Here are the winners for this year’s Lemke grant.

Pastor Timothy Satorius and the congregation at Iglesia Luterana Gracia y Paz, Falls Church, VA

For twenty years Grace Lutheran and Iglesia Luterana Gracia y Paz have hosted a Hispanic Festival.  Using mailings, signage, social media and personal invitations, we invite members of the Hispanic community around us to come to our campus and get to know us.  Up to 50 or more volunteers associated with our ministry (members and friends) work together to receive and welcome our visitors on the day of our event.  We provide a health fair, immigration consultations, cultural music and dance programs, children’s games and ethnic foods, all free to the public.  Other members help with follow-up to those who attend.  This event has led directly to baptisms, Bible information classes and membership in the church for many, and good publicity for the church in this community.  

Pastor Joel Heckendorf and the congregation at Light of the Valleys, Reno, NV

In 2008, our congregation adopted a “5 in 20” mission plan.  At the time, they were the only WELS presence in Reno.  As a result, they launched “The Springs” in 2008.  Collectively, in 2018, those two churches launched Light of the Valleys in 2018.  Now, we’re starting to set our eyes on “what’s next?” for gospel ministry in the greater Reno area.  With Light of the Valleys hoping to build their own facility in 2028, our challenge now is to keep the momentum going.  Do we collectively look to start another mission in nearby Carson City (30 minutes south)?  Do we look to join forces for some educational opportunity between the three congregations?  We are hoping to provide an event that will generate interest, spur on ideas, and inspire our three congregations as we look to implement some of the WELS “Christ Through Us” strategic plan into our local context.