Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)
Gethsemane Lutheran Church and School is a member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a worldwide outreach ministry. WELS is a group of more than 360,000 men, women, and children in nearly 1,300 congregations across the United States and Canada united by a common faith in Christ’s saving love. We are committed to a common calling—encouraging each other in our faith and sharing God’s gift of a Savior with the rest of the world.
WELS Mission Statement
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod exists to give all glory to God by upholding, defending, and proclaiming the truth of the Holy Scriptures as articulated in the Lutheran Confessions, and by providing a means for congregations and their members to extend the reach of their God-given mission of proclaiming the gospel in Word and sacrament through joint mission efforts at home and abroad, the training of called workers, and coordination of gospel applications to encourage spiritually healthy called workers in spiritually healthy congregations and schools.
What’s in a name?
The WELS acronym stands for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. We admit, it’s a mouthful. But each word is significant.
Wisconsin is where three pastors serving German immigrants joined together in a common fellowship more than 150 years ago. Today, it is still where more than half of our membership calls home—but now we have congregations spread all across North America and missions spanning the globe.
Evangelical is a Greek word. Literally translated it means “gospel oriented.” It is an apt description, for the gospel of Jesus Christ is at the core of all we believe and proclaim.
Lutheran refers to those who adhere to the teachings of Martin Luther, the leader of the Reformation in Germany. God used Luther to point out the errors of the church some 500 years ago—that salvation was something that must be earned. It was Luther who once again made clear that salvation is received through faith in Jesus as a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8,9).
Synod literally translated means “walking together.” As a fellowship of Christians, we walk together as individuals and congregations sharing a common bond of faith in Jesus articulated in the Lutheran Confessions.
We invite you to walk with us.
For more information about the WELS, please visit: www.wels.net
Other WELS Churches in this Area:
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, School & Preschool
5701 Center Street, Omaha, NE 68106
Living Hope Lutheran Church; Our Precious Lambs Child Care & Preschool
4823 S. 168th Street, Omaha, NE 68135
Living Savior Lutheran Church
1762 Washington Street, Suite 103, Blair, NE 68008