Tag Archive for: World Missions

WELS Connection – The impact of World Missions

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By the grace of God and your generous support, WELS has been given countless opportunities to share the life-saving message of the gospel with souls all around the world. Sometimes that is done on a large scale with pre-existing, organized church bodies, other times it is on an individual level with one particular soul, and everywhere in between. These people may be in far away lands on the other side of the world. Yet they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, children of God, who now have the comfort and certainty of eternal life, knowing that their sins are forgiven. Camilo Herrera is one of those people.

“I have joy talking to the Lord. I have peace in him, no matter what happens.”

Hear more in this October 2024 WELS Connection video.

 

Learn more about WELS World Missions at wels.net/missions.

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CAMM September 2024 Newsletter

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As you read blogs, self-help books, and Facebook posts, they seem to have one common theme: How do you find your joy and happiness in life? You may look around and joy seems to be missing in so many areas of your life. There may seem to be less smiles and less laughter. Work is hard and tedious, relationships are difficult to maintain, and healthcare is expensive and time consuming. We go to church and surround ourselves with the gospel, but is the joy we feel truly displayed? In Romans 15:13, Paul wrote, ā€œMay the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.ā€ Are we overflowing with hope?

This past month, I traveled to Mwembezhi Lutheran Rural Health Centre in Zambia along with Gary Evans (Field Director) and Alisad Banda (Clinic Administrator). While all of us had been there many times in the past, we were not expecting to see the joy displayed as we drove past Martin Luther Church, which is adjacent to the clinic. Hundreds of people were camped out for a five-day Lutheran Church of Central Africa campout.

What a surprise! Kids were running and playing, adults were socializing and getting ready for the day and the singing. . . nothing can truly impact you like the sound of an African choir! The harmony, smiles, and joy that we saw and heard is my version of the singing I hope to hear when I arrive in my home in heaven. To hear a sample of the choir singing, visit our Facebook page. What a blessing to hear and see the fellowship as we ventured down the road to tour the clinic buildings and see the clinic at work.

The joy did not stop at the campout. You could see the smiling faces of the clinic staff, the moms as they weighed their babies, the village residents greeting us and thanking CAMM and clinic staff for being there. Some of you have experienced these sights first-hand, but for those that havenā€™t, I pray the videos and photos that CAMM shares help bring you joy and give you a sense of the joy that is displayed at the clinic.

Your support, whether through prayer, shipped donation boxes, monetary donations, or sharing the work CAMM does, brings me joy and helps us share your joy with the patients that visit the clinic in Zambia as well as the clinics in Malawi.

Whether it be from seeing the photos and videos CAMM posts, or the joy that surrounds you in your personal life, we pray that God continues to bless you and bring you joy. CAMM humbly thanks you for your continued support that helps to spread joy to so many within our organization.

Written by Angela Sievert, Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) chairwoman




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The road to new opportunities

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The mindset of so many is ā€œWhatā€™s next?ā€ or ā€œWhatā€™s the next goal in my life?ā€ The Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) has also been considering that same question: Whatā€™s next for CAMM? There are endless opportunities for CAMM to provide healthcare to those in need in Africa and even possibly outside of Africa. We know CAMM will never put our current clinics at risk in Malawi and Zambia, and we are staying true to our mission that CAMM is providing healthcare in support of gospel ministry. Therefore, new opportunities we consider in other countries must be supported by the local Lutheran churches in those countries.

This past week, I had the opportunity to travel to a potential new clinic site in Malawi. The drive was long, the road was bumpy, bridges were out and looked treacherous, but due diligence was needed to see if the site was feasible. While this location showed great need, CAMM needs to evaluate it considering the distance to nearby health clinics (government run or private), the distance our staff would need to travel to the location, cost, government rules to operate and how the local church would support the clinic (available water, Chimbudzsis aka bathrooms, and a covered building with adequate light).

The opportunities are endless when it comes to providing healthcare internationally. The need seems to always be there. While visiting we were in constant awe, especially in the remote villages, of the need for healthcare. We were told there are over 40 patients who have epilepsy who travel over 40 kilometers to the Msambo Clinic in Malawi to access the medications CAMM can provide on a monthly basis. We saw our staff treat a little baby struggling to breathe due to pneumonia. We saw a woman suffering from asthma that came to our clinic for a steroid shot that she may need on a monthly basis. Earlier this spring, we saw an additional 400 patients in one day for malaria because the nearby government clinic ran out of medications. The need is constant.

In February 2025, the Central Africa Medical Mission, along with the Board of World Missions, One Africa Team, Christian Aid & Relief, and the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ-Kenya will once again host a short-term five day clinic just outside of Nairobi. Although this isnā€™t a new clinic opportunity, for the first time we plan to take five volunteers from the United States who are not part of the CAMM committee, but who have previously applied as volunteers to help run the short-term medical clinic. These volunteers will assist local medical staff with diabetes screening, blood pressure screenings, and outpatient care. CAMM would love to continue to look at the possibility to take volunteers to future locations.

The opportunities for CAMM to serve are endless, and the path that CAMM should take next seems to have many different routes, but in Proverbs 16:9 we hear, ā€œThe heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.ā€ We must trust in the Lord that he will lead us down the right road to serve Him. We will continue to pray and look for Godā€™s help as we evaluate these new requests from the local churches in other countries in Africa. We know God will point us in the right direction and support us as we serve Him.

Written by Angela Sievert, Central Africa Medical Mission chair.

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One Latin America Team – Summer 2024 Quarterly Update

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A snapshot of blessings during the past quarter:

1. Vicar program in Colombia: In August 2024, we welcomed new Vicar Matthew Rugen to the field. He will be serving his vicar year under Pastor Henry Herrera in MedellĆ­n, Colombia. Also in August, we said goodbye to Vicar Jacob Bitter and his wife Sofia Spiegelberg. They are returning to Mequon, Wis., for Jacob to finish his senior year at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

2. Continuing education in San Salvador: In May 2024, all missionaries traveled to San Salvador, El Savlador, where Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI) professors Allen Sorum and Skip Goetzinger led a workshop on Christian Counseling in the Mission Setting.

3. New admissions coordinator: Fabi GuamƔn from Ecuador has stepped in as the new Admissions Coordinator, replacing Jen Proeber, who has moved from Chile to teach at Arizona Lutheran Academy in Phoenix. We thank Jen for her outstanding work!

4. 1,000 new students enrolled: In the first eight months of 2024, 1,000 students enrolled in the Discipleship level of live courses after completing four self-study courses. Missionary Luke Beilke and the Student Services Team lead the charge in orienting and integrating new students. This quarter, 350 new students successfully finished their first Discipleship course.

5. Church planting classes launch: The second level of live classes, Discipleship Two, is being revamped as a Church Planting level to better prepare Confessional Lutheran church planters. Nine new courses are in development by the One Latin America Team in collaboration with Multi-Language Productions (MLP), with Missionary Nathan Schulte leading the project.

6. A diverse, team effort: We now have professors and support staff from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the United States, and Mexico working alongside missionaries to deliver Academia Cristoā€™s mission.

