remain true to Scripture. Itā€™s been a joy to work with AMEC and with Bishop Kaaya in particular. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless his efforts to lead the saints there for as long as he is able!

From Ben Foxen, Africa missionary

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

From a U.K. Baptist to a confessional Lutheran pastor

/in , , ,

In August 2010, my wife Caroline and I moved from Gloucester, England, to the east coast of the United States for a temporary work relocation. Having been active in our local Baptist church in England for more than 20 years, we naturally sought a Baptist church in the area. After attending services at Baptist and non-denominational churches nearby, we had a deep sense of unease and realized something fundamental was missingā€”but we weren’t sure what that might be. After listening to sermons from the local WELS church online, there was something different about them. We thought weā€™d give it a go.

The very first service we attended blew us away: the liturgy, the Christ-centered sermons, worship that put the majesty of God the Father and Jesus Christā€™s sacrifice at its core, Law and Gospel, the knowledge that scripture is Godā€™s Holy Word, using Scripture to interpret Scripture, justification by faith alone, the clear doctrine, the incredible deep teaching of the truth. . . wow! We realized weā€™d been missing so many things for so long that we werenā€™t even aware we were missing.

We completed Bible information class, and after spending some extra time challenging our Baptist understanding of the truth of Scripture on infant baptism and close communion, we became members of Christ Lutheran Church in Clarksville, Md., in early 2011.

Returning to the U.K. in September 2015, we were filled with trepidation. We couldnā€™t go back to the Baptist churchā€”but where would we find a WELS-affiliated, English-speaking church in the U.K.? Did one even exist?

Miraculously, we found that a WELS pastor commuted all the way from Ramstein, Germany, to hold a service on the first Sunday of each month at a place called Northwood, in the suburbs of northwest London. Despite being almost 100 miles away, we were so grateful to God for providing this congregation and a wonderful WELS pastor that the four-hour round trip once a month was no problem. We continued to pray that God would send a permanent WELS pastor to the U.K. so that we could have weekly services.

In 2022, WELS members at Northwood officially invited WELS World Missions to send trained pastors to help establish and serve congregations in the U.K.

In an astonishing answer to prayer, two missionary pastors were sent: Pastor Mike Hartman and Pastor Conifer Berg. By June 2023, weekly services were established in Aldgate, Londonā€”soon followed by a WELS family in Wolverhampton (near Birmingham, U.K.) generously opening their home to host weekly Sunday services. The location in Wolverhampton was led by retired Pastor Paul Hartman, who had graciously committed to spending six months in the U.K. with his wife Carol to help establish the congregation there, while the congregation in London grew under the leadership of Pastor Mike and Pastor Conifer.

As Wolverhampton is only just over an hour drive for us, my wife and I were able to support this fledgling congregation. We started attending weekly services there in August 2023. Our prayers had remarkably been answered! But this wasnā€™t sufficient for Godā€”he had bigger plans!

Pastor Paul and Carolā€™s tourist visa expired in March 2024, so Pastor Conifer Berg stepped in to lead the Wolverhampton house church for one Sunday per month, and two other men and I stepped up as lay leaders to lead the other three Sundays each month. We were soon blessed by the hospitality of the local Anglican church at St. Johnā€™s Church, Essington, who kindly offered the use of their newly built church hall. Our first service there took place in July 2024.

In August 2024, I retired from my secular job and enrolled at the Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI) in October 2024, with the aim of achieving a B.Div. (Bachelor of Divinity) to become a full-time pastor and help bring true biblical teaching to the people of the U.K.

In September, Pastor Conifer and his family returned to the U.S., and within weeks, the congregation at Wolverhampton called me to be their pastor! What an honor! Praise God! Since October 2024, I have been leading services, writing sermons and mid-week Bible studies. And although Iā€™ve a long way to go in my training, I can truly call the congregation at Wolverhampton my sheep. It still raises a lump in my throat when they call me “pastor.”

There have been so many miracles along the way that Iā€™m sometimes in danger of taking them for granted. Having the opportunity to reflect and write this blog is a humbling experienceā€”it shows Godā€™s hand is in all that weā€™re doing, and he has an amazing plan for the U.K.

