Dawn Schulz
Tuesday, Jan 24
3:15 – 4:30 pm
Understanding the Crisis and Building Connections
For the first time in modern American history, young women are leaving the church at higher rates than their male peers. WELS has not been immune. Young women are leaving WELS in troubling numbers, for a variety of reasons. But this trend can be reversed. This session explores why young women are leaving, from cultural pressures to a lack of meaningful relationships. More importantly, we will explore how other sisters in Christ can step forward to mentor, support, and guide them—creating a pathway from disconnection to discipleship.
Participants will learn how to build trust across generations, offer mentorship without overstepping, and provide safe spaces for young women to be heard and valued. You will leave with practical models for mentoring, insights into the cultural challenges young women face, and biblically faithful ways for women to be meaningfully involved in congregational life.
Dawn Schulz is grateful to serve as chairwoman of WELS Women’s Ministry. This committee nurtures, encourages, and equips women to faithfully and fruitfully use their gifts for joyful and confident service in God’s kingdom. Over the past 25+ years, Dawn has served in many ways. Highlights include tutoring at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, teaching grades 2-4, teaching women’s Bible study, hosting retreats, mentoring young Christian women, counseling those in crisis, presenting at conferences, sharing Jesus with hundreds of women at Advent by Candlelight, and coaching church planters’ wives. One of her greatest joys is seeing God’s Word work to heal broken marriages, restore hope, and bring peace to hurting hearts.
Professionally, Dawn works as multisite coordinator for Divine Savior Church’s seven campuses in Florida, Texas, and Grenada. In this capacity, she oversees the campuses’ shared resources, personnel, and systems as they collaborate to intentionally connect the families of Divine Savior Academy to lifelong engagement with the ministry of the Word and community of believers.
Dawn’s family is her greatest earthly gift and joy. She lives with her husband, Rev. Joel Schulz, in Delray Beach, Fla. They have been married for 28 years and love traveling, skiing, hiking, watching soccer, and spending time with their grown children: Jonah and his wife, Tatum; Elijah and his fiancée, Michaela; and Moira.
