It all started with a good story. Pastor Tony Schultz had collected many interesting objects throughout his life—some of them from his travels across Africa, Asia, and South America. He began giving little talks about them at local congregations. Word traveled fast, and soon he was sharing his “object lessons” at meetings, banquets, and rallies for different WELS groups.

“Jerry Kastens worked at the synod office, and he saw one of my talks,” remembers Schultz. “I had filled three tables with interesting things like a stuffed rainforest piranha; a Bethlehem shepherd’s rod; a lamb skin; and a little toy dog, Scruffy.” Kastens, who was the administrator for WELS Youth Discipleship at the time, asked Schultz if he’d be interested in turning those object lessons into devotions for children. Schultz agreed, and they worked together to film two of the lessons—and the Kids Connection video series was born.

Thirty years and nearly three hundred episodes later, Kids Connection continues to be a beloved video series, used by churches, schools, and families throughout WELS. Designed to help young viewers stay connected to Jesus, the episodes highlight the purpose, excitement, and joy of a living faith. Each episode for the past 30 years has ended with a message from Schultz.

Schultz says it’s been a wonderful experience working on this series and seeing its impact. He says, “I was doing a hospital visit, and one of the nurses said, ‘Your voice sounds so familiar. Are you Pastor Schultz from Kids Connection? I watched those videos growing up, and now my children watch them, too.’ ”

He continues, “Parents watch them, kids watch them, and they all remember them. By the grace of God, the Holy Spirit makes these little object lessons really stick in their hearts and minds.”

Schultz hopes to continue making Kids Connection devotions and reaching as many people as possible. “Jesus has blessed me so richly!” he says. “It is by grace alone that Jesus has allowed me to make these devotions. All the glory belongs to Jesus for enabling me to know what to say and how to say it so that law and gospel are spread.”

Learn more about Kids Connection and watch its 30th anniversary special at wels.net/kidsconnection.

Alicia Neumann

Q&A with Pastor Tony Schultz

A FAVORITE EPISODE: Jesus healed a leper

“I got ashes from fireplaces and fire pits, and I smeared them on my face and arms so I looked ‘ashen.’ Then I explained what leprosy was and how lepers couldn’t have contact with anyone. When I was filming that, I thought about what it would be like if I couldn’t hold my grandchildren or hug my wife. By the time we were done filming that episode, we were all crying.”

INTERESTING PLACES HE’S FILMED: In a thorny weed patch, in a marsh, and in the forest

“About 90 percent of the time, these devotions get filmed in one take. It is a feeling of thanks and praise when we finish filming four or five devotions and then go out for caramel lattes and sandwiches!”

SOMETHING VIEWERS MIGHT NOT KNOW: Being on camera makes Schultz nervous

“For days before filming, I think and pray about what to say for my devotion. We want to say the law and gospel as succinctly as possible! . . . It can be scary for those couple of hours during filming, but then it’s done and the videos are ready to edit. Thanks to [producers] Steve Boettcher and Kris Snyder for their fruits of faith and kind encouragement!”

Author: Alicia Neumann
Volume 112, Number 01
Issue: January 2025