Working together to improve ministry

We are pleased to update you regarding the intended integration of WELS Prison Ministry (PM) into Institutional Ministries (IM). First, let us assure all of you that while this process continues, we remain committed to our primary mission of sharing Jesus with those who are incarcerated and their families. Note that IM has other people beyond correctional care that will also receive their due attention, but the integration with WELS PM will focus on the correctional care efforts of both ministries. We’re striving to make sure administrative tasks don’t overwhelm our gospel-sharing efforts.

Integration done well is challenging. We are planning how best to continue to carry out our ministry activities in a way that avoids duplication and effectively spreads the gospel. We are being careful and trying to do this well without rushing. In the first half of 2025, we are identifying all the tasks we need to integrate and assigning teams to tackle them. The tasks include our communication efforts, managing finances, tracking ministry and database integration, as well as enhancing our ministry-by-mail (both physical and digital) and face-to-face efforts. We expect the entire process to take up to two years. Fortunately, we have found ways to partner as separate ministries for several years. Working together is nothing new for us. Historically, IM has been the most active distributor of WELS PM Bible study booklets. The two ministries have also collaborated for training activities and materials for at least the last 15 years.

We are truly grateful for all of you who have supported PM’s ministry with your prayers, volunteer time, and financial support over the years. We want to assure you that your support is and will continue to be vital to us as we integrate and beyond. This ministry does not exist without you. Because of this, we have special requests as we work towards an integration.

• Above all, keep praying for us and the people we serve. We can’t make the integration happen without God’s love.
• If you are a volunteer, we encourage you to continue to serve as you have been. We are seeking to keep much of the volunteer ministry the same or similar to roles we have had in the past. (Some changes to roles were already in progress before integration. For example, Bible course test correcting has added an option for online test correction, apart from the integration. Your current contacts for your volunteer efforts will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
• While it will likely take some time to consolidate the financial aspects of the work, we want to assure our faithful donors that their gifts will enable gospel ministry to continue through this process. We urge donors of either ministry to continue to support us using whatever process you have used previously. We will keep you apprised of any changes as the process unfolds.

Thank you for your interest in and support of this vital and fulfilling ministry to these lost or straying souls. What you do for “the least of these” brothers and sisters in Jesus, you do for him.

Dave Hochmuth
Administrator, WELS Prison Ministry

Phil Henselin
Executive Director, Institutional Ministries