"Do you think I came to bring peace on earth?  No, I tell you, but division."  -Luke 12:51

"Can't we all just get along?"  That's the sentiment of many people when it comes to religious matters especially.  Sadly, that sentiment is usually combined with the idea that "no one has a monpoly on the truth."  People argue, "Truth is relative.  What might be true for you is not necessarily true for me."  Jesus says otherwise.  He boldly asserts that there is not truth apart from Him and His Word.  As followers of Jesus, we stand firmly with Him in our faith-life, though such a stance will certainly bring division in a world of falsehood.

Abiding Hope Mission Statement - "Helping everyone to grow in faith and love through Jesus Christ, the Abiding Hope found in God's Word alone!"

The Wisconsin Synod, started in 1850 in the state of Wisconsin, and currently has congregations in every state and carries out mission work in many foreign countries.

On October 31, 1999 representatives of the Lutheran World Federation meeting with Roman Catholic Church representatives signed the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.

Do WELS Lutherans and Roman Catholics agree at last on exactly how God saves a sinner?

"NO!"

Roman Catholics teach that God starts the process of justification by His grace in Christ, but the sinner who receives that grace must then WORK to complete the justification.

WELS Lutherans believe from the Bible that God declares all sinners forgiven as a result of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.The sinner receives salvation COMPLETE through faith alone in Jesus Christ.

A Christ-centered congregation.  We preach Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord.  The only Savior for ALL the people of the world.  Through His sufferings, death and resurrection, we have the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

A Bible-believing congregation.  We teach that the Bible in its entirety is the true and inspired Word of God.  We believe the Bible is the ONLY authority for Christian faith and life.  We aid to share God's Word in all its truth and simplicity.

An Evengelical congregation.  This means that we are a church that desires to bring the Good News of Jesus to all people.  The WELS has congregations in all 50 states and Canada and carries out mission work in 15 foreign countries.

A Caring congregation.  We offer friendship, support, counsel, direction and love.  The people of our congregation care about other people and that includes YOU!

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few..."

The members of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have always had an eye to the future.  We want to share the gospel not just with others in our own generation but we desire to preserve the gospel and share it with the next generation also.  Over the long history of the WELS we have trained pastors and teachers to share the good news of Jesus through one generation of leaders to a new generation.  These schools continue to prepare for future proclamation of the gospel and future outreach.

Luther Preparatory School

300 Western Ave.

Watertown, Wisconsin 53094

1-920-262-4352

www.lps.wels.net

Martin Luther College

1995 Luther Court

New Ulm, Minnesota 56073

1-597-354-8221

www.mlc-wels.edu

Michigan Lutheran Seminary

2777 Hardin St.

Saginaw, Michigan 48602

1-989-793-1041

www.mlsem.org

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

11831 N. Seminary Drive

Mequon, Wisconsin 53092

1-262-242-8100

www.wls.wels.net