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Richard Gurgel started in his new role as president of Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., in July. With the COVID-19 pandemic still in place, Gurgel is starting his…
In July 2013, Forward in Christ reported on ALHS Online, a collaborative effort of the WELS Association of Lutheran High Schools (ALHS) to offer high quality online courses to expand…
At some point in our lives, every one of us has been blessed through the actions of a skilled and caring nurse. Each day in the U.S., millions of nurses…
WELS Christian Aid and Relief and Good Shepherd, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, partnered to organize cleanup after storms blew through the Midwest in August. The line of storms, called a derecho,…
The vision of Kingdom Prep Lutheran High School, in Wauwatosa, Wis., says it all: “Where young men develop their God-given gifts to lead in the home, serve in the church,…
“COVID-19 affected so much this spring and summer,” notes Brad Taylor, secretary of the South Central District. “District conventions were no different.” WELS’ 12 districts canceled their in-person conventions that…
NORTHERN WISCONSIN Grace, Oshkosh, Wis., dedicated its new school addition on Aug. 22. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! WW—Paul E. Kante celebrated 50 years in the pastoral ministry on July 26. Kante currently…
“It just wasn’t going to work to host an in-person soccer camp this year because of health concerns with the coronavirus,” explains Kurt Wetzel, pastor at Cross of Christ, Boise/…
From its inaugural 1964 convention in Winona, Minn., to its 2019 convention in Des Moines, Iowa, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) has faithfully hosted annual conventions for the past…
Two new men joined the staff at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry (CMM), Waukesha, Wis., in July. Paul Patterson is serving as the associate director of the Commission…
WELS schools around the country were faced with the difficult job this summer of determining what school is going to look like in the fall, after the 2019–20 school year…
Chaplains in Schools, a WELS-affiliated organization, is set to reach nearly 3,000 students in seven different Christian voucher schools in the Milwaukee area with the gospel this school year. Because…
“Every time I hang out with one of my brothers, I gain nuggets of wisdom that stick with me,” says Paul Bourman, who graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis.,…
It might not originally have been on his list to do that day, but when Mark Luetzow, a member at Christ, Saginaw, Mich., heard that people needed help cleaning up…
Ever ask yourself, “Who are these people who write for Forward in Christ?” Through this series, you can find out. This summer, Forward in Christ welcomes Richard Lauersdorf to the…
View the musical tributes produced by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and Martin Luther College. Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary tribute | Martin Luther College tribute To see Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary's graduates, visit forwardinchrist.net/2020-wls-grads. …
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one…
In June, Dan Sims will begin his work as the new full-time director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief. “As much as I will miss parish ministry, I’m really excited…
WELS Missions and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) are partnering to offer Taste and See, a first-of-its-kind free online mission event, from June 27–July 11. This new opportunity to…
WELS Commission on Discipleship is offering devotions developed for the entire family to use. The devotions coincide with the previous Sunday’s Bible readings. Each devotion is complete with a set…
One of the many groups served by WELS Commission on Special Ministries is military service members and their families. One way the commission does this is through military contact pastors—pastors…
They’ve been referred to as “a model of can-do blindness”—and those who know Sue and Larry Povinelli would certainly agree with that description. Sue, a federal government employee, and Larry,…
WELS President Mark Schroeder shares the following about the June district conventions: After thorough discussion and with great reluctance, the Conference of Presidents (COP) has concluded that the district conventions,…
Volume 107, Number 7 Issue: July 2020 To see Martin Luther College's graduates, visit forwardinchrist.net/2020-graduations.
