New seminary graduate Stephen Gerling and his wife, Hannah, will serve as one of two missionary families sent to a new mission in Senegal. Drawing from their unique international backgrounds and experiences growing up in mission fields, the Gerlings share their excitement, challenges, and hopes as they prepare to build relationships and share the gospel with the Wolof people in Senegal.

Veteran WELS world missionary Dan Kroll and his wife, Karen, will serve alongside the Gerlings as they minister to the Woloff tribe. Both Stephen Gerling and Dan Kroll will be commissioned by WELS Missions at Taste of Missions on June 13.

At the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS) graduation service on May 22, 2026, four men received Master of Sacred Theology (STM) degrees through the Grow in Grace program. Grow in Grace provides pastors with enrichment opportunities to grow spiritually and professionally throughout their ministries.

In 2010, WLS established Grow in Grace to oversee the seminary’s continuing education program, of which the STM degree program is a significant area. Since 1978, 109 men have earned an STM degree through WLS, which was officially accredited in April 2024 by the Association of Theological Schools. The largest cohort to receive the degree at one time, in 2025, consisted of nine men.

At present, classes are held in person and online. Some pastors only elect to participate in continuing education, while others will complete the entire program of 24 credits for the degree. For some pastors, the STM program will enable them to pursue a doctorate degree. “Our pastors appreciate the time and resources churches have given them to grow in the Word,” says Brad Wordell, the current program director. Currently 38 pastors are pursuing the STM degree.

2026 STM graduates reflect

David Scharf
Professor of Theology, Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn.

“I grew in my faith as I studied God’s Word with knowledgeable professors and dedicated classmates in every course I took. I have always enjoyed taking classes but was never interested in the degree. However, when I arrived at MLC, I was encouraged to consider pursuing the degree. I already had quite a few credits in the program, so from that point it was a matter of taking some courses focused in my area of study (education) to finish my STM.”

Greg Pufahl
Pastor, Faith, Fond du Lac, Wis.

“One of the benefits of the program was spending time in the Word with fellow pastors. Some of my most memorable experiences were classes with Prof. Mark Paustian. I would tell anyone [considering the program] don’t just think about it, do it! You will not regret it.”

Nate Scharf:
Pastor, St. Paul, New Ulm, Minn.

“I was privileged to start classes right after graduation from the seminary. Each class was fulfilling and encouraging; it led me right into taking another class. Three years ago, my brother [David Scharf] and I signed up for a class. We hit a threshold to make it a go and continued signing up for classes together. What a blessing to rub shoulders with fellow ministers, and learn from their insights, experiences, and current ministry situations. And to worship in the seminary chapel with many brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Nathan Schulte:
Pastor, St. Matthew, Iron Ridge, Wis.

“I was part of the One Latin America mission team when I was encouraged and supported to pursue the degree. I took courses geared towards education and effective teaching strategies. One of my favorite experiences was taking Adult Education as Communication. It’s always exciting to add a new ministry skill to the toolbox and start using it right away.”

Additional mentorship and support

Two additional areas of the Grow in Grace program include the Pastor Partners program, which provides three years of mentoring for newly assigned seminary graduates, and annual Celebration of Ministry retreats. This past April, the Celebration of Ministry retreat gathered 89 pastors and 82 wives from the WLS classes of 1991, 2001, 2016, and 2023 in San Antonio, Texas, for encouragement, worship, and ministry workshops.

Watch this month’s WELS Connection, which features WLS’ continuing education program, Grow in Grace, and shares how it helps pastors grow spiritually and professionally throughout their ministries.

In the last two weeks, we experienced another amazing demonstration of God’s blessing on our synod. Candidates for the teaching ministry and staff ministry received their first calls on May 16 at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn. Later the next week, at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS), Mequon, Wis., pastoral ministry and vicar candidates received their assignments. We gathered during the call services in both locations to thank God for sending these workers into his harvest field.

Forty-seven teacher candidates with no geographic limitations accepted assignments into full-time ministry. In addition, 31 teacher candidates limited geographically received calls, and 17 teacher candidates were re-assigned to their current places of service. Two additional teachers received calls after their husbands received their vicar calls. Eighty-eight teacher requests to the Assignment Committee were not filled.