The Lutheran Reformation that swept through Europe in the 16th century bypassed U.K. Christians. But non-Christians in the U.K. are growing in hunger for the truth and the certainty of salvation that can only come from the true gospel. It is our heartfelt prayer that we can help to bring that to the people of the U.K., so that when they walk into our church, they have the same “wow” experience Caroline and I had back in 2010 when we walked into Christ Lutheran Churchā€”and continue to have every time we hear Godā€™s Word.

Written by Mr. Lawrence McCatty, Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI) student and leader at Holy Word in Wolverhampton.

Read more about Lawrence and Caroline McCatty in their Confessions of faith story from Forward in Christ magazine.




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

WELS World Missions: Until every nation knows his love

/in ,

ā€œMy name will be great among the nations,ā€ says the Lord Almighty. Today, that promise is taking root in places both expected and unexpectedā€”through the mission God has entrusted to his people.

Across Africa, Asia-Oceania, Europe, Latin America, and Native American communities, WELS World Missions partners with local believers to plant churches, train leaders, and share the gospel in heart languages around the world. Itā€™s not just a mission to the nationsā€”itā€™s a movement with the nations.

Through your prayers and support, local leaders are reaching their own people and crossing borders with the good news. Seminaries are equipping faithful shepherds. Digital tools are proclaiming Christ where missionaries canā€™t go. Together, we proclaim his nameā€”until every tribe, tongue, and nation knows the love of the Lamb.

This is not our mission. This is Godā€™s mission. And by his promise, it cannot fail.

Learn more at wels.net/missions.

Learn more

One Latin America Team – Spring 2025 Quarterly Update

/in , ,

Changes for the One Latin America Team

With the departure of Missionary Nathan Schulte, who accepted a call to serve at a church in Wisconsin, plans for new locations, personnel, and structure were accelerated.

On May 22, 2025, Rev. Zach Satorius was assigned to the One Latin America Team. Missionary Satorius (pictured above, left, with Missionary Luis Acosta as his installation in June 2025) will be focused on multiplication work, working with advanced students who are in the process of gathering groups. He and his wife, Ava, will initially be based in Doral, Fla. Missionary Satorius previously served as a vicar in MedellĆ­n, Colombia, under Pastor Henry Herrera.

Missionaries will remain in Quito, Ecuador, and Doral, Fla., and those locations will remain as permanent hubs for the team. The plan is to discontinue AsunciĆ³n, Paraguay, as one of the One Latin America Team hubs. Missionaries Joel Sutton and Abe Degner have been asked to redeploy to other locations. Additionally, a new, mobile hub concept is being developed.

The mobile hub is designed to allow the One Latin America Team to remain flexible to pursue emerging opportunities. It also keeps locations diversified in case of regional instability. Using this approach, the One Latin America Team will temporarily place missionaries in various locations. Mexico City has been chosen to serve as the first mobile hub due to feasibility of visas, efficient connections to the rest of the Latin America through its major airport, and the number of active students and church planters. The Behmer family will be moving there after their furlough in summer 2025, with the Sutton family joining them in January 2026.

A snapshot of blessings during the past quarter:Ā 

  • Academia Cristo has their first advanced student from Africa! A student from Equatorial Guinea, Africaā€™s only Spanish-speaking country, has made it through the first 12 live courses of Discipleship Level and is currently participating in the capstone course. He is currently in the doctrinal agreement process with Missionaries Luis Herrera and Luis Acosta.
  • On April 4, 2025, MarĆ­a Vasquez, a called church planter, was called home to heaven after suffering a heart attack. Missionary Matt Behmer was able to travel to Costa Rica and see her and her family after the heart attack and before she passed away. Missionary Angel Otero and his wife Maribel were able to attend a funeral and provide support to the family. On April 27, 2025, an online memorial service was held for the Academia Cristo Missionary Nathan Schulte shared a message of comfort at the service based on Revelation 7:9-17.
  • On April 20, 2025, a special online Easter worship service was held for the entire Academia Cristo student body. Lester Soto from Nicaragua and Camilo Herrera from Colombia, both called church planters, led the liturgy. Missionary Nixon Vivar preached.
  • Over the past several months, 11 students from Paraguay, Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Mexico were welcomed into doctrinal agreement after reviewing 95 key doctrinal questions with a missionary. This means the students have expressed a commitment to the teachings of the confessional Lutheran church and a desire to be doctrinally affiliated with the ministry of Academia Cristo.

