WISCONSIN LUTHERAN INSTITUTIONAL MINISTRIES 2013 Annual Report Sharing Hope with Those Who Need it Most. 2323 North Mayfair Rd #480 Wauwatosa, WI 53226 Ph: 414-259-4370 E-mail: wlim@wlim.net Web: www.wlim.net
Help WLIM Press On Like many of you, my earliest memories are sitting in a church pew or Sunday school class. Like many of you, I have always had full access to the truth. Recently a report about evangelists at the Olympics caught my ear. When an athlete was approached and told the story about Jesus so familiar to you and me, she admitted that she never heard it before. She was unsure about how to handle the information. It reminded me that the saving grace I take for granted so many times in my daily life is brand new to so many. It drove home the importance of taking God s forgiving message to those who have no contact with, or have a hard time accessing that message. I was drawn to WLIM after hearing one of the chaplains preach at my church. I felt this ministry was at the cutting edge of redemption - bringing the message of forgiveness to those other sheep - the ones who need it most. But then, I was reminded of Matthew 5: 21-37. God looks at our sins of thought in the same why he looks at our sins of deed. If not for his amazing grace, we are all equally guilty. Furthermore, I must admit along with Paul, that among sinners, I am chief. I have no excuse. That common need for forgiveness and redemption binds me to my institutionalized brothers and sisters. I have just as much, if not more need for a Savior than those being served by WLIM. Praise God for his truly amazing grace. Over the past several years the WLIM board has concentrated on setting WLIM on a sustainable path so we can continue to reach Jesus other sheep. God has blessed those efforts. The changes we ve made resulted in a very encouraging 2013 year-end financial report. WLIM is thankful for continuing support from several foundations. God has blessed us with increased individual and member congregation contributions. I believe our ability to grow in the future will come from our individual donors. Praise God for his blessing of so many individual faithful Christians to support our ministry. I invite you to continue to help WLIM press on. Please contact our office at any time to set up appointments to meet with one of our chaplains. Feel free to call us and request guest preachers for your congregations throughout the year. Attend one of our numerous seminars that have been so well received. Make use of our new video series where you can hear WLIM s story along with the inspiring experiences of our chaplains and volunteers. And make sure that you connect with our new web page that will be up and running soon so we can keep in touch. Over the past year, your financial support and volunteer efforts have made it possible to reach those in need of hearing about Jesus with written materials, face to face visits, bible studies and videos. We all look forward to continuing these efforts with your help for many years to come. May God bless you for your support. Mr. Craig Ellsworth, Chairman, Board of Directors Wisconsin Lutheran Institutional Ministries Wisconsin Lutheran Institutional Ministries New Tag Line To quickly introduce Institutional Ministries through our mailings, website and other media, a new tag line has been adopted as a WLIM handshake. Many suggestions were offered and a suggestion by WLIM friend Marcella Wenzel has been chosen by the staff and board: Sharing Hope with Those Who Need It Most. We felt that this phrase hit all the right notes in just a few words: We re sharing something, something that s changed our own lives and that we d like to see other people benefit from: the good news of a God of grace and his wonderful Son Jesus. We have hope because of this, hope that has kept us going and hope that we re sure will help other people keep going, as they come to realize how loved they are and how