7. New Academia Cristo website: The Promotions & Productions team, with Multi-Language Productions (MLP), launched a new website for Academia Cristo, led by MLP Producer Jon Gross. The updated site better serves church planters and is easier to maintain. Check it out: academiacristo.com

8. New materials completed: The Promotions & Productions team completed all essential materials for church planters in the Academia Cristo program and is developing more resources to support church planting groups, including Bible history, doctrinal, and practical Bible studies.

9. Specialist plan for church planting course: A plan is in place for an existing missionary to specialize in providing one-on-one support to students taking the Discipleship capstone course on church planting. In this course, students are equipped to gather a group and teach them a course on sin, grace, faith, and works.

10. New church plant in Ecuador: Henry Isidro Chonillo (pictured left in the above photo), an Academia Cristo student, has planted three groups in the Guayaquil area of Ecuador. Missionary Nixon Vivar serves as his mission counselor.

11. Mission Counselor Residency Program: A new residency program will see Missionary Luis Acosta spend a month in Mexico, working closely with church planters on a weekly basis.

12. Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional: Plans are set for Pastor Henry Herrera, president of Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional, to visit church plants in Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina to discuss the process of becoming members of this international synod.

13. Diaspora Ministries: Team Leader Andrew Johnston is serving as the Diaspora Ministries Facilitator. Mr. Angel Otero, a WELS member from Deltona, Fla., and Academia Cristo graduate, has been hired to assist in this work.

Fast Facts

  • 1.7M average weekly social media reach (user looks at the material for over three seconds)
  • 23,693 total cumulative students enrolled in online self-study level
  • 3,619 students have finished the online self-study level of courses
  • 457 total cumulative students enrolled in the online self-study level in the U.S.
  • 1056 students have completed one Discipleship level live course
  • 104 students have completed the Discipleship level (13 live courses)
  • 40 students have completed the Church Planting level of coursesĀ  (Eight live courses)
  • 35 active church plants




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CAMM August 2024 Newsletter

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The Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre-Mwembezhi has a come a long way since it began in 1961, and I can indeed say this far that the Lord has brought us. The Clinic that started as a drug dispensary is today one of the Zambia missionā€™s success stories, not by human efforts but, by God alone. One of the many positive changes that has happened over the years has been the extent to which the government has recognized the Lutheran Church in Zambia through the clinic.

The recognition of the health centre is attributed to the members of staff who have put in their best effort in the delivery of the health care in the Shibuyunji District. The big motivation comes from serving Christ our Savior. The Central Africa Medical Mission, through its leadership (CAMM) and its supporters, provides the means that enable success such as salaries, medications, maintenance and everything that requires monetary help for the facility. In the past five years, the clinic has seen a face lift in many areas of the centre and uplifted the status of Lumano village. The clinic leadership appreciates the Field Directorā€™s regular visits. The article cannot be complete without mentioning our supporters who have generously given the finances, material help and for some, even coming to visit the clinic. Every donation, in all forms is appreciated, even baby blankets, hats and clothes which are given to newborns and act as a motivation for expecting mothers to come and deliver at the facility.

As the clinic nears the end of the financial year, we can say yes, this far the Lord has brought us, but one thing is so loud to my ears and that is to stay faithful, as the clinic is founded on Christ-centered love and compassion. It is very important to remember that God has sustained the clinic. He has sent people to the centre for numerous reasons, for all it is to hear about the love of God, for many it is for healing and health maintenance, and for our staff who gain expertise and experience through the variety of patients they see.

Today, the clinic has twenty-six members of staff, sixteen are on the CAMM payroll and the rest from government and non-government organizations. A lot of them are young people and sometimes this age group comes with its own pressures. These are part of our Christian battles, but the call is to remain faithful to our God despite the situations that may come our way. This far, indeed the Lord has brought us. The clinic is a reliable source of healthcare and sometimes this can cause us (the members of staff including management) to forget that God has created the facility for His own purpose and that is to demonstrate Godā€™s love to humanity. This love must first be seen in the members of staff before it can be demonstrated to others. Indeed it is particularly important to remember that the clinic is not only a source of medical expertise and medications, but is primarily a place where Christ is the centre of all our activities.

In conclusion, the Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre in Mwembezhi is a family, and by the grace of God, we continue planning as a family for the future and pray for each other. It is important to pray for our leadership at CAMM, well-wishers, and members of staff at the clinic.

Written by Alisad Banda, CAMM Clinic Administrator




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TELL: Connecting East Asia to the Philippines
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The TELL program was designed with flexibility in mind. Its framework is made to be used in many countries, by many cultures, by many ages. Perhaps this is best displayed by Peter. Peter is a Ugandan, living in Hong Kong, training believers in the Philippines.

A few years ago, while living in Hong Kong, Peter was introduced to Asia Lutheran Seminary (ALS). He was interested in furthering his Biblical education when a pastor he knew in Canada encouraged him to study through ALS. He enrolled as a student and began completing classes regularly. This connection with ALS also led him to begin studying with the TELL program.

Peterā€™s church in Hong Kong has a strong membership of Filipinos working in Hong Kong. As some of the members returned to the Philippines, they brought their worship life with them. They soon saw a need for small group leaders and for training. Peter took the opportunity to put his own Biblical training into practice. He uses the TELL method to regularly meet online with eleven small group leaders from the Philippines. He chose to use the TELL method because: ā€œI have been exposed to quite many Bible study methods, but I find TELL method cutting across all scenarios and levels, ages, and categories, a very easy way to administer Bible study. Also, for learners, no matter how much prior knowledge of the Bible they have, through TELL they will always learn something easily.ā€

The TELL program is working with ALS and will soon be implemented more widely by our Asia One Team. We pray that God blesses the use of this program to reach and equip more leaders like Peter, leaders who are willing and ready to pass on their training and knowledge of the Bible to others!

Learn more about the TELL Network from WELS Multi-Language Productions.

Written by Rev. Tony Barthels, world missionary on the Asia One Team

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God’s hand in Indonesia

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ā€œI know the plans I have for you.ā€ Jeremiah 29:11. These words of the Lord through the prophet Jeremiah are a familiar theme at many Christian graduation ceremonies. Written originally to Godā€™s Old Testament people who were facing an uncertain future in exile from the promised land, this verse reminds believers today too that our God, the Lord Almighty, is still in control. No matter what today or tomorrow may bring, we too have a hope and a future because of Christ Jesus. The details of how we will get there, however, are known only to God.

Counting on Godā€™s promises to be with them, the faculty and staff of Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Lutheran (STTL), the seminary of our sister churchĀ in Indonesia, worked hard this last year toward the goal of official accreditation for their school. Accreditation would mean that the certificate the school offers after four years of classroom training would be nationally recognized. Graduates could then use that certificate to apply for part-time employment as religion instructors in government schools. And since children in Indonesia have the right to have religion class according to their own faith, there is often a need for Christian teachers. This would be ideal for many pastors who will need to have ā€œtent-makingā€ ministries.

After much work, and by Godā€™s grace, STTL was fully accredited earlier this year! This led to a momentous occasion this August, where the first of these government-recognized certificates could be awarded to 18 students who had recently completed the four-year course of study either this year or last. Besides family and friends, other guests and visitors included local government officials and representatives from other area institutions, as well as myself, happily representing Asia Lutheran Seminary and the WELS Asia One Team to congratulate our brothers in Christ for their hard work. The event gave much visibility to this young seminary, and the faculty and staff have much to be proud of and thankful for.