Three staff ministry candidates were also assigned. One additional staff ministry candidate had been permanently assigned to her current place of service earlier in the year.

The Assignment Committee received 108 requests for pastors. Forty-nine candidates were assigned, leaving 59 requests unfilled. Of the 49 assigned, 45 were 2026 seminary graduates and 4 were from previous classes. In addition, 3 men were re-assigned to their present place of service. After the Assignment Committee finished its work, 128 vacancies for pastorally trained men remained, bringing the percentage of vacancies for pastorally trained men down to about 10 percent. While this is a significant improvement, we pray that the Lord of the harvest continues to move his people to heed his call to service in the public ministry.

We thank God for these gifts to his church, and we thank his servants for their willingness to serve.

The 2026 Report to the Twelve Districts (RTTD) is now available. You will find it at wels.net/synod-convention, along with the 2025 Proceedings.

Report to the Twelve Districts, available only in digital form this year, contains reports from all synodical entities, helping provide an update on the synod’s ministries between synod conventions and guiding districts during their June conventions. In this book, synod leaders describe ministry activities during the past year, present information about current efforts, and detail future plans.

As WELS President Mark Schroeder notes, “It’s important to look back on what has been done because it reminds us of the many ways in which God graciously works through us. In spite of our own human weaknesses and failings, he sees to it that the gospel is preached, the message is proclaimed, and souls are saved. And he reminds us of the amazing privilege that he has given to us to be workers in his harvest field.”

To learn more about when and where your district is holding its convention, visit wels.net/event/2026-district-conventions.

On May 16, 166 students graduated from Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn. MLC’s mission is to train men and women to meet the public ministry needs of WELS.

Forty-three of the 2026 graduates completed a bachelor of arts degree or seminary certification. Of those, 42 men plan to continue on to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., to train as pastors. Thirty received master’s degrees, further continuing their education as they serve in their various vocations. The remainder completed other programs, including training to be teachers, staff ministers, and parish music directors in congregations.

Also in May, 100 candidates, from the 2026 graduating class and from years prior, accepted assignments into full-time ministry as teachers or staff ministers; of those, 17 were reassigned to their current service.

“It’s such a wonderful thing to see the Lord of the church providing workers for his harvest field as he promised,” says Charles Vannieuwenhoven, administrator of the Board for Ministerial Education. “We are thankful to God for these members who are so willing to say, ‘Here am I, send me!’ We pray for God’s blessings on the work they will do in his name.”

Watch a wrap-up video and livestreams of the services plus view the assignment list.

The Synodical Council (SC) normally meets twice each year. It held its spring meeting April 24-25. Some of the business addressed follows:

