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…
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.”…
Shepherd of the Valley launch service
Nebraska Shepherd of the Valley, Candelas, Colo., held its official launch service on Oct. 6, 2019. Jeremy Belter, home missionary for Shepherd of the Valley, reports: “Every seat was filled.…
50th anniversary: Beautiful Saviour, Carlsbad, Calif.
Arizona-California Beautiful Saviour, Carlsbad, Calif., celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sept. 29, 2019. Pictured from left: Silas Krueger (previous pastor), Jon Mahnke (first resident pastor), Wayne Uhlhorn (current pastor), and…
Middle School Honors Band Festival 2019
Northern Wisconsin Fox Valley Lutheran High School, Appleton, Wis., hosted the third annual WELS Middle School Honors Band Festival on Nov. 16, 2019. Students from ten WELS high schools attended.
WELS Choralfest 2019
Northern Wisconsin The 2019 WELS National Choralfest was held Nov. 8-10, 2019, at Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Fond du Lac, Wis. It included a pops concert and a sacred concert with…
Pheng Moua: 20th anniversary in ministry
Minnesota Happy anniversary! MN—Immanuel Hmong, St. Paul, Minn., celebrated the 20th anniversary in the pastoral ministry of Pheng Moua.
Truck strikes Christ, North St. Paul, Minn.
Minnesota A semi-trailer truck crashed into Christ, North St. Paul, Minn., on Nov. 6, 2019. The driver misjudged the height of the portico. No one was injured.
Cross of Christ, North Nampa, Idaho, launches first service
Pacific Northwest Cross of Christ, North Nampa, Idaho, launched its first worship service in a local restaurant on Nov. 25, 2019. Cross of Christ is a multi-site congregation that is…
Messiah, Olympia, Wash., rededicates church
Pacific Northwest Messiah, Olympia, Wash., rededicated its church building on Aug. 4, 2019, after a fire destroyed the building in 2017.
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…
A life like Mr. Panza’s
Andrew C. Schroer Mr. Panza is 97 years old. He lives in the nursing home down the road from my house. Over the last year, he and I have become…
A Bible story just for me
Using Bible stories to examine characteristics of God that we never thought about, characteristics that apply to what we’re facing right now. Gregory C. Lyon Take a few moments to…
A thought: Partners
Partners I admit that sometimes when I read the epistles of the New Testament, I easily skip over the first couple of verses. In those verses, Paul, who wrote most…
The divine family
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are united in planning and carrying out our salvation. Joel J. Gawrisch Marriage requires commitment and unity. Once husband and wife begin…
Please explain: What makes God unique?
What makes our Christian God different from other gods? Daniel N. Balge Sometimes a question does not really need an answer. Sometimes a question is actually making a statement and nothing…
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,…
Parent conversations: Dealing with stress
From day-to-day stressors like homework and whom to sit next to at lunch to larger stressors like changing schools or facing a family medical issue, our children are not immune…
Bible study: God wants me in heaven
David Scharf There are many versions of the phrase “God wants me to be happy.” “God wants me to be rich.” “God wouldn’t want me to rush into marriage, so…
I just had an epiphany!
Coming between Christmas and Lent, Epiphany has an important message for us. Samuel C. Degner In everyday English, an epiphany is a revelation or an insight. For example, a woman…
Q&A: Doesn’t God want me to be happy?
If God wants what is best for me, wouldn’t he want me to be happy? Clarifying the question Many people think, “God just wants me to be happy.” In one…
President’s message: Safe in the power of God
Mark G. Schroeder It’s easy to forget that gospel ministry—and even living as a confessing disciple of Jesus Christ—can be risky. Recent political unrest in Ethiopia caused some frightening moments…
Devotion: Resolutions of faith
“For this very reason, after applying every effort, add moral excellence to your faith. To moral excellence, add knowledge. To knowledge, add self-control. To self-control, add patient endurance. To patient…
Confessions of faith: Hartman
A knock on the door starts a lifelong journey of faith. Julie K. Wietzke It was a night Mark Hartman says he will never forget. It was summer 1981 in…
My Christian life: Haiti adoptions
Adopting two children from Haiti brought blessings beyond what anyone expected. Paul S. Steinberg I've always wanted a large family. I joked with my friends that I hoped to have one…
Word became flesh
God reveals a stunning, glorious, and gracious truth for us all at Christmas. Paul E. Zell “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” How so? Open Holy…
God’s forgiveness
Guilt from an abortion consumed a woman until she began to believe and hold on to God’s promise of forgiveness. Pamela K. Manske A soft, gentle rain was falling that…
Put on the new self(ie)!
We can all live in peace knowing how God sees us. Andrew D. Schwartz Ahh, the selfie. I wonder how many of them were taken over the Christmas and New…
Recovered in Christ
A former addict finds peace and healing in the promises of God’s Word. Rachel M. Hartman After drinking with friends on the weekends in high school, Mark Keller* watched alcohol…
God loves the doubters
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be…
Teen Talk: Walking on a tightrope
Life’s challenges seem difficult, but God is there to help. Natalie Zirbel Growing up, I lived on a farm. My siblings and I loved living on the farm, and there…
Focus on what is ahead
Mark G. Schroeder People who are near-sighted can see clearly what is right in front of their eyes. But when objects are farther away, they get blurry and out of…
All I want for Christmas
Glenn L. Schwanke Age 7: “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, see my two front teeth.” Age 9: “I want an official…
Don’t forget Advent
In the midst of Christmas chaos and crowds, Advent points us to what is important. Stephen M. Luchterhand The countdown for next Christmas began the day after Christmas last year—364…
Heirs of heaven
John A. Braun What does God see and know about us humans? We often think that he has forgotten us, but God sees all that we have done, all that…
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,…
Confessions of faith: Fleck
A long journey ends with faith in Jesus and a desire to serve him. Amanda M. Klemp At age 66, Daryl Fleck is retired and lives in New Ulm, Minnesota.…
Bible Study: The incarnation of our Lord
Paul E. Zell For many congregations, the Gospel of the Day is the keynote for each worship service. The Gospel for Christmas Day is John 1:1-4. Based on that reading,…
Christmas really happened
The gospels tell the truth of a birth that really matters. Jeffrey L. Samelson “Hey, Sally, you know this stuff. We got a kids’ Christmas book donated—all about baby Jesus…
Heart to heart: Parent conversations: Nurture a proper view of stuff?
How can we nurture a proper view of “stuff”? Every year as Christmas rolls around, I can’t help but take stock of all the “stuff” my family has. This year…
Light for our path: God hates us?
My friend believes that God hates us. He argues that God hates sin, and we are sinful; therefore, God hates us to the core of our being. I pointed out…
What I learned by answering questions
After six years, the author of the “Light for our path” column shares his insights. James F. Pope Six years ago, I knew my life was going to change. What…
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…
For the Lord’s glory – Part 2
The new hymnal will be filled with hymns that will encourage a new generation to sing the gospel. Aaron L. Christie The end of the year is a prime time to survey the…
Confessions of faith: Kalbach
A man shares how Jesus changed his life forever. Steven H. Prahl I first met Dave and Connie Kalbach when they walked in the doors for our Christmas Eve service.…