WELS Military Services committee, part of the Commission on Special Ministries, held its annual conference in Radcliff, Ky., Jan. 23-26. Faith Lutheran in Radcliff was a natural choice to host this year’s conference due to its proximity to Ft. Knox.

Eighteen military contact pastors—those serving near large military installations—and six members from the Military Services committee convened to hear from service people about how military life is different from civilian life and about the unique ministry opportunities it presents.

“One of the things we impress upon our pastors is that the military is either at war or preparing for war,” says Rev. Paul Ziemer, WELS national civilian chaplain and liaison to the military. It is going through that experience that makes military services a special ministry, Ziemer explains.

One conference session on deployment discussed the entire process, from pre-deployment to the return home. “That person is coming back different from when he or she went over,” says Ziemer, emphasizing the importance of ministering to those returning and their families soon after their return.

“We listened to a number of soldiers and their families about their experience in the cycle of training, deployment, and return home. I took home a better awareness of the impact all of this has on individuals and families, and some tips on ways to reach out to them and serve them,” says Rev. Johann Caauwe, pastor at Trinity, El Paso, Texas.

He continues, “Serving a congregation in a military community carries a unique set of blessings and challenges. It is valuable to gather with pastors in a similar setting not only to share and receive information about serving the military but also to provide encouragement to keep this work as a priority.”

Rev. Jeff Smith, pastor at Living Word, Petaluma, Calif., says there is a need for a ministry to those serving our country. Smith has served in the Coast Guard, and his wife and son are both currently in the military. “The conference succeeded in having us hear from the lips of those serving what they deal with. It has moved me to get the word out and ask for people to support this ministry,” he says.

Learn more about Military Services.