• In keeping with its role of acting on behalf of the synod between conventions, the SC approved modifications to the ministry financial plan (budget), including:
  • $1,230,000 for Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., to begin construction of a new education building, new faculty offices, library renovation, and gathering space. Groundbreaking is scheduled to take place in May.
  • $630,000 for capital projects in progress for Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., primarily the cafeteria renovation and rebranding project.
  • Since available reserve funds were used, neither of these adjustments required increased operating support from the synod’s budget.
• The SC encouraged Congregational Services and Home Missions to discuss how those two entities might work more closely in serving mission congregations.
• Chief Financial Officer Kyle Egan reported that the financial results of the synod through the first nine months of the fiscal year are encouraging, and that the synod remains in a strong and stable position with robust reserves. There has been a higher level of bequests, and investment results remain strong.
• Development of the Ministry Financial Plan for the next biennium has already begun, with the SC identifying key assumptions on compensation increases; healthcare, insurance, and utilities costs; as well as a total spending target. While Congregation Mission Offerings have increased, they have not been keeping pace with inflation. In the past we have been blessed with resources from the Financial Stabilization Fund that were higher than anticipated, but the gap between receipts and usage continues to grow. That fact will require careful planning and spending.
• The following appointments or re-appointments were made:
  • Mr. Jeffrey Fischer, Mr. Kevin Rusch, and Mr. David Maccoux, re-appointed to the Accounting Oversight Committee
  • Mr. Mark Hartman, re-appointed to the WELS Church Extension Fund Board
  • Rev. Charles Degner, re-appointed to the WELS Investment Funds Board
  • Rev. Jonathan Kolander and Mr. Michael Krueger, re-appointed to the WELS Foundation Board
  • Rev. Jeremiah Gumm, to the Northwestern Publishing House Board
• MLC President Richard Gurgel provided a detailed report on MLC’s efforts to ensure fiscal sustainability and operational efficiency in view of enrollment levels.
• Congregational Services Coordinator Jon Hein presented an overview of synod statistics and how those statistics will impact future synodical planning.
• Administrator of Home Missions Mark Gabb provided an overview of the work of Home Missions. He described the challenges of manpower (vacancies in home mission congregations) and funding (due to rising costs of establishing and supporting mission congregations).
• The SC approved providing an annual stipend of $2,400 for each district president in view of their workload and responsibilities. The stipend will begin in Fiscal Year 2027.
• The SC reviewed reports from WELS Investment Funds, WELS Foundation, WELS Church Extension Fund, Benefit Plans, Communication Services, Human Resources, Technology Services, and the Ministry of Christian Giving.
• The Compensation Review Committee, together with synod leadership, completed a comprehensive review of inflation, compensation trends, and labor-market benchmarks for called workers. The analysis found that the WELS Salary Matrix has generally kept pace with inflation over time and that, when the core compensation components (including salary, housing, cost-of-living adjustment, and the Self-Employed Contributions Act tax) are applied fully and as intended, called worker compensation compares favorably with relevant labor-market benchmarks. The Compensation Review Committee is continuing to work to improve communication and understanding of the compensation guidelines, including core compensation components, benefit provisions, and tax-related considerations, so that congregations are better equipped to apply them consistently and thoughtfully.
  • The committee noted that while local congregational offerings have generally kept pace with inflation, Congregation Mission Offerings have not.
• Six members have completed their time of service on the SC:
  • Rev. Philip Hirsch (Conference of Presidents representative, voting member)
  • Rev. Charles Westra (Conference of Presidents representative, voting member)
  • Rev. Joel Zank (Conference of Presidents representative, voting member)
  • Mr. John Fowler (South Atlantic lay representative, voting member)
  • Rev. Kurt Lueneburg (Ministry of Christian Giving director, advisory)
  • Mr. Dennis Maurer (Human Resources director, advisory)

We thank these men for their faithful service.

Working closely with the leadership and volunteers from the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ–Kenya (LCMC), the Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) organized a short-term medical camp in Chabera, Kenya, in February. Six WELS volunteers, along with Kate Wood, executive director of CAMM and Gary Evans, retiring field director, partnered with the Kenyan Health District in CAMM’s third pop-up medical camp in Kenya. This first medical camp in the underserved Chabera area drew just shy of 2,400 children, women, and men in five days for free medical services, medical screening, and medication. Besides needed physical care, every patient received a gospel-based welcome, a printed booklet to take home, and often, individualized prayer. Read more about the camp at wels.net/welcome-to-kenya.

Four writing teams have begun their work of drafting teacher and student materials for four program levels of a new WELS school theology curriculum.

Work on this curriculum began in 2023 under the direction of Melanie Giddings, WELS curriculum coordinator. For this task, she assembled a team of people who serve in Lutheran schools, representing all 12 districts and a variety of ministry contexts.

The Theology Curriculum Team has already prepared frameworks for four new Word of God instructional programs for early childhood, elementary school, middle school, and high school settings. These programs aim to provide a developmentally appropriate approach to growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ for infants through grade 12 students.

As Giddings looks ahead, the team has established a working, multi-year timeline:

2026 – Drafting units and lessons
2027 – Editing and layout for print and digital
2028 – Beta pilot in a sample of WELS schools
2029 – Target release for early childhood and elementary school
2030 – Target release for middle school and high school

“There is still much work ahead, but there is a strong foundation that has already been laid by the development team who has faithfully invested the past three years in preparing for this work,” says Giddings. “Our team has confidence that God is directing every step of the way, providing all that we need at just the right time.”

