Video

Did you know WELS has one of the biggest prison ministry programs in the country? Watch for the April WELS Connection to find out more.

This story actually starts in the Vietnam war . . . When the Hmong people of southeast Asia joined the Americans to fight communism. When the U.S. military withdrew, many Hmong people were left in a vulnerable situation . . . they were persecuted . . . tortured . . . killed. And so over the past few decades the United States has been bringing these refugees to America . . .

Watch for the March WELS Connection at your congregation to learn about cross-cultural outreach to America’s growing Hmong population.

Translating doctrine into other languages is more difficult than you might think. For example, did you know that most of Martin Luther’s writings have still not been translated into English? Even though translation is complex, it’s extremely important. Because when the basic truths of scripture are put into the language of the people, amazing things happen.

Beth Thompson is the Program Coordinator for English Conversation Outreach Model Program at Gethsemane, Milwaukee, Wis. Beth talks about her background, thankfulness for all the volunteers, the students, and the blessings from this program.

During a roundtable discussion, our students describe the difficulties they face because they do not know English. They relate how the WELS Model Program at Gethsemane, Milwaukee, Wis., has helped them improve their lives.

Hear our students bravely read aloud their English compositions to a large audience on Visitors Night. Learn about their lives, challenges, and dreams for the future.

In Feb. 2004, the WELS Model English Language Outreach Program opened at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wis. Representatives from congregations and missions can receive training on how to set up volunteer-based adult outreach programs, starting with a few volunteers and teacher resource materials.