Mission Hill, Waunakee, is a mission located just northwest of Madison and west of Sun Prairie. This rapidly growing area provides an excellent situation for a mission congregation. The congregation is currently holding worship services in the Waunakee Community High School. The congregation is being served by Rev. Jeff Corder and a lot of dedicated members who are working very hard to serve God by being laborers in His mission field. They are investigating property that could potentially be a sight for building their ministry.

Calvary Chapel is one of five campus ministries of the South Wisconsin District. It serves the students of the University of Wisconsin with a large and varied program of worship, Bible studies and fellowship activities. The International Friendship Center, directed by Judy Henke, is an arm of Calvary Chapel, serving the foreign students on campus. Each year new Christians, reached through the International Center, are baptized and nurtured in their faith through Bible study programs. Rev. Mark Schumm was installed as pastor on September 10, 2006. A strategic plan is currently being developed for the entire ministry and unique facility in the heart of Madison.

Luther Memorial Chapel and University Student Center is located six blocks north of the UW-Milwaukee campus. The vicar and part-time student coordinator work with Rev. Dr. Kenneth Wieting to provide opportunities for worship, study, service, and social activities to UWM students. There are two opportunities each week for attending the divine service, and a Bible study is offered each Sunday morning. Each week, “Table Talk,” an opportunity for an informal presentation and discussion about Lutheran doctrine, is provided at the UWM Student Union. Outreach tables at the Union and dormitories are hosted periodically. Additional opportunities for study and service are available as announced. Students are invited to join in the regular activities of the Luther Memorial parish. Tutors in conversational English for international students are available. Visit our blog at uwmlsf.blogspot.com or the church Web site at www.lmcusc.com.

The UW-Whitewater campus ministry serves the students with worship, Bible studies and fellowship activities. It is located directly on the edge of the university campus and is easily accessible to the students. Recently, new members have joined Calvary as a result of outreach into the Whitewater community. The congregation is served by Pastor David Emmrich.

Apostles Lutheran Church is a congregation near the University of Wisconsin-Platteville (UWP). Rev. Thomas N. Reeder, Jr. is the pastor. Apostles serves students of UWP through the congregation with the divine service on Sunday, followed by a study for college students, and offers occasional services during the week. Through Lutheran Student Fellowship (LSF), the LCMS recognized student organization on campus, weekly on campus Bible studies are offered in the student center. Other activities and events are offered throughout the school year. During the summer, with new student registration and into the school year, outreach tables are hosted where information about Apostles and materials for devotional use are handed out. Apostles is also developing an international student ministry.

Faith Lutheran Church and Student Center is conveniently located on the southern edge of the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse campus. Faith ministers to the students of all three colleges in La Crosse (UW-L, Viterbo, and Western Technical College.) Students are encouraged to become active in the life of Faith through worship, Bible study, and fellowship activities. A mid-week Bible study and meal is offered to all college students throughout the school year. Students are encouraged to become "adopted" into one of the congregational families for additional fellowship and support on an individual basis. Outreach to incoming freshmen is accomplished during freshman orientation with a booth offering information on the ministries available to students at Faith

The South Wisconsin District has supported the House of Correction Chaplaincy in diverse ways since the beginning of this ministry in 1904. This year we are following a new format for spiritual care in the House of Correction (HOC). Deacon Afam Ikanih, a student in the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) of Concordia, St. Louis, and Lay Worker Pat Batom, (who completed the 31 credits in the Concordia University Wisconsin, Lay Ministry program), both of Mission of Christ Lutheran Church, are serving part time (8:00 am to noon, Monday through Friday) at the HOC. Three men from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), two pastors and one layman, are also serving there. Although the ministries are conducting ministry programs independent of each other, joint training and coordination meetings are held between this team of 5 chaplains and their immediate supervisors in both the Wisconsin and Missouri Synods.

A new partnership between the District and the Metro Milwaukee Lutheran Mission Society (MMLMS—formerly known as the Greater Milwaukee Federation) is seeking funding and partnerships to provide ministry follow-up in at least 5 locations to men and women served in the House of Correction and released back into the community. Direct gifts are needed from individuals, congregations and granting institutions. Again, the WELS is also establishing its own church/community-based programs to help ex-offenders successfully reenter the community and is regularly communicating with us regarding their efforts. The Every year 25,000 inmates are served in the House of Correction, and nearly those same numbers are released. This new ministry will address spiritual, social and some physical needs for those who are released with the hope that they are regularly nurtured in Word and Sacrament and equipped in diverse ways to become healthy, contributing members of society, rather than repeat offenders.