Watch an update from Giddings, detailing more about the work.

Visit Lutheran Schools Resource Center for updates about the theology curriculum project and supporting documents.

Related article: August 2025 Forward in Christ article

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The Conference of Presidents (COP) met for its spring meeting April 8-9. Here are some of the items they discussed or decided:

• Three new COP members were chosen as COP representatives on the Synodical Council (SC). Pastor Joel Heckendorf (Arizona-California), Pastor Michael Seifert (North Atlantic), and Pastor Dennis Klatt (Minnesota) will attend their first SC meeting in November.
• The COP spent time preparing for the upcoming assignment days at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., and Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., in May. They will be facing the continuing challenge of a shortage of called workers. The number of teacher candidates at MLC is smaller than in recent years. The class at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary is the largest in several years. The candidates are all blessings from God and will reduce—but not eliminate—the many vacancies in congregations and schools. The COP continues to encourage all members to help recruit future pastors, teachers, and staff ministers.
• The COP proposed a standardized interview process and supporting evaluation tools for district presidents to use in carrying out a review of someone in pastoral, teaching, or staff ministry seeking re-entry into the ministry. The process is intended to seek increased clarity, consistency, and communication in the process.
• The COP currently grants provisional minister of the gospel status to called teachers who enroll in MLC’s Teaching Ministry Certification program (a program pursued by individuals who already hold an accredited teaching degree). MLC now offers online degree programs that include both professional training and the full set of ministry certification requirements. The COP monitors these programs.
• The COP discussed the importance of maintaining a “living” procedural document for COP use entitled “Divine Call Policies—Procedures—Guidelines.”
• The COP received a number of reports from Congregational Services, highlighting record levels of adult confirmation and efforts to reduce backdoor membership losses. A complete analysis of congregational statistics, along with a summary, will be released later this spring.
• Pastor Kurt Lueneburg will be retiring this summer as the director of the Ministry of Christian Giving. The COP thanked him for his 21 years of Christian giving experience. Calling for his replacement will take place later this spring.
• Total Congregation Mission Offering subscriptions for 2026 surpassed actual giving in 2025 (although it did not keep up with inflation).
• The COP will lead training for district constitution committees in light of differing governance models being considered by congregations.

This was the last regular meeting of the COP for four district presidents as they will be completing their time of service as district presidents at the district conventions this summer. Pastor Donald Patterson (South Central) has accepted a call, Pastor Charles Westra (South Atlantic) is not seeking reelection, and Pastors Joel Zank (Northern Wisconsin) and Douglas Free (Dakota-Montana) are retiring. We pray for God’s continued blessings and thank them for their service.

With new district presidents to be elected this summer, the COP will experience significant changes in its membership. We pray for God’s blessings as those conventions elect their leaders.

Under the theme “Rest,” the conference included worship, devotions, Bible studies, and free time for fellowship. Guest speaker Don Patterson, WELS’ South Central district president, developed Bible studies to help the women find “Joy in the Journey.”

“Every part of the conference was planned with the idea of missionary wives connecting with God’s Word and each other,” says Linda Marquardt, who serves alongside her husband in the Asia-Oceania region. “My favorite part was seeing missionary wives from different countries connecting, having meaningful conversations, praying with each other, and forming lasting friendships.”

Those connections are important as these women deal with the unique situations that occur when living in a mission field, including learning the local languages and customs, discovering their own vocation in their distinct setting, and finding creative ways to connect with faraway family.

“A handful of the attendees are called to serve in public mission roles, but all are the unsung heroes of the work we carry out,” says Larry Schlomer, administrator of WELS World Missions. “In unique overseas settings, they learn how to live out their faith and carry out personal ministry, often in quiet and unseen ways. At the same time, they give up US careers and familiar school systems for their children and manage homes in places where it can feel like all the rules have changed, serving in so many ways as the backbone of mission work around the world.”

Started in 2017, this conference occurs once every three years. “Before having these conferences, we might know the few other missionary wives in our region or meet some others at Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society conventions, but now we have friendships with other sisters in Christ around the world,” says Marquardt.

