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Each February, the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary sets aside three days to emphasize the importance of WELS Missions and the Congregation and Ministry Support Group. This year’s Mission & Ministry seminar was held February 5-7, 2013. The theme for this year is based on Philippians 2:1-5, “United in Spirit and Purpose.”

See how the blankets and winter wear donated for Superstorm Sandy relief efforts helped storm victims.

The February WELS Connection will highlight the importance of translating God’s Word for people all over the world and the work and dedication that goes into the projects.

Think about your first day on the job . . . or even your first year. You had a lot to learn. Over time, experience made you better. That’s true of almost everything . . . from parenting . . . to playing football. What if there was a way to accelerate that learning curve? For our new WELS teachers, that’s exactly what’s happening.

The incarcerated often realize the depth of their sin . . . they’re hurting . . . and they’re open to the message of the Savior. But can a lay person play a role in this kind of outreach? Absolutely. In fact, God has blessed WELS with one of the largest prison ministries in the nation. And the majority of the work is done by volunteers.

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 . . .

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.

Think about your first day on the job . . . or even your first year. You had a lot to learn. Over time, experience made you better. That’s true of almost everything . . . from parenting . . . to playing football. What if there was a way to accelerate that learning curve? For our new WELS teachers, that’s exactly what’s happening.