The Commission on Special Ministries seeks to meet the spiritual needs of God's children who are physically, mentally, or emotionally in need of special consideration in regard to their ability to learn, worship, and participate in local ministries and everyday living situations. Special Ministries also serves thousands of people who are away from their church home, such as military personnel, people living overseas, and those in prison or some other institution.

> Health and Wellness Committee: Promotes and supervises ministry in the following areas: ministry to aging and Parish Nursing, hospital, nursing home, and assisted living ministries.

> Prison Ministry Committee: Brings the gospel of Jesus Christ to people who are serving time in jails and prison; provides Bible correspondence courses, Bibles, and other printed spiritual materials for inmates free of charge.

> Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Ministries: Ministers to and connects families with members facing intellectual and developmental special needs.

> Mission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Seeks to help congregations share the gospel of Jesus Christ with members of WELS and others who are deaf or hard of hearing.

> Mission for the Visually Impaired: The mission produces devotional and other materials in Braille, large print, and on cassette tape. These materials are distributed free of charge throughout the world to WELS and non-WELS visually impaired people.

> Committee on Mental Health Needs: provides assistance to WELS members as they minister to one another in love, especially to those who are experiencing mental health needs.

> WELS Nurses Association: WELS Nurses working together as servants of Christ.

> Military Services Committee: Meets the spiritual needs of men and women serving in the armed forces.

> Care Committee for Called Workers: The Care Committee for Called Workers exists to assist WELS calling bodies in the spiritual, physical, intellectual, and emotional care of their called workers.

> Chaplain Certification Program: This program is being initiated because many healthcare facilities, jails and prisons, and military bases are tightening their requirements for ministry in their facilities, especially if the pastor or layperson wants to reach out to more than one’s own members.