Lutheran Women's Missionary Society

The Lutheran Women's Missionary Society (LWMS) is women of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) focused on the exciting missio of sharing Jesus with the world!

The Lutheran Women's Missionary Society is made up of mission-minded women of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod as well as women belonging to congregations that share fellowship with the WELS.  As modern Christian women we follow the biblical examples of women who shared the same privilege and responsibilities to carry out God's work. 

Women began meeting together as early as 1958 in the Mississippi River Valley area to share information on missions and other activities of the WELS.  The inaugural convention was to have happened in the summer of 1963, but the officers of the synod wanted to further examine all aspects of the foundling group, so the first National Convention did not happen until June 27, 1964 at St. Matthew's Church in Winona, MN. There were 256 people in attendance, and the attendees adopted the mission statement and constitution. Erna Speckin was elected the first LWMS President.  The theme of that first convention was "Oriental Harvest."  These forward-thinking women saw the opportunity to participate in work being done halfway around the world, from their own homes and congregations. 

Today,  the LWMS counts approximately 900 member congregations, organized into 60 circuits across the U.S., Canada, and the West Indies. Every woman in a member congregation is by virtue of her church membership, a member of the LWMS. 

Ten officers make up our national board, and serve many hours on a volunteer basis.  In addition, two part time employees operate our Central Office in West Allis, WI.  They can be contacted at 414-321-6212 or by e-mail at centraloffice@lwms.org.  Volunteers are always welcome to assist on a variety of non-elected and elected levels. God has put many gifted and talented women in our midst! 

WELS

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