Meeting a growing need in the community
When Living Word, Waukesha, Wis., opened the doors to its own building in May 2021 after 18 years in a rented space, the congregation knew it wanted to meet a need...
Caring for called workers
Connected. Supported. Encouraged. We all want to feel these ways in our personal and professional lives. The same is true for congregational called workers. “While...
Spiritually supporting those in the military
For the past two years, Our Savior, San Antonio, Texas, has been offering monthly worship services at JSBA-Lackland, the site of all basic training for United States...
Webinars help Women’s Ministry fulfill its purpose
“Women’s Ministry is here to nurture and encourage and equip women to faithfully use their gifts to serve God’s kingdom,” says Rachel Halldorson, a member...
News from WELS’ sister churches
Luteranos Confesionales Colombia celebrated 50 years of preaching God’s Word in Colombia in February. What began as a three-man WELS missionary team to this Latin...
WELS podcasts: Hearts & Hands Podcast
Podcast: Hearts & Hands Podcast Hosts: Tim Babler and Drew Sonnenberg Description: “Tim Babler and Drew Sonnenberg interview creatives from around the world...
Community news: April 2024
Victory, Jacksonville, Fla., celebrated its 25th anniversary on Feb. 25. Bay Pines Lutheran School, Seminole, Fla., celebrated its 50th anniversary on Feb. 25. St....
Missionaries called to explore new world mission fields
The Board for World Missions, working alongside the various World Missions One Teams, has identified new world mission fields and is taking steps to deploy missionaries...
Community news: March 2024
On Jan. 20, 16 members of Grace, Milwaukee, Wis., helped sort more than 17,000 pounds of donated food at Hunger Task Force, which it then sent to food pantries throughout...
Where are they now? Grace, Tucson, Ariz.
In January 2019, Forward in Christ featured Grace, Tucson, Ariz., in an article discussing the blessings and challenges of mergers and multi-site ministries. Two...
Online support groups help members connect with one another and God’s Word
“In October 2022 I was a guest speaker at a conference in Phoenix,” explains Luke Italiano, pastor at Amazing Grace, Florence, Ky. “I spoke about my depression....
School offers love and support to students with special needs
When Dr. John Althoff and his wife, Jamie, discovered that their unborn baby, Elise, had Down syndrome, Althoff began researching special education options near...
Involving youth in worship
How do you get children interested in worship? St. John’s, Wauwatosa, Wis., employs several ways to involve its congregation’s youth. One of the newest implemented...
WELS news briefs: February 2024
WELS Canada | wels-canada.ca Representatives from across Canada met at St. Peter, St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, in November for the WELS Canada annual general meeting....
Community news: February 2024
Our Savior, Sun City, Ariz., celebrated its 50th anniversary on Jan. 21. The Awake and Alive Conference for young adults and young adult leaders was held Jan. 12–14...
Changes in WELS administration
Early 2024 will see changes to the administration for two areas of ministry. Missions WELS Missions welcomes Mark Gabb as the new administrator for WELS Home Missions....
WELS news briefs: January 2024
Home missions | wels.net/missions At its fall 2023 meeting, the Board for Home Missions approved a new mission start in Buffalo, Wyo. A group of 27 WELS members...
Growing in faith and fellowship
At Lamb of God, Phoenix, Ariz., a group of men gathers every month at a local restaurant to enjoy food and social connection. They call themselves the ROMEOs, or...
Community news: January 2024
WELS members in Europe gathered for a Reformation retreat from Oct. 27–29, 2023, in Frankfurt, Germany. Holy Cross, Oklahoma City, Okla., celebrated its 50th anniversary...
WELS podcasts: The Well Mind Podcast
Podcast: The Well Mind Podcast Host: Dr. Ben Kohls Description: “The primary focus of this podcast is to engage people in discussions about a broad range of topics...
Feeding your faith every single day
“How can we encourage every single person in our congregation to think about Jesus every single day?” That was the question the church leadership at St. Paul’s,...
Forward in Christ top 10 of 2023
Check them out today: Please explain: What does it mean that Jesus’ enemies would become a footstool for his feet? Finding purpose through pain Heaven’s morning...
Back to the basics: Baptism
December 3-9: The institution A very special day Can you remember the day of your baptism? Those who were baptized as infants may remember seeing pictures and hearing...
Resources to build up Christians of all ages
WELS Congregational Services created so many resources for churches in 2023 that it can be hard to keep track of them all. We’re highlighting four that can be...