Volunteer

A young couple wanted to get involved in mission work—and now they are leading a Bible study with a group of Christians in Mexico.

Many newlyweds head to Mexico for their honeymoon, but not many stay a year to carry out mission work. Brad and Heidi Krause, though, are doing just that.

Brad, a 2007 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, served two years as a tutor at Nebraska Lutheran High School, Waco, Neb., and was poised to receive a permanent assignment into the ministry in spring 2009. He and Heidi were married in June.

Heidi's father, Jerry Zimpelmann, owns a house in Mahahual, Mexico. He asked Brad and Heidi if they might consider leading a Bible study with a group of people that had begun gathering there.

"I talked to many different people in the synod to see if it would be okay for me to postpone being assigned and come down here and serve as a lay member," says Brad. "After much consultation and prayer, we decided to come down here for one year."

The Krauses' volunteering of their time and service is independent of WELS World Missions. Dan Koelpin, administrator of World Missions, explains, "The Board for World Missions gave its blessing to their efforts to share the gospel with the understanding that there were no guarantees that we would pick up the work by providing manpower should a congregation be gathered. On the other hand, should the Lord bless this effort beyond expectations, it might be a place where a national pastor could be called. So we remain open to seeing what the Lord will do."