Dear Christian Friend,
Rome needed Jesus. Its streets brought together people of different cultures, religions, social classes, values, and beliefs. Christians lived and witnessed among those who did not know their Savior. False teaching and division threatened. Satan was active. And so was the Lord of the Church.
In Romans 16, Paul gives us a beautiful glimpse of the people God had placed there, Christians serving, laboring, and working together in the Lord, including Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis. Again and again, women appear as active parts of the mission, Jesus’ witnesses where the Lord had placed them.
WELS World Missions serves in many “Romes” today. Across continents and cultures, Christians live among people who desperately need the hope of God’s salvation. Some have been taught that peace with God depends on their obedience or sacrifice. Others seek help from deities, saints, idols, and spiritual forces, or believe there is no God at all. In some societies, cultural norms or castes determine whom a person may speak with or their opportunities to learn about God.
In every place, the Lord of the Church has placed his people, or is sending his people, to be his witnesses. Among them are Christian women who have themselves been reached by Jesus and now share his good news with others. They teach, disciple, and encourage. In different settings and circumstances, they share the same powerful Word through which the Holy Spirit works.
Sometimes Christian women find open doors for the gospel that might otherwise remain closed. Women may share struggles, questions, and deeply held beliefs with another woman that they would never voice to a man. In some cultures or difficult relationships, women cannot interact publicly with men. Christian women also bring valuable insights about their communities, helping mission teams recognize opportunities and respond. People within a culture have access and understanding that outside missionaries do not, and women within that culture can reach places that even local Christian men may not.
WELS World Missions rejoices in Christ’s mission to make disciples of all nations and sees opportunities to intentionally involve women in that work. Women’s ministry efforts within mission teams train Christian women in the Word, not to create a separate mission for women, but to strengthen the church’s mission already taking place. Female missionaries now serve on our Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Oceania mission teams, helping women grow in Scripture, recognize God-given opportunities, and confidently share Christ’s love. Will you help us with this work? Your gift helps provide the resources, travel, and missionary support needed to encourage and equip Christian women across our mission fields.
The Lord of the Church was at work in Rome. He is still at work today, establishing his people through the gospel and graciously using his church and all its members to carry that good news to others.
Serving Christ together,
Missionary Elise Gross
Director of Women’s Ministry, One Latin America Team
P.S. Your gift helps equip and encourage Christian women across our mission fields to share the saving gospel of Jesus with the people God has placed around them.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for opening doors for your gospel in a variety of cultures and communities. Bless these women serving in world missions as they build relationships, encourage sisters in Christ, and share your Word with those who may otherwise be difficult to reach. Strengthen women across Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Oceania through Bible study, fellowship, and the reminder that they are united in you. Amen.
