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. Read More
WELS CONNECTION
In this month’s WELS Connection, Illumine, Rock Hill, S.C., shows us the beauty of a mission congregation that has matured and been blessed to no longer need synod subsidy, which offers WELS Home Missions the opportunity to plant new churches.
Jill Gilchrist, now a member at Illumine, was convinced she was done with faith until a persistent invitation led her to visit the congregation. There she and her family discovered comfort and purpose through the pure gospel message. Read her story in the March issue of Forward in Christ.
WELS Home Missions approves three new mission starts
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. Read More
Support for Asia-Oceania ministries
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. Read More
2026 International Youth Rally registration open
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. Read More
YOU SHOULD ALSO KNOW . . .
Sent to share Christ—join us at Taste of Missions
At the heart of Taste of Missions 2026 is a moment we don’t want you to miss: coming together as the church to send new missionaries to share Christ’s love in mission fields near and far. We invite you to join us on Saturday, June 13, for a day that begins with worship and the commissioning of missionaries and continues with stories, conversations, and connections from across WELS missions. Read More
National online teen Bible study: March 29, 6 p.m. (Central). A look at the account of Samson.
WELS National Handbell Festival: April 11–12 at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn. Performance April 12, 2 p.m., MLC gymnasium.
150 Years of Grace and Fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (ELFK) of Germany webinars
Part One: History of the ELFK and the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Leipzig. April 21, 10 a.m. (Central).
Part Two: Living as a Lutheran in East Germany. April 28, 10 a.m. (Central).
2026 WELS Special Needs Family Camp: April 24–26 at Camp Shiloh Lutheran Retreat, Pittsburg, Texas. This inclusive camp opportunity welcomes families with children with special needs.
2027 National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts: Save the date for June 15–18 at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn.
Youth Night is a series of youth-focused events featuring an inspiring evening of games, music, prayer, Bible messages, small group discussion, and fun with high school youth (9th-12th grade) from area WELS congregations. The latest resources for Spring 2026, which include all the pieces needed to plan, promote, and host a Youth Night event, are now available under the theme “My value in Christ.”
All four keynote addresses from the 2026 WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership are now available online. You can also access other materials from the breakout presentations.
Easter Triumph, Easter Joy is a collection of 56 devotions that focus on the scriptural truths of Easter. The devotions will lead you through the events of Holy Week and point you to the joy that is yours because of Jesus.
The Garden, The Curtain, and the Cross, a colorfully illustrated children’s book for ages 3+, helps young readers and families understand why Jesus died and rose again.
More resources for Bible study, discipleship, evangelism and outreach, youth, compassion ministries, and more are available at welscongregationalservices.net.
