sign in sign up
<<
Home , Christian Flag, Church of Norway, Church of Sweden

WELS Flag Presentation

Introduction to Flag Presentation The face of missions is changing, and the LWMS would like to reflect some of those changes in our presentation of flags. As women who have watched our sons and daughters grow, we know how important it is to recognize their transition into adulthood. A similar development has taken place in many of our Home and World mission fields. They have grown in faith, spiritual maturity, and size of membership to the point where a number of them are no longer dependent mission churches, but semi- dependent or independent church bodies. They stand by our side in faith and have assumed the responsibility of proclaiming the message of salvation in their respective areas of the world.

Category #1—We begin with flags that point us to the foundations of support for our mission work at home and abroad.

U.S.A. The flag of the is a reminder for Americans that they are citizens of a country that allows the freedom to worship as God’s Word directs. May it also remind us that there are still many in our own nation who do not yet know the Lord, so that we also strive to spread the Good News to the people around us. Christian Flag The Christian flag symbolizes the heart of our faith. The cross reminds us that shed his blood for us as the ultimate sacrifice. The blue background symbolizes the eternity of joy that awaits us in heaven. The white field stands for the white robe of righteousness given to us by the grace of God.

Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota The Wisconsin has its roots in the Upper Midwest, as waves of German immigrants flooded Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota in the mid and late 1800s. in each state soon emerged. Wisconsin founded missions in Nebraska.

Michigan reached out to the Native Americans in their state. In 1892, Minnesota and Michigan joined Wisconsin in sending to the Apaches of Arizona.

Minnesota sent missionaries to the Dakotas. In 1918 the three synods became a single church body and took the name Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod.

WELS Flag The flag of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod represents the 367,000 brothers and sisters who walk together in doctrine and practice as we carry out Christ’s Great Commission. Today WELS has missionaries in 23 foreign countries and financially supports 25 cross- cultural missions and 49 missions throughout .

Canada (Home missions) (1963) In 1963, mission work led us to , where we have 13 congregations in four provinces: Alberta, British Colombia, Ontario, and Quebec. Our fellow Lutheran Christians are joined together in what is known as WELS-Canada.

Category # 2—This includes fields where we have at least one resident WELS , friendly counselor, or teacher and expect to have a resident presence there for the next one to three years. The fields are presented in chronological order from the time when outreach work began in each of them:

Apache Tribes (World Mission) (1893) Represented by their own tribal flags, the sovereign nations of the White Mountain and San Carlos Apache Tribes make up the synod’s oldest mission field outside the Midwest, begun in 1893. The Apache Christian Training School trains lay leaders as well as future and evangelists for ministry among their own people.

Zambia (1953) WELS missionaries trekked to and in 1953 established a church in Zambia. A seminary in Lusaka prepares pastoral candidates to serve in the Lutheran Church of Central Africa.

Malawi (1963) In 1963, the work spread from Zambia to Malawi. A Institute in Lilongwe offers pre-seminary training for future pastors. The Malawi and Zambia synods of the Lutheran

Mexico (1964) In 1964, work began with our neighbor to the south. In 1993, foreign missionaries were allowed residence in country. In 2005, a seminary was opened to train men to serve the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mexico.

Hong Kong (1964) WELS missionaries have been working in Hong Kong since 1964. The independent Chinese is called SALEM—Southeast Asia Lutheran Evangelical Mission. As an administrative district of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong provides a unique gateway to work in the mainland. In 2005, Asia Lutheran Seminary began training national workers for pastoral care.

Cameroon (1970) The Lutheran Church of Cameroon is currently served by a missionary, whose chief focus is providing much-needed training for them to become self-dependent in spiritual and administrative functions.

India (1971) WELS work in India dates back to 1971. Because of humanitarian efforts aimed especially at orphans, the government which is unfriendly to foreign missionaries, allows a WELS presence. Our friendly counselors assist the dozens of national pastors and help train men willing to serve as pastors or evangelists.

Antigua (Home Missions) (1980) Since 1980, we have been involved with gospel outreach on the beautiful island of Antigua. St. John’s Church also operates a Lutheran elementary school staffed by local teachers. Since 2007, one national , a graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, serves in his home country along with an American pastor.

Russia (1992) Since 1992, the grace of God shines in this former center of communism with many opportunities to share his Word. Currently one missionary, as well as national pastors, local evangelists and deaconesses, have been at work training Russian church leaders and reaching out to people in Novosibirsk, Iskitim, Akademgorodok, and Tomsk. English as a Second Language classes are an important tool.

Thailand (1993) Thailand is an Asian land of over 60 million inhabitants, most of whom are Buddhists. WELS mission work with Hmong immigrants in the United States led to contacts in Thailand and surrounding areas. Mission efforts have expanded to include Thai Siam people, as well as Hmong.

St. Lucia (Home Missions) (1997) In 1990, the Antigua missionaries reached out to another beautiful island, St. Lucia, 200 miles to the south. The Lord has richly blessed Trinity Lutheran Church with the recent purchase of land and the completion of phase one of their building project. A national pastor who graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and one American missionary serve the mission.