STTLā€™s pastoral training program includes two to three years of practical experience as vicars following the years in the classroom. So these 18 men were not yet ordained as pastors, but some of them received their first assignments as vicars in that same service. Others were reassigned to meet ministry needs in their church body. How will the Lord use these young men as his ministers in the coming years? What challenges will they face as they proclaim the gospel of Christ in a country that is officially secular but with a strong Muslim majority? Will the STTLā€™s plan of accreditation prove to be the boon that they think it will be? Will they be able to meet the need for pastors as the gospel spreads across the country?

The theme verse of the graduation service was Jeremiah 29:11. ā€œI know the plans I have for you,ā€ God says. The details of his plan are his own. But all of them are based on the work of Christ, the Savior of the nations. Please join me in praying for these young men, the churches they serve, and the work of the gospel in Indonesia.

Written by Rev. Guy Marquardt, world missionary for the Asia One Team.Ā 

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Heaven is the goal!

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Marcelo grew up in Argentina but spent his entire adult life in his fatherā€™s home country of Costa Rica. An astute businessman, he worked in the insurance industry. In September 2020, he connected with Academia Cristoā€™s online classes. By September 2022, Marcelo had completed the first level of classes, and I began connecting with him one-on-one. Through these classes, Marcelo became a committed Lutheran. He also felt it was important to share what he had learned with others, so he started our second level of classes to train as a group planter.

L to R: Rev. Nathan Schulte, Alyssa Schulte, Flor, and Marcelo

I would visit Marcelo in Costa Rica and observe him leading his group. He was a confident leader, patient, and skilled at guiding discussions. Although Marcelo was a mature believer, leading his own Bible study group pushed him to grow even more. This past January, he called me to study the biblical support for why we can forgive someone elseā€™s sins. His group had asked about it, and he wanted to learn more Bible passages for the conversation. We scheduled a Zoom meeting and started going through a few stories and Bible verses that show we have the privilege of announcing Godā€™s forgiveness to people. One of the passages was from 2 Corinthians. ā€œWe are therefore Christā€™s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christā€™s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). When we read this passage, Marcelo teared up. ā€œWow,ā€ he said, ā€œwe really can give this gift to others. Thatā€™s so special.ā€

Over the past two years, Marcelo was not only working on group planting , but he was also suffering from bone cancer. The cancer was painful, and soon he couldnā€™t work as much or meet with his Bible study group as often. Then, July 2, 2024, the Lord took Marcelo home. I miss Marceloā€™s phone calls, his eagerness to learn more, and his correction of my Spanish when I made mistakes.

However, I am thankful to know that he is in heaven now. His passing is a powerful reminder of our purpose as missionaries. We want to bring people along to heaven with us. Heaven is the goal! Thank the Lord for the gospel.

Written by Rev. Nathan Schulte, world missionary on the Latin America mission team in Quito, Ecuador.

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The Obadiah Lutheran Synod expresses its thanks

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Last January, I had the privilege of attending a special worship service of the Obadiah Lutheran Synod (OLS) in Uganda. Nearly 1,000 members of the Obadiah Lutheran Synod, some traveling for hours, attended this special service celebrating the fellowship that had been declared between our two church bodies at WELSā€™ 2023 synod convention.

Our synod does not provide operational support for the Obadiah Lutheran Synod. But thanks to special gifts received from WELS members, we are able to help with pastoral training, church building projects, and other special programs.

As you might expect, travel in Uganda can, at times, be very difficult due to bad weather and roads that can become nearly impassable. Since Pastor Makisimu Musa, the president of the synod, spends much time visiting the various congregations and pastors of his synod, reliable transportation is a vital necessity. Thanks to generous gifts from WELS members, the Obadiah Lutheran Synod was able to purchase a used Toyota Land Cruiser.

Pastor Musa would like to express thanks from his entire church body for this gift. He wrote, ā€œIt is my pleasure again to say thank you, brother, for your gift of the vehicle to the OLS. This is helping us a lot to do church ministry work in Uganda. Please extend our heartfelt appreciation to the brothers and sisters in WELS for the gift. The gift (vehicle) reminds me of the day you visited us in Uganda to attend our celebration of fellowship and unity in the faith. Thank you for blessing our ministry of the Word in this region of Africa. May the Lord of the church Jesus Christ continue blessing you all for your generous support to the OLS.ā€

We pray that the gospel ministry being carried out by our brothers and sisters in Uganda will continue to be blessed richly by the Lord.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

View a short video from the service.

 

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CAMM July 2024 Newsletter

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June was a sorrowful month in Malawi, as the country mourns the demise of its vice president, the Late Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima. The vice president along with eight other high-profile delegates, including the former first lady Shanil Muluzi, were killed in an aircraft crash in the Chikangawa forest while on their way to the burial ceremony of the Late Ralph Kasambala, the former Attorney General. According to reports, the late vice president’s jet flew off the radar shortly after takeoff and crashed in the Chikangawa forest due to bad weather. The Chikangawa Forest is in Malawi’s northern region and is about a 40-minute flight from Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, the country’s capital.

We also mourn the demise of the Late Lucious Banda who was the country’s presidential advisor on youth and art. He was a legendary musician who started his career in the early 1990s and released 20 albums to date. He was dubbed ‘soldier’ due to his music genre, which advocates for the betterment of the poor and fights for their rights. In these terrifying storms, we rest our hope, peace, and comfort in Christ. Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

On the same sad note, as reported in our May newsletter, the Lutheran Mobile Clinic supports children with disability to access physiotherapy treatments at Children of Blessings. Unfortunately we have lost one child, Tamara, who died following continuous convulsions and was also found with low blood sugar. She was admitted to Kamuzu Central Hospital and passed away a few days later. The remaining four kids who are still under Lutheran Mobile Clinic transport fund to get physiotherapy are progressing well with their sessions. We thank God!

As temperatures drop in Malawi and concerns rise relating to the impact of cold weather on communities, we have had our physicians educate our patients and guardians about pneumonia, cough, and colds throughout this cold season. The unprecedented surge in patient numbers strains resources but demonstrates the critical need for healthcare services in most areas. The last week of June, I had the opportunity to chat with some patients mostly to know why they would rather spend more on transport to come to our clinic when they can use the same funds to access private or government hospitals close to where they reside. One patient said, “In addition to the availability of medications at Lutheran Mobile Clinic, the staff treats the patient with respect and empathy, unlike the public or private hospital”. The other patient stated, “The physicians do not listen to all the concerns of patients but instead immediately send them to the pharmacy to get the medications or refer them to buy, whereas Lutheran Mobile Clinic physicians take their time with patient consultations”. Another patient stated that “when tested with malaria rapid diagnostic test, before the blood clots, the nurse/lab assistant at Lutheran Mobile Clinic provides cotton swabs to patients whilst at the public hospitals, sometimes they are advised to rub the blood in their hair and the blood will clot quickly which to a patient comes off as rude nurses”. These are some of the reasons why people prefer our healthcare provision to other hospitals/clinics on top of almost the free service provision and availability of medications.

