The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference joins its sister church, the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church—Germany (Evangelisch-Lutherische Freikirche, ELFK), in giving thanks to God for the ELFK’s 150th anniversary.

Founded in 1876, the ELFK was formed by Lutherans who, in faithfulness to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, separated from state churches that had departed from biblical teaching. From its beginning, the ELFK sought and enjoyed fellowship with confessional Lutheran church bodies that shared its commitment to God’s Word.

Through its history, the ELFK has endured significant trials, including restrictions and hardships under Communist rule in East Germany. Yet the Lord preserved his church and continued to bless the preaching of the gospel among his people. Today, the ELFK serves congregations and preaching stations in Germany and Austria, operates Dr. Martin Luther School in Zwickau, trains pastors at its seminary in Leipzig, and carries out publishing work through its bookstore in Zwickau.

The ELFK is one of 34 member church bodies of the CELC, a worldwide fellowship committed to the teachings of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. The anniversary is therefore not only a German celebration, but also a shared occasion for thanksgiving across the CELC. It reminds the conference of the Lord’s faithfulness in preserving confessional Lutheran witness through changing times, political pressure, and many challenges.

With our brothers and sisters in the ELFK, we thank God for 150 years of grace, faithful confession, and gospel ministry. We pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will continue to bless the ELFK’s pastors, teachers, congregations, schools, seminary, publishing work, and mission efforts, so that his saving Word may continue to be proclaimed in Germany, Austria, and throughout the world.

                 Participants in the National Convention of the IELC

Pastors and lay leaders of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church—Mexico (in Spanish: Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Confesional, or IELC) —enjoyed time together in Monterrey, Mexico, from November 20 to 23, 2026, together with their wives and children.

Two days were spent at a retreat center in the nearby mountains, where Professor Samuel Degner from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary spoke on “The Mission of God” based on the book of Acts. His presentation provoked lively discussion about how members of the church can work together in carrying out God’s mission. The women who were present also met together and organized themselves in order to support the mission and ministries of their local churches and church body.

On Saturday, November 22, the national convention was held at La Santa Cruz Lutheran Church in Monterrey. Reports from the congregations were shared, and there was news of some adult confirmations and baptisms in a few of the churches. A worshipping group from Cuernavaca was officially accepted and recognized as a member of the IELC. It was noted that the majority of IELC pastors hold secular jobs to make ends meet for their families, but the finances of the IELC are stable.

            Children’s choir singing during a convention worship service

The convention was pleased to have a number of guests. Henry Herrera shared an update about Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional (ICWI)—the new Latin American church that has applied for membership in the CELC. Matt Behmer reported on the activities of Academia Cristo in Mexico. Marli Camargo and two other women reported on the activities of Mission to the Children in Sonora and Cuernavaca. Juan Garcia and Jorge Briones reported on the work of Costa Maya Ministries in Mahahual and Chetumal. The reports were positively received, with appreciation for the shared opportunities for Gospel outreach that exist throughout Mexico.

Roman Aguilar, at age 89 (pictured left with Biendenbender), was recognized for his many years of service on the board of the IELC. Replacing him as president of the IELC is Jose Hernandez. Convention attendees thanked Jose Angel Jimenez for making many of the arrangements for the retreat and convention.

Next year’s retreat and convention are scheduled to take place from November 19 to 22, 2026, with the group from Cuernavaca offering to serve as the host.

Submitted by Pastor Paul Biedenbender, WELS liaison to the IELC

 

 

 

God willing, the Twelfth Triennial Convention of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, through Monday, June 1, 2026, in Lusaka, Zambia.

Registration for the convention is now open through an online link that the CELC president has shared with his database of CELC church leaders. Registration is open through January 31, and it is important that all registrations are received by that date.

The CELC convention is primarily intended for the member churches of the CELC. Each member church is encouraged to send two voting delegates to the convention. Visitors who are in fellowship with the CELC through mission work of CELC churches are also welcome to attend.

If you think that you are a candidate for participation in the convention, and you have not received the email with the link for convention registration, please contact the CELC president at: president@celc.info.

The CELC Planning Committee is putting together an agenda with worship and theological study that we trust will be a spiritual blessing for all participants. There also will be some time to interact with the host church, the Lutheran Church of Central Africa—Zambia. The venue for the convention will be the Golfview Hotel, which we expect to be well-received by people from around the world.

Please make sure your registrations are received by January 31, 2026, and please pray for God’s blessing on the convention. If you have questions, contact the president at: president@celc.info.

