Rev. Chuck Westra
Rev. Leon Ehlert
Tuesday, Jan 24
3:15 – 4:30 pm
Jesus never promised that following him would be easy. In fact, he warned that his disciples would face opposition, rejection, and even persecution. Around the world today, that warning has become a lived reality. Christian martyrdom is increasing. In some places where WELS is engaged in mission work, confessing Christ can cost you your job, your freedom, or even your life. Here in America, we may enjoy religious freedom, but courage is still essential. A faithful Christian witness in our culture may be dismissed as intolerant, anti-science, or hateful. Speaking clearly about sin, grace, and the authority of Scripture often invites criticism.
Leadership always requires courage. People naturally resist change—even when that change is necessary for the sake of the gospel. Leaders must be willing to absorb resistance, not to preserve their comfort, but to serve Christ and his mission.
This keynote will explore why courage is a non-negotiable in Christian ministry. In every context—global or local—the Church is called to bold, faithful witness. And leaders are called to shape communities where courage is lived, taught, and shared.
Rev. Chuck Westra has served 37 years in the public ministry of WELS. After serving for 2 years as a vicar at Northwestern Prep, Watertown, Wis., he has served for the last 35 years at Christ Our Savior, Columbia, Tenn. Christ Our Savior started as a new mission start of the WELS Board for Home Missions.
In addition to his work in the local congregation, Rev. Westra has served in the wider ministry of WELS. He served as the district evangelism coordinator of the South Atlantic District. In addition, he served on the WELS Commission on Evangelism. He spent several years as a presenter for the WELS Schools of Outreach. Rev. Westra also served on the South Atlantic District Mission Board. He served as chairman for almost a decade. For nearly a decade, he also served as chairman of the Board for Home Missions. In 2016, he was elected to serve as district president of the South Atlantic District. He has also served for the last 18 years on the WELS Synodical Council.
Rev. Leon Ehlert is part of the ministry team at Beautiful Savior, Green Bay, Wis. He graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1991. He has previously served at St. Stephen’s in Beaver Dam and Fox Valley Lutheran High School. He serves on the North America Hmong Committee and is one of the diaspora ministry facilitators for Asian groups living in the US. He is responsible for directing mission work in two countries in South Asia and is currently scouting opportunities for outreach in Dubai and the Persian Gulf. He serves on the Explore Committee of the Asia One Team, which looks for new places to start missions in Asia. He lives on a farm in Black Creek, Wis. He and his wife, Krystie, have been married for more than 30 years and have four children: Julian, Elijah, Colin, and Mary. He is the proud grandfather of three grandsons, Judah, Asher, and Finnigan, and a granddaughter, Pippa.
