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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 United States 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 Jesus 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 Synod has its roots in the Upper Midwest, as waves of German immigrants flooded Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota in the mid and late 1800s. Synods 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 missionaries 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 North America. Canada (Home missions) (1963) In 1963, mission work led us to Canada, 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 missionary, 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 pastors and evangelists for ministry among their own people. Zambia (1953) WELS missionaries trekked to Africa 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 Bible 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 national church 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 pastor, 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 Saints 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.
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