Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Kingdom Workers, or WELS Kingdom Workers (WKW), assists WELS mission divisions in their task of making disciples by informing, encouraging, providing, facilitating, and coordinating through WKW chapters, national projects, local mission outreach, Builders For Christ (BFC), Christian Volunteer Corps (CVC), Faith In Action (FIA), WELS Board for Home Missions (BHM), and WELS Board for World Missions (BWM).

WKW National Executive Director David Timm reflected on some of his most favorite experiences with WKW. “Taking a group of WKW supporters to Greece, Germany, and Bulgaria,” he said. ”In Bulgaria we worshipped with the mission in Sophia. None of us will ever forget the experience we had, and the bonding in Christian fellowship that transcended language barriers. I remember vividly doing a demographic study of the neighborhood around Northside Lutheran Ministries (25th and North, Milwaukee) and a man telling me I looked like a ‘cop’ and might be shot before I got to the end of the block. I wasn’t shot, but I was scared, it was apparent that this was a place that needed the gospel of Jesus, and a little law too.”

WKW began in 1986, when two lay members of the WELS Board for World Missions increased their support of financial and human resources. The Schwan Foundation provides a matching funds program for contributions received in support of WKW projects that go directly to the projects. Today, WKW has 49 projects, a financial commitment of $1.9 million, and more than 3,000 WELS lay people serving in a mission setting.

David Timm has been the national executive director for WKW since 1992. Timm is proud of WKW and explained why. “The obvious blessings of a gracious God and the healthy relationship that has developed with BWM and BHM,” he said. “WKW has never failed to keep a promise to a mission field since 1987. The dedicated and competent staff working with a servant attitude to serve our synod mission divisions. The supportive board of directors with vision and courage to try new things, but who never stray from our mission and purpose. Thousands of lay workers, of all generations, living out the Great Commission (Matthew 28) and the Great Commandment (John 13).”

If you’re interested in getting involved or for questions regarding WKW, contact David Timm. For more information on WKW, visit the WELS Kingdom Workers Web site.