Areas We Serve
From the Great Lakes to the Appalachians, the Michigan District reaches across four states and the surrounding areas with the Gospel.
Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania & Surrounding Areas
The Michigan District of WELS covers a wide and varied territory. The Mission Board studies each part of this territory to find where new churches and ministries are needed most, and to support the congregations already at work there.
Michigan
The heart of the district, with WELS congregations from the Upper Peninsula down through the southeast Michigan metro area. The Mission Board watches Michigan’s growing communities for new mission opportunities and supports congregations already serving there.
Ohio
Ohio is home to a number of established and growing WELS congregations. The Mission Board partners with these congregations to strengthen outreach in Ohio’s cities and towns.
West Virginia
West Virginia represents significant mission territory for the district. The board looks for ways to bring the Gospel to communities across the Mountain State.
Western Pennsylvania
The western half of Pennsylvania rounds out the district’s territory, with opportunities to reach communities that may have little or no WELS presence nearby.
How We Identify Mission Fields
- Tracking population growth and demographic change across the district and its surrounding areas
- Listening to circuit pastors and congregations who see needs firsthand in their communities
- Evaluating existing WELS presence to find gaps where a new start could reach unreached people
- Studying the resources needed to plant a church or launch a new ministry — and how the district can help provide them
- Bringing recommendations to the district and to WELS Home Missions for support and approval
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”Matthew 9:37 (EHV)
Suggest a Mission Field
If you know of a community in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania, or the surrounding areas that could benefit from a new WELS mission or ministry partnership, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact the Board