Easter outreach program available
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…
Church in Panama City rededicated after hurricane
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…
Mission trips provide new perspectives and opportunities
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…
Lutheran leadership conference a success
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…
Book nook: 5-minute Bible Studies for Teens
Bible studies for teens Clark Schultz’s 5-Minute Bible Studies for Teens is a great devotion book for modern teenagers. The short devotions are meaningful, yet they do not take up…
A new twist on vacation Bible school
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…
Members support Vietnam outreach
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…
Stories of Christian love
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
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
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…
Meet the editorial staff: Snowden Sims
Meet the editorial staff Ever ask yourself, “Who are these people who write for Forward in Christ?” Through this series, you can find out. This month, Forward in Christ welcomes…
Southeastern Wisconsin
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
Arizona-California Gloria Dei, Belmont, Calif., reports that it completed a “refresh” of its sanctuary in November 2019.
Proposed changes to improve retirement benefits
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…
WELS news briefs: February 2020
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…
MLC mid-year graduates
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…
Question and answer: Equipping Christian Witnesses: Part 3
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.”…
WELS Connections: 2020 report highlights God’s blessings
“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…
New president at Martin Luther College
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…
Changes in East Asia mission field
The Board for World Missions has decided to pull the East Asia Team missionaries and families out of their focus country because of security concerns. The East Asia missionaries and…
Meet the editorial staff: Greg Lyon
Ever ask yourself, “Who are these people who write for Forward in Christ?” Through this series, you can find out. “I am incredibly fascinated by people and how their experiences—positive…
Meet the editorial staff: David Scharf
Ever ask yourself, “Who are these people who write for Forward in Christ?” Through this series, you can find out. David Scharf, professor at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm,…
Question and answer about Equipping Christian Witnesses – Part 2
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.” The…
Lighthouse Youth Center opens third location
After every school day, Lighthouse Youth Center provides safe, encouraging, Christ-centered environments to children ages 10 to 18 in Milwaukee. Through its healthy outlets for recreation, consistent support for education,…
A front-row seat to WELS Waukesha campus ministry
Please Lord! Just send two or three college students to our gathering tonight. That was my initial prayer in September 2016 for my first campus ministry event held on the…
Book nook: Purposeful Grieving
One who is grieving is often challenged to find someone who relates to their situation, and Stacey Hoehl is able to offer connection through her writing. In her book Purposeful Grieving: Embracing God’s Plan in the Midst of Loss, Hoehl admits to tantrums and wrestling…
Insights into Lutheran leadership
WELS Congregational Services will host the WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago on Jan. 21–23. Two of the presenters at that conference, Adam Mueller, pastor at Redeemer, Tucson, Ariz., and Luke Thompson, pastor at St.…
Wrapped in God’s comfort
Gabriella Blauert At the end of a long day, many enjoy burrowing beneath their blankets to receive rest and comfort. For some, a blanket or quilt can mean more than…
The Obadiah Lutheran Synod in Uganda has more than 700 baptized members in 11 churches, including these members or Nairika Lutheran Church.
Gospel outreach opportunities in Africa
Opportunities for gospel connections are flourishing across Africa. Christian groups in Uganda, Liberia, Mozambique, and more are learning about WELS and Lutheran doctrine and reaching out for fellowship. One of these church bodies, Lutheran Congregations in Ministry for Christ in Kenya, reached…
Question and answer about Equipping Christian Witnesses – Part 1
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.” The…
New partners in Christ through Convention
Representatives from church bodies in Kenya and Taiwan traveled a long way to be at the synod convention in Minnesota this summer—and not just in miles. Their journeys were very…
Lutheran Leadership Conference coming in 2020
WELS Congregational Services will host the first WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago, Ill., Jan. 21-23. WELS Congregational Services works under the Conference of Presidents to help congregations…
Academia Cristo brings new opportunities to share the gospel
Academia Cristo began in 2015 with a primary goal to help people start churches in Latin America that faithfully preach and teach God’s Word. “We provide resources, and train and connect people to a network…
A summer of faith, fellowship and fun
This summer, WELS members have been blessed with countless opportunities to connect with others in fellowship and faith. Enjoy these photos and takeaways from some of the synod’s biggest summertime events! WELS EdTechLead Summit—June 25-27 About the event: The WELS Education, Technology, and Leadership Summit (EdTechLead)…
New Bible translation available – EHV
A new translation of the Bible—the Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)—is now available from Northwestern Publishing House (NPH). More than one hundred people—pastors, professors, teachers, and laypeople—have been working on the translation since 2013,…
Being a welcoming congregation
As part of its Welcome Home initiative, WELS Congregational Services has released a series of videos to address some of the most common reasons Christians stop attending church and how to show love and minister to these members. Nate Bourman, pastor at Mount Lebanon,…
Learning about God’s timing
In April 2018, WELS Board for Home Missions approved funding for a new mission in Joplin, Mo. In May 2019, Jordan Bence was assigned to serve as the home missionary…
Congregational Services launches Welcome Home
“Welcome home.” It’s what one says to a spouse who’s been gone on a business trip or to a child who’s been away at school. With a new program from WELS Congregational…
New location for Northwestern Publishing House
Northwestern Publishing House (NPH) has moved. In May, it packed up its offices and relocated to its new home, the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry (CMM), the synod’s headquarters…
WELS World Missions updates
Vietnam In April, WELS leaders, including Mark Schroeder, WELS president; Larry Schlomer, World Missions administrator; Sean Young, director of Missions Operations; and Bounkeo Lor, Hmong Asia ministry coordinator, traveled to Vietnam to…
Moments with missionaries: Hendersonville, North Carolina
Paul E. Zell I was practicing my sermon on a recent Sunday morning when I got a phone call. Doris* wanted to confirm what time the service was. “I can’t come to church today,…
Spreading special ministries to Ethiopia
With many prayers, support from WELS members, and a partnership with WELS Special Ministries, the Lutheran Church of Ethiopia (LCE), WELS’ sister synod, is now the owner of a Braille embosser to help the many visually…
Let your light shine: Justman
When Herbert Justman, a member at Zion, Allenton, Wis., learned about the opportunity for WELS to establish a theological training facility for Hmong pastors in Hanoi, Vietnam, he said he…
WELS Mission Journeys: Short-term mission trips that inspire a lifelong journey of service and outreach
Escondido, California This past February, 11 members from Resurrection and Life, Rochester, Minn., traveled to Ascension, Escondido, Calif., to assist the congregation with local outreach. Together, they canvassed the neighborhoods of Escondido and San Marcos, Calif., sharing the gospel in nearly one thousand homes…
Audio: A new voice for WELS Daily Devotions
The audio version of the WELS Daily Devotions now features a new voice: Zach Steinke. Steinke is a senior at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS), Mequon, Wis., with prior experience in…
Finding a spiritual home in Atlanta
Spenser hadn’t been to church in years. He found himself wandering in faith and unsure of his beliefs. Moving to the city of Atlanta had provided him with a great…
Hope after the storm in Puerto Rico
Rev. Timothy Satorius Three visitors! No big deal on some Sundays . . . lost in the crowd at some churches . . . a below-average turnout on many occasions.…
Novotny takes over for Jeske at Time of Grace
“Pastor Jeske leaves a legacy of teaching the Bible in a way that is accessible, interesting, and grace-centered,” says Mike Novotny, pastor at The CORE, Appleton, Wis. “The most frequent…
Moments with missionaries: Waukegan, Illinois
Two Cultures. One Ministry. Seth P. Haakenson I often tell people that the first thing they’ll say in heaven is not “Wow!”, but “Oh!” In other words, in heaven we’ll…