Despite the rough roads that hurt the backs of our staff members from consistently driving in bad conditions, the Lutheran Mobile Clinic has been tirelessly serving the communities, providing critical medical assistance to those in need. I would like to applaud my team for always showing up for the clinic to serve the communities in need.

On behalf of the Lutheran Mobile Clinic staff team and the communities we serve, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation towards the purchase of our new ambulance. Your support and generosity have made a significant impact on our ability to provide critical emergency services to our community. The 2023 Toyota Landcruiser/Ambulance is admired by many as a new model but also its great off-road performance. Despite the bumpy roads, this new ambulance has great shock absorbers that make the effect of the bumpy roads less noticeable. Thank you once again for your generosity and commitment to the Lutheran Mobile Clinic’s cause. We are deeply appreciative of your support and donations; it makes our work possible and easy to manage. May God bless you all and give you good health. 1 Thessalonians 1:2, “We give thanks always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers”. Amen!

Written by Lusungu Mwambeye, Clinic Administrator for the Lutheran Mobile Clinic in Malawi

 




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Faces of Faith ā€“ Chong

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I have known Chong for the last ten years. When we first met, he was a young high schooler. Every time I visited East Asia, he never missed any of my training sessions. Sadly, it has been extremely difficult to do faceto- face training for the Miao leaders in East Asia lately. Many of the churchā€™s leaders are disappearing from the community, and nobody knows their fate. Despite all this, Chong continues to hold onto his faith and never ceases to learn the Word of God. Chong also continues to gather a small group of young leaders to continue to serve their congregations. In their hearts, they know that they will be facing the power of the Devil, but through their faith in Jesus Christ, they continue to fight the good fight. Chong said, ā€œThey can only kill my body but not my soul. I am ready at any time to serve my Lord and his people.ā€ Chong asks all of you to continue to pray for him, his family, and his co-workers in Christ. He and his co-workers are eager to receive face-to-face training and pray that the door for the gospel will be opened wider to the Miao and other minorities in East Asia. May the Lord of the church send more workers to harvest his fields!

From an Asia One Team missionary

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Li

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Pastor Liā€™s non-Christian wife tried to get him to understand how embarrassing it was to tell coworkers that her husband was a pastor. She was ashamed of him and ashamed to be his wife. He listened to her complaints, and he continued to pray for her. He highlighted Godā€™s blessings for her whenever there was an opportunity, helped her run her noodle shop, and he took regular walks with her. Eventually she began to ask for his prayers. Eventually she told him that she was also praying. Eventually she asked to be baptized. Now, as a child of God, she looks forward to their weekly worship gathering and communing with brothers and sisters in Christ. She sings in the choir. And, she and Pastor Li pray together that the Holy Spirit would lead their son to faith.

From Matt Doebler, Asia One Team missionary

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Faces of Faith ā€“ John

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John Michoro, a member at Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ-Kenya, strives to bring more people to Jesus by being a shining example of a servant leader. As a son of a Kenyan pastor, John has always had Jesus as part of his life. He dedicated his efforts this past year to bring the Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) to Karima, Kenya, as an outreach tool for their church. He worked closely with CAMM, the Kenyan Kirinyaga County government, and the church to organize the logistics, financials, and communication required for the medical camp in Kenya that was held in February 2024. They served close to 1,500 patients during the four-day camp. With only one percent of the population in the surrounding community professing the Lutheran faith, John has high hopes this clinic has not only served these patientsā€™ physical needs but will also be a way to touch their souls by hearing the love of Jesus. The impact of love and teamwork he has seen during the planning and running of the medical camp solidifies his faith even more. He observed many different groups of varying backgrounds from the community come together and share their love for each other, just as Jesus showed his love for so many. Johnā€™s face lights up in a huge smile as he talks about his faith and shares it with others!

From Angela Sievert, Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) committee chairwoman

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Elijah

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Elijah Adongo is a TELL student from Nairobi, Kenya. In March 2023, he attended a special TELL event in Nairobi. Some students had studied together online for years, but this was the first time seeing one another in-person. Baptism was the topic for the Bible study. In Africa, immersion is considered the only valid form of baptism in many churches, and infant Baptism rarely happens. ā€œThis is our belief and practice concerning Baptism because this was the mantle that was passed to us from others.ā€ Thatā€™s the repeating theme I often hear. Gathered around a table and Godā€™s Word, the Holy Spirit lifted that mantle and replaced it with a clear understanding of Godā€™s gift of Baptism.

Two days later, Elijah invited me to his home where he asked if his four-year-old daughter could be baptized. After a devotion and assuring Mikayla that she wasnā€™t going to be immersed, the angels in heaven rejoiced as another precious child was brought into Godā€™s family through Baptism. By Godā€™s grace, Elijah continues his studies with TELL and shares what he has learned with others.

From Joel Hoff, TELL missionary in Africa

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Bonnie

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Twenty-eight years. Thatā€™s how long Bonnie Lewis has been teaching! Bonnie is an Apache woman living with her husband, Francis, in Whiteriver, Ariz. She started teaching pre-school in the late ā€˜80s, and in 2001 she started teaching at the WELS Lutheran elementary school in East Fork. Sheā€™s been there ever since.

The love of young children has kept Bonnie coming back year after year. She says, ā€œIā€™m privileged to teach the kids Bible stories at our school, and they absolutely love them!ā€ Bonnie chuckled as she reflected on how former students have asked to come back to kindergarten. Even though they obviously canā€™t return to her beloved classroom, they can, like the Apostle Paul said, ā€œcontinue in what they have learned.ā€ By the power of the Holy Spirit working in their hearts through the Word and sacraments, they will do so. Bonnie finds encouragement in the passage: ā€œTrain a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from itā€ (Proverbs 22:6).

This school year (2023-2024) marks a milestone for Bonnie and East Fork Lutheran School as she has announced her retirement. Though retirement is around the corner, Bonnie isnā€™t one to simply do nothing. She has been an active, faithful member of her home congregation, Open Bible Lutheran Church in Whiteriver, and God-willing she hopes to be able to continue doing so.

From John Holtz, Native Christians Network missionary

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Opiew

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Iā€™m Opiew Okugn Adiew from Gambela, Ethiopia. I was raised in a Christian home. My parents were faithful believers and instilled a love for Christ in me, but by the time I was 30 years old, I began reading Scripture more critically and openly questioning some of the doctrines I was taught. I became dissatisfied with false teachings among my church and many churches in my community. My concerns became large enough that a few friends and I decided to start our own church based solely on Scripture. One of my friends had a little theological education, but we all desired more training. I contacted WELS and was directed to the One Africa Team, which got me connected with TELL. Fast forward to today, and I have become a more confident church leader. When you share the gospel, you need to understand the grace of God. That is what I understand from the TELL program because they understand the Bible well.

I shepherd a congregation, leading worship and Bible study. I share the TELL method of training with other pastors, teachers, and lay workers in the local dialect but continue studying with TELL in English. If you want to become a strong preacher, you need to use the TELL program. . . to think, evaluate, and learn the Scripture, and finally to lead a church to understand the Scripture. You can establish friendships with many pastors around the world!

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Cesar

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Academia Cristo has advanced and changed during the last several years. Technology has changed, curriculum was expanded and revised, new resources for church planters have been introduced. One student who has been with Academia Cristo through it all is Cesar Augusto Narvaez.