Between the conferences, missionary wives continue to support and encourage one another in monthly Zoom meetings.

Over the past week, severe weather in the Midwest has impacted many WELS congregations as well as their members and neighbors.

Pastor Dan Sims, director, WELS Christian Aid and Relief, is in contact with area district presidents and is assessing the damage in the flooded areas. One of these is New London, Wis., where Emanuel Lutheran Church and School is located.

Once needs are determined, WELS Christian Aid and Relief may issue a call for volunteers for a New London deployment. To be a volunteer, you must be registered via the WELS Disaster Relief website. Registered volunteers will receive more details regarding deployment.

Additionally, monetary donations are being collected for those impacted throughout the Midwest. Donations can be made online to Christian Aid and Relief. Checks can also be mailed to: WELS CMM, Attn: Christian Aid and Relief, N16W23377 Stone Ridge Dr, Waukesha, WI 53188.

Check out the WELS Christian Aid and Relief website for continuing updates, and visit the Disaster Relief Resource Center for additional information and articles.

Our sister church the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC), along with all the citizens of Ukraine, has been experiencing the hardship and suffering caused by four years of a terrible and destructive war. Families have had to flee to safer locations, homes have been destroyed, and some pastors have had to relocate to areas away from the war zones.

When the war began, WELS members responded with their own personal prayers and with prayers in their congregations. They also responded generously with gifts and offerings. Those gifts, regularly forwarded to the ULC, have been faithfully used to provide food, fuel, transportation, medicine, and clothing. And the members of the ULC did not keep those gifts for themselves. They have responded to our generosity with generosity of their own, making needed supplies available to many people in their communities who have been affected by the brutality and scarcity of war.

Vyacheslav Horpynchuk, the bishop of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church, tells the story far better than I can. This is what he writes:

Here the fifth year of the full-scale Russian invasion began. Thanks be to God this winter is coming to an end. It has been the most severe winter in the recent decades: lots of snow, very low below freezing temperatures and very heavy bombardments of our electrical, heating systems and residential areas of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, as well as smaller cities and villages. Lord, have mercy.

I would like to thank all the brothers and sisters in WELS who came to help us. Many people did not have any extra warm blankets, and some people requested some help to survive that cold. We provided all our congregation members in need with extra warm blankets to survive the cold in apartments with no heat or with very little heat. We also continued to provide all the needy with thermal wear. All of them send their gratitude to all in WELS for your generous help. Thank you very much!

Yet even in these terrible times, God finds ways not only to bless his people but also to create opportunities for God’s people to carry out his mission. Through the works of love done by the members of the ULC, God has brought many non-Christians into contact with Christian love in action, but more important, with the saving gospel of Jesus and the comforting power of his Word. Many have begun to worship regularly in ULC congregations, and dozens of people have been instructed and confirmed.

Roger Neumann, our WELS liaison to the ULC, adds some of his observations:

While the war rages on and people deal with the elements of nature, the gospel ministry is not stopped. I’m very thankful to our Lord for the faith he has given our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine. The ULC pastors continue to preach the gospel, help those who are in desperate need, and offer encouragement and friendship to many people. So many people suffer from depression and anxiety, not certain if they will survive this ordeal or what their futures will be like. The pastors bring them the reassurance that the Lord loves them and will continue to bless them. They also encourage the people to pay more attention to the spiritual blessings that they have in Christ and not focus on the physical needs that are lacking at this time.

While most ULC churches have lost members who have fled from the war and taken refuge in neighboring countries, there are, nevertheless, four new mission sites. Pictured below is mission work being done in one of those sites in Snihurivka.

People in those towns have welcomed pastors to share the gospel with them. In addition, a number of ULC members have taken refuge near Poznan, Poland. Bishop Horpynchuk will be making a trip there, and it’s hoped that a new mission can be started. God is certainly opening new doors and opportunities, despite the war and adversity. God be praised!

I want to thank all of you who have already responded to this need in Ukraine with your generous gifts and prayers. With the end of the war still not in sight, the need continues. Learn more about the Ukrainian Lutheran Church and how you can support it at wels.net/ukraine.

