--- title: WELS Christ Through Us description: The “Christ through us” long-range plan is a gospel-driven initiative calling every believer to embrace their God-given privilege as Christ’s ambassador. --- # We are Christ's ambassadors “We are **Christ**’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal **through us**"   (2 Corinthians 5:20).  Learn how you can serve Christ's mission ## “Christ through us” is a gospel-driven initiative calling every believer in WELS to embrace their God-given privilege and responsibility as Christ’s ambassador. Rooted in the love of Christ who reconciled us to God, this initiative takes to heart this truth: “God is making his appeal through us.” Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit shapes a culture where every member sees themself as a vital part of Christ’s mission—men and women, young and old, lifelong Lutherans and those new to the faith. It’s more than a plan. It’s a prayer: that Christ would work through us to awaken hearts and bring the hope of the gospel to one million souls around the world.   - [![LRSPweb-Priorities-Culture](https://christthroughus.net/hs-fs/hubfs/CTU/LRSPweb-Priorities-Culture.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=LRSPweb-Priorities-Culture.jpg) ](https://christthroughus.net/culture?hsLang=en) - [![LRSPweb-Priorities-Congregations](https://christthroughus.net/hs-fs/hubfs/CTU/LRSPweb-Priorities-Congregations.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=LRSPweb-Priorities-Congregations.jpg) ](https://christthroughus.net/congregations?hsLang=en) - [![LRSPweb-Priorities-Commission](https://christthroughus.net/hs-fs/hubfs/CTU/LRSPweb-Priorities-Commission.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=LRSPweb-Priorities-Commission.jpg) ](https://christthroughus.net/commission?hsLang=en) - [![LRSPweb-Priorities-Calling](https://christthroughus.net/hs-fs/hubfs/CTU/LRSPweb-Priorities-Calling.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=LRSPweb-Priorities-Calling.jpg) ](https://christthroughus.net/calling?hsLang=en) ### The new long-range strategic plan names four priorities for WELS to focus on for the next ten years. These sweeping areas tackle the challenges the church—and WELS—face today. [View the plan](https://christthoughus.blob.core.windows.net/public/Site%20Downloadable%20Resources/WELS-LRSP-2025-2035-Summary.pdf) *The “Christ through us” plan was approved  by the 68th biennial synod convention to prayerfully guide WELS' efforts through 2035.* ![LRSP-collage-pic600x600optimized](https://christthroughus.net/hs-fs/hubfs/CTU/LRSP-collage-pic600x600optimized.png?width=600&height=600&name=LRSP-collage-pic600x600optimized.png)   # **News and inspiration**  Read articles and stories for updates on “Christ through us” and to see how God can use your gifts to serve him as an ambassador for Christ. [Get inspired](https://christthroughus.net/news?hsLang=en) [Share media](https://christthroughus.net/media-kit?hsLang=en) # Christ through YOU *It becomes more clear to me every day that God uses all of us for a purpose. And those purposes are all different at different times in our lives, but no doubt he used our family to accomplish his will and to plant the seeds of [our] congregation.* ![Anthony-Hildebrandt-200x200](https://christthroughus.net/hs-fs/hubfs/CTU/Anthony-Hildebrandt-200x200.jpeg?width=100&height=100&name=Anthony-Hildebrandt-200x200.jpeg) Anthony Hildebrandt Abiding Word Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas *I guess marvel is the word I would use because God used my husband and myself and our children and this other family to get the mission going. And I just am amazed. God has blessed us and we’re getting a lot of new people. People are bringing them, and God is sending them here.* ![Dorothy Hildebrandt](https://christthroughus.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Dorothy-Hildebrandt-200x200.jpeg?width=100&height=100&name=Dorothy-Hildebrandt-200x200.jpeg) Dorothy Hildebrandt Abiding Word Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas *My uncle and my cousin and my grandma and grandpa, they don’t go to church very often. I try to ask them if they can come to church or go to church. I say, “I really want you to go to church. I want you to believe in Jesus.” I want to be in heaven with them. Even [if] you ask them and they say no, they’ll still probably think about it, and they might come sometime.* ![Cole Winder](https://christthroughus.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Cole.Winder.png?width=100&height=100&name=Cole.Winder.png) Cole Winder Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, Wis. *I believe that God doesn’t need us to be part of his plan, but I think he gives us opportunities—even if it’s stepping outside of our comfort zone to do his will and be a part of his purposes. If you trust God and are willing to take that chance, it’s interesting to see the places he will lead you.* ![Ryan Hildebrandt](https://christthroughus.net/hs-fs/hubfs/CTU/Ryan-Hildebrandt-200x200.jpeg?width=100&height=100&name=Ryan-Hildebrandt-200x200.jpeg) Ryan Hildebrandt Abiding Word Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas *[Sharing your faith] doesn’t have to be so scary. It can just be showing your love in a caring, kind way. We have something that is so precious and so valuable. We have such a treasure that we can’t help but let that out.* ![Melissa Romberg testimonial - middle age woman smiling](https://christthroughus.net/hs-fs/hubfs/CTU/Melissa.Romberg.png?width=100&height=100&name=Melissa.Romberg.png) Melissa Romberg Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, Wis. *You’re never too old to [share the gospel], and you’re not too young either. God uses everybody in this work of missions. It’s not just building the church. It’s one by one reaching people with the gospel. And that’s a part of the plan to grow that culture in our synod where we all see that whoever it is, God has brought that soul into my life, and he’s got a reason for it. And we get to be the ones to share the gospel with them.* ![Pastor Matt Brown](https://christthroughus.net/hs-fs/hubfs/CTU/Pastor-Matt-Brown-200x200.jpeg?width=100&height=100&name=Pastor-Matt-Brown-200x200.jpeg) Pastor Matt Brown Abiding Word Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas # Connect with us Stay informed and encouraged about the long-range strategic plan.   Connect with WELS