Around noon on Monday, July 27, a tornado ripped through northeastern Wisconsin, causing severe damage to Bethel, Menasha, a bilingual WELS church with about 500 members. The tornado also damaged the Menasha location of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Preschool, which is located on Bethel’s property and is a shared ministry of Bethel and Mount Calvary, Harrison.

Preliminary assessments from the National Weather Service have classified the tornado as an EF-3 with sustained winds of 140 miles per hour. It traveled 12.1 miles, significantly damaging property in Menasha, Appleton, and several other nearby communities. As of Monday evening, no fatalities had been reported.

Dan Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief, is visiting the area on Tuesday, July 28, and meeting with representatives from Bethel and other area WELS congregations. For more information on how to support WELS Christian Aid and Relief in these recovery efforts, visit wels.net/relief.

This is a developing story, and it will be updated as additional information comes to light.

WELS youth groups—both large and small—from across the US and Canada traveled to Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, for the 2026 WELS Youth Rally July 14–17. More than 2,200 people—1,700 teens and 500 adults—participated in worship, large-scale keynote addresses, and workshops, all emphasizing the theme “Christ through us: We are Christ’s ambassadors.”

“This year’s rally was meant to be more than just an event. It was a catalyst to seek deeper faith commitment,” says Donn Dobberstein, director of WELS Discipleship and part of the youth rally planning committee. “Both keynotes encouraged teens to live out their lives as ambassadors of Christ.”

That message hit home for freshman Oliver Boentges. “One lesson I would like to bring home from the rally is that God called us to be his ambassadors through Christ before we were ready. It is our job for people to see Christ through us.”

Boentges, a first-time attendee, came to the rally with his youth group from Faith, Antioch, Ill. During the day, the group participated in worship, workshops, plus other fun group activities. Each evening concluded with reflections on the theme for the day: reconciled, courage, committed, and contentment.

“Evening reflections equals hundreds of youth groups scattered and gathered across the campus from 10:30 to 11:00 p.m. to reflect on the messages of the day. Some teens asked if they could lead the reflections with their friends,” says Dobberstein. “As I passed these groups night after night, I was reminded that our young people aren’t looking for shallow entertainment—they’re looking for something worth giving their lives to.”

Shawn Wietbrock, one of the group leaders from Faith, Antioch, especially appreciated the workshops (some designed for youth leaders) and that evening reflection time.

“I think this rally helps teens because it also helps youth leaders better understand those teens,” he says. “In one of the workshops, [the presenter] encouraged us to let teens be more involved in discussions and not just give them information. In trying this approach during our evening reflections, I realized that our teens have many insightful observations about God’s Word. We just have to give them the opportunity to share those thoughts.”

While the reflection time brought small groups closer together, teens also were able to meet, talk to, and worship with thousands of other young people.

“One thing that encouraged me about worshipping and connecting with other teens was when a speaker asked us to raise our hands for certain struggles we have in life, most people in the room raised their hands with me,” says senior Johann Boentges from Faith, Antioch. “I was able to see I wasn’t alone, and people can relate to my struggles. We can all go to God together.”

“Having a love for Jesus is an automatic connector,” says Jenna Wietbrock, a high school graduate from Faith, Antioch’s, teen group. “We might not have much in common, but that love can be the root of lots of friendships and support systems. [In the workshops], I got to be engaged in the Word and hear different viewpoints whilst among a hundred or so other teens. I learned more about myself and what best helps me connect to the Word.”

Dobberstein says this hunger for God’s Word was evident in the teens. “What encouraged me most was watching them genuinely engage,” he says. “They sang boldly. They asked thoughtful questions during workshops. They prayed together. They sought out meaningful conversations with speakers and youth leaders.”

“God has already equipped them with everything they need to be ready to live for and share Christ—right now. I pray they understand God’s desire to use ordinary teens in extraordinary ways in order to shape God’s church.”

View photos from the WELS International Youth Rally.

Watch the rally recap video!

Throughout June 2026, Martin Luther College (MLC) shared information regarding the status of the licensure eligibility for all of its education programs as a result of review by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). As of June 26, 2026, PELSB temporarily discontinued licensure eligibility for all 16 of MLC’s teacher education programs.

As MLC noted in a statement following this ruling, “The recent PELSB decision to discontinue the license eligibility is not debating the quality of MLC’s graduates. Rather, it relates to how MLC demonstrates, through documented assessment and evidence, that discipline-specific content standards within MLC’s teacher education programs are consistently being met and those programs continuously improved. . . . MLC graduates will continue to graduate as highly qualified Lutheran teachers, fully prepared to serve in WELS schools. They will graduate as ministry-certified and eligible for a call into the teaching ministry.”