Chaplain Steve Wenk is the director of spiritual care services at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. He provides leadership and direction to chaplains at University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics to ensure that the spiritual needs of patients, families and staff are met. Chaplain Wenk provides Word and Sacrament ministry to LCMS members in Madison-area hospitals for the South Wisconsin District. UW Hospital has had an LCMS chaplain since 1935. He is also the Executive Chaplain of the South Wisconsin District.

The Sheboygan County Chaplaincy Ministry has served the health care centers in Sheboygan County, including nursing homes, hospice centers and assisted living centers, as a full-time ministry since 1972. Chaplain Rev. Tom Fleischmann serves nine health care centers and coordinates other local LCMS pastors in volunteering to provide chapel services on a weekly basis to four other centers, resulting in many “de-churched” residents finding comfort, forgiveness and peace. This mission ministry has been totally self-sufficient since February 1, 2007. They rely on LCMS congregations and schools, LWML, mission circles and individuals to fund this ministry. An Annual Chaplaincy Picnic, held at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds each summer, also provides major funding. They secured additional funding in 2005 and now again in 2009 for a Deaconess Intern Training Program. Being in partnership with Bethany LCMS, Kohler, they plan to continue this program well into the future, providing Deaconess Chaplains throughout LCMS. Their Web site is www.sheboygancountychaplaincy.org.

In spring of 2008 several students finished the 11-course curriculum of the Lay Ministry Department of Concordia University-Wisconsin. For five years, a partnership with the Lay Ministry Department of Concordia University Wisconsin (Rev. Dr. Albert Garcia, Director) has permitted these courses from the Lay Ministry Curriculum to be offered at the District Office. Approximately 12 lay people working in urban and cross cultural ministry in our District have taken advantage of these courses. Several new students are now enrolled in the program. Examples of the courses are: Old Testament; New Testament; Biblical Theology; Christian Care Giving and The Church in Mission. Some students simply use the studies to more effectively assist in ministry at their local congregation. Others are using these studies to prepare for the Specific Ministry Pastor program of studies for the purpose of ordination in the pastoral ministry or the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT – theological education for immigrants who have English as a second language). Others still might pursue additional studies at CUW to become certified Lay Ministers of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The District also assists in the funding of seminary studies for students in the EIIT. Currently three African immigrants and one Hmong student are taking these courses. The LCMS Specific Ministry Pastor program (SMP) is in final stages of development. Two students from our District have been accepted in the SMP: Deacon Dennis Harmon and Deacon George Lessmann, both currently serving in the city of Milwaukee in several capacities. Their studies in SMP began in fall 2008 via Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne.

Pastor John Reinke serves as a Missionary at Large to the deaf for the District as well as Our Savior Lutheran in Madison and Holy Cross in Delavan. In Madison Pastor Reinke is assisted by Deacon Ted Pulfer who is studying for ordination in the Deaf Institute of Theology (DIT) and theological education through Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Rev. Reinke works with Rev. William (Bud) Palmer in developing many new models for ministry to the deaf, including a “church without walls”, for the many unchurched deaf who are spread across the District and beyond.

Note: In cooperation with South Wisconsin District Mission Executive Rev. Dan McMiller, Missionaries Reinke and Palmer (see below) are in dialogue with Rev. Dr. Rodney Rynearson, Interim National Director for Deaf Ministry in an attempt to structure Deaf Ministry on a national and international level. This structure might provide a paradigm for support and accountability for other specialized ministries as well in the increasingly ethnically diverse mission field in our own community.

Rev. William Palmer continues his effective ministry to the deaf in the eastern region, serving Emmanuel Lutheran/West Allis and smaller mission sites. The ministry at Emmanuel includes worship services, Bible classes, confirmation classes, pastoral care and many other activities as in a congregation of hearing people. Pastor Palmer has developed a deaf choir. All activities are done in sign language. As mentioned above, Pastors Reinke and Palmer are conducting an outreach and leadership training program in Ghana, West Africa and India through cooperation between the District and LCMS World Missions.