Fast facts

  • A total of 37,129 students have enrolled in the Self-Study Level of courses
  • 1,342+ students have completed one Discipleship Level live course
  • 152+ students have completed the Discipleship Level (13 live courses)
  • 53 students have completed the Church Planting Level (ten live courses)
  • 43 Academia CristoĀ students are actively leading church plantsĀ (Grupos Sembrador)Ā 




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Living as a Native Christian

/in , , ,

ā€œAaron Newman is an active member of Christ the Rock Lutheran Church in Farmington, N.M. Join us to hear how his Christian faith motivates him to serve his church, family, and community. From serving in the Marine Corps to advocating for those affected by abuse and violence in his work at the Family Crisis Center, Aaron will share his desire to help others as a compassionate leader, instructor, and mentor.ā€

That was the invitation I received to a recent presentation and discussion sponsored by the Native Christians Network and Apache Christian Training School. It was another step forward in our goal of equipping Native Americans to lead and to serve in the universal priesthood of all believers.

We asked Aaron to talk about how he combines his Navajo heritage and his Christian faith because he understands both. Aaron is Bitterwater. He grew up mainly in Flagstaff, Ariz., but spent many weekends and summers on the Navajo reservation with his family. He helped his grandparents by herding sheep, hauling water, and many other tasks required to be self-sufficient in the Chuska Mountains. Aaron and his family would herd the flock up or down the mountain depending on the season, much like his ancestors did. He enjoys freshly butchered mutton and steam corn, fry bread, and blue corn with juniper ash pancakes. He learned a good work ethic, appreciation for family and community, and respect for his eldersā€”all hallmarks of Native culture.

Aaron is also a mature Christian and lay leader in his congregation. He was confirmed just before he graduated high school and joined the Marines. After his faithful service in the military, he wasnā€™t sure what was next. He had some long talks with his pastors and studied Godā€™s Word for guidance. The Lord blessed his path into social work and service on the church council.

Sadly, many Native Americans think that to be Christian is to turn your back on your Native heritage. Christians can be treated as traitors and outcasts. Even mature followers of Christ can feel a constant pressure to conform and participate in traditional practices, some of which are diametrically opposed to Christianity.

The struggle and pressure are real. So was the conversation. As Aaron humbly shared his life experience and Bible verses that have guided him along the way, many of the participants, most of whom were Apache, shared their stories too. It was a time of mutual understanding, building each other up, and encouraging each other in their faith. Aaron himself highlighted this as one of the blessings of this time together: ā€œIt was a blessing and a privilege to have that opportunityā€”to share Godā€™s Word and to really just rejoice with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.ā€

When asked what his goal was for the presentation, Aaron answered, ā€œTo share my faith about Jesus, and then also to share my walk in faith . . . that experience of having to look where the Lord has taken me, where Iā€™ve been, where I am now, and to have faith in where Iā€™m going next. Thatā€™s the biggest thing.ā€

It is possible to be Native American, proud of the many positive aspects of Native culture, and Christian, proud above all of our Savior, at the same time. May God bless all who live as Native Christians.

Written by Rev. Nathan Wagenknecht, world missionary on the Native American mission team




Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Together Video – July 15, 2025

/in , ,

Missionary Dan Witte talks about how WELS Missions assists with theological training for WELS’ sister church bodies throughout Africa.

 

 

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

 

CAMM July 2025 Newsletter

/in , , ,

Last month, my husband Gary and I visited Malawi and Zambia over 11 days, meeting with our leaders and staff and visiting clinics. This was my third trip to Africa in the three years since Gary and I returned to the United States. Gary had also been to Kenya to start preparations for our 2026 medical camp, and then joined me in Malawi. We stayed in the apartment adjoining the house in Lilongwe and were able to see just how our Clinic Administrator, Lusungu Mwambeye, is capably handling the challenges of running the Lutheran Mobile Clinic. One example is how she arranged for surveys to be done of all four of the clinic properties to obtain government leases and prevent people from encroaching on the properties. We were there for the monthly staff meeting, and saw everyone diligently working together on monthly inventory and statistics, so that Violet Chikwatu, Nurse in in Charge, could complete the government reports for May. Violet and Lusungu continue to work well together and keep things running smoothly.