MLC leadership has begun to take the steps necessary to resolve this situation and eventually reapply for licensure. To read the full statement from MLC, visit mlc-wels.edu/pelsb-update. Read the WELS Board of Ministerial Education’s response here.

This July, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) Legacy Endowment Fund and Rakow Endowment Fund provided approximately $20,000 to support the First Public Service Assistance project. Managed by WELS Foundation, the gift planning ministry of WELS, these endowment funds allow gifts made today to support ministry for generations to come. The funding helps new mission congregations reach their communities through direct mail, community outreach, follow-up, and other efforts that create a welcoming first impression and open the door to sharing Christ’s saving message.

“These dollars enable our missionaries to do things above and beyond what our budget allows for, and by doing this it helps them reach further into the community with the gospel,” says Mark Gabb, administrator of WELS Home Missions.

“At our first official service, this grant proved incredibly valuable in boosting conversations through a post-worship meal,” says Ross Chartrand, home missionary at Cornerstone, Bentonville, Ark. “It also enabled continued connections in the following weeks by providing quality follow-up gifts for our guests.” For some visitors, those first conversations become the beginning of a lasting connection to Christ and his church.

To learn more about how endowment gifts are helping bring the gospel to people who may otherwise never hear it, check out this video: Endowment Funds – WELS.

Mr. Dan Nommensen, who had been serving as the synod’s director of communications, recently accepted a call to serve as a Christian giving counselor for WELS Ministry of Christian Giving. His successor is Mrs. Carolyn Barsch. She began serving in her new position near the end of June.

Carolyn graduated in 2004 from Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, Wis., with a bachelor of arts degree, specializing in graphic design. She also received a master’s degree in strategic communications from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich. Previously she worked in the Adult Discipleship office at the Synod Administration Building, Milwaukee; as a communication specialist at St. Marcus, Milwaukee; as director of communications at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Milwaukee; and most recently as the creative services manager at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry, Waukesha, Wis.

The duties of the director of communications include:

• Advise the president, Conference of Presidents, and Synodical Council on communication opportunities and best practices.
• Coordinate the development, consistency, and integrity of WELS communications across all platforms and ensure that all synodical communications accurately reflect the synod’s doctrines, values, and priorities.
• Coordinate the creation, editing, and distribution of content for print, digital, video, and social media platforms, including Forward in Christ, WELS Connection, wels.net, Together and En Christo newsletters, Book of Reports and Memorials, Report to the Twelve Districts, and other key publications.
• Serve as a spokesperson for WELS in dealing with the media.
• Work with the president to prepare and distribute press releases.
• Work with the Crisis Management Team, ensuring preparedness and response to sensitive issues.
• Oversee the monitoring of WELS mentions on social media.
• Support and advise communications strategies for special initiatives.
• Collaborate to establish communication goals and messaging strategies for special events.

Carolyn is looking forward to her new role. “I am humbled and honored to step into the role of director of communications at WELS Center for Mission and Ministry. I originally accepted the position of creative services manager for WELS Communication Services, but I kept seeing God’s hand guiding me to consider the director role. I’m exactly where he meant me to be.”

We pray for God’s blessings as she begins to serve.

Serving with you in Christ,

WELS President Mark Schroeder

The 2025 WELS Statistical Summary and Analysis is now available.

Annually, WELS churches self-report on membership, ministrations, and finances to help synod leaders measure WELS’ health as a church body. The report examines worship attendance, Bible study participation, congregational size, district data, and more. Because 2025 is a benchmark year, divisible by 5, the report looks more deeply at long-term patterns. It examines trends over 5, 10, 25, and even 50 years. That broader view highlights not only what has happened but also what has been slowly developing over time, providing valuable information as synod leaders plan for the future.

“That is why statistics can be useful,” comments Rev. Jonathan Hein, director of WELS Commission on Congregational Counseling. “They do not define the church. Christ does. But statistics can help us see where the Lord is blessing us, where our assumptions need correction, and where our work needs renewed attention.”

Hein offers details and insights into the 2025 statistics in an article in the August issue of Forward in Christ. Visit forwardinchrist.net/2025-stats to learn more. Future communications about key findings and trends will be available at wels.net/stats.