We are to forgive others, but the journey can be difficult. I needed to forgive my father. But for the life of me, I could not figure out how. Trying…
WELS Multi-Language Publications has officially changed its name to WELS Multi-Language Productions (MLP). This change reflects how the work of MLP has evolved with technology and has expanded beyond printed…
GEORGIA | NEW YORK Four congregations in Georgia—Abiding Grace, Covington; Faith, Sharpsburg; Beautiful Savior, Marietta; and Sola Fide, Lawrenceville—sent a 16-foot truck to Sure Foundation, Queens, N.Y., filled with supplies…
Sam Kleinschmidt, a member at Crown of Life, a multi-site congregation in California, perhaps didn’t know what to expect when he agreed to serve as power of attorney for an…
WESTERN WISCONSIN St. John, Barre Mills, Wis., celebrated its 150th anniversary on March 1. The congregation first worshiped together on March 2, 1870, in a farmhouse that is still standing…
To help introduce WELS members to the hymnal and additional resources coming out in late 2021, the WELS Hymnal Project and Northwestern Publishing House have developed a new website, christianworship.com.…
Victorious! It’s a message that the world needs to hear today. “Many people in our country feel defeated by life. Many are being defeated by disease. All will eventually be…
ARIZONA-CALIFORNIA St. Peter, Clovis, Calif., held its first live nativity in December 2019. MINNESOTA On Jan. 26, St. Paul, New Ulm, Minn., held a dedication service and…
What a difference a year makes. On Oct. 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael blew through Panama City as a category five hurricane, severely damaging the church and parsonage of Amazing Grace…
For the past five years, teens from St. John, Wauwatosa, Wis., have hit the road each summer to drive across the country. What were they doing? Helping mission churches reach…
WELS Congregational Services hosted the first ever WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership in Chicago, Jan. 21–23. Approximately 800 people, representing about 350 WELS congregations, met to hear five plenary…
Last summer, St. Peter, Modesto, Calif., decided to try something new with its summer programs for kids. The congregation had been conducting a morning soccer Bible camp each year aimed…
In 2018, God's grace opened the door to an unprecedented mission opportunity for our synod. The communist Vietnamese government invited WELS to build a theological education facility in the capital…
This month’s “This is WELS” features photos from congregations about how their members show Christian love. Here are a few stories behind the photos: St. Croix Lutheran Academy, West St.…
Dakota-Montana Student volunteers from Great Plains Lutheran High School, Watertown, S.D., held a Christmas party for its New Friends group in the school gymnasium on Dec. 15, 2019. This gathering…
South Central The core group of WELS’ newest home mission congregation, Hope, Houston, Texas, has been meeting for Bible studies in a community room/co-working space that a local realty office…
Minnesota St. John, St. Clair, Minn., celebrated its 150th anniversary on Nov. 3, 2019.
Southeastern Wisconsin St. John's on the Hillside, Milwaukee, Wis., (pictured) celebrated its 171st anniversary on Dec. 5, 2019. St. Matthew, Port Washington, Wis., celebrated its 40th anniversary on Nov. 3, 2019. On…
Arizona-California Gloria Dei, Belmont, Calif., reports that it completed a “refresh” of its sanctuary in November 2019.
The WELS Retirement Strategy Committee, a special committee appointed by the Synodical Council several years ago, has announced proposed changes to the WELS retirement program. It is proposed that the…
World Missions missionspromotions@wels.net; 414-256-3237 The Russian Lutheran Church celebrated 25 years of God’s blessings on Nov. 3, 2019. Members gathered together in Akademgorodok for a joint worship service celebrating the…
Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., held its mid-year graduation on Dec. 19, 2019. Three students graduated with their bachelor of science degree, and nine students graduated with their bachelor…
God provides exciting new mission opportunities through a Christian from South Asia. “Put the best minds in World Missions in a room. Tell them to come up with a plan…
In celebration of its 25th anniversary in 2020, Martin Luther College (MLC), with the approval of the Conference of Presidents, has begun a two-year capital campaign called “Equipping Christian Witnesses.”…
“Your gifts, God’s blessings: An annual report to our members” is available in January. The 2020 report highlights the blessings that God has showered on WELS through the gifts of…
Richard Gurgel has accepted the call to serve as president of WELS’ college of ministry, Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn. He will begin his new call on July…