Members of Sheboygan area LCMS congregations and the Sheboygan Hispanic task force, working in conjunction with Missionary Executive Rev. Dan McMiller, are studying the future of Hispanic outreach in the City of Sheboygan.

Racine: Rev. Pedro Lopez continues to reach out to the Hispanic community of Racine through the congregation of Primera Iglesia. In spring of 2009 they moved out of their worship facility, which is currently for sale, and now use the facilities of Holy Cross in Racine in partnership with their members. New members have been baptized and confirmed, and an active youth and community outreach is ongoing.

Milwaukee: The Hispanic outreach ministry in Milwaukee is evolving through dialogue with St. Martini Lutheran Church and School. Spanish services and fellowship dinners are being conducted regularly on a monthly basis, with encouraging results

Hmong ministry reaches out to Hmong people displaced from Laos following the Vietnam War. Begun in 1993 at Trinity Lutheran in Oshkosh, Hmong Lutheran Outreach in Oshkosh is one of the first LCMS Hmong Ministries in the United States. Pastor Blong Vang completed theological education through the LCMS Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT), and accepted the Call to Oshkosh to serve as their pastor in spring of 2007. Hmong Lutheran Outreach in Oshkosh is at the center of a growing Hmong community in the Fox Valley, and expansion of this ministry throughout the area via partnerships with area congregations is our prayer. Pastor Vang is called by Hmong Lutheran Outreach with the support of a partnership grant from the District.

Benediction Lutheran Church, located at 5740 N. 86th St., has a Hmong ministry within its congregation served by Pastor Don Hougard, with assistance from Hmong lay leadership within the congregation. A new candidate for the pastoral ministry is Moua Vang, a member of Benediction Lutheran. Moua is a student in the EIIT (Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology) program of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. 

Hmong Hope Lutheran Church meets at Hope Lutheran at 1115 N. 35th Street, Milwaukee. This chartered congregation is being served by Missionary at Large of the District, Pastor Yia Vang. Pastor Yia Vang is called by the District and has been instrumental in starting many Hmong ministries throughout the state of Wisconsin. Hmong Hope is a congregation of about 170 members. Pastor Yia Vang is also developing new ministries in Thailand in coordination with LCMS World Missions. The South Wisconsin District fully supports Pastor Yia Vang’s salary, but all expenses related to Pastor Vang’s trips to Thailand, and recently to Vietnam, are supported by the Hmong Missions Society. New Hmong outreach is needed in Madison and La Crosse. Potential EIIT students are developing. 

Manitowoc Hmong ministry is being shepherded by Rev. Faiv Neng Her, who was ordained on October 5, 2003 and has been called to serve Hmong ministry at Redeemer in Manitowoc as a Missionary-at-Large assigned to the Manitowoc and Two Rivers area. At Redeemer, the Hmong ministry is done in partnership with the ministry of Redeemer Lutheran (Rev. Rick Miller). Pastor Her is in dialogue with pastors of the Sheboygan area and visiting Hmong families in Sheboygan. The Hmong families are being linked to our Sheboygan LCMS congregations and schools. Joshua Lee, of Trinity in Sheboygan, is currently taking preliminary EIIT courses in preparation for entering the EIIT program. Rev. Timothy Mech is his mentor. 

In 2008, the District moved into a new partnership with Gospel Lutheran Church and Mission of Christ Lutheran Church. Over the previous five years, the District provided support to Mission of Christ so that it could fund a full time pastor. These funds are currently not available. Limited funds are now provided to assist Gospel Lutheran which is being served full time by Pastor Vic Fischer. At the same time, Pastor Fischer also serves Mission of Christ as a Vacancy Pastor. The combination of support from Gospel, Mission of Christ and District funds provides a salary for Pastor Fischer. While Mission of Christ has returned to a prolonged Vacancy status, they are also served very ably by active and gifted lay leadership. Mr. Darryl Winston, Mr. Herman Strozier and Mr. Pat Batom have all been studying in the Lay Ministry Program of CUW (see Adult Education Ministries, above). Another member, Afam Ikanih, is also studying theology in the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The training, experience and dedication of these men, and many other adult volunteers, make Mission of Christ Lutheran Church a vibrant active urban ministry even while returning to a long-term vacancy.

