For a long time, I have admired our sister synod, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, for its readily observable mission zeal. Now do not misunderstand, our ELS members possess mission zeal as well, but it is probably not as obvious as in the WELS. Offerings from their congregations given to the WELS are designated as “Mission Offerings,” perhaps the ELS should start making such a designation to make it clear our work is mission work which we are committed to do together in Jesus’ name.
Because we believe that we are truly unworthy of the salvation won for all people by our Lord Jesus and truly grateful, we are motivated to speak, work and pray out of love for more and more of our neighbors to learn of and believe in the one Savior of the world. Consider how this happens so naturally:
“How can we demonstrate our love for our neighbors who do not know the gifts of God? Here is where evangelism and missions are properly placed, not as the essence of the Church, but as what the Church does. Our greatest act of love to our unbelieving neighbors is to bring them into the liturgical assembly to receive the gifts of salvation so they might be united to Christ and have communion with his flesh. Evangelism is an act of love, inspired by faith, that receives the gifts in the liturgy, to go out to the highways and byways (Luke 14) and bring our lost neighbors into the liturgy so they may behold the presence of Jesus and receive the gifts of the Gospel proclaimed in the Word of God. In the prayers of the Church, we pray for the world and its needs, that all people may join us in faith and eventually in the reception of the Supper so that their human destiny will be communion with Christ now and forever with angels and archangels and the company of heaven.” (“For the Life of the World” Winter 2024, p. 13 by Dr. Arthur A. Just)
Glenn Obenberger
Ordination and Installation of Caleb Strutz
Candidate Caleb Strutz was ordained and installed as pastor of Our Savior Ev. Lutheran Church, Lakeland, Florida and Resurrection Ev. Lutheran Church, Winter Haven, Florida on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The Rev. Nathan Strutz was the preacher and Rev. Mark Faugstad served as liturgist and performed the rites of ordination and installation. The congregation welcomed Pastor Caleb Strutz and his family with a meal after the service.
Ordination and Commissioning
On Friday, June 20, Skyler Hepler was ordained and commissioned as pastor to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The service took place in Trinity Chapel at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota.
Bethany Lutheran College Celebrates 2025 Graduating Class with Special Commencement Ceremony at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center
The class of 2025 made history at Bethany Lutheran College as the largest in the four-year, baccalaureate era to walk across the commencement stage. This milestone includes one of the biggest groups of undergraduate students as well as the highest number of master’s degree candidates in the college’s history. Over 130 students crossed the stage on Friday, May 9, 2025, to receive their degrees, marking a significant uptick in graduates from previous years. The increase reflects steady enrollment growth and program expansion at the college. As a result, the Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony was moved off campus to the Grand Hall at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in downtown Mankato.
The commencement address was delivered by Rev. Jonathan Madson, a 1976 Bethany alumnus and Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary graduate whose daughter was among the 2025 graduates. His speech encouraged graduates, while joining him as part of the Bethany alumni family, to “make the most of the lessons learned at Bethany while holding fast to God’s plan for them throughout their lives.”
Joining Madson on the commencement stage was Dr. Gene Pfeifer, President, Dr. Jason Lowrey, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Rev. Donald Moldstad, College Chaplain, and Rev. David Thompson, Vice Chair of the Bethany Board of Regents.
European Regional CELC Conference Held in Germany
The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) is a global fellowship of confessional Lutheran church bodies, including the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS). The regional European conference was held in Nerchau, Germany, at the end of May. Dr. Timothy Schmeling, of our Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, gave a presentation on the doctrines of creation and anthropology. We pray that God continues to bless all the members of our worldwide fellowship.
Upcoming Events
July 8–9 – Board for Home Outreach
July 24–27 – LYA Convention
August 14 – Board of Trustees
View current vacancies and calls in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
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