Serving with you in Christ,

WELS President Mark Schroeder

At its spring meeting, the WELS Board for Home Missions approved three new mission starts, continuing its work of bringing the gospel to growing communities across the United States while navigating ongoing financial and manpower challenges:

Bastrop, Texas
Located about 25 miles east of Austin, Bastrop is experiencing rapid growth fueled by new residential development and expanding economic activity. Major employers now headquartered in Bastrop, including X and Starlink, have drawn new families to the area. As Bastrop continues to expand, many residents lack church connections, and a confessional Lutheran presence remains limited. Members of Holy Word in Austin, Texas, have formed a committed core group that has been meeting regularly, engaging the community through service and outreach, and building relationships with residents.

Greeneville, Tenn.
Greeneville, Tenn., is a growing community positioned between the Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol metro area and Knoxville. While the area reflects strong Bible Belt culture and openness to conversations about faith, currently no confessional Lutheran church serves the community. A committed core group, supported by nearby WELS congregations in Johnson City and Morristown, has been meeting regularly and actively engaging with the community. The group has already hosted public worship services, drawing more than 40 people to its first service (pictured above) and averaging mid‑20s attendance at subsequent gatherings.

North Marana, Ariz.
North Marana is one of the fastest-growing areas in the Tucson metro area, now home to more than 60,000 residents. A new mission effort—known locally as Mission Marana—is already active in the community, with a committed core group that gathers for Bible study and regularly serves at local events across North Marana.

In addition to the new mission starts, the board approved three Home Missions enhancement grants. Congregations receiving enhancements include Good Shepherd, Holmen, Wis.; Mount Olive, St. Paul, Minn.; and Resurrection, Chesapeake, Va.

Balancing gratitude, needs, and stewardship

Since the launch of the 100 Missions in 10 Years initiative in 2023, 31 new missions have been approved for funding by WELS Home Missions. Approving three new mission starts at the recent meeting of the Board for Home Missions is cause for thanksgiving, but it falls short of the desire to approve ten new starts each year. It does, however, reflect current realities. In WELS today there are 150+ pastoral vacancies. Additionally, Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO) and special gifts to Home Missions have not kept pace with the rising costs of establishing and supporting new missions.

“If these are our current realities as we continue with the 100 Missions in 10 Years initiative,” says Mark Gabb, WELS Home Missions administrator, “then we respond accordingly. Yes, we trust that God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. But we’re also told not to put the Lord to the test.”

Gabb goes on to say, “It isn’t about a lack of opportunities but stewarding the finite resources we do have. This is nothing new. God’s people have been wrestling with money and manpower challenges for generations. As we look at new mission opportunities along with the current home missions we continue to support, our aim will be to wisely steward God’s gifts.”

Despite these challenges, Home Missions leaders remain encouraged by what God is already doing through committed core groups and supportive congregations.

“We thank you for your continued prayers, generosity, and encouragement,” says Gabb. “Our home mission congregations continue to reach people with the gospel. That gospel is transforming hearts and lives, and that will last into eternity. What a privilege and joy it is to be a part of that!”

To learn more about these new mission starts and enhancements, visit wels100in10.net.

In late January and early February 2026, Daniel Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief, and Paul Biedenbender, pastor at Christ, Denver, Colo., and a member of the WELS Christian Aid and Relief Commission, traveled to Thailand to meet with WELS missionaries, administrators, and other church leaders from the Asia-Oceania Team. WELS Christian Aid and Relief works with WELS missionaries in this large mission field by providing funding for humanitarian aid and disaster relief programs.

While there, Sims and Biedenbender also attended the dedication of the new training facility for Thai Village in Chiang Mai. More than two hundred friends, artisans, donors, and partners gathered at the dedication to support Thai Village’s mission to train and employ low-income people; support Christian outreach and education; and create opportunities to share God’s love in the community. Thai Village, an independent nonprofit organization, is a WELS-affiliated ministry that works closely with the Asia-Oceania Team.