When Academia Cristo was just experimenting with live classes, Cesar enrolled. Since 2020, he has completed 16 live courses. He was equipped to gather and lead his own church plant that now meets every week for worship and Bible study. They reach out to their friends, family, and neighbors, and are training members so they can participate in ministry as well. Missionaries from the Latin America mission team regularly make visits to Cesar and his group. On one visit, a missionary asked all the members what prompted them to attend for the first time. Everyone had the same answer, ā€œCesar invited me.ā€

Some aspects of mission work may change over time, but some things remain constant. First, the power of the gospel. Itā€™s the good news of Jesus that leads people like Cesar to share their faith. Itā€™s the message of Godā€™s grace, love, and redemption that keep people coming back. Second, the power of a simple invitation. Today, more people are learning about their Savior and growing in their faith because of a simple invitation from someone they knew.

From Matt Behmer, Latin America missionary

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Alejandro

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WELS has been doing mission work in Puerto Rico for more than half a century, but Academia Cristo efforts in Puerto Rico are only just beginning. Alejandro Hernandez began his Academia Cristo studies in summer 2023 and moved through the program in record time. As he took live courses with Academia Cristo professors, he filled every night of the week with Academia Cristo classes.

These courses, and the work of the Holy Spirit in Alejandroā€™s heart, have brought about a quick succession of events. From January-March 2024, Alejandro finished the entire first level of the Academia Cristo live course work (over 100 hours of time) and completed a one-on-one study of 95 points of doctrine with an Academia Cristo professor, which led him to confess complete doctrinal agreement with what was taught. Now, Alejandro has taken the first steps toward gathering a group of friends and family around the Word of God using provided Lutheran materials.

Only God knows what is next for this work, but when Alejandro was recently visited by missionaries for the first time, in no uncertain terms, he expressed a desire to work toward planting a church in his community. And, if early results are any indicator, Alejandro is not going to waste any time getting started.

From Andrew Johnston, Latin America missionary

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Javier

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Would you change jobs so that you could start a Bible study group? Thatā€™s what Javier Rivas from Buenaventura, Colombia, did. He started studying with Academia Cristo in September 2022. He quickly moved through the Academia Cristo discipleship program. He loved what he was learning and wanted to share it with others. But he worked at a resort about an hour boat ride away. Work would often keep him away from his city for weeks. When he learned more about how he could plant his own church, he decided to look for work in his home city. He knew that being away from home for extended periods of time would limit his potential to plant and lead a group, and being based in his city would give him opportunities to invite, gather, and teach.

Motivated by his love for the gospel, he left his job and looked for a new one in Buenaventura and started gathering a group. First, he shared a course called ā€œThe Four Key Conceptsā€ that covers the topics of sin, grace, faith, and works. Then he taught a course called ā€œLearn from me,ā€ a Bible information course. Today, he continues to gather his friends, family, and neighbors around Godā€™s Word.

Javier has been blessed with employment in his city. However, he has also become a blessing to others as he shares with them the message of salvation through Jesus.

From Matt Behmer, Latin America missionary

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Dora

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As we look around the space that we might rent for weekly services in central London, Dora Correa turns and gives a decisive nod. ā€œDonā€™t worry, pastor,ā€ she says, ā€œSome fresh flowers, some new curtains. This place can be a home for us.ā€

Dora is a living example of the ripple effect of the gospel. Her mother worked in the house of WELS Missionary Larry Schlomer, Sr. in Colombia, and she heard the gospel message from him. She preached the message to her children, and the whole family became Lutherans. Since then, Dora has moved internationally twice, first from Colombia to Spain, and then from Spain to England. Now, she lives in London with her sister, Marta, and various members of their extended family, including her son and grandson. The family connected with Lutherans in London when Missionary Mike Hartman reached out to arrange a visit. Dora and Marta attend as many worship services in London as possible. Although there is a language barrier between them and most other members of the group, Dora says they feel at home among their fellow Lutherans, especially when they take Holy Communion together.

Dora is familiar with settling into new homes. She knows from experience the things that are most important to take with you when you move. Itā€™s not the curtains, books, or trinkets that matterā€”the Word of God and sacraments with fellow Christians are the things that are irreplaceable.

From Ruth Nitz, world missionary wife in London, England

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Joe

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Killing a pig is one reason for feasting in Village 9. It is even more an opportunity to share the gospel. Pastor Joe, one of our local Lutheran pastors in Thailand, recently did exactly that.
When he decided to slaughter his pig, he obviously had to invite everyone in the village to share in the feast. In fact, not sharing the feast would have cut him off from his community.

Much of the community is not Christian. Many of them have no interest in coming to church. Many of them are not interested in hearing the gospel. Yet Pastor Joe used this feast as an opportunity to show hospitality, Christā€™s love, and the light of the gospel to the community around him. He used it to not only show how God has blessed him with a pig to slaughter, but a Savior who was slaughtered for their sins. He used it not only to let them feast on the pig, but to feast on Godā€™s Word. He used it as an opportunity for his community to hear about the greater community connected to our loving God. Please continue to pray for our pastors in Thailand as they continue to leverage community events to share the gospel with their neighbors!

From Mark Zondag, Asia One Team missionary

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Go TELL it…

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The hymn refrain harmonizes it best : “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and EVERYWHERE!” This tremendous task from the Lord of the highest heights and the deepest depths is the privilege of every rescued soul, including yours and mine.

ā€œEverywhereā€ is one of those words that we know what it means but true comprehension eludes us ā€“ like the word “eternal”. We can define it ā€“ but do we truly grasp it? To be everywhere is to be with every zipping tuk tuk through every African town, with the lone woman in Nepal picking in the rice fields, child at her side; with the soldier standing guard on the frontlines of sinā€™s most devastating symptoms in our world; and with the grandmother in Jamaica prepping kids for school and heading to a dayā€™s work ā€“ at the same time. Johnny Cash once crooned, ā€œIā€™ve been everywhere, man,ā€ but that is entirely different than being everywhere, man.

Rev. Jim Douglas teaching a live course

We sing ā€œGo tell it . . . everywhere.” And, while it is impossible for us as humans to be everywhere at the same time, sometimes a lot of ā€œeverywhereā€ comes to us. Iā€™ve had the privilege of seeing this as a teacher in the TELL Network. TELL is an online learning program that teaches the simple truths from Godā€™s Word to people all over the world (everywhere) so that they can share the good news with others. In military parlance, TELL is a force multiplier for our global commission as believers to ā€œGo tell itā€¦everywhereā€! We tell students from around the globe and those students tell their neighbors, friends, family and even total strangers the good news. Iā€™ve never zipped along an African street in a tuk tuk, havenā€™t stood on any front lines, never picked a grain of rice and havenā€™t set foot in Jamaica (sadly). But I have had the privilege of sharing Godā€™s Word with people from almost all those places (and a few more) as a teacher in the TELL Network.

TELL gets its name from the method that teachers use to teach Bible truths to students. When we study a text we Think Evaluate Learn Lead with the text. The goal is to prepare students to seek situations where they can share the truths from the lesson with others. Yes, the truth is that we can share these truths with everyone and everywhere but each text can be especially beneficial to share with certain individuals in certain situations.