In January of 2008, the District entered into a partnership with Bethany Lutheran Church which enables Pastor Christian Ikanih to serve at Bethany part time, while continuing his ministry to the African immigrant community. Bethany contributes half of Pastor Ikanih’s salary to District support. This partnership has assisted Bethany with a missionary pastor and the District as well, at a time of budget shortfalls. At Easter of 2008 about 45 baptisms were conducted at Bethany. Many adults are also entering into membership through instruction and the rite of confirmation. Chris Burrell, Lay Ministry student through Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) is a member of Bethany Lutheran and is active in youth ministry. New members at Bethany are also entering into theological education in the same CUW Lay Ministry program. These members assist Pastor Ikanih as volunteers in different types of community outreach, focusing particularly on youth in the city. 
 

All Nations Lutheran Church Mission Start is now worshipping in two groups at two locations. These locations are: Gospel and Hope in Milwaukee. Serving at Gospel is Candidate Elijah Ndon (see Gospel, a. Serving African Immigrant Ministry at Hope are EIIT students Dr. Ben Adetiba and EIIT student Afam Ikanih, under the supervision of Pastor Micah Wildauer and Pastor Vic Fischer.

International Lutheran Church of Zion, French speaking, with Vicar Gui Kasongo Kabeo, continues to meet at Benediction in Milwaukee with the added blessing of generous financial and mentoring support from Immanuel, Brookfield and Rev. Daniel Schneider. Pastor Don Hougard of Benediction also assists in the mentoring process. 

Vicar Gui Kasongo Kabeo is also receiving training from People of the Book Lutheran Outreach (POBLO), which assists ministries in reaching out to the Muslim population. Some of Gui’s members at International Lutheran Church of Zion are former Muslims.

Rev. Dr. Christian Ikanih continues to work with all of these African Immigrant Ministries in the capacity of Evangelist. He is assisting the District in developing different Urban Mercy Ministries and new outreach to African Immigrants in communities beyond Milwaukee.

Mission Hill, Waunakee, is a mission located just northwest of Madison and west of Sun Prairie. This rapidly growing area provides an excellent situation for a mission congregation. The congregation is currently holding worship services in the Waunakee Community High School. The congregation is being served by Rev. Jeff Corder and a lot of dedicated members who are working very hard to serve God by being laborers in His mission field. They are investigating property that could potentially be a sight for building their ministry.

Calvary Chapel is one of five campus ministries of the South Wisconsin District. It serves the students of the University of Wisconsin with a large and varied program of worship, Bible studies and fellowship activities. The International Friendship Center, directed by Judy Henke, is an arm of Calvary Chapel, serving the foreign students on campus. Each year new Christians, reached through the International Center, are baptized and nurtured in their faith through Bible study programs. Rev. Mark Schumm was installed as pastor on September 10, 2006. A strategic plan is currently being developed for the entire ministry and unique facility in the heart of Madison.

Luther Memorial Chapel and University Student Center is located six blocks north of the UW-Milwaukee campus. The vicar and part-time student coordinator work with Rev. Dr. Kenneth Wieting to provide opportunities for worship, study, service, and social activities to UWM students. There are two opportunities each week for attending the divine service, and a Bible study is offered each Sunday morning. Each week, “Table Talk,” an opportunity for an informal presentation and discussion about Lutheran doctrine, is provided at the UWM Student Union. Outreach tables at the Union and dormitories are hosted periodically. Additional opportunities for study and service are available as announced. Students are invited to join in the regular activities of the Luther Memorial parish. Tutors in conversational English for international students are available. Visit our blog at uwmlsf.blogspot.com or the church Web site at www.lmcusc.com.

The UW-Whitewater campus ministry serves the students with worship, Bible studies and fellowship activities. It is located directly on the edge of the university campus and is easily accessible to the students. Recently, new members have joined Calvary as a result of outreach into the Whitewater community. The congregation is served by Pastor David Emmrich.

