Community news: October 2025
On June 22, Beautiful Savior, Cincinnati, Ohio, celebrated the 40th anniversary in the pastoral ministry of Thomas Westra. St. John’s, Pardeeville, Wis., celebrated the 40th anniversary in the teaching ministry…
Confessions of faith: Carrie Cox
A woman who was born deaf discovers a congregation that communicates the saving gospel message. Ten years ago, Dan Frey, pastor at Gethsemane, Lee’s Summit, Mo., began learning sign language.…
Gospel Hands: Proclaiming Jesus to those with hearing loss
Verna Weigand never envisioned working as a sign language interpreter. But then she married her husband, Dean, whose younger brother was deaf from birth. “I wanted to be able to…
New director for WELS Special Ministries
Joel Gaertner has started his work as director of the Commission on Special Ministries, taking over for James Behringer who retired in June. “I want to give thanks to Jim…
Grants available to help more people hear the Word
WELS Mission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MDHH), part of the Commission on Special Ministries, is offering $500 grants toward the installation of a hearing loop to WELS/Evangelical…