Reaching out to new people groups with the gospel
For Christians in the developed world, it’s hard to imagine places where the gospel cannot be easily shared. In fact, of the more than 8 billion people alive today, as…
Christ through us: Commission
Our focus for 2025–2035 The new long-range strategic plan names four priorities for WELS to focus on for the next ten years. These sweeping areas tackle the challenges the church—and…
Confessions of faith: Juan Reyes
Meet Juan Reyes, a new church planter in Tenancingo, Mexico, and a man who is always learning. Juan Reyes has spent his life learning. He learned how to be a…
Where are they now? Lawrence McCatty
In March 2022, Forward in Christ introduced readers to Lawrence and Caroline McCatty, a couple from Gloucester, England. While in the United States for Lawrence’s job, they discovered the truth…
Seven new home missions approved
In September WELS Board for Home Missions met and approved seven new missions toward the synodwide goal of starting 100 new missions and enhancing 75 ministries by 2033. “With the…
New administrator poised to seize opportunities for ministerial education
Charlie Vannieuwenhoven will begin serving as administrator of WELS Board for Ministerial Education in January 2026. Vannieuwenhoven, a 1998 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, currently serves as dean of students…
Christ through us: Calling
Our focus for 2025–2035 The new long-range strategic plan names four priorities for WELS to focus on for the next ten years. These sweeping areas tackle the challenges the church—and…
Confessions of faith: Brett and Vanessa Gilbertson
A science camp offers an opportunity for self-proclaimed “denominational vagabonds” to discover Lutheranism and consider full-time gospel ministry. Seeing a banner for an airplane-themed science camp for ages 3 and…
Ministry recruitment counselors begin their work
When asked how they first considered becoming a pastor, teacher, or staff minister, many called workers point to someone who noticed their gifts and gently encouraged them to consider ministry.…