Grenada (2001) As the march of the gospel continues across the Caribbean, missionary work was also begun on the southern island of Grenada in 2000. Since that time through special funding, the congregation has grown into Grace Lutheran Church and School. The Lord continues to bless the work of the American pastor called to serve the congregation and the Grenadian school staff. On a beautiful campus with over 100 students, the gospel is proclaimed to the nation of Grenada.

East Asia The training of qualified leaders by Asia Lutheran Seminary has led to outreach to the multitudes of Chinese people living in East Asia. Supervision and care are provided by our mission team in Hong Kong for WELS/ELS members who serve in the region as teachers of English as a Foreign Language in the most populated country in the world.

Bolivia (2011) Our first contact in Bolivia was in response to an invitation from a group in La Paz. Several visits were made until a resident missionary was sent to Bolivia in 2011. Since then, a group of believers meets in La Paz, led by a national leader. Efforts are being made both to reach out with the gospel and to train all members in evangelism and the use of personal gifts.

Category #3—This category consists of fields where there is a limited WELS missionary presence rather than a permanent presence, but we offer significant, ongoing financial support for theological training, as well as guidance for national pastors and administrators.

Indonesia (1969) In 1969, WELS began its mission efforts in Indonesia. Five national pastors and over 1500 souls make up the Gereja Lutheran Indonesia. They are working diligently to reach out to the 238 million inhabitants of the largest Muslim country in the world.

Colombia (1973) In 1973, missionaries were sent to Colombia. An escalating civil war prompted the withdrawal of our mission team 1999. In spite of these difficulties, by God’s grace, the national church has continued to grow. It receives guidance and training through the 1LA team. A computer facilitated “virtual church” service in Spanish serves scores of people in seven countries as a program of the national church.

Nigeria (1936 and 1973) A WELS missionary coordinates visits this field every three months to maintain contact. When seminary is in session, stateside WELS pastors teach classes three times a year. They assist Nigerian pastors in preparing men to serve as pastors in Christ the King and All Lutheran Synods, the two national churches affiliated with WELS.

Bulgaria (1992) Beginning in 1992, WELS has been assisting the Lutheran Church of Bulgaria by providing limited financial subsidy, translation work for Christian literature, and a training program for future pastors.

Albania (1996) Mission work in Albania began in 1996. Work continues in this country through the work of two national pastors, who carry on ministry in Durres and Tirana.

Dominican Republic (1993) In 1993, mission work began on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola in the Dominican Republic. A small congregation in Santiago is the center of our confessional Lutheran presence there.

Pakistan (2002) WELS received a contact in 2002 from a Christian doctor in Pakistan. Christian literature was provided, a Bible correspondence program was initiated, and Christian literature has been translated into Urdu, the language of Pakistan. Since 2006, over 150,000 pieces of Christian literature have been distributed, and over 40,000 persons have enrolled in the Bible correspondence program. Humanitarian aid opens the door for gospel witness.

Nepal (2002) In 2002, contact with WELS was made by a man in Nepal, pleading for Christian literature in their national language to use in churches and for the training of workers. A Scripture Learning Program was begun in 2006. A Bible training workshop is also held for two weeks every six months and averages over 100 workers in attendance. Today the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nepal has congregations and study groups in 28 of the 75 districts in the country. A full time missionary now serves as a counselor to Nepal and Pakistan.

Haiti (2010) The devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti in 2010 resulted in a flood of WELS humanitarian aid. This led to the start of WELS mission work in this impoverished nation. Much of our work is done in orphanages. The orphanage directors are receiving Lutheran training to enable them to instruct the children in true biblical doctrine. Aid continues as needs of the orphanages are identified and met.

Ukraine (2013) Ukraine came under WELS supervision in 2013. WELS assistance is devoted to seminary-level training for the pastors who will continue to provide the gospel tidings in churches across .

Mozambique (2017) The churches of the Lutheran Church of Central Africa- Malawi Synod reach to the borders of Mozambique. Contact with people across the border has led to WELS efforts to help the LCCA register as a church in Mozambique so that groups in that country can continue to be served by our mission team and mission minded brothers and sisters in Malawi.

South Sudan (2017) Immigrant ministry in the United States has led to a growing battalion of South Sudanese members and pastors in the WELS. WELS mission efforts led by brothers from the Nuer tribe of South Sudan are starting ministry in refugee camps in several neighboring countries to provide simple Gospel training. The goal is to reach 800,000 refugees that have fled the fighting in South Sudan and will one day have an impact when refugees are allowed home.

Liberia (2017) Contact in Las Vegas with African immigrants has started training efforts in Liberia. The WELS One Africa mission team is coordinating visits to continue the training of our newfound contacts, an eager group of believers in Liberia.