I have to say that the students are not the only ones learning. It sounds clichĆ© but as a teacher I find I do a lot of learning when the Lord graciously brings everywhere to me. Iā€™ve preached and taught about the three men in the fiery furnace, but nothing prepared me to teach that lesson and find out that one man sitting in the late-night quiet of his sewing shop in a predominantly Muslim country in South Asia was the death penalty simply for attending our class and confessing his faith that Jesus was the true God and Savior of humanity.

Then thereā€™s a man who tells us that he had visited a school to share the good news about Jesus. Some students sat and listened while others found an opening in the building above the man and began pouring hot water on him. Itā€™s good that we are able to connect them with the One who is indeed everywhere!

But even more than the stories are the questions – questions that display burning hearts that desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ so that they can go . . . go tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and everywhere.

Please continue to keep the students of the TELL Network, the administrator and staff, the teachers and their work in your prayers as we together with you “go tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and everywhere.”

Written by Rev. Jim Douglas, TELL Network teacher based in Monroe, N.C.Ā 

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Apache congregations look to offer aid after fire

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Two WELS congregations and one schoolā€”Grace Lutheran Church, San Carlos, and Peridot-Our Saviorā€™s Lutheran Church and School, Peridotā€”were spared any damage when a wildfire swept through parts of the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona on July 11, burning more than 2,000 acres. The fire destroyed 15 homes, displacing 75 people in those communities.

Larger relief organizations provided immediate aid with food, clothing, and personal items to those affected by the fire, but more help will be needed in the weeks and months following the fire. ā€œNow the Lord is giving us an opportunity to help those who arenā€™t part of our church,ā€ says Rev. Dan Rautenberg, team leader of the Native Christians One Team, who could see the fire burning from his back porch in Peridot.

He continues, ā€œYou canā€™t build a home that quickly. Some of these families will be displaced for quite a length of time. Weā€™re part of the community, and we want to be there and be part of the ongoing support as they get back to their lives.ā€

Rautenberg says that after reaching out to the families to talk about their needs, the congregations are looking to provide cleaning supplies, tools, and transportation help as these families get back on their feet. They also are working to put together community seminars with counseling for the victims.

The Native Christians One Team will be working closely with WELS Christian Aid and Relief. ā€œIn the immediate aftermath of a disaster there is always a lot of help, often more than can be used. Later, interest often wanes and with it the needed assistance,ā€ says Rev. Dan Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief. ā€œWe are excited to be partnering with our Native Christians Mission Team to provide ongoing support to those in need.ā€

Learn more about Native American Missions at wels.net/missions.

 

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Summer Quarter in Europe

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Pastors and members of our European sister churches treasure their rare opportunities for in-person fellowship. Summer Quarters are a special chance for the brothers to gather and study, discuss, listen, encourage, and inspire. I was able to sit down with Benjamin for a little Q&A. Benjamin described this yearā€™s Summer Quarter and how a past Summer Quarter changed his life.

Benjamin: Immediately after the 95th Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (ELFK) Synod Convention, I was able to travel with some brothers to ā€˜Summer Quarterā€™ in Nerchau. These are theological courses that are organized for pastors and students from our European sister churches of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) for training and further education and for interested people of all backgrounds. From June 10-21, 2024, up to 10 guests from Albania, Bulgaria, Sweden, and various parts of Germany came together.

The lectures were held in English. In the first week, WELS Missionary Luke Wolfgramm introduced us to the prophet Ezekiel and his message of hope in a world gone mad. We looked at his historical background, his ā€˜street performances,ā€™ his visions, and God’s amazing messages of judgment and forgiveness.

In the second week, Rector Holger WeiƟ took us on the three missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul. With Paul, we took a special look at his sermons, his difficulties, and persecutions in his missionary work. In doing so, we repeatedly discovered how skillfully Jesus builds the church through his powerful word and brings his salvation to the ends of the earth. We were able to draw parallels from both weeks for our service as ambassadors of God and our lives as Christians in our present day.

On the weekend between classes, we attended the 100th anniversary celebration of the Schƶnfeld congregation, visited the Reformation city of Torgau, and just spent time together. We were treated to the best of food with the help of hard-working women from the Leipzig congregation. Praise be given to the hosts, suppliers, and our triune God for this blessed time.

Jennifer: Most of our readers have heard of Wittenberg and Wartburg, but maybe not Torgau. Whatā€™s special about Torgau?

Benjamin: Torgau is only about an hour from Wittenberg. Martin Luther and other reformers met there to write the Torgau Articles, which were an important stepping stone to the Augsburg Confession. Also, the chapel of the Torgau castle is significant because it was designed according to Martin Lutherā€™s recommendations. I personally love Torgau because I spent two years working there before I began studying at the seminary.

Jennifer: What was your first profession, and how did you decide to study for ministry?

Benjamin: Ha, Jennifer, it was at a Summer Quarter that it happened, and it was Luke (Missionary Wolfgramm) who was the turning point!

Jennifer: What? My Luke? At a Summer Quarter? I didnā€™t know that!

Benjamin: I studied to be a chemist for work in a drug store. But I didnā€™t want to work in a drug store for the rest of my life. Occasionally I thought about studying theology, but I just kept it in the back of my head as one of many possibilities.

My pastor in Dresden had suggested a few times that I go to Summer Quarter. In 2019 my vacation time lined up with the Summer Quarter, which was in Sweden. I have lots of friends in that area, so I thought I could combine some Bible study with visiting friends. And it was at that 2019 Summer Quarter that the turning point for me happened.

Luke and I got to know each other at Summer Quarter that year. There he said to me, ā€˜Benni, I think youā€™d be a good fit for seminary. Maybe you should think about studying to be a pastor.ā€™

So I started thinking seriously about being a pastor. After that Summer Quarter, back home in Germany, various troubles were concerning me. I called up a friend who is an ELFK pastor, and he gave me good answers from the Bible about these everyday questions. I thought, if the Bible can give answers to all these questions even about everyday life, I want to share this with others too. Shortly after this, I started studying at our ELFK seminary in Leipzig.

Soon Benni is off for his next ministry adventure: in August he heads to Mequon, Wis., for a year of study at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Please keep Benni in your prayers as he continues his studies and pray that many more brothers are blessed through Summer Quarter in the future!

Shared by Jennifer Wolfgramm, world missionary wife based in Leipzig, Germany

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The Word of the Lord growsā€”from Hong Kong to New Zealand

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The South Asian Lutheran Evangelical Mission (SALEM) is a sister church body comprised of ten congregations located in Hong Kong. This week, five members of SALEM visited our synodā€™s headquarters in Waukesha, Wis. They had attended the Lutheran Womenā€™s Missionary Society convention and now were visiting various WELS sites in Wisconsin.

What made this visit especially interesting was the report this group shared about a new mission effort in New Zealand. Since 2020, about two dozen members of SALEM moved from Hong Kong to New Zealand. With the help of SALEM, they formed a new mission congregation called SALEM New Zealand Lutheran Church. In the three years since, their group has grown to about 40 Chinese-speaking members. They joyfully described the blessings of their fellowship in this new land, and they were very excited to be sharing the gospel with other Chinese-speaking people there. SALEM will be continuing its support of SALEM New Zealand in the coming years.

