According to its “About” page, the made. known. website is dedicated to “walking with you in faith through identity, gender, and sexuality.” The site, launched in summer 2024, was developed by WELS Committee on Identity, Gender, and Sexuality, which serves under WELS Discipleship and includes pastors, counselors, teachers, and other WELS members.

“We especially wanted to reach high school- to college-age people who might be struggling with their own sexual or gender identity,” explains Greg Lyon, chairman of the committee and campus pastor at Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, Wis. “We wanted the chance to show them that God sees them and can carry them through their own struggles. We also wanted them to see that they are not alone. We all know what it’s like to live a life of struggle. Just look at Paul in Romans 7! So, we want people who are struggling to know that there are people in the church who want to walk with them in their struggle.”

The site also provides insights for parents, families, and friends to learn how to care for a loved one who might be struggling. made. known. balances both audiences well. It presents the stories of those struggling with identity, gender, and sexuality issues, as well as devotions and articles that discuss common issues Christians deal with as they approach these topics through the lens of faith.

The tone of the site is reflected in its full name, “Wonderfully Made and Fully Known,” which is taken from Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” and 1 Corinthians 13:12, “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

“People are probably coming to this website at a time when they are facing some of the biggest challenges they’ve ever faced,” says Lyon. “With that in mind, we wanted the tone to be welcoming and encouraging. We wanted the website to help people engage in discussion. We also understand that often times there are not one-size-fits-all answers to every situation. God’s Word does not change. God’s beautiful design of our bodies and his design for marriage does not change. However, how we apply biblical truths to different situations will be unique to each person’s needs.”

“When people are involved, life is messy,” notes Donn Dobberstein, director of WELS Discipleship. “As we developed this site, we wanted to preserve doctrinal integrity while walking alongside someone. It’s a delicate balance that involves both law and gospel. It isn’t just about Bible passages but also human relationships.”

In order to continue to grow those relationships, made. known. also offers opportunities to connect with a pastor, to ask questions through an online form, or to attend an in-person presentation.

Learn more at madeknown.net.

Author: FIC
Volume 112, Number 03
Issue: March 2025