Going out to the village clinics is always my favorite part of these visits. It was obvious that the many outpatients seen in a day reflected the recent higher numbers in our monthly reports. I noticed that some patients had been seen at local government clinics and prescribed medicine that they were told to obtain at our clinics, because those clinics didnā€™t have any. I observed the nurses at the pharmacy station calmly giving numerous injections and intravenous medications for children and adults who were seriously sick with pneumonia, asthma, and infections. There were several referrals to the hospital in Lilongwe. I saw in Violetā€™s record where in one day, eight patients were referred, mainly with severe pneumonia which is common in the cold season. These people depend on the preventative care and lifesaving treatment which the Lutheran Mobile Clinic provides. We are thankful that the Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) is able to afford the essential medications, and that Violet works hard to find them in pharmacies around Lilongwe. Most importantly, we know that our patients also hear the soul-saving message of the gospel.

Moms waiting for the under-fives clinic

I was still impressed with howā€”despite seeing 150-200 patients along with the under-fives, antenatal, family planning, nutrition and HIV testing/counseling clientsā€”the clinicians and nurses worked cheerfully and efficiently as a team. The same volunteers which helped us through COVID were still doing blood pressure checks, malaria tests, weights, and directing patients to the proper lines. Violet stepped in to help in whatever station she was needed. The nurse-midwives were happy to receive a new fetal doppler we had brought, to more easily hear the infant heartbeat of our antenatal clients.

One of the highlights at Msambo clinic was being able to see all five of the children with disabilities who still receive regular physical therapy, and their mothers. All are continuing to make progress in mobility or speech. One little girl named Lontira who was born with a very deformed spine and has had difficulty sitting, is waiting for surgery. Her mom told me she will go to a hospital in Blantyre when the specialists come to Malawi to do these complicated procedures. She is a member of the Lutheran church in Msambo. We pray for her brave mom, and for Lontira to have a successful surgery, which will improve her mobility.

After a busy week, we flew to Zambia. We spent time with Alisad Banda, Clinic Administrator, who drove us out to Mwembezhi for a day at the Lutheran Rural Health Center. The staff warmly welcomed us as they prepared for under-fives and diabetic clinic (pictured above). We spoke with Future Beloyi, our nurse who recently completed midwifery training. She was also happy to receive a new fetal doppler for use with antenatals. We also spoke with Muzundwase Chikwekwe, a nurse who would soon start her midwifery training for the next 18 months. The clinic will benefit from having two Lutheran nurse-midwives, with about 150 deliveries at clinic in the past year.

We met with Jackson Kalekwa, clinical officer in charge, and Anthony Kasonga, laboratory technician, to discuss topics like the need for more space for maternity patients and a separate laboratory area for TB patients. Anthony is the chairman at Martin Luther Church, adjacent to the clinic. We learned that he has been instrumental in growing church attendance to about 100 people each Sunday, including many clinic staff members, despite there being no permanent pastor. Alisad also holds Bible studies for staff on a regular basis. Crispin Chikonka, the clinicā€™s psychosocial counselor, gives a devotion for clinic attendees each morning. The clinic now has a second clinical officer, Samalani Nyirenda, who works as a clinician alongside Jackson. We were glad to meet him in person and know that he was a welcome addition to the team.

Thatā€™s the update from the field! Gary and I joined three other CAMM committee members in attending the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) Convention in Tulsa, Okalhoma, the last weekend of June. It was a joy to meet fellow CAMM supporters and speak with those who might be new to the medical mission. They have good questions and ideas for how to communicate about the mission and support our staff and patients. Thank you all so much for continuing to show your love for the work of CAMM and being faithful in prayer!

Written by Beth Evans, former nurse in charge for CAMM




Print Friendly, PDF & Email