More than 1,300 people gathered at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison, Wis., on June 25, for the opening worship service of the 63rd Annual Lutheran Women’s Mission Society (LWMS) Convention. Michael Ewart, pastor at St. Peter-The CORE Campus, Appleton, Wis., used the convention theme, “Cast out your nets,” to encourage worshipers to “Cast out your nets in your personal mission field, supporting those who go out in our place.”

Nine hundred seventy registered convention attendees learned about expanding outreach efforts in Kronenwetter, Wis., and Folsom, Calif., as well as world mission work in Africa and ministry among Native American communities.

Jean Lynch, a member of St. Peter’s, Eldorado, Wis., was attending her first LWMS convention. She remarked that “Everybody says the conventions are wonderful, and I wanted to experience that.”

Convention speakers presented workshops on “Resurrection: Hope for a Church Starting Over,” “Shining Christ’s Light Across Borders,” “Cultivating a Mission Atmosphere in Your Congregation,” “In the Lions’ Den—The Joy of Ministering to College Students,” and “A Bridge to the Gospel—Christ-centered Healthcare in Rural Kenya.”

One highlight was the presentation of nearly $106,000 to support WELS home and world mission projects. WELS Home and World Missions administrators shared updates on current and future mission work. Attendees also had opportunities to visit with missionaries and browse and purchase mission-related books and crafts.

This year’s convention was at least the 20th convention that Shirley Derke, a member of Emanuel First, Lansing, Mich., has attended. She is the tour and transportation chair for next year’s convention. Derke shared, “What I love most about coming to conventions is hearing from people that are actually out in the field talking to the unchurched. It overwhelms me.”

And while LWMS is a women’s organization, many men register and attend the convention each year. John Hall, a member of St. Paul, Brownsville, Wis., was attending his fourth convention. He says there is something for everyone. “We see things that work for other congregations and that gives us some ideas for evangelism.”

The 64th Annual LWMS Convention will be held in Lansing, Mich., June 24-27, 2027, hosted by the Mid-Michigan and Lighthouse Circuits. The theme of the convention will be “Send Out Your Light and Your Truth.”

View photos of the event here: LWMS 2026 | Flickr

On Sunday, June 14, I had the privilege of attending the 150th anniversary of our sister synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Germany (Evangelisch-Lutherische Freikirche or ELFK). This was not just a celebration of the synod’s founding but also a celebration of 150 years of fellowship with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. That means it is the longest overseas fellowship relationship that our synod has.

The history of the ELFK is amazing. It was founded at a time when the official state church in Germany had become extremely liberal in its teachings and had wandered far from confessional Lutheranism. There were those in the region of Saxony (the home of Lutheranism) who recognized this unfaithfulness to God’s Word. Especially faithful laypeople decided they could no longer be a part of the state church. In 1876, they, along with five pastors, established five new congregations and formed their own new synod called the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church. It was called a free church because they were free and independent of the state church and its false teachings.

From the start, the ELFK received help and support, especially in theological training, from the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. ELFK pastors were for the most part trained at the Missouri Synod seminary in St. Louis. Some Missouri Synod pastors also accepted calls to serve congregations of the ELFK.

Since the Wisconsin and Missouri Synods were in fellowship at that time, the fellowship relationship that the ELFK enjoyed with the Missouri Synod from its founding also brought the ELFK into fellowship with the Wisconsin Synod. We have remained together since then.

God has done amazing things in the ELFK. From the original five congregations, the ELFK has grown to 16 and has expanded beyond Saxony to several other regions. Today it has 16 active pastors, most of whom have been trained at their seminary in Leipzig. It also operates an elementary school in Zwickau with 150 students and a publishing house and bookstore, also in Zwickau.

ELFK has endured many challenges over the years; the most difficult was during the time of Communist control. The churches were under some severe restrictions, especially when it came to communicating with and traveling to the outside world. The end of that rule and the fall of the Berlin Wall was a special blessing.

Today the ELFK continues to hold on to the truth of God’s Word. It is committed to planting new missions in the northern and southern part of Germany and generously supports the work being done by sister synods in other countries.

Keep our German brothers and sisters in your prayers!

Serving with you in Christ,

WELS President Mark Schroeder

Five new district presidents were elected during the 12 WELS district conventions held this June. Each WELS district holds a convention once every two years, in the year between synod conventions. These conventions allow delegates to consider local ministry topics and issues that apply to the synod at large and to hold elections for district officers and committee members.

