Christ through Ordinary You

Luke and Rachel Beilke

Keynote description

In this keynote, we will share how God works through ordinary people in everyday life. Serving with Academia Cristo in Ecuador, Luke and Rachel have seen believers throughout Latin America share Christ’s love right where God has placed them—at home, at work, and in their communities. Connected to the rally theme, “Christ Through Us,” this session will explore how following Jesus isn’t just something that happens at church or on mission trips and sharing Christ isn’t limited to pastors or missionaries far away. God uniquely places each believer in families, friendships, schools, and communities where they are perfectly positioned to share his love. Through stories from the mission field and their own experiences as missionaries and parents, Luke and Rachel will encourage you to see how God has uniquely positioned you to share his love and how Christ is already working through you in your everyday life.

Speaker bio

Luke Beilke serves as Dean of Students for Academia Cristo, an online academy that teaches God’s Word to adult students throughout Latin America. Luke teaches Bible classes online, mentors emerging leaders, and encourages students as they begin Bible study groups and churches in their own communities. A central part of his work is building relationships with students and walking alongside them as they grow in faith and leadership.

Luke and his wife Rachel have served together as missionaries in Latin America since 2022 and currently live in Quito, Ecuador. Rachel serves the ministry of Academia Cristo as the volunteer coordinator, working closely with WELS high schools as they plan ministry trips throughout Latin America. Together, Luke and Rachel also share Christ daily in their God-given vocation as parents, raising their children, Mabel, Otis, and Havalah, in God’s Word.

Before moving to Ecuador, Luke and Rachel taught English at a WELS-affiliated school in Bogotá, Colombia. They have also served in Milwaukee, Wis., and Sarasota, Fla., where Luke served as a teacher and principal, and Rachel, as a teacher. In their free time, they enjoy spending time as a family, exploring new places, and building relationships with the people God has placed around them. Luke and Rachel are 2010 graduates of Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn.

Before You Were Ready

Jonathan Hein

Keynote description

We say it all the time: “I’m not ready.” Not ready to shoulder the responsibility. Not ready to speak. Not ready to make a difference. But Jesus has never waited for people to feel ready. Throughout Scripture, God calls ordinary, uncertain, sometimes very young people. He then equips them for the work he gives them. Which means this: you may not feel ready, but in Christ, you already are.

The theme of this rally is “Christ through us.” The “us” doesn’t mean just pastors, teachers, and staff ministers. It doesn’t mean just adults. “Us” means all of us. Including you. Christ has plans to do things through you that will echo in eternity. This keynote will challenge you to see yourself as someone God is already using—and someone he wants to use even more—to care about friends, to reach the lost, and—yes—to shape the future of the church. Not someday. Not after you “grow up.”

Now. You’re ready.

Speaker bio

Jonathan Hein graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., in 1997 and was called to start a mission congregation in the Charleston, S.C., area. Over the next 20 years, that small group of thirteen souls grew into two congregations serving hundreds of members.

During his years as a pastor in parish ministry, Jonathan also served as chairman of the South Atlantic District Mission Board, where he helped oversee the planting of 14 additional congregations. In 2014, he was called to serve as director of the WELS Commission on Congregational Counseling. In 2017, he transitioned to the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry, where he now oversees the work of all WELS Congregational Services, which help churches and schools assess and plan gospel ministry.

Jonathan is married to Rebecca, a WELS teacher. They have two children: Caleb, who works in finance, and Joshua, who, after six years in the Air Force, is now studying at MLC, New Ulm, Minn., to become a pastor.