NWD LCMS Mission

We Bring Christ and His Word to People

Early Childhood Gathering Save the Date

All those involved in early childhood ministry are invited to the NWD All EC Gathering on Friday, August 13, 2027. Most centers plan to close during this full day event, so they like to have this date a year in advance. We are blessed to have national presenter Dr. Drew Gerdes speaking to us. Dr. Gerdes is a professor at Concordia University Nebraska and has spent his adult life teaching and leading early childhood ministries. Location for the event is yet to be determined. Plan now to attend next August!

Lutheran SGO of WI

The Lutheran SGO of WI has recently begun to explore the best tech platform for receiving and verifying donations to our schools through the Lutheran SGO of WI. If the new WI governor opts in, we will be ready to get on the state list as an approved SGO and begin accepting donations.

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit of the One Big Beautiful Bill will need to be explained to congregations. Schools can begin sharing the opportunity it provides - a dollar for dollar tax credit by supporting a school - up to $1,700 per taxpayer.

Our board includes leaders from both North and South WI districts. The NWD representatives on the board include Principal Brian Betts, Principal Dean Frick, and NWD Accountant-CPA Dwayne Maroszek.

Hearts for Jesus - Camp Luther

Many NWD schools, early childcare centers and Sunday schools support Hearts for Jesus with their February offerings or gifts from other parts of the year. Camp Luther is the Hearts for Jesus recipient for this school year. This year we are supporting Every Kid to Camp which provides a summer camp experience for those who have never attended and provides financial aid top those in need. EKTC has supported over 4,000 kids since 2006 when it started. Camp Luther has provided multiple resources to engage students in this special mission. Access to these materials can be found on the NWD website by mid-November.

Education Executive Transition

We give thanks for DJ Schult and his 30 years of service in the NWD, 13 years as the NWD Education Executive. With his retirement in May, President Shoup has gathered a call committee to review applications for the position of Assistant to the President for Education, Missions, and Communications. Applications are due by October 31. The call committee is meeting in November to review candidates and schedule interviews for those selected to the next round. Interviews will be held in January. Please continue to lift the process in prayer.

Teacher Colloquy and the Roster of Synod

Commissioned ministry colloquy programs prepare men and women who are currently serving in ministry roles for membership in the Synod. (Bylaw 3.10.3)

Colloquy programs ensure that those who seek to join the Synod have been educated in theology, have become oriented to service to the Synod and have demonstrated the spiritual and professional attributes that the Synod expects of its members. (Bylaw 3.10.3.a)

The word “colloquy,” from the Latin “colloquium,” means “a conversation.” As used in the LCMS, the word in its narrow sense refers specifically to the theological examination which is the culmination of the colloquy process and which also touches on the applicant’s background, history, etc. in order to determine his or her fitness for ministry and whether or not to certify him or her to receive a call and initial placement into the commissioned ministry of the LCMS.

The NWD pays a significant portion of Teacher colloquy courses...Find out more HERE.

Explore the online colloquy program HERE.

Labor of Love Application OPEN

The annual Labor of Love grant to reduce the educational debt of NWD professional church workers is now open through this fall. The application and details to qualify are found on the nwdlcms.org website under the Events and Info tab. These grants are funded by the donations and gains made in the Labor of Love campaign held from 2023-2025. That million-dollar campaign hit its goal in 2025 and with market gains has eclipsed the $1.4 million mark. A percentage of funds are released each year and divided by need among the qualifying applicants. Application closes December 15. Learn more HERE.