About our staff

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.

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

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

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

Samuel C. Degner is Professor of Evangelism and New Testament at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. He, his wife, and three children attend Christ Alone in Thiensville, Wisconsin.

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