On May 24, the Wisconsin Lutheran College choir and chamber choir performed at Fruchthalle in Kaiserslautern (K-Town), Germany, for WELS members who are part of the European chaplaincy program. The performance was a thank-you to the many U.S. soldiers who work at nearby Ramstein Air Base and a way to gain more community exposure for WELS ministry in Europe.

The concert in K-Town was the final performance for the choirs, which completed a 15-day European concert tour. Before the concert in K-Town, choir members split up into smaller groups to sing throughout the area and pass out flyers advertising the concert and promoting WELS European Chaplaincy.

Mick Scheuer, Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) choir member and student manager of the K-Town Project, says that the goal of the project was to “carry out the Christian mission to go and make disciples of all nations and to connect with military servicemen and women, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.”

More than 40 members of WELS European Chaplaincy attended the concert. The chaplaincy, coordinated by WELS Special Ministries, serves members of the military and civilians. A full-time pastor, Joshua Martin, serves these WELS members, who are scattered throughout Europe. Each month Martin meets with these members for Bible study and worship in five different locations throughout England, Germany, and Switzerland. At each location, 15 to 20 members meet.

Martin said that those who attended the concert in K-Town appreciated the chance to gather around God’s Word and be with other Christians. “We hardly had any visitors,” he observed. “Yet, I did not sense any letdown or sadness from the choir or from those in attendance. It seemed to me that everyone enjoyed being there. The few visitors that we did have all said they enjoyed the concert.”

Leah Bauer, a civilian member of WELS European Chaplaincy, agreed that the concert was fantastic. “It was such a blessing to hear God’s Word delivered through song,” says Bauer. “I get to attend church somewhat often through the chaplaincy, but it’s rare that I get to hear that many voices unified and perfectly harmonized to sing praises to God. It’s not something one takes for granted over here. And sometimes I forget that there are so many people out there who believe what I believe. To see and hear a choir full of fellow believers is an indescribable blessing. It was truly refreshing and inspiring.”