Rev. Mike Hartman, missionary to Mexico, concluded a nine-day speaking tour in Minnesota and Wisconsin on Sunday, Oct. 18. This tour was the first time a WELS world missionary has left a field for the sole purpose of giving mission presentations. Hartman spent his time at WELS congregations and schools sharing the blessings and opportunities in WELS World Missions, with a special emphasis on his mission work in Mexico.

WELS Missions Promotions organized the tour to coincide with the time of year when WELS organizations often focus on supporting mission work. David Savatski, coordinator of Missions Promotions, noticed that a number of WELS organizations in the Midwest had chosen to support mission work in Mexico this fall. He then worked with Hartman to schedule in-person visits so that WELS members could get a firsthand view of the mission work that they are supporting. Hartman's time in the United States included five preaching engagements, 23 presentations, and one Bible class. More than 2,000 WELS members heard him speak.

In his mission presentations, Hartman explained that WELS missionaries work in Mexico to help the Lutheran church body in Mexico, Iglesia Evangélica Confesional Luterana (Confessional Evanglical Lutheran Church), grow and mature. "The goal is to develop a synod that can stand on its own two spiritual feet," said Hartman. "To make that happen, missionaries train men who want to become pastors in the Mexican Lutheran Church. They also work on evangelism to reach more souls and help the church grow."

Hartman has served in Mexico since 1999. His current call is as field coordinator to Mexico, which involves teaching at the Mexican Lutheran Seminary, overseeing the mission congregation Cristo Rey (Christ the King), counseling Mexican pastors, and supervising the mission team.