About our staff

Learn more about our Forward in Christ magazine authors by viewing their photo, reading their bio and check out their latest posts. To see all posts by an author, click on their name.

James F. Pope

James Pope brings a variety of experiences to his ministry at Forward in Christ, including serving parishes in Wisconsin and Florida; teaching history, theology, and staff ministry courses at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn.; serving as the “Light for our path” columnist for FIC from 2014–2019; and answering theological questions submitted to the WELS website from 2014–2021.

View all posts

Examined and confirmed

The heavenly gardener

Jesus wept

Julie Wietzke

Julie Wietzke has served as managing editor of Forward in Christ magazine since 2006. Since she began working at WELS Communication Services in 1995, she has written hundreds (thousands?) of articles for the synod. Her favorite part of the job: getting to talk to WELS members around the world about their faith and then being able to share their stories with Forward in Christ readers. She also enjoys turning a flicker of an idea into an article or a series in the magazine and finding the right authors to tell the story

View all posts

My Christian life: God reunites a mother and her daughter

A delightful trouble

My Christian life: Leading as a Christian in the business world

Nicole Balza

Nicole Balza finds her greatest joy as a writer to be . . . editing the work of other writers. Helping an author take her writing to the next level is a thrill. Preserving an author’s voice but improving his final product is a balancing act, but it’s one that she relishes. Nicole began working for WELS Communication Services in 1999. Writing, editing, serving as the host of a bi-weekly newsmagazine—there’s plenty of variety and never time to be bored. Plus, she has a front-row seat to the synod’s neatest ministry stories. Nicole also manages Forward in Christ magazine’s parenting column, Parent conversations, and the magazine’s website. She and her husband, Rob, live in Germantown, Wis., with their three children. Find more articles authored by her.

View all posts

Experience is the best teacher

Parent conversations: How does a parent’s role change over time?

Parent conversations: How can parents and kids manage stress?

Stephanie Boeckman

Stephanie Boeckman is a member at Our Savior, Grafton, Wisconsin.

View all posts

Confessions of faith: Erik Alair

My Christian life: Fulfilling physical and spiritual needs

WELS podcasts: Casting Nets

Ann Jahns

Ann Jahns and her husband, Thad, are members of Victory of the Lamb, Franklin, Wisconsin. They have three 20-something sons. Find more articles authored by her.

View all posts

Confessions of faith: Anna Linden

Confessions of faith: Nick and Lacey Wagner

My Christian life: Premature twins defy medical odds

Amanda Klemp

Amanda Klemp is the Editorial Projects Manager for WELS Communication Services. A lifelong WELS member, Amanda feels very blessed to use her professional skills to serve WELS ministries. She resides in Iowa, working remotely, with her husband, three children, and two dogs.

View all posts

Confessions of faith: Alicia Heintz

My Christian life: Born deaf to a hearing family

Confessions of faith: Dale Anne Mondy

Steven Pagels

Steven Pagels is a professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisconsin.

View all posts

Please explain: Why are only Christians’ works good, but the same works by others are not?

Carianne Ciriacks

Carianne Ciriacks has served as designer for Forward in Christ magazine since 1999.

View all posts

FIC Designer