reliable God is. We re reaching out with this hope to those who need it most, people who are far from home in a place they d rather not be, like a hospital or prison, people who are facing uncertain and often frightening futures and need something certain to hold onto. Watch for Sharing Hope with Those Who Need It Most as it appears on things coming out of Institutional Ministries. Please use it as a jumping-off point when you talk to people who aren t familiar with Institutional Ministries. And thanks to all the people who made this project happen! And check out our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/im1901 or go to www.youtube.com and search for Institutional Ministries to find our YouTube channel. Our third video, Ricky s Story will be posted soon, and there are more to come. Chaplain Phil Merten 2 3
I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind, and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:12b-14, 18-21 In Jesus Name, Dear Christian Friends; St. Paul by inspiration urges us to Press on. WLIM uses those words as the theme for the 2013 WLIM annual report. Even at the age of 113 years, the ministry continues to press on to share the word of God with those who cannot come to us: the institutionalized and, when possible, the members of their families. In 2013, WLIM Pressed On as several new institutions are now being served, bringing the total to 147. WLIM Pressed On as new volunteers were recruited and trained, bringing the total to over 132. WLIM Pressed On in technology as the web site is undergoing revision and upgrades. WLIM fully understands there are many who continue to live as enemies of the cross of Christ. But we continue to thank God that his Word produces results. Many of these individuals are coming to faith through the work of the Holy Spirit. What a blessing to be God s instruments for another year in bringing eternal forgiveness and hope to many whose destiny, without the Savior, is destruction. WLIM is confident of the Lord s continued blessings in 2014 as WLIM Presses On! Pastor Robert W. Pasbrig, Executive Director, Wisconsin Lutheran Institutional Ministries Thrivent Choice $8,972 Groups & Organizations $36,504 INCOME Estates, Interest, Other $18,144 2013 Financial Results Restricted Funds & Savings $19,268 Individuals $342,266 EXPENSES Travel $34,971 Office, Rent, Other Printing $27,415 $72,599 Wages $506,156 WLIM now has a tag line, SHARING HOPE WITH THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST. Please see a paragraph in this report concerning the new tag line. The Compassion newsletter mailing list has expanded and is now mailed every quarter to over 7,800 recipients. There were 89 first time donors in 2013. 9 different foundations provided financial support to the ministry. Contributions and other income increased in 2013 and expenses were held in check as WLIM strives to achieve a balanced budget. Foundations $166,550 Congregations $186,494 Health Insurance/Pension $137,057 Several new bible study booklets were written and printed, many in cooperation with the WELS Prison Ministry Committee and the WELS Multi-language Publications office (they love the prison materials since the booklets are written in a very simple style. Multi-language has again translated a number of the booklets into as many as 12 foreign languages and distributed hundreds of thousands of the booklets around the world). A legacy society has been established at WLIM. It is called THE PLANK ROAD LEGACY SOCIETY. The legacy members are individuals who have included WLIM in their estate plans. The name, PLANK ROAD, goes back to WLIM s beginnings in the late 1890 s. Pastor William Rader walked down the Watertown Plank Road to serve the institutionalized at the Milwaukee County Poor Farm. Thrivent Choice $11,000 Groups & Organizations $34,000 Estates, Interest, Other $31,000 INCOME 2014 Approved Budget Restricted Funds & Savings $90,827 Individuals $310,000 EXPENDITURES Travel $32,000 Office, Rent, Other Printing $31,500 $74,565 Wages $478,418 Foundations $95,000 Congregations $180,000 Health Insurance/Pension $135,344 4 5