Apostles Lutheran Church is a congregation near the University of Wisconsin-Platteville (UWP). Rev. Thomas N. Reeder, Jr. is the pastor. Apostles serves students of UWP through the congregation with the divine service on Sunday, followed by a study for college students, and offers occasional services during the week. Through Lutheran Student Fellowship (LSF), the LCMS recognized student organization on campus, weekly on campus Bible studies are offered in the student center. Other activities and events are offered throughout the school year. During the summer, with new student registration and into the school year, outreach tables are hosted where information about Apostles and materials for devotional use are handed out. Apostles is also developing an international student ministry.

Faith Lutheran Church and Student Center is conveniently located on the southern edge of the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse campus. Faith ministers to the students of all three colleges in La Crosse (UW-L, Viterbo, and Western Technical College.) Students are encouraged to become active in the life of Faith through worship, Bible study, and fellowship activities. A mid-week Bible study and meal is offered to all college students throughout the school year. Students are encouraged to become "adopted" into one of the congregational families for additional fellowship and support on an individual basis. Outreach to incoming freshmen is accomplished during freshman orientation with a booth offering information on the ministries available to students at Faith

The South Wisconsin District has supported the House of Correction Chaplaincy in diverse ways since the beginning of this ministry in 1904. This year we are following a new format for spiritual care in the House of Correction (HOC). Deacon Afam Ikanih, a student in the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) of Concordia, St. Louis, and Lay Worker Pat Batom, (who completed the 31 credits in the Concordia University Wisconsin, Lay Ministry program), both of Mission of Christ Lutheran Church, are serving part time (8:00 am to noon, Monday through Friday) at the HOC. Three men from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), two pastors and one layman, are also serving there. Although the ministries are conducting ministry programs independent of each other, joint training and coordination meetings are held between this team of 5 chaplains and their immediate supervisors in both the Wisconsin and Missouri Synods.

A new partnership between the District and the Metro Milwaukee Lutheran Mission Society (MMLMS—formerly known as the Greater Milwaukee Federation) is seeking funding and partnerships to provide ministry follow-up in at least 5 locations to men and women served in the House of Correction and released back into the community. Direct gifts are needed from individuals, congregations and granting institutions. Again, the WELS is also establishing its own church/community-based programs to help ex-offenders successfully reenter the community and is regularly communicating with us regarding their efforts. The Every year 25,000 inmates are served in the House of Correction, and nearly those same numbers are released. This new ministry will address spiritual, social and some physical needs for those who are released with the hope that they are regularly nurtured in Word and Sacrament and equipped in diverse ways to become healthy, contributing members of society, rather than repeat offenders.

Chaplain Steve Wenk is the director of spiritual care services at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. He provides leadership and direction to chaplains at University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics to ensure that the spiritual needs of patients, families and staff are met. Chaplain Wenk provides Word and Sacrament ministry to LCMS members in Madison-area hospitals for the South Wisconsin District. UW Hospital has had an LCMS chaplain since 1935. He is also the Executive Chaplain of the South Wisconsin District.

The Sheboygan County Chaplaincy Ministry has served the health care centers in Sheboygan County, including nursing homes, hospice centers and assisted living centers, as a full-time ministry since 1972. Chaplain Rev. Tom Fleischmann serves nine health care centers and coordinates other local LCMS pastors in volunteering to provide chapel services on a weekly basis to four other centers, resulting in many “de-churched” residents finding comfort, forgiveness and peace. This mission ministry has been totally self-sufficient since February 1, 2007. They rely on LCMS congregations and schools, LWML, mission circles and individuals to fund this ministry. An Annual Chaplaincy Picnic, held at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds each summer, also provides major funding. They secured additional funding in 2005 and now again in 2009 for a Deaconess Intern Training Program. Being in partnership with Bethany LCMS, Kohler, they plan to continue this program well into the future, providing Deaconess Chaplains throughout LCMS. Their Web site is www.sheboygancountychaplaincy.org.

