Good Shepherd, Holmen, Wis.

Enhancement: Good Shepherd is a thriving congregation serving the fast-growing community of Holmen, just north of La Crosse, Wis. With a strong culture of outreach, regular door-to-door engagement, and a visible presence at community events, the congregation continues to connect with new families moving into the area. Little Lamb Preschool has become one of Good Shepherd’s most effective ministry bridges, regularly introducing unchurched families to the gospel. A short-term Home Missions enhancement grant will support the calling of a staff minister to build on that momentum, strengthen follow-up and discipleship, and help the congregation keep pace with growth.

Fast facts:

  • Holmen is one of the fastest‑growing communities in the region, experiencing projected population growth of approximately 50 percent over a 20‑year span.
  • Over the past three years, Good Shepherd has celebrated 27 adult confirmations and 23 baptisms.
  • Door‑to‑door outreach and community engagement have identified more than 190 unchurched families, creating significant opportunity for continued follow‑up.

Prayer: 

Dear Father, we thank you for pouring out your Spirit upon your churches. By your Word, you refresh your people. Praise be to you for kindling the fire of your love in the members of Good Shepherd in Holmen, Wis. We honor you for blessing the church, preschool staff, and leadership with the gift of Christian friendship. Thanks be to you for the generosity of our synod in granting this mission enhancement. Your people look to you, Lord. Lead them to call and receive a staff minister filled with gospel zeal. Grant that, through this work, more preschool families and community members may come to know Jesus as their Savior. Feed your lambs and your sheep! Amen.

Contact:

Mr. Jacob Werre, Church President
jacobj_4@hotmail.com
608-606-4426

Mount Olive, St. Paul, Minn.

Enhancement: Mount Olive is a historic congregation located between downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., in a highly populated urban neighborhood. With a debt-free facility and a creative, mission-minded core group, Mount Olive is uniquely positioned to serve as a healthy WELS presence in the urban core. Lay leaders have long been involved with other WELS churches, including a Merge for Mission effort, while continuing to invest locally in worship, children’s ministry, and community engagement. This enhancement grant will support a full-time pastor who will build on existing momentum as Mount Olive grows as a vibrant city church reaching people across the Twin Cities.

Fast facts:

  • Mount Olive is in the Midway area of St. Paul, with an identified mission field of approximately 100,000 people and proximity to major universities, cultural centers, and residential neighborhoods.
  • The congregation already owns a debt‑free, well‑maintained facility, providing a strong platform for worship, community gatherings, and outreach ministry.
  • A committed core group of 30+ leaders and volunteers have continued to lead worship, small groups, children’s ministry, and outreach during their pastoral vacancy.

Prayer: 

Gracious Lord, we thank you for the mission enhancement at Mount Olive in St. Paul and for the vision you have given them to serve as a vibrant city church in the Twin Cities. Bless their outward‑facing focus as they foster a culture of invitation and personal evangelism, empowering them to share your gospel with confidence and love. Make their church a welcoming hub for the community and let their members shine as faithful lights of hope and mercy in their neighborhood. Guide their leaders and congregation to remain mission‑driven, faithfully investing in the next generation and reaching those who have not yet heard your saving truth in the urban core. May this work bear lasting fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your holy name. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Contact:

Mr. Jacob Swogger, Church President
jswogger@gmail.com
612-801-6609

Resurrection, Chesapeake, Va.

Enhancement: Resurrection Lutheran Church is an established congregation with a highly visible campus in Chesapeake, Va.—one of the state’s largest and fastest growing cities. In recent years, the congregation has regained momentum under the leadership of a retiring pastor who helped strengthen worship life, stewardship, and outreach. A Home Missions enhancement grant will provide a short-term bridge as Resurrection calls a new pastor, allowing the congregation to build on that progress and continue reaching its community with the gospel.

Fast facts:

  • Resurrection is in Virginia’s second‑largest city, serving a community of more than 249,000 residents in a highly visible, well‑traveled corridor.
  • Average weekly worship attendance has rebounded from 70–80 during the pandemic to 120–140, with 12 baptisms and four adult confirmations recently reported.
  • Resurrection’s campus serves as a polling location, Red Cross blood‑drive site, and host for community events, positioning the church as a trusted neighborhood gathering place.

Prayer: 

Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd and the Lord of your Church. The members at Resurrection are entering an apprehensive, yet exciting time as they call a new pastor. We pray that your guiding hand will lead them to the very man you have chosen to serve as their new pastor. We thank you for the enhancement grant Resurrection received to help afford a new pastor, and we thank you for the members of the District Mission Board who worked so hard to help them obtain this support. Along with their new pastor, help the members at Resurrection reach out to their community with the good news of the gospel of Christ, grow in the fear and knowledge of the Lord, and love one another as Christ has loved us. We pray all this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Contact:

Mr. Bill Muhr, Church President
wmuhr@cox.net
757-650-5245

Bastrop, Texas

New start:  Located about 25 miles east of Austin, Bastrop is experiencing rapid growth fueled by new residential development and expanding economic activity. Major employers now headquartered in Bastrop, including X and Starlink, have drawn new families to the area. As Bastrop continues to expand, many residents lack church connections, and a confessional Lutheran presence remains limited. Members of Holy Word in Austin, Texas, have formed a committed core group that has been meeting regularly, engaging the community through service and outreach, and building relationships with residents. Bastrop presents a timely opportunity for a new Home Mission start.

