Update on the recent news

On Thurs., Nov. 17, we informed you that WELS Director of Communications Mr. Joel Hochmuth had been arrested for possession of child pornography. He was immediately suspended until the facts of the situation could be determined. On Nov. 18, after more information became available and some of the facts were established, his employment with the synod was terminated.

We continue to cooperate fully with the authorities as this matter moves through the legal process. Initial information from authorities indicates these allegations focus solely on Mr. Hochmuth and no one else connected with our synod. Since Mr. Hochmuth was not a pastor or teacher and served in an administrative position at the synod’s headquarters, his work did not bring him into contact with children in anything other than public settings.

We have reassigned the communication duties to other members of our staff. We will be evaluating how these duties can best be carried out in the future. We are thankful for the support, understanding, and prayers of our synod’s members as we move beyond this difficult time.

We continue to be saddened by these events. We urge all to pray for the innocent children who are victimized by those who produce, distribute, and use these kinds of materials. We also ask that you would continue to keep the Hochmuth family in your prayers as well. It is an understatement to say that they are going through a difficult time. Ask God to give them strength, comfort, and guidance through his powerful Word.

Christians are not immune to Satan’s temptations. David, Paul, and Peter all knew from personal experience that believers can and do commit terrible and unspeakable sin. But they also knew and experienced the restoring power of God’s grace. Joel Hochmuth knows this as well. Joel is receiving pastoral care from his pastors and others. We are confident that the powerful working of the Holy Spirit in God’s Word has brought him to recognize and repent of his sin, and we also know that he has sought and received the comfort of forgiveness in the redeeming sacrifice of our Savior. Please pray that Joel will continue to be assured of forgiveness at the foot of the cross and that God’s grace will restore him, renew him, and strengthen his faith.

Serving in Christ,
Rev. Mark Schroeder, WELS President

Read the initial message sent out