The new district presidents elected by the convention delegates will join the other district presidents reelected to their positions, the synod president, and the two synod vice presidents to form WELS’ Conference of Presidents, which maintains the synod’s doctrine and practice and is responsible for funding the synod budget. The new district presidents are Paul Seager, South Central District; Stephen Helwig, Nebraska District; Kevin Westra, Northern Wisconsin District; Jonathan Schroeder, South Atlantic District; and Benjamin Tomczak, Dakota-Montana District.

The districts in which new presidents were elected all knew that they would be electing a new district president because the presidents in those districts did not stand for reelection or, in the case of Donald Patterson of the South Central District, could not stand for reelection because of a new call. The other men who completed their service on the Conference of Presidents are Philip Hirsch, Nebraska District; Joel Zank, Northern Wisconsin District; Charles Westra, South Atlantic District; and Douglas Free, Dakota-Montana District.

“We thank God and these men for their faithful service and pray for God’s continued blessing on their ministry,” says WELS President Mark Schroeder. “We pray for the Spirit’s wisdom and guidance on the five brothers in Christ as they begin serving their districts and their synod in this new role.”

The current Conference of Presidents now consists of WELS President Mark Schroeder; First Vice President Joel Voss; Second Vice President John Bortulin; Arizona-California District President Joel Heckendorf; Dakota-Montana District President Benjamin Tomczak; Michigan District President Snowden Sims; Minnesota District President Dennis Klatt; Nebraska District President Stephen Helwig; North Atlantic District President Michael Seifert; Northern Wisconsin District President Kevin Westra; Pacific Northwest District President Daniel Lange; South Atlantic District President Jonathan Schroeder; South Central District President Paul Seager; Southeastern Wisconsin District President Daniel Leyrer; and Western Wisconsin District President Michael Jensen. Synod Secretary Tyler Peil serves as an advisory member.

More district convention news and photos will be shared in the August issue of Forward in Christ magazine.

Taste of Missions 2026 celebrated the worldwide reach of WELS mission work, gathering people in person and online for worship, missionary stories, fellowship, and the commissioning of 11 new home and world missionaries. The event highlighted how WELS members share in gospel outreach through prayer, encouragement, giving, and support for missionaries serving around the world. Watch the recap video below.

You can learn more about those who were commissioned and view the service at tasteofmissions.com/commissioning-service-2026.

From May 29–June 1, eighty-seven confessional Lutherans from around the world—including many from WELS—met in Lusaka, Zambia, for the 2026 Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) convention.

The CELC is a worldwide fellowship of Lutheran church bodies committed to the teachings of the Lutheran Church found in the Book of Concord of 1580. Established in 1993 with 13 churches, the CELC has grown by God’s grace to include 35 church bodies today.

Every three years, representatives from CELC member churches around the world gather for theological discussion, fellowship, encouragement, and mutual support in their shared confession of faith. Voting attendees at this year’s convention represented 22 of the 35 member churches; with guests, a total of 28 church bodies from five continents were represented.

This was the first time this triennial convention was held in Africa. “Out of the 35 member churches of the CELC, 9 of them are in Africa,” says Thomas Nass, who just completed his service as CELC president. “Having the convention in Africa gives recognition to the importance of the church in Africa as a part of worldwide Christianity.”

Attendees also were able to experience the unique African culture and landscape, from enjoying Sunday services at local churches in Lusaka to visiting a nearby game park. “Every delegate from non-African churches will go home and talk about the energetic singing of the African choirs that we experienced,” says Nass.

As part of its official business, the group elected Nathan Seiltz, director of WELS Multi-Language Productions, as the new CELC president. Three more church bodies also were welcomed into this worldwide fellowship: the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of Kenya, Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional, and Obadiah Lutheran Synod of Uganda.

Being part of this fellowship has proven important for all CELC member churches, scattered bastions of Lutheran orthodoxy. “I am deeply grateful for the fellowship we share in the CELC,” says Kalyan Gollapalli, president of the Lutheran Mission of Salvation of India. “In a world filled with religious confusion and spiritual compromise, it is a great comfort to stand together with brothers and sisters who believe and confess the same Savior and the same gospel.”

This partnership is also important for WELS, as Lutheranism continues to grow outside the US. “It seems that God has put us in this position—that we are coming upon more and more confessional Lutheran brothers around the world,” says Nass. “This makes me think that the CELC is more and more important as an organization that can provide a worldwide gathering place for these churches and a place where the unity in faith can be strengthened and where they can help and support one another.”

God-willing, the next CELC convention will take place in 2029 at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., the same year as the 100th anniversary of the Mequon campus.

Learn more about the CELC at celc.info.