Tanzania (2017) Newfound partners in Kenya have contacts that cross the border into Tanzania. We are supporting a plan of the Lutheran Church of Central Africa – Zambia Synod to help coordinate worker training for the Kenyan church with an immediate impact into Tanzania.

Philippines (2017) A contact made with our sister seminary in Indonesia has led to support of a congregation in an area of Manila in the Philippines. Weekly services and Sunday School classes are reaching hundreds in the neighborhood.

Vietnam (2017) Hmong ministry in the United States has started work with the Hmong Fellowship Church of Vietnam. Hundreds of leaders and over 70,000 members have requested training that is being organized by our PSI Team. Outreach from Boise Idaho and the Friends of Vietnam is also reaching Vietnamese nationals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The first team of WELS English teachers arrives this fall.

Laos (2017) Our work in Thailand among the northern tribes has spilled into Laos. A national worker, supported by WELS, reaches out to a handful of groups in Laos. Fierce persecution is a constant threat to this work.

Venezuela (2017) Turmoil in the country may not allow an American to visit, but brothers from Colombia and Bolivia travel to give support to contacts made through the 1LA team’s efforts with Academia Cristo. A handful of contacts in Venezuela are using the materials and starting groups on the ground.

Guatemala (2017) The 1LA team’s efforts with Academia Cristo are bearing fruit. A handful of contacts in Guatemala are using the materials and starting groups in this area of grace-starved .

Ecuador (2017) Contacts made through MLC language immersion students and teachers are adding to online connections made on AcademiaCristo.com by our 1LA team. This year saw the first exploratory trips to provide encouragement to these new contacts.

Chile (2017) Initial meetings have been held with leaders of the group that has sprung out of efforts of the ELS World outreach and WELS volunteers. The 1LA team is providing materials and additional contacts to a group that continues to gather in Linares.

Category #4—This category represents independent confessional churches, in fellowship with WELS, which receive limited financial assistance.

Japan (1952) Japan was first served by WELS in 1957. Today the national church in Japan consists of about 400 souls. National pastors now lead efforts to spread the news of the risen Son. WELS missionaries continue to visit to provide further training and support.

Puerto Rico (1964) The island of Puerto Rico was first reached by WELS missionaries in 1964. The Puerto Rican national church is presently an independent sister church, having official fellowship with WELS since 2011.

Taiwan (1968) Missionaries first began work in Taiwan in 1968. Now national pastors and workers serve this island nation, with continued training and support from visiting WELS missionaries.

Sweden (1971) In 1975, our synod declared itself in fellowship with the Lutheran Confessional Church of and , which left the liberal state church in order to remain faithful to God’s Word. WELS assisted in the training of church workers, which led to the establishment of a seminary program.

Brazil (1987) Our work in Brazil began in 1983 in the Portuguese language. The work is concentrated in one small area of this large country. One missionary and two national pastors work with national church leaders to carry out ministry and do mission outreach.

Germany (1990) Since 1990, the Evangelical Lutheran of (ELFK), continues to proclaim the gospel in the “land of Luther.” Over the years WELS assisted this church in a number of ways, including making it possible for some of their pastors and seminarians to study at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. ELFK operates a seminary in Leipzig and a Lutheran elementary school and bookstore in Zwickau.

Portugal (2007) In 2007, WELS in convention declared itself to be in fellowship with the Lutheran Church in Portugal made up of two congregations. This small group has helped WELS mission work by producing Christian materials in the Portuguese language to assist our efforts in Brazil and Mozambique.

Norway (2011) The Lutheran Confessional (LBK-Norway) was formed in 2009 as the result of a friendly split with the Lutheran Confessional . The Norwegian church decided to form its own organization because of distance and language, but it continues to work closely with the Swedish church in youth ministry, educational retreats for the , and publications. The LBK-Norway has been in fellowship with WELS since 2011. It also supports mission work in Peru through the ELS.

Latvia (2017) The Confessional Lutheran Church of Latvia sprang out of ELS teaching efforts three decades ago. They now stand as another, dear member of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference and are our partners in European outreach.

Czech Republic (2017) Thoughts of Faith ministry in the Czech Republic has led to the founding of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, another CELC partner in Europe. Volunteer teachers from America still aid this small, but committed body.

Ethiopia (2017) With more than three hundred members, the Lutheran Church of Ethiopia proclaims a solidly Lutheran confession to the people of this African nation. The LCE’s Maor Theological College serves as a strong anchor for this heritage. Our PSI Team continues to work with the church leaders to assist and support more training. This summer the LCE will be welcomed as a sister church by the CELC and WELS.

Kenya (2017) Contact with leaders in Sudanese refugee camps have allowed contact and visits with pastors from confessional Lutheran minded brothers from Kenya who seek to set up an independent, confessional Lutheran church. Assisted by African leaders at the seminary in Lusaka contact has been made and trips to aid the training are underway. Several pastors continue to explore an ongoing relationship with our churches even as they continue to serve the people of Kenya with God’s grace.

2017 Flag Presentation – 6/17