The WELS Board for World Missions has provided some modest funding to support their effort. In addition, Missionary Matt Doebler, located in Thailand, will also be providing additional guidance and encouragement to this group.

This is a beautiful reminder that our sister church bodies around the world are not content to keep the gospel for themselves but are also dedicating time and resources to take the gospel to new places and new people.

To get a small glimpse of their faith and mission zeal, you can watch a brief video introducing you to these brothers and sisters in Christ.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

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Obituary – Steven Lance Witte

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Steven Lance Witte was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., on September 6, 1957, and officially made a child of God through baptism. He was raised in South Haven, Mich., where the Lord grew his faith at St. Paulā€™s Lutheran Church and grade school. He graduated from L.C. Mohr High School in South Haven in 1976, then followed the Lordā€™s calling to study in the pastoral ministry at Northwestern College in Watertown, Wis. Part time jobs included life guarding at the Watertown community pool and summer camp manager at Camp Lor-Ray Lutheran kids camp near Muskegon, Mich. In 1985 he completed his ministerial studies at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis. Later in 2007, Steve went on to complete a doctorate in divinity at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Boston, Mass.

He married Mary Serwe in 1982. Steve served the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod for many years: as a pastor at Emanuel Lutheran Church in New London, Wis. (07/85 – 08/01), Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Green Bay, Wis. (08/01-08/09), Asia Lutheran Seminary in Kowloon, Hong Kong (08/09-10/21), and most recently on the Asia One Team (Chiang Mai, Thailand). He was faithful, tenacious, creative, and humble in carrying out God’s missionā€”sharing the Gospel of Christ, the WORD to many, many people in Asia and beyond!

Steve and Mary had five children and 11 grandchildren. Steve, two daughters (Charis Kuehl and Lydia Witte) and three granddaughters (Stella Kuehl, Lena and Merci Henselin) all perished in a house fire on a family vacation. He is survived by wife Mary, sons Seth (Katelyn) in Egan, Minn., and Micah in Columbus, Ohio, daughter Hannah (Karl) and seven grandchildren: Isaiah and Zachary Henselin, Norah and Vera Kuehl, Josiah, Micah and Anna Witte.

Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” pretty much sums up this faithful servant’s life.

A joint memorial service for Steve and his daughter Lydia will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at St. Mark Lutheran Church in De Pere, Wis. (2066 Lawrence Dr, De Pere, WI 54115). Visitation will be from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. with the service to follow at 3:00 p.m. A livestream will also be available at this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/gZpwPbeOpEE

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation to the Steve Witte Memorial Scholarship that will help continue Rev. Dr. Steve Witte’s legacy of helping more people share the gospel with those who have not yet heard of Jesus’ love. It will assist Asia Lutheran Seminary students with tuition (or other costs associated with attending classes) who otherwise would be unable to take classes, receive training, and become leaders throughout Asia.

 

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Together Video Update – June 25, 2024

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World Missions brings the light of Godā€™s Word to the world through evangelism efforts, church planting, training national workers for ministry, and providing religious materials in foreign languages through Multi-Language Productions. God is blessing the work of WELS World Missions as it strives to go into all the world. Learn more about how WELS is spreading the gospel by watching the archived videos from this summer’s Taste of Missions celebration of WELS mission work.

 

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Latin America Mission – Spring 2024 Quarterly Update

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During the last quarter, Latin America missionaries engaged in several projects beyond their usual teaching duties and visits to church planters (sembradores) and the groups they are leading (Grupos Sembrador).

Plans were set in motion for mission counselor (consejero) residencies, a program designed for missionaries to work in-person with church planters over an extended period. The ā€œguĆ­a de metasā€, a resource that facilitates goal-setting sessions between mission counselors and church planters, underwent an update to align with the five habits of a church planting group. Concerted efforts were made to provide extra support to students taking the Discipleship One capstone course, including the introduction of a capstone course specialist role. Calls were extended to new church planters and Academia Cristo professors. A system was established to announce all acceptances via video to the student body. A pilot program was launched to provide weekly sermons to church planters. A proposed revision to the Discipleship Two curriculum has been drafted and is set for development. The team experimented with strategies to offer support and encouragement to non-group gatherers who do not have churches nearby.

Most importantly, Godā€™s Word was taught to thousands of students, students received training in church planting, and two new church plants were formed. Below, find a summary of key statistics and a snapshot of specific blessings from the quarter.

A Few Quick Stats:

  • 2.2M average weekly social media reach (user looks at the material for over three seconds)
  • 16,369 students are enrolled in self-study courses
  • 3,259 students have finished the four self-study courses
  • 232 students are enrolled in self-study courses in the U.S.
  • 911 students have completed one live course in Discipleship One with an Academia Cristo professor
  • 104 students have completed Discipleship One (13 live courses)
  • 39 students have completed Discipleship Two (8 live courses)
  • 34 church plants (Grupos Sembrador)

A snapshot of blessings during the past quarter:

1. New student orientation
Missionary Luke Beilke, in his role as Dean of Students, implemented a new student orientation program. All new students participate in a welcome session where they learn more about Academia Cristo. For their first course, they are enrolled in a course with other new students. This allows the instructor to ensure they have a positive experience. At the end of their first course, the students participate in a wrap up session which is intended to ensure clarity on how to continue their studies. Jenny Proeber, the Academia Cristo Admissions Coordinator, helps welcome the new students. She also helps coordinate and carry out these sessions. In the past quarter, three courses had over 60 finishers.

2. Teach n’ Go

New software called Teach nā€™ Go has been implemented to manage student records. It allows missionaries to track student progress, determine what courses a student has taken and needs to take, and has features to track which students are interested in doctrinal agreement and starting a group/planting a church. Lucho Herrera took the lead in setting up this software. He also helped all missionaries become trained in how to use it in instructional and multiplication work.

3. All-team, mid-quarter meetings

Last quarter, the Latin America mission team started having all-team, mid-quarter meetings. With expanded team size and multiple functions, several missionaries donā€™t interact with each other in a weekly L10 meeting. These all-team, mid-quarter meetings provide an opportunity for all missionaries to interact, share updates, review rocks, and discuss cross-functional issues.

4. 50th anniversary in Medellin, Colombia

The church in MedellĆ­n, Colombia, celebrated 50 years of worship services on Sunday, February 25. Retired Latin America Missionary Larry W. Schlomer and Latin America Missionaries Andrew Johnston and Matt Behmer attended the celebration, shared greetings, and participated in a question-and-answer session with the congregation. There was a worship service with record attendance, a meal, and fellowship time. There were also visitors from other congregations in Colombia.




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An update from the Ukrainian Lutheran Church

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God has not forgotten or forsaken his faithful in Ukraine in the midst of war. The work of the pastors of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC) is an inspiration to many. There are many new opportunities to pray with people, read portions of Scripture, have devotions, and even hold services in new mission stations. Since the beginning of the war, four new missions have begun. The Word of God comforts people in times of sadness and despair, and this is evidenced in large measure to the pastors and those lay people who have remained in their homes.

