Women serve in world missions

In the same way that women actively served in the work of the early Christian church, WELS is using women’s gifts to share the gospel with other women in situations where it may be culturally inappropriate for men to do so. Larry Schlomer, administrator for WELS World Missions, explains how this is happening today.

In our mission work in the Dominican Republic, I was often amazed at what my wife learned during a visit. I would be outside talking with the men while the women prepared a meal inside, with lively conversation and a lovely sense of sisterhood. That was territory where men weren’t “allowed.” My wife came away knowing more about the families, their challenges, and the spiritual life of the home than I had learned outside. I could not have ministered nearly as effectively without the insight she gained in conversations I simply could not have had. I wrote more about why those opportunities matter in a recent “Straight talk: Women in world missions” article in Forward in Christ magazine.

Today, WELS World Missions has three women serving in full-time missionary roles across three regions of the world. While their day-to-day work can be as varied as the three different continents where they live and work, they share a common focus: building relationships with women, encouraging them in God’s Word, and equipping them to share that Word with others.

Here’s a glimpse at what that work looks like.

Cindy Lendt – Asia-Oceania

In August, Cindy Lendt moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand, to begin serving as the Asia-Oceania Team’s women’s ministry coordinator. She is meeting with missionaries and ministry partners to learn about needs and opportunities for women’s ministry throughout the region. She is also exploring opportunities to coach women in Asia, including a woman in India who has completed TELL Network courses.

A recent conversation with an Indonesian Christian woman offered a glimpse of what this ministry could look like. As they talked about how Jesus interacted with and valued women in the gospel of John, their lively interaction sparked needed conversations about future opportunities for women’s ministry in Indonesia.

Jennifer Wolfgramm – Europe

Jennifer Wolfgramm, women’s ministry coordinator for the Europe Team, continues connecting women with God’s Word across borders. She leads an online inter-European Bible study and recently completed Bible Information Classes with her first student, who is preparing for confirmation. She also is preparing Bible studies and devotions for a women’s retreat in Finland. Jennifer recently shared more about the online Bible study, which brings together women from different countries for time in God’s Word and Christian fellowship.

Elise Gross – Latin America

Elise Gross, director of women’s ministry for Academia Cristo, is coaching women involved in church-planting efforts in Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Argentina. She is guiding three women through the confession of faith process, studying together to make sure they share the same biblical beliefs, and she recently taught an Academia Cristo course attended by more than 60 women. One example of this ministry in action is Elise’s connection with Nahir, an Academia Cristo student, who became the first confessional WELS Lutheran in Uruguay and now shares God’s Word with others.

These women aren’t carrying out a separate mission. They are part of the mission Christ has given his church, using the gifts and opportunities God has given them to share his Word and strengthen fellow believers. We pray that the Lord continues to open doors for this work so that more people may know Christ and share his Word with others.

Rev. Larry Schlomer
Administrator, WELS World Missions

Learn more about women in world missions.

Watch the October WELS Connection and discover how God is opening doors for gospel outreach through women in unique and meaningful ways around the world.

We thank the Lord of the Church for providing women missionaries who have hearts for advancing the gospel, and we ask his richest blessings on their missions and the women they are reaching.

Serving together with you in Christ,

WELS President Mark Schroeder