Archives for August 2025

                                                                                                                               
    WELS convention in session at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minnesota                                                                                                                                         

The 375 delegates at the 68th Biennial Convention of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), held July 21–24 at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minnesota, gave a nod to the past while making a stride into the future.

The convention’s theme, Christ Through Us, put it all into perspective, according to WELS President Mark Schroeder in the opening of his President’s Report: “This year marks 175 years of God’s grace to our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. And while there may be a temptation on an anniversary such as this to look at our own efforts and accomplishments, our anniversary and convention theme place the focus where it belongs. On Christ. On his gospel. On his grace. On him, as he works through clay jars like us.”

In his convention essay, Rev. Joel Otto, chairman of the WELS 175th Anniversary Planning Committee, provided delegates a look back at God’s grace to WELS through the years, highlighting challenges and blessings, plus historical leaders and events.

While delegates gave thanks for 175 years of WELS ministry, they also looked ahead to the future, approving a new long-range strategic plan (also entitled Christ Through Us) for 2025–2035. This plan is an issues-based plan, offering four priorities and 20 goals related to key issues the Long-Range Planning Task Force uncovered after conducting surveys, cultural analyses, and talking to focus groups. The four priorities are culture, congregations, calling, and commission.

Rev. Joel Voss (left) and Rev. John Bortulin, were elected to serve as WELS’
first vice president and synod second vice president, respectively.

To lead WELS into the future, delegates elected 23 men to synodical offices, boards, and commissions. Three new synodical officers were elected: Rev. Joel Voss, first vice president; Rev. John Bortulin, second vice president; and Rev. Tyler Peil, recording secretary. Rev. James Huebner (first vice president) and Rev. Robert Pasbrig (recording secretary) were thanked for their combined 38 years of service on the Conference of Presidents. Both decided not to stand for reelection.

Special guests to the convention included Rev. Glenn Obenberger, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod; Rev. Makisimu Musa, president of the Obadiah Lutheran Synod of Uganda; and Bishop Baltazar Kaaya of the Africa Mission Evangelism Church in Tanzania.

                                                                                                                           
Left to right: Missionary Howard Mohlke, team leader of the One Africa Team;
Rev. Makisimu Musa; Rev. Larry Schlomer, WELS World Missions administrator;
WELS President Rev. Mark Schroeder; Bishop Baltazar Kaaya;
and Rev. Mark Rieke, chairman of the Africa Administrative Committee.

Watch presentations and read more convention news at welsconvention.net.

Submitted by WELS Communication Services

 

In the coming months, the CELC Planning Committee will be giving thought to the location of the 2029 international convention of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC). Member churches of the CELC are encouraged to submit an invitation to be the host.

The Planning Committee is pleased to have received one invitation already—from the Lutheran Mission of Salvation in India. The Committee is hoping to receive more invitations, since it usually likes to have multiple options to present to the CELC for consideration.

If your church would like to be considered as a possible host for the 2029 convention, please inform the CELC president by September 30, 2025 (president@celc.info). The Planning Committee intends to bring the matter to the 2026 convention.

It is a special honor to host the convention. The churches that have hosted in the past are:

• 1993 – Germany
• 1996 – Puerto Rico
• 1999 – ELS/WELS (Florida)
• 2002 – Sweden
• 2005 – Japan
• 2008 – Ukraine
• 2011 – ELS/WELS (Minnesota)
• 2014 – Peru
• 2017 – Germany
• 2023 – South Korea
• 2026 – Zambia (God willing)

At one time, the Planning Committee proposed Israel as a possible location for 2029. Due to the ongoing war involving Israel and its neighbors, that possibility has now been dismissed.

Left to right: Michael Smith (ELS, USA), Thomas Nass (CELC President, USA), David Kamwata (LCCA–Z, Zambia), Jonas Schroeter (ELFK, Germany), Mascrif Mulonda (LCCA-Z Chairman, Zambia), Ugis Sildegs (CLCL, Latvia), Joel Otto (WELS, USA)

If you’re wondering what it may be like to be in Zambia for next year’s triennial convention, the CELC Commission on Theology can give a hearty encouragement to try your best to be there!

The Commission on Theology met June 10-12, 2025, in Lusaka in the early days of its winter season. The weather was fantastic, and we enjoyed the fellowship of some wonderful brothers and sisters in the faith.

During these days, we focused on two of our commission’s primary tasks: reviewing applications for membership in the CELC and composing articles for the CELC’s Eternal Word series. Three church bodies are applying for membership (two from Africa and one from Latin America). The commission is currently reviewing these applications so we can make recommendations for next year’s convention.

We spent time putting some final touches on Article IX of the Eternal Word series which focuses on our triune God. The commission will bring this article to next year’s convention for ratification. It can be viewed here. We also thoroughly reviewed drafts of Article X which focuses on civil government.

Five men serve on the commission: David Kamwata (LCCA-Zambia), Joel Otto (WELS), Jonas Schroeter (ELFK), Ugis Sildegs (CLCL, and Michael Smith (ELS). Thomas Nass, president of the CELC, serves as an ex-officio member.

We look forward to returning to Lusaka for next year’s convention.

Submitted by Michael K. Smith, Chairman of the CELC Commission on Theology