WELS stands for Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Wisconsin because that’s where our three founding churches were located

Evangelical because we want to let the Gospel, the Good News about Jesus, hold first place in our message (ev is Greek for “good,” angel is “news”).

Lutheran because we appreciate what the Lord did in the early 1500s through the man, Martin Luther, bringing the Gospel back to light so all people can know that the forgiveness of sins is a free gift through faith in Jesus, the Messiah.

Synod (pronounced SIN-nudd) which means “walking together,” because we cherish the agreement in doctrine and practice we have with those in the WELS.

The WELS is an association of about 1240 churches.  We serve all 50 states in the U.S.A..  WELS-Canada churches serve many cities in that fair country.  We support about 250 newer churches (“missions”) across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, as well as 55 missionaries who share the Good News about Jesus with people in Mexico, Columbia, Brazil, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Zambia, Malawi, Cameroon, Nigeria, Russia, Bulgaria and other places.  For more information on WELS World Missions, see the WELS World Mission page.

The WELS operates a system of four schools for educating the next generation of pastors, teachers, and staff ministers.  Our two preparatory high schools are Michigan Lutheran Seminary (Saginaw, MI) and Luther Preparatory School (Watertown, WI).  Our college is Martin Luther College (New Ulm, MN).  Our Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary is in (Mequon, WI).

The WELS is grateful to practice full fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod in the U.S. and with other sister church bodies throughout the world with whom we have agreement in doctrine and practice.

Be sure to visit the WELS web site.  It’s excellent!

Our Synod also operates Northwestern Publishing House, a wonderful publishing house with books and music that are true to the Bible.