Faith in Jesus
John A. Braun I believe. I say those words regularly with others as we confess what we believe. I believe in a specific God who has stepped into history for all humanity. When…
The Book of Revelation: Part 10
Comfort in the midst of conflict: Revelation 20 Timothy J. Westendorf Chapter 20 introduces the seventh and final vision. Many Christians have been taught to expect a coming millennial (thousand-year) reign of Jesus on earth based,…
Returning by the power of God
A native Paraguayan finds motivation from the gospel to revisit her country and share the message of Christ with residents there. Rachel Hartman Earlier on in her life, Juliana Kennell left Paraguay with…
Digging for insights
Archaeology can teach us some things, but it needs to be kept in perspective. Thomas D. Kock “Did you find anything?!?” That’s almost always the first question you’ll hear when you come back from an…
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)…
Be imitators of Jesus in doing good
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let…
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,…
No contradiction at all
Mark G. Schroeder Apparent contradictions—with the emphasis on the word apparent. Apparent contradictions happen when two true statements appear to contradict each other, but in the end, there is no contradiction at all. Here are some examples: God…
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,…
Light for our path: Is is a sin to want to die from a terminal illness?
I am dealing with a terminal illness and am tired of the suffering and pain this is causing me and my family. I am scared to die, but is it a sin to want…
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…
God’s gifts, our giving: Part 1
First things first Aaron L. Christie Americans have an issue with discerning theory from reality. We have hundreds of friends on Facebook, but they are friends in theory. In reality, we don’t know many of them.…
Walk by the Spirit: Part 5
Dissentions and factions create roadblocks along the Christian Way. John A. Braun Paul’s acts of the flesh include some hazards we must avoid on our journey. He lists them as dissensions, factions, and envy. But he does…
Confessions of faith: Kang
The Holy Spirit worked saving faith in a Korean family who claimed, “We are not Christians.” Mark A. Eckert Youngil (Alan) Kang and his wife Sukjeong (Ann) Kim were a…
Heart to heart: Parent conversations: Are we modeling kindness for our children?
Are we modeling kindness for our children? “Forming character in children combines parental instruction and modeling,” notes Kenneth Kremer in his book Embracing Godly Character. “When parents lead a moral life, God…
Lavished love for loneliness
The absence of familiar things often means feeling alone, but God’s love in Jesus remains sure and certain. Jonathan P. Bilitz Would it surprise you to learn that the fastest…
Ambassadors: Help them see Jesus : Part 11
Knowing when to say when Jonathan P. Bilitz One day about two years ago, the desk phone in my office rang. When I answered, I wasn’t prepared for the conversation that…
Ambassadors: How I shared Jesus stories
We asked, and you shared! Here are more stories from you, our readers, on how you let your faith shine in your daily lives. Witnessing through the written word I had the blessings of…
The Lord, our shield
Glenn L. Schwanke August 15–17, 1969. Woodstock. Over a half million people flocked to Max Yasgur’s 600-acre dairy farm in upstate New York. There they rocked to Joan Baez; the…
A gospel-filled life: Part 8
Cross-centered life and thought Jeffrey D. Enderle Her first restaurant job was nothing like cooking at home. Personal safety videos. Rigorous sanitation rules. Strict food handling standards. Weeks into the job, she had no chance…