WELS Christian Aid and Relief approved a record $634,757 in humanitarian aid grants for fiscal year 2026-27. WELS Home Missions will receive $103,490 in assistance, and $531,267 will go to support world mission efforts.

These grants support projects developed by our home and world missionaries to reflect Christ’s compassion to the people of their communities and to build relationships that lead to opportunities to share the gospel.

Projects include health care for the sick and dying (including support for the Central Africa Medical Mission), borehole drilling to provide clean drinking water, food for the hungry, warm clothes for widows and orphans, school supplies for underprivileged kids, scholarships for students, mosquito nets, vocational training, and other forms of assistance.

Crossroads, Chicago, Ill., a home mission congregation, received a grant for the first time as it looks to help the large homeless population located in its area. “Our neighborhood is very social justice-conscious, but many people do not know the best way to help the people who are homeless on their own,” says Jacob Borgwardt, pastor at Crossroads. “By providing blessing bags for our neighbors with means, we can help them help families or individuals who are homeless as they meet them.” These blessing bags, he says, will contain things needed, including flyers for Crossroads and Bible passage slips. A blessing bag packing event for the community will allow congregation members to interact with others in the neighborhood, creating gospel-sharing opportunities.

Another first-time grant recipient is WELS’ sister synod in Africa, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ–Kenya (LCMC). The LCMC will be helping vulnerable families meet immediate food needs while strengthening their capacity to produce sustainable crops. Grant money will allow LCMC churches to supply certified seeds to Christian farmers as well as training on sustainable farming practices.

“These grants help our missions reflect the love and compassion of Christ and show that we are a people-loving church who cares about the whole person, soul and body,” says Daniel Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief. “This, in turn, leads to more opportunities to share the good news of our Savior.”

See a full list of all the grant recipients at wels.net/humanitarian-aid.

WELS Christian Aid and Relief works closely with WELS congregations and missions to carry out its ministry of compassion in three main areas: disaster relief, humanitarian aid, and personal relief grants. Learn more about its work at wels.net/relief or by watching the video below.

As the largest transfer of wealth in American history unfolds, experts estimate that approximately $124 trillion in assets—known as the Great Wealth Transfer—will pass from the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers to heirs and charitable organizations in the coming decades.

This presents a unique opportunity for congregations to encourage members to support gospel ministry through planned giving, ensuring their God-given blessings continue serving Christ’s kingdom long after they are called to heaven.

Two Wisconsin congregations illustrate the impact of intentional planned giving efforts.

More than 20 years ago, St. Peter, Schofield, Wis., established a planned giving committee to educate members about charitable giving opportunities. Through regular communication and guidance from WELS Ministry of Christian Giving, members learned how gifts through wills, appreciated assets, and other tools could support ministry. Recently, the congregation received gifts totaling more than $600,000 in one year, including funds to establish an endowment fund and strengthen ministry programs. “The Holy Spirit has worked miracles at St. Peter over and over again, and our members have historically been cheerful givers,” says committee member Bob Stasney.

At St. Peter’s, Mishicot, Wis., planned giving efforts dating back to 1999 have also produced lasting blessings. Estate gifts and endowment funds have helped finance a $1.3 million addition, fund most of a sanctuary remodeling project, support music ministries, and provide tuition assistance for students attending Lutheran schools. One endowment established by a faithful couple continues to generate annual support for ministry years after the Lord took them home.

Julia Marshall benefited from tuition assistance through planned gifts at St. Peter’s, Mishicot, Wis. After graduating from Martin Luther College in 2017, she and her husband, Justin, were assigned to teach at Divine Savior Academy. Doral, Fla.

Matthew Reis received tuition assistance through planned gifts at St. Peter’s, Mishicot. He now serves as pastor at St. Stephen, Beaver Dam, Wis.

These congregations show God’s blessings through education and thoughtful planning. Churches that regularly encourage planned gifts can help members support future ministry while expressing their faith and gratitude for all that their Savior has done for them.

Congregations interested in beginning or strengthening a planned giving ministry can find guidance through WELS Ministry of Christian Giving. The updated Planned Giving for Congregations booklet provides practical steps, tools, and examples to get started. Visit wels.net/congregationalplannedgiving to download the booklet or request a printed copy from NPH.

Watch a brief video about the blessings of planned giving at St. Peter, Schofield, Wis.

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.

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.

2026 STM graduates reflect

From left to right: Nathan Schulte, Nate Scharf, David Scharf, Greg Pufahl

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. View photos from the 2026 event below:

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 assigned to her current place of service earlier in the year. Six staff minister requests to the Assignment Committee were not filled.

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.