Submitted by the CELC Planning Committee

                             A screenshot from the 2025 online conference

The Global Theological Education Commission (GTEC) of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference is hosting an online conference for theological educators on Friday, January 30, 2026.

The two-hour conference has the following agenda:

• Opening Devotion by Prof. Skip Goetzinger (20 minutes)
• Presentation by Prof. Paul Waldschmidt on Direct Instruction (40 minutes)
• Discussion in breakout groups (40 minutes)
• Closing Devotion by Prof. Thomas Nass (20 minutes) 

Here is a description of the presentation by Prof. Waldschmidt:

Direct Instruction: The shortest distance between two places is a straight line. In a classroom, the shortest path to knowledge acquisition is for the teacher to simply tell the students what they need to know. That is direct instruction. But what sounds simple can be difficult to accomplish in ways that promote student attention and ultimately, retention of course content. In this presentation, we will define direct instruction and discuss how it differs from lecture. We will focus on the importance of direct instruction as one of the tools in our teaching toolbox. Finally, we will demonstrate strategies for you to incorporate direct instruction into your lesson design.

The conference begins at 6:00 am CST and ends at 8:00 am CST. This means that the conference will occur in the afternoon in Europe and Africa, and in the evening in Asia. We realize that theological educators have busy schedules and may be unable to attend. At the same time, we sincerely hope that many theological educators will join us and that they will encourage their colleagues to do the same. Let’s spur one another on in the blessed work the Lord has given us to do.

Registration for the GTEC Online Conference will be open January 2–9, 2026. The registration link has been sent by email to all theological educators in our GTEC database. If you would like to attend and did not receive the email with the link, please contact GTEC Chairman Bradley Wordell at brad.wordell@wls.edu. The conference is open to all theological educators who serve in confessional Lutheran church bodies that are affiliated with the CELC.

The Global Theological Education Commission (GTEC) of the CELC is made up of the following members:

• Brad Wordell, WELS representative, chairman
• Thomas Nass, CELC president, ex officio
• Tim Schmeling, ELS reresentative
• Skip Goetzinger, WELS representative, advisory
• Andrés San Martín Arrizaga, Latin America representative
• Holger Weiss, Europe representative
• Anthony Phiri, Africa representative
• Angus Cheung, Asia-Oceania representative

P.S. Please note that there are other opportunities besides this conference for CELC theological educators to interact in 2026. At the end of May/beginning of June, there is the CELC triennial convention in Lusaka. Also, from June 15–26, 2026, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary will host an in-person Summer Quarter in Mequon, Wisconsin, USA. Scholarship monies are available to help cover the costs of tuition and travel for international pastors and professors. WLS also offers three seasons (Spring, Summer, and Fall) of online courses through Grow in Grace. Because those courses are mostly asynchronous, they work well for pastors who want to participate from anywhere in the world.

Submitted by Prof. Bradley Wordell, Chairman of GTEC

 Isaiah 11:10 – In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples;
the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.

In ancient warfare, the “banner” or “standard” was very important. As a combatant, you would always rally to the banner. It showed where you belonged. When the banner advanced, you would advance; when the banner retreated, you would retreat.

In Isaiah 11:10—a common Advent text—the prophet Isaiah speaks about the coming Messiah as a “banner” or “standard.” The Messiah, referred to as “the Root of Jesse,” will be like a flag or ensign, to which people will rally.

And when people rally to him, they will find a “resting place” that will be “glorious.” As New Testament Christians, we think about how Jesus gives us rest from the guilt and punishment of sin. We who deserve nothing but God’s anger and punishment are forgiven of all sin through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus in our place. We have rest for our souls here on earth, and the promise of eternal rest in heaven forever.

But who will rally to this banner? Will the Root of Jesse rally the Old Testament Israelites? No, Isaiah says that he will “stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him.”

Isaiah 11:10 is one of many Old Testament prophecies that predict the worldwide extent of the New Testament Church under the Messiah. The saving work of Jesus is for all nations—for every human being in every country in every age. No one is excluded.

When I see passages like this, I think of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference. In our association, God has gathered believers from over thirty different countries of the world, from six different continents. It is wonderful to behold the variety of people gathered into our fellowship, in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

Still, more wonderful is what we all receive from the Root of Jesse. In Christ, we have found “a resting place” that is “glorious.” We have the forgiveness of our sins.

May the Lord richly bless your Christmas celebration as you celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus!

From CELC President Thomas Nass, on behalf of the CELC Planning Committee

P.S. Registration for the 2026 International Convention in Zambia will open on January 1. If you are interested in attending and have not received an email invitation, please contact me at president@celc.info.