An Introduction to Wisconsin Evangelical
Lutheran Synod
WELS - is a gathering
of over 400,000 Christian men, women and children in over 1200 congregations
located around the USA, Canada and the world. Its origins and headquarters
are in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Evangelical - We are dedicated
to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ as Savior of the world.
Lutheran - WELS firmly holds
to the classic teachings of confessional Lutheranism.
Synod - WELS is a synod -
people walking the same road - joined by faith in Jesus and a common understanding
of the Christian faith.
Further Information - August 30, 1999
WELS, characterized as theologically conservative,
is the third largest Lutheran church body in America. With national offices
today at 2929 N. Mayfair Rd., Milwaukee, Wis., WELS began in 1850 when
three German pastors met in Milwaukee. Today, it has grown to 1,239 congregations
in North America. It has 411,295 baptized members, which includes 315,355
communicants, served by 1,224 pastors.
The synod operates four ministerial education
schools: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis.; Martin Luther College,
New Ulm, Minn.; Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis.; and Michigan
Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich. WELS congregations support 366 Lutheran
elementary schools, 289 early childhood education programs, and 22 area
Lutheran high schools served by 2,726 specially trained teachers. WELS
has opened 70 new home missions in the past three years. At any given time,
between 180 to 200 congregations look to Home Missions for some level of
support.
In world missions, WELS supports 69 missionaries
and 22 teachers doing work in 36 different languages in 26 countries on
5 continents. Sixty-four national pastors, 10 vicars, and 235 evangelists
and assistant pastors work alongside their missionaries serving 522 congregations
and 72 preaching stations.
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