This past spring, all WELS and ELS high school artists were invited to express their creativity and learn about WELS mission work by creating an 11×17” masterpiece capturing the heart of either WELS Home or World Missions. Two overall winners were selected:
Home Missions winner
Natalie Matzke – Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, New Ulm, Minn.
Zion, Winthrop, Minn.
“My poster was inspired by Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commands us to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The pencil sketch shows a baby being baptized, emphasizing that God’s command to share the gospel extends to everyone, even the youngest among us.
I chose to portray baptism because it beautifully shows God’s grace—a gift freely given and not earned. A baby being baptized highlights God’s love and how God gives faith to us through baptism.
Baptism is important to home missions because it is a real way parents bring their children to God’s church so the Holy Spirit can forgive the child’s sin and grant him or her saving faith. Baptism unites believers with God’s family. In home missions, baptisms can serve as a visible sign of God’s work in our communities, bringing His grace to new believers of all ages.
I love working with pencil as a medium because of how it captures details and emotions, freezing a moment in time.
I want to show the beauty of God’s grace in baptism and how parents bringing their children to be baptized are part of the mission field too. Whether across the globe or in our own neighborhoods, sharing the gospel begins with the simple act of connecting families and children to Christ through His Word and sacraments.”
World Missions winner
Liz Kuehner – Luther High School, Onalaska, Wis.
St. Matthew’s, Winona, Minn.
“I used watercolors to make this. I liked the rather classic and almost ‘old fashioned’ look of workers in the field because I personally find it easier to imagine than most other parables. I like that it does portray the work that goes into actually sharing the gospel, but it still has that almost nostalgic feeling that makes people happy, showing both the work and the reward in one.”
Thank you to all the students who learned about WELS Home and World Missions! We received 19 incredible posters this year and loved seeing how students used their God-given gifts to highlight mission work. A big thanks as well to the teachers, parents, and peers who encouraged participation!
This annual contest returns each spring—stay tuned for how your students can take part next year.
Fan favorite voting
All posters will be displayed at Taste of Missions on June 14 at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis., where attendees can vote for their Fan Favorite. Be sure to register to cast your vote! Results and all artwork will be shared on this webpage and social media after the event.
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