WELS Christian Aid and Relief contributed funding for the outreach pavilion at the new facility—the place most used by the community. Sims shares, “We support this mission wholeheartedly! It was a joy to meet their artisans and hear their testimonies about how Thai Village and the gospel shared there changed their lives.”

Registration is open for the 2026 WELS International Youth Rally, July 14-17, at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. The cost is $450 if attendees register by April 30 and $475 from May 1-29.

The rally is open to all WELS teens heading into their freshman year of high school through seniors graduating this spring. Teens from across the country will gather to discover ways to lead and serve, worship with thousands, and attend workshops to share the saving gospel.

The theme for the 2026 rally is “Christ through us,” inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 and the synod’s ten-year plan, which calls each of us to be Christ’s ambassadors.

Two keynotes will be presented based on the theme. Luke and Rachel Beilke, who have served as missionaries in Latin America since 2022 and also lead the efforts of Academia Cristo‘s ministry, will present “Christ through ordinary you.” Their presentation will explore how Jesus isn’t just something that happens at church, on mission trips, or is limited to missionaries far away, but he uniquely positions all of us to share his love. Jonathan Hein, director of the WELS Commission on Congregational Counseling, will present “Before you were ready.” His presentation will explore that each time God’s people felt they weren’t ready to shoulder responsibility, God had equipped them for the work he gave them.

Workshops will be held for both youth leaders and youth. Topics include encouragement for Christians in today’s world such as “Why youth leaders matter more than ever” and “Illustrations that impact” for youth leaders, and “A day in the life of a home missionary,” “Who are you when nobody’s watching?,” and “Starting a spiritual conversation” for youth.

Learn more about the workshops, recreational excursions, and the rally—and register—at welsyouthrally.net.

The WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership, one of the largest gatherings of WELS and Evangelical Lutheran Synod members, was held Jan. 19–21 in Chicago. The event was a huge success, with attendees offering many positive comments. Jonathan Hein, coordinator of WELS Congregational Services, provides the following reflections on the conference:

—

The 2026 leadership conference centered on the theme of WELS’ recently adopted long-range plan, “Christ through us.” The aim was to draw people back to the heart of Christian leadership: not what we accomplish through Christ, but what Christ continues to do through his people. Some highlights included the following:

• Four keynotes touched on major cultural needs for ministry efforts: courage, character, critical thinking, curiosity, and better collaboration between all God’s people—men and women. (About a third of attendees were women.) One congregation president said, “The final day’s emphasis on critical thinking—paired with a serious call to better recognize the ideas and gifts of women—will force us to ask different questions about whether our structure really encourages the full body of Christ to serve together.”
• Sixty-nine breakouts allowed participants to examine “best practices”—tactical approaches to ministry around WELS that the Lord seems to be blessing. Breakouts on leadership development were especially popular. One lay leader shared, “What struck me was how many breakouts focused on growing as leaders, not growing numbers. The emphasis on character and collaboration was refreshing and deeply needed.” Also popular were breakouts on revitalizing congregations and schools. A pastor noted, “After a tough few years in ministry, this was encouraging in the best sense. Seeing what the Lord is blessing elsewhere didn’t make me feel behind. It reminded me that he’s still building his church, and that faithful work—even in small places—matters.”
• One in ten attendees was under the age of 24. This was an intentional effort, not just to equip the next generation of leaders but also to hear their insights on how to better reach and disciple people their age. One high school–aged attendee wrote, “It was encouraging to know that our perspectives mattered. It felt like my church was inviting us to help shape ministry now.”
• Worship was inspiring and encouraging, grounding everything else in the forgiveness and peace Christ provides. Music was led by 20 students from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis. The three preachers represented different aspects of leadership: in the parish, in the synod, and in training future workers. Twenty area pastors helped with distribution of the Lord’s Supper to the 1,600 WELS attendees.

Rather than minimizing current challenges in congregational life, the conference addressed them openly. Declining participation in some contexts, leadership fatigue, and cultural change were named honestly—yet always in light of Christ’s ongoing faithfulness to his church. One leader shared, “I appreciated the honesty. No one pretended ministry is easy right now. But the focus kept coming back to Christ’s promises instead of our anxiety. That kind of clarity gives you courage to keep serving.”

