In an example of how local mission efforts can continue or even expand with fewer budget dollars, Gereja Lutheran Indonesia (GLI), a group of congregations in Indonesia subsidized by WELS, opened three new mission outposts in August. The expansion comes after the church volunteered to give up 25 percent of the subsidy it receives from WELS.

Rev. Pieter Reid, a U.S.-based counselor to GLI, says that while the church and its members have appreciated all that WELS has done for them, they don't want to be a burden to WELS. They offered to cut back on administration, travel, and wages but did not want to cut back on outreach.

"This shows the thankfulness of the people for the past gifts and commitment of WELS, but it also shows that they have taken ownership of their own church and want to do the best they can to get the gospel out not only in their own country but around the world," says Rev. Daniel Koelpin, administrator of World Missions.

With the three newly opened mission outposts, GLI now has 27 missions and 1,300 members, served by 20 evangelists and 7 national pastors. Reid, who lives in Sun Prairie, Wis., travels there four or five times a year to mentor and encourage the young church body as well as give his expertise on church-planting strategies.

Reid says that two-thirds of GLI members are in worship and Sunday school and half of the adults are in Bible class every week. "When you have people that are in the Word, they also have the desire to share. They want to make and keep that their main objective even with reduced funding," he says.