WELS Links
We are a member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, founded in 1850 with roots going back to the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. The "Wisconsin" in the name dates back to a time when just about every state had its own "synod" or what we now call "denomination." While most of our churches and schools are in the Midwest, WELS congregations are located all over the US, including 20 congregations in Washington. You can see a map of all WELS congregations here.
Relationship to other Lutherans: I get asked this frequently, so I'll put it here: The WELS has full fellowship and partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod centered in Mankato, MN, and has historical connections and many similarities with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Church of the Lutheran Confession, both of which have congregations in Spokane. We have no connections or regular contact with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (also having several congregations in Spokane), which has departed significantly from traditional Lutheranism and in some ways from orthodox Christianity. Our pastor would be glad to talk through these differences in a cordial way with anyone interested.
The WELS website has many helpful resources including:
WhatAboutJesus.Com has a lot of spiritually edifying content.
Time of Grace produces high quality, Christian media to help you stay connected to God's Word.
Northwestern Publishing House produces a lot of quality books, most notably the People's Bible series, written to walk laypeople through the Bible. I recommend Genesis, Psalms, and Daniel very highly, but they are all good.
Martin Luther College prepares men and women for ministry. Check out their chapel services. Anyone interested in being a pastor or teacher should consider going here. One of our members is mentioned in this MLC Weekly Newsletter.
Wisconsin Lutheran College is located in Milwaukee, WI.
Bethany Lutheran College is located in Mankato, MN. It is not run by the WELS but by the ELS, another Lutheran synod in fellowship with WELS.
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary is the place where nearly all pastors in our synod spend 4 years preparing for the ministry after college. They study the Bible and theology and get hands-on experience.
Evergreen Lutheran High School is located in Tacoma and provides a Lutheran high school education. Several of our members went there. Boarding options are available with host families.
Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI is a high school focused on preparing kids for the ministry. Kelly West and Jacob Biebert went there. It has boarding options in dorms.
Jesus Cares Ministries assists congregations in reaching out to and serving the disabled.
Wisconsin Lutheran Institutional Ministries includes our very large prison ministry network.
WELS Military Services
Conquerors through Christ - a website to help Christians struggling with pornography in their or a loved one's life.
Christian Life Resources - a WELS-affiliated organization that promotes causes relating to life, such as abortion, euthanasia, etc. They operate New Beginnings a home that supports single mothers who might have otherwise considered abortion. Note from Pastor West: I see it as a mistake that CLR has waded into the vaccine question and do not endorse their statement on vaccines. While it is undeniable that abortions take innocent human life, whether vaccines do more to protect or to harm life is a question about which Christians can and will continue to disagree.
Relationship to other Lutherans: I get asked this frequently, so I'll put it here: The WELS has full fellowship and partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod centered in Mankato, MN, and has historical connections and many similarities with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Church of the Lutheran Confession, both of which have congregations in Spokane. We have no connections or regular contact with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (also having several congregations in Spokane), which has departed significantly from traditional Lutheranism and in some ways from orthodox Christianity. Our pastor would be glad to talk through these differences in a cordial way with anyone interested.
The WELS website has many helpful resources including:
- Several options for daily devotions
- A WELS church locator
- Radio, Video, and Podcast links
- Information about US and world missions
- Many resources for pastors and congregations
- Occasional live, online Bible studies
WhatAboutJesus.Com has a lot of spiritually edifying content.
Time of Grace produces high quality, Christian media to help you stay connected to God's Word.
Northwestern Publishing House produces a lot of quality books, most notably the People's Bible series, written to walk laypeople through the Bible. I recommend Genesis, Psalms, and Daniel very highly, but they are all good.
Martin Luther College prepares men and women for ministry. Check out their chapel services. Anyone interested in being a pastor or teacher should consider going here. One of our members is mentioned in this MLC Weekly Newsletter.
Wisconsin Lutheran College is located in Milwaukee, WI.
Bethany Lutheran College is located in Mankato, MN. It is not run by the WELS but by the ELS, another Lutheran synod in fellowship with WELS.
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary is the place where nearly all pastors in our synod spend 4 years preparing for the ministry after college. They study the Bible and theology and get hands-on experience.
Evergreen Lutheran High School is located in Tacoma and provides a Lutheran high school education. Several of our members went there. Boarding options are available with host families.
Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI is a high school focused on preparing kids for the ministry. Kelly West and Jacob Biebert went there. It has boarding options in dorms.
Jesus Cares Ministries assists congregations in reaching out to and serving the disabled.
Wisconsin Lutheran Institutional Ministries includes our very large prison ministry network.
WELS Military Services
Conquerors through Christ - a website to help Christians struggling with pornography in their or a loved one's life.
Christian Life Resources - a WELS-affiliated organization that promotes causes relating to life, such as abortion, euthanasia, etc. They operate New Beginnings a home that supports single mothers who might have otherwise considered abortion. Note from Pastor West: I see it as a mistake that CLR has waded into the vaccine question and do not endorse their statement on vaccines. While it is undeniable that abortions take innocent human life, whether vaccines do more to protect or to harm life is a question about which Christians can and will continue to disagree.