With support from WELS and WELS sister churches around the world, Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC) pastors have been able to buy and distribute needed food, medicines, fuel, and clothing to help those desperate for these daily needs. Many times these are distributed after a worship service. This way the people receive spiritual food as well as physical provisions. Bishop Horpynchuk, who serves Resurrection Lutheran Church in Kiev, said, ā€œWe thank the Lord for our brothers and sisters in WELS, and sister church bodies, for your aid that helps so many people to survive physically. Thousands of the needy around all of Ukraine have received and continue to receive food, clothes, and basic medicine. But you rescue not only bodies. All these people hear also the Word, the law and the gospel. And the Word does its work! Hundreds of people became communicant members of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church and attend the worship services faithfully.ā€

Resurrection Lutheran in Kiev has had many visitors and has now gone to two Sunday morning worship services, averaging nearly 150 worshipers each Sunday. On Pentecost Sunday in 2023, more than 70 people were confirmed in the Christian faith and now commune with their fellow members. Of those 70, nearly all of them continue to worship regularly each week.

Another example of how God can use even the worst of times to bring about wonderful blessings is told by Pastor Yuri Tytski who serves in Bereznehuvate. Due to the Russian invasion, Pastor Tytski relocated with his family to the city of Kremenets, about 500 miles away. While helping distribute aid in Kremenets, Pastor Tytski met two families who were from Snihurivka, a town very close to Bereznehuvate. He met with them, prayed with them, and began having devotions with them. After some time, when it was safe to return, Pastor Tytski went home to Bereznehuvate and the two families to their homes in Snihurivka. Pastor Tytski then continued to meet with them and have Bible studies; some of their neighbors even came. A few months ago, 30 of these people were instructed and are now members of a mission church where services are held once a month. How can one not see the hand of God at work? God caused these people to travel 500 miles where a pastor was led to them, and now they are redeemed children of God, through the blood of Jesus their Savior. Itā€™s safe to say that the war brought them together. We donā€™t always know how or why God allows the things that he does, but we rejoice in how God continues to grow his church here on earth during what we would consider the worst of times.

All the ULC Pastors are providing an invaluable service to the people of Ukraine by comforting those who they meet with Godā€™s Word and prayer. It reminds us that the kingdom often grows one person at a time. There continue to be so many people who are hurting; those who have lost loved ones, are not certain where their loved ones are, or if they are even alive. Prayers offered by pastors bring these hurting and grieving people true comfort and hope. It also reminds them that there are people who care about them, that they are not alone. Bishop summarized the attitude of the pastors and people of the ULC this way, ā€œThe war brought so much suffering, ruin, and death into our country; yet they cannot separate us from Christā€™s love and life eternal he has won for us by his holy suffering, death, and resurrection. He lives and we live in him.ā€

Thank you for your love and concern for the people of Ukraine, the pastors, and Bishop Horpynchuk, their spiritual leader and guide. Your prayers are being heard and God has been protecting his people. May God, in his mercy, bring this war to an end soon.

Written by Rev. Roger Neumann, WELS Liaison to the Ukrainian Lutheran Church




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Native Strength Network

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If you previously have not heard of Native Strength Network (NSN), well, itā€™s because it never was.

Now it is. Itā€™s a newborn nonprofit organization. The Native Christians Network is seeing an opportunity to reach Native American tribes across the country with the gospel and provide other help.

But isn’t our synod doing that already? Doesnā€™t the WELS Native American Mission already have a long history of bringing the good news of Jesus ā€“ and other help ā€“ to tribal lands?

Good question. Answer: Indeed, so. Currently, there are nine congregations, two elementary schools, and an Apache Christian Training School on two reservations, Fort Apache and San Carlos. There are worship services, Sunday Schools, youth groups, ladiesā€™ groups, menā€™s groups, Bible studies, and sermon studies already going on. Builders for Christ, Kingdom Workers, Lutheran Womenā€™s Mission Society, and so many others have contributed manpower, prayer support, and financial help in various ways at various times.

Then why are we partnering with the Native Strength Network?

Missionary Daniel Rautenberg explains:

ā€œOftentimes when weā€™re going through a difficult time someone will tell us, ‘Be strong.’ Thatā€™s not always comforting. The truth is we donā€™t have enough strength on our own. But God does. He is our strength. And when we connect to him and connect with each other in a network we are stronger together.ā€

Ah, yesā€¦connection. God connects with us through Word and sacrament. At that very same time ā€“ through those very same means ā€“ we connect with one another. Native Strength Network aspires to see more connections made as Native community members emerge as leaders, service providers, and helpers. Stronger together.

Through a generous grant, the vision of a nonprofit became a reality. In 2023, the Native Strength Network was able to hire an executive director, Andrea Semmann. With her enthusiasm, experience, and especially her love for the Lord driving her, she hit the ground running; sheā€™s been plowing the sticky ground of red tape to meet government requirements and obtain such things as an Employment Identification Number (EIN), a National Provider Identifier Standard (NPI), the Articles of Incorporation, a 501(c)3 tax exempt status, and a community service agency (CSA) status.

Whew.

But thatā€™s not all. The logo that they use? The name that it is? The board of directors? The website? All these things didnā€™t simply come into existence with a brief four-word command like, ā€œLet there be light.ā€ (Oh, that it could be that easy!) It has taken lots of work, teamwork, to brainstorm and ā€œcreateā€ Native Strength Network for what it is. And for what it will become.

And what is that?

Native Strength Network exists to serve Native American communities across the country in a holistic, peer-led approach to wellness, meeting an individualā€™s identified needs with love and compassion.

Andrea adds these thoughts:

ā€œEvery community has its own strengths that can be used to help and support fellow community members. The communities that Native Strength Network intends to serve are no different. With training and support, members of these communities can bring needed care in the areas of mental health, substance use, and overall wellness and resilience. Trained peers and mentors from the community offer support and help navigating the healthcare system to ensure that proper care is received for those struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder. By seeing every individual as a physical, emotional, and spiritual being, Native Strength Network will care for the whole person. This whole person approach is one that creates lasting change throughout a community that is caring for one another. I would love to talk to more community members about opportunities.ā€

What fuels her passion for Native Strength Network? Jesusā€™ words in John 13:34-35:

ā€œA new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.ā€

Ah, yes. Love. Easy to talk about it. Not always easy to show. Especially when it comes to challenging and complicated life situations. So itā€™s important to keep in mind Martin Lutherā€™s insightful comment:

God doesnā€™t need your good worksā€¦but your neighbor does.

What good works might our Native American brothers and sisters in Christ appreciate? Maybe these following statistics and information give us a hint as to what needs are there and how we, together, can reach out to love one another . . .

Native communities in the U.S. face challenges:

ā€¢ 300% higher drug addiction rate than the national average.
ā€¢ Suicide rate over 3.5 times higher, especially in youth aged 10-24.
ā€¢ 2.4 times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than white adults.
ā€¢ The unemployment rate frequently exceeds 70%.
ā€¢ Numerous Native communities are situated in Health Provider Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
ā€¢ Most Native Americans do have access to healthcare but may need assistance to navigate benefits.

Wow. Where does one even begin?

Hmmmā€¦ How about on oneā€™s knees in prayer for Native Strength Network?

Written by Rev. John Holtz, world missionary on the Native American Mission.Ā 

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