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.

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.