Local women attend Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society Convention
DES MOINES, Iowa — A group of women from Powers, Bark River, Iron Mountain, Coleman, Wis., Oconto Falls, Wis., and Florence, Wis. joined about 900 others to attend the 56th Annual Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) Convention held in Des Moines, Iowa the weekend of June 27-30. Members from over 800 Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and Evangelical Lutheran Synod congregations meet at this annual event for mission support, spiritual renewal, inspiration, and fellowship.
During the convention, attendees learned about the expanding outreach efforts by missionary teams in Latin America and Africa and about the continuing growth of the mission field in East Asia. In addition, home missionaries shared their experiences with outreach in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Workshops included the topics of new mission opportunities in Vietnam, the operational support for all home and world missions, the Mission Journeys program for short-term mission trips, one woman’s experiences as a mission counselor in East Asia, and a panel discussion by missionary wives who shared their experiences. Convention highlights included the presentation of over $82,406 to WELS mission projects and an opportunity to hear about the latest developments from WELS Home and World Mission Administrators, Rev. Keith Free and Rev. Larry Schlomer.
This year’s convention theme was “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus in the Heartland.” The attendees were able to meet and talk with missionaries, view and purchase mission crafts, and enjoy a banquet followed by entertainment.