Fast facts:

  • Bastrop County’s population has grown by more than 15 percent since 2020. Large master‑planned developments continue to add thousands of new homes.
  • A committed core group from Holy Word in Austin has been meeting regularly since mid‑2025, using the name 7:37 Ministry during the early stages of outreach. The name connects Jesus’ invitation in John 7:37, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink,” with the local 737 area code.
  • Core group members have actively engaged the community through service partnerships with the Bastrop Food Pantry, outreach booths at local events, neighborhood activities within large residential developments, and door‑to‑door food canvassing, building relationships that have led to ongoing conversations and growing interest.

Prayer: 

Lord God, fill your people with your Holy Spirit. Give the gifts needed to build up your kingdom. Bless the preaching of your Word and the administration of your Sacraments, that through these means you would create and strengthen faith. As the work of starting a new mission church in Bastrop, Texas, begins, grant the fruits of the Spirit to all who support it, that they may be bold, patient, joyful, and willing to do the hard work you have set before them. Bring to their new church those who are walking in darkness, and give the core group the words to speak, that many may see your light and know your salvation. Keep all who are involved united in true doctrine and in love for one another. Guard them from discouragement, division, and error. Remind them always that this is your Church and that your will is done. Bless the work of their hands, and use them according to your good and gracious will, until the day when you gather them and all believers into your eternal kingdom. Amen.

Contacts:

Jeff Evey, Core group member
jeff.evey@gmail.com
425-426-8799

Greeneville, Tenn.

New start: Greeneville, Tenn., is a growing community positioned between the Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol metro area and Knoxville. While the area reflects strong Bible Belt culture and openness to conversations about faith, currently no confessional Lutheran church serves the community. A committed core group, supported by nearby WELS congregations in Johnson City and Morristown, has been meeting regularly and actively engaging with the community. Greeneville represents an opportunity to establish a confessional Lutheran presence in a community where none currently exists.

Fast facts:

  • Greeneville serves a county population of approximately 70,000 people, functioning as a regional hub for surrounding rural communities.
  • The nearest WELS congregations are located 33–35 miles away in Johnson City and Morristown.
  • A core group of 14 people has been meeting regularly and has already hosted public worship services, drawing more than 40 people to its first service and averaging mid‑20s attendance at subsequent gatherings.
  • Outreach efforts have included door‑to‑door canvassing, participation in community events, and local advertising, resulting in nine new families added to the prospect list and multiple repeat worship visitors.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, the sun is setting on the history of this world. You will soon return. Yet, there are still so many who are lost in unbelief. Bless the new mission efforts in Greeneville, Tenn., as they seek to reach the lost with urgency. Bless these people with a missionary to lead them. Lead us also to support them with our fervent prayers and generous offerings, so that through them, your voice might be heard in this community. Glorify your name in all the earth, O Lord. Amen.

Contacts:

Chip and Steph Mauer, Core group members

North Marana, Ariz.

New start: North Marana is one of the fastest growing areas in the Tucson metro area, now home to more than 60,000 residents. A new mission effort—known locally as Mission Marana—is already active in the community, with a committed core group that gathers for Bible study and regularly serves at local events across North Marana. With strong local leadership and a clear focus on serving before being served, this new mission is positioned to grow alongside a rapidly expanding population of young families.

Fast facts:

  • A strong core group of 20–25 people has been meeting regularly since fall 2024 for Bible study, outreach, and mission planning.
  • Through service at local events such as Founders Day, Movies in the Park, food drives, and holiday festivals, Mission Marana has built community trust and developed a prospect list of more than 150 contacts.
  • Nearby WELS congregations are actively supporting the effort, including a four-year financial commitment from Shepherd of the Hills.
  • Plans are in place to begin public worship services in 2027.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, we thank you for your mercy, your love, and the living hope you have given through your cross and empty tomb. In the desert land of North Marana, Ariz., where hearts can feel dry and weary, please help this new mission share the comfort, hope, and peace of your gospel. Bless their efforts as they reach out to neighbors, families, and lost souls with your saving Word. Give strength to those who serve, courage to those who speak, and by your Spirit open hearts through your Word. May your light shine brightly in North Marana, and may many come to know the joy of your forgiveness and grace. All praise and glory belong to you alone. Amen.

Contacts:

Mr. Peter Kosanke, Core group member
peterkosanke@gmail.com
520-638-7788

 

Mr. Adam Valleskey, Core group member
adam@valleskey.com
520-934-2225