With that confidence, leaders returned to their congregations, schools, and ministries reminded that the future of the church does not rest on perfect plans or flawless leadership but on a faithful Savior who continues to work through his people.

—

Thanks to Rev. Hein for his summary and to all who planned, presented, and attended this conference.

Serving with you in Christ,

WELS President Mark Schroeder

Video recordings of two keynote presentations as well as materials from many breakout presentations are available on the conference website. The remaining keynote video recordings will be released in coming weeks.

Thirty-seven people attended the annual meeting of the Association of WELS Chaplains on Feb. 6 at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry in Waukesha, Wis. The purpose was for those who have gone through the WELS Chaplain Certificate Program or are currently going through the program to grow and learn from one another.

The Chaplain Certificate Program is designed to equip called workers and lay members (both male and female) to bring the gospel to places outside the church, such as healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, military installations, and public safety agencies. Online courses offered through Martin Luther College apply biblical truths to issues encountered by chaplains.

The work of WELS chaplains was recently highlighted in both WELS Connection and Forward in Christ. View photos from the meeting.

The Conference of Presidents (COP) met Jan. 6-9. At that meeting, the COP discussed the following items:

• The current number of pastoral vacancies. There are 162 total vacancies for pastor-trained men (unchanged from October), of which 154 are in congregations (up from 148 in October). The vacancy numbers will improve somewhat in the spring, since the graduating class at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., will be larger than it has been in recent years.
• Guidelines for the call process. These guidelines apply to how often called workers can receive calls, how district presidents work together to coordinate when calls are issued and which names can be used on call lists, and how many names should be included. The COP reviewed the current guidelines and the suggestions for changes and decided to keep the current guidelines in place.
• What information should be included in the profiles of called workers that are provided to congregations when they are considering candidates to call.
• The process for assignments of called worker candidates. Assignments will take place at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., in May.

Synod statistics for 2025 and Congregation Mission Offering (CMO) subscriptions are currently being gathered, with Feb. 6 being the deadline for both. Congregations are encouraged to submit their statistics and CMO subscriptions by that date.

The Doctrine Committee of the COP will hold its annual meeting with the Doctrine Committee of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod at the end of January.

Serving with you in Christ,

WELS President Mark Schroeder

Enrollment in WELS schools this school year has decreased slightly from the 2024–25 school year, according to the recently released 2025–26 school statistics. Lutheran high school enrollment continued to climb, up 2.6 percent (from 7,484 students to 7,680 students), while Lutheran elementary school enrollment remained flat. Enrollment at WELS early childhood ministries declined slightly, down 4.9 percent (from 11,338 students to 10,784 students). These statistics match a nationwide decline in school enrollment due to falling birth rates in the US.

“When we take a look at the overall enrollment picture [in WELS],” says James Rademan, director of WELS Lutheran Schools, “about a third of our schools are growing, about a third of them are staying the same, and about a third are actually reducing in enrollment.”

A shortage of called teachers has affected some schools. Rademan says that several early childhood centers have paused their work because they couldn’t get enough workers to staff the centers, and some smaller schools are struggling to get teachers for their classrooms. “The opportunities continue to far outweigh the manpower that we have,” he says.

To combat this situation, WELS Lutheran Schools is encouraging congregations and schools across the districts to recruit, retain, and renew.

• Recruit individuals who could serve well in gospel ministry, be it pastors or teachers. “Our encouragement and how we recruit can go a long way on what kind of reach we can make through our schools,” says Rademan.
• Retain current called workers. “Are we valuing the workers that we have as much as we could?” says Rademan. “Let’s not just say we need more workers, but let’s review how we are supporting the current workers we have.”
• Renew or review the mission of the children’s ministry. “We want everyone to go through this process to make sure they keep examining their ministry needs and goals,” says Rademan. “What are the blessings, the challenges, the opportunities the Lord has provided us with?” This review can help local congregations and schools adapt to changing conditions and make informed long-range ministry decisions.

WELS Congregational Services offers consulting support for congregations that want help with this process. Learn more about congregational consulting opportunities.