In spring of 2008 several students finished the 11-course curriculum of the Lay Ministry Department of Concordia University-Wisconsin. For five years, a partnership with the Lay Ministry Department of Concordia University Wisconsin (Rev. Dr. Albert Garcia, Director) has permitted these courses from the Lay Ministry Curriculum to be offered at the District Office. Approximately 12 lay people working in urban and cross cultural ministry in our District have taken advantage of these courses. Several new students are now enrolled in the program. Examples of the courses are: Old Testament; New Testament; Biblical Theology; Christian Care Giving and The Church in Mission. Some students simply use the studies to more effectively assist in ministry at their local congregation. Others are using these studies to prepare for the Specific Ministry Pastor program of studies for the purpose of ordination in the pastoral ministry or the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT – theological education for immigrants who have English as a second language). Others still might pursue additional studies at CUW to become certified Lay Ministers of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The District also assists in the funding of seminary studies for students in the EIIT. Currently three African immigrants and one Hmong student are taking these courses. The LCMS Specific Ministry Pastor program (SMP) is in final stages of development. Two students from our District have been accepted in the SMP: Deacon Dennis Harmon and Deacon George Lessmann, both currently serving in the city of Milwaukee in several capacities. Their studies in SMP began in fall 2008 via Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne.

Pastor John Reinke serves as a Missionary at Large to the deaf for the District as well as Our Savior Lutheran in Madison and Holy Cross in Delavan. In Madison Pastor Reinke is assisted by Deacon Ted Pulfer who is studying for ordination in the Deaf Institute of Theology (DIT) and theological education through Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Rev. Reinke works with Rev. William (Bud) Palmer in developing many new models for ministry to the deaf, including a “church without walls”, for the many unchurched deaf who are spread across the District and beyond.

Note: In cooperation with South Wisconsin District Mission Executive Rev. Dan McMiller, Missionaries Reinke and Palmer (see below) are in dialogue with Rev. Dr. Rodney Rynearson, Interim National Director for Deaf Ministry in an attempt to structure Deaf Ministry on a national and international level. This structure might provide a paradigm for support and accountability for other specialized ministries as well in the increasingly ethnically diverse mission field in our own community.

Rev. William Palmer continues his effective ministry to the deaf in the eastern region, serving Emmanuel Lutheran/West Allis and smaller mission sites. The ministry at Emmanuel includes worship services, Bible classes, confirmation classes, pastoral care and many other activities as in a congregation of hearing people. Pastor Palmer has developed a deaf choir. All activities are done in sign language. As mentioned above, Pastors Reinke and Palmer are conducting an outreach and leadership training program in Ghana, West Africa and India through cooperation between the District and LCMS World Missions.

Members of Sheboygan area LCMS congregations and the Sheboygan Hispanic task force, working in conjunction with Missionary Executive Rev. Dan McMiller, are studying the future of Hispanic outreach in the City of Sheboygan.

Racine: Rev. Pedro Lopez continues to reach out to the Hispanic community of Racine through the congregation of Primera Iglesia. In spring of 2009 they moved out of their worship facility, which is currently for sale, and now use the facilities of Holy Cross in Racine in partnership with their members. New members have been baptized and confirmed, and an active youth and community outreach is ongoing.

Milwaukee: The Hispanic outreach ministry in Milwaukee is evolving through dialogue with St. Martini Lutheran Church and School. Spanish services and fellowship dinners are being conducted regularly on a monthly basis, with encouraging results

Hmong ministry reaches out to Hmong people displaced from Laos following the Vietnam War. Begun in 1993 at Trinity Lutheran in Oshkosh, Hmong Lutheran Outreach in Oshkosh is one of the first LCMS Hmong Ministries in the United States. Pastor Blong Vang completed theological education through the LCMS Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT), and accepted the Call to Oshkosh to serve as their pastor in spring of 2007. Hmong Lutheran Outreach in Oshkosh is at the center of a growing Hmong community in the Fox Valley, and expansion of this ministry throughout the area via partnerships with area congregations is our prayer. Pastor Vang is called by Hmong Lutheran Outreach with the support of a partnership grant from the District.

Benediction Lutheran Church, located at 5740 N. 86th St., has a Hmong ministry within its congregation served by Pastor Don Hougard, with assistance from Hmong lay leadership within the congregation. A new candidate for the pastoral ministry is Moua Vang, a member of Benediction Lutheran. Moua is a student in the EIIT (Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology) program of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. 