6 Association Member Churches Apostles of Christ - Wauwatosa, WI Atonement - Milwaukee, WI Bethany - Appleton, WI Bethel - Menasha, WI Bethlehem - Carmel, IN Bethlehem - Germantown, WI Bethlehem - Oshkosh, WI Bethlehem - Hortonville, WI Calvary - Thiensville, WI Calvary - Milwaukee, WI Centennial - Milwaukee, WI Christ - Menominee, MI Christ - Milwaukee, WI Christ - Pewaukee, WI Christ - Denmark, WI Christ - West Salem, WI Christ the Lord - Brookfield, WI Christus - Delavan, WI Crossroads Christian - Chicago, IL Crown of Life - Hubertus, WI David Star - Jackson, WI Divine Peace - Milwaukee, WI Divine Savior - Shawano, WI Divinity-Divine Charity - Whitefish Bay, WI Eastside - Madison, WI Eternal Love - Appleton, WI Fairview - Milwaukee, WI Faith - Elizabeth, IL Faith - Sussex, WI Faith - Fond Du Lac, WI Faith - Lancaster, WI Faith - Oshkosh, WI First - Elkhorn, WI First German - Manitowoc, WI First - Lake Geneva, WI First - La Crosse, WI First - Green Bay, WI Garden Homes - Milwaukee, WI Gethsemane - Milwaukee, WI Gloria Dei Bethesda - Milwaukee, WI Good Shepherd - West Allis, WI Good Shepherd - Beaver Dam, WI Good Shepherd - Fond Du Lac, WI Grace - Waupun, WI Grace - Prairie Du Chien, WI Grace - Pickett, WI Grace - Waukesha, WI Grace - Friesland, WI Grace - Neenah, WI Grace - Milwaukee, WI Grace - Stratford, WI Grace - Oshkosh, WI Immanuel - Oshkosh, WI Immanuel - De Pere, WI Immanuel - Waupaca, WI Immanuel - Johnson Creek, WI Immanuel - Watertown, WI Immanuel - Campbellsport, WI Immanuel - Medford, WI Immanuel - Neenah, WI Immanuel - Marshall, WI Immanuel - Neillsville, WI Jordan - West Allis, WI Lord of Love - Deforest, WI Loving Shepherd - Milwaukee, WI Martin Luther - Neenah, WI Martin Luther - Oshkosh, WI Messiah - Shiocton, WI Messiah - Milwaukee, WI Morning Star - Jackson, WI Mt. Calvary - Waukesha, WI Mt. Calvary - La Crosse, WI Mt. Calvary - Menasha, WI Mt. Lebanon - Milwaukee, WI Mt. Olive - Appleton, WI Mt. Olive - Monroe, WI Mt. Olive - Iron Mountain, MI Mt. Olive - Green Bay, WI Mt. Zion - Ripon, WI Mt. Zion - Kenosha, WI Nain - West Allis, WI Our Savior - Grafton, WI Our Savior - Two Rivers, WI Our Savior - Phillips, WI Palos - Palos Heights, IL Peace - Sun Prairie, WI Peace - Wilmot, WI Peace - Janesville, WI Peace - Hartford, WI Peace - Wautoma, WI Pilgrim - Menomonee Falls, WI Redeemer - Cedarburg, WI Redeemer - Weston, WI Redeemer - Fond Du Lac, WI Redemption - Milwaukee, WI Reformation - Dousman, WI Resurrection - Milwaukee, WI Risen Savior - Milwaukee, WI Riverview - Appleton, WI Salem - Milwaukee, WI Salem - Milwaukee, WI Siloah - Milwaukee, WI St. Andrew - Milwaukee, WI St. Jacobi - Greenfield, WI St. James - Milwaukee, WI St. James - Prairie Du Sac, WI St. James - Cambridge, WI St. John - Oak Creek, WI St. John - Kingston, WI St. John - Baraboo, WI St. John - Manitowoc, WI St. John - Markesan, WI St. John - Jefferson, WI St. John - Newburg, WI St. John - Fox Lake, WI St. John - Oak Creek, WI St. John - Neillsville, WI St. John - Fremont, WI St. John - Milton, WI St. John - Woodland, WI St. John - Whitewater, WI St. John - Sparta, WI St. John - Waterloo, WI St. John - Fall River, WI St. John - Mishicot, WI St. John - Two Rivers, WI St. John - Peshtigo, WI St. John - Burlington, WI St. John - Rib Lake, WI St. John - Sturgeon Bay, WI St. John - Appleton, WI St. John - Watertown, WI St. John - Hillpoint, WI St. John - Juneau, WI St. John - Waterloo, WI St. John St. Peter - Cleveland, WI St. John s - Lannon, WI St. John s - Wauwatosa, WI St. John s - Milwaukee, WI St. John s - Mequon, WI St. John's - Mukwonago, WI St. John s - Cambridge, WI St. Lucas- Milwaukee, WI St. Luke - Lomira, WI St. Luke - Oakfield, WI St. Marcus - Milwaukee, WI St. Mark - Wallace, MI St. Mark - Brown Deer, WI