Big challenge, bigger blessings
The 2021 synod convention was presented with an ambitious proposal. The Board for Home Missions asked the convention to consider approving a plan to start one hundred new home missions…
Our worldwide fellowship
When you think of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), no doubt you think of it in terms of 350,000 people in the United States and Canada united by a…
Seize the opportunities
When the apostle Paul, Silas, and Timothy were in Galatia on Paul’s second mission journey, they made the prayerful decision to head north with the gospel. Their intention was to…
The Lord takes care of his church
In 2015, there were 77 vacancies for pastor-trained positions in our synod. That represented a vacancy rate of about 5 percent. Today, there are more than 140 vacancies for pastor-trained…
Savor the rain
Martin Luther was not only a student of the Scriptures but also a keen observer of history. He was well aware of how the Christian church spread and grew from…
Up close and personal
Nothing brings WELS’ world mission work to life like visiting those missions in person. I had such an opportunity last October. Along with WELS World Missions Administrator Larry Schlomer and…
Partnering to spread God’s Word in Kenya and Ethiopia
In October 2022, WELS President Mark Schroeder visited two of WELS’ sister synods in Africa—the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ–Kenya and the Lutheran Church of Ethiopia. Larry Schlomer, administrator…
It’s never too early
Sometimes even the most terrible people say something that is undeniably true. A vicious and deranged dictator said, “He alone, who owns the youth, owns the future.” He set about…
A new chapter for John Braun—and Forward in Christ
After 16 years of service as executive editor of Forward in Christ, John Braun is retiring effective Dec. 31. This is his final issue. “One of the things that I…