Hmong Hope Lutheran Church meets at Hope Lutheran at 1115 N. 35th Street, Milwaukee. This chartered congregation is being served by Missionary at Large of the District, Pastor Yia Vang. Pastor Yia Vang is called by the District and has been instrumental in starting many Hmong ministries throughout the state of Wisconsin. Hmong Hope is a congregation of about 170 members. Pastor Yia Vang is also developing new ministries in Thailand in coordination with LCMS World Missions. The South Wisconsin District fully supports Pastor Yia Vang’s salary, but all expenses related to Pastor Vang’s trips to Thailand, and recently to Vietnam, are supported by the Hmong Missions Society. New Hmong outreach is needed in Madison and La Crosse. Potential EIIT students are developing. 

Manitowoc Hmong ministry is being shepherded by Rev. Faiv Neng Her, who was ordained on October 5, 2003 and has been called to serve Hmong ministry at Redeemer in Manitowoc as a Missionary-at-Large assigned to the Manitowoc and Two Rivers area. At Redeemer, the Hmong ministry is done in partnership with the ministry of Redeemer Lutheran (Rev. Rick Miller). Pastor Her is in dialogue with pastors of the Sheboygan area and visiting Hmong families in Sheboygan. The Hmong families are being linked to our Sheboygan LCMS congregations and schools. Joshua Lee, of Trinity in Sheboygan, is currently taking preliminary EIIT courses in preparation for entering the EIIT program. Rev. Timothy Mech is his mentor. 

In 2008, the District moved into a new partnership with Gospel Lutheran Church and Mission of Christ Lutheran Church. Over the previous five years, the District provided support to Mission of Christ so that it could fund a full time pastor. These funds are currently not available. Limited funds are now provided to assist Gospel Lutheran which is being served full time by Pastor Vic Fischer. At the same time, Pastor Fischer also serves Mission of Christ as a Vacancy Pastor. The combination of support from Gospel, Mission of Christ and District funds provides a salary for Pastor Fischer. While Mission of Christ has returned to a prolonged Vacancy status, they are also served very ably by active and gifted lay leadership. Mr. Darryl Winston, Mr. Herman Strozier and Mr. Pat Batom have all been studying in the Lay Ministry Program of CUW (see Adult Education Ministries, above). Another member, Afam Ikanih, is also studying theology in the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The training, experience and dedication of these men, and many other adult volunteers, make Mission of Christ Lutheran Church a vibrant active urban ministry even while returning to a long-term vacancy.

In January of 2008, the District entered into a partnership with Bethany Lutheran Church which enables Pastor Christian Ikanih to serve at Bethany part time, while continuing his ministry to the African immigrant community. Bethany contributes half of Pastor Ikanih’s salary to District support. This partnership has assisted Bethany with a missionary pastor and the District as well, at a time of budget shortfalls. At Easter of 2008 about 45 baptisms were conducted at Bethany. Many adults are also entering into membership through instruction and the rite of confirmation. Chris Burrell, Lay Ministry student through Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) is a member of Bethany Lutheran and is active in youth ministry. New members at Bethany are also entering into theological education in the same CUW Lay Ministry program. These members assist Pastor Ikanih as volunteers in different types of community outreach, focusing particularly on youth in the city. 
 

All Nations Lutheran Church Mission Start is now worshipping in two groups at two locations. These locations are: Gospel and Hope in Milwaukee. Serving at Gospel is Candidate Elijah Ndon (see Gospel, a. Serving African Immigrant Ministry at Hope are EIIT students Dr. Ben Adetiba and EIIT student Afam Ikanih, under the supervision of Pastor Micah Wildauer and Pastor Vic Fischer.

International Lutheran Church of Zion, French speaking, with Vicar Gui Kasongo Kabeo, continues to meet at Benediction in Milwaukee with the added blessing of generous financial and mentoring support from Immanuel, Brookfield and Rev. Daniel Schneider. Pastor Don Hougard of Benediction also assists in the mentoring process. 

Vicar Gui Kasongo Kabeo is also receiving training from People of the Book Lutheran Outreach (POBLO), which assists ministries in reaching out to the Muslim population. Some of Gui’s members at International Lutheran Church of Zion are former Muslims.

Rev. Dr. Christian Ikanih continues to work with all of these African Immigrant Ministries in the capacity of Evangelist. He is assisting the District in developing different Urban Mercy Ministries and new outreach to African Immigrants in communities beyond Milwaukee.