St. Mark - Watertown, WI St. Mark - Stambaugh, MI St. Mark s - Watertown, WI St. Matthew - Milwaukee, WI St. Matthew - Appleton, WI St. Matthew - Port Washington, WI St. Michael - Fountain City, WI St. Paul - Fort Atkinson, WI St. Paul - De Pere, WI St. Paul - Appleton, WI St. Paul - Oconto Falls, WI St. Paul - East Troy, WI St. Paul - Dale, WI St. Paul - North Fond Du Lac, WI St. Paul - Marquette, WI St. Paul - Redgranite, WI St. Paul - Platteville, WI St. Paul - Lake Mills, WI St. Paul - Slinger, WI St. Paul - Winneconne, WI St. Paul - Mauston, WI St. Paul - Tomah, WI St. Paul - Cudahy, WI St. Paul - Stratford, WI St. Paul - Howards Grove, WI St. Paul - Franklin, WI St. Paul - Muskego, WI St. Paul - Brownsville, WI St. Paul - Wonewoc, WI St. Paul s - Lomira, WI St. Peter - Appleton, WI St. Peter - Tomah, WI St. Peter - Helenville, WI St. Peter - Weyauwega, WI St. Peter - Mayville, WI St. Peter - Sturgeon Bay, WI St. Peter - Marshfield, WI St. Peter s - Milwaukee, WI St. Peter s - Fond Du Lac, WI St. Peter s - Juneau, WI St. Peter s - Mishicot, WI St. Peter s - Eldorado, WI St. Stephen - Fall River, WI St. John - Maribel, WI St. John - Neillsville, WI Star of Bethlehem - New Berlin, WI Trinity - Minocqua, WI Trinity - Campbellsport, WI Trinity - Hartford, WI Trinity - Waukesha, WI Trinity - Mequon, WI Trinity - Kiel, WI Trinity - Kaukauna, WI Trinity - Merrill, WI Trinity - Marinette, WI Trinity - Friesland, WI Trinity - Mequon, WI Trinity - Caledonia, WI Trinity - Watertown, WI Trinity - Brillion, WI Trinity - Wabeno, WI Trinity - Neenah, WI Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel - Madison, WI Woodlawn - West Allis, WI Zebaoth - Milwaukee, WI Zion - Crete, IL Zion - Readfield, WI Zion - Van Dyne, WI Zion - Pickett, WI Zion - South Milwauke, WI Zion - Hartland, WI Zion - Columbus, WI Zion - Arlington, WI Zion - Mercer, WI Zion - Greenleaf, WI Zion - Kingston, WI Zion - Peshtigo, WI Zum Kripplein Christi - Iron Ridge, WI Duluth, MN Superior Balsam Lake New Richmond St. Croix Gordon Stanley Chippewa Falls Ministry Locations Washburn Rhinelander Marshfield (2) Lake Tomahawk Irma Wausau Eagle River Antigo Baraga Florence Shawano Oneida Marquette (2) Marinette Munising Sturgeon Bay (2) Green Bay (2) Black River Falls (2) Waupaca (2) Appleton Buffalo Wautoma Redgranite Oshkosh (9) Manitowoc West Salem Princeton Tomah Montello Fond du Lac (3) La Crosse (5) Green Lake (2) New Lisbon Sheboygan Mauston Plymouth Friendship Waupun (3) Portage (2) Fox Lake Port Washington Juneau Hartford West Bend Oconomowoc Deerfield Prairie du Chien Waukesha (2) Milwaukee Area (17) Madison (8) Boscobel Oregon (2) Jefferson Wales Janesville Racine-Kenosha (6) Elkhorn Union Grove (3) East Moline Illinois Westville and Plainfield Indiana Kankakee Illinois INSTITUTIONS BEING SERVED BY THE MINISTRY Wisconsin Lutheran Institutional Ministries, Inc. shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ in prisons, jails, hospitals, nursing & retirement homes, mental health, drug & alcohol treatment, juvenile detention and child & adolescent treatment centers. ( ) = number of institutions served in area 7
Meet Our Staff Rev. Robert Pasbrig Executive Director Cindy Aldinger Office Manager Chaplain Charles Iles, Sr. Chaplain Phil Merten Deaconess Sarah Owens Chaplain Joseph Radsek Rev. Robert Sievert Advisor - Resource Development Chaplain Kenneth Wenzel Chaplain Mark Wenzel Chaplain Em. Kenneth Lenz Staff Minister Martin Rosewicz 8 Board Members Mr. Craig Ellsworth- Chairman St. Francis, WI Mr. Lloyd Hoeffner - Vice Chairman Appleton, WI Mr. Mark Albrecht - Treasurer Brookfield, WI Mr. David Kapanke - Secretary Sun Prairie, WI Rev. Timothy Bauer Watertown, WI Mr. Larry Clark La Crosse, WI Rev. Thomas Fricke Brillion, WI Mr. Allen Heckendorf Thiensville, WI Mr. Chris Joch Burlington, WI Rev. Gregory Stahlecker Coleman, WI Mr. David Strohschein Oshkosh, WI Mr. Carl Rudolph - Advisor to the Board Appleton, WI