Worship, service and spiritual renewal take center stage as the Beautiful Feet Missions Conference circles back to Concordia University Wisconsin.
Do you live missionally? Are you a kind neighbor? Do you go out of your way to brighten someone’s day? Whether you are verbally sharing the Gospel or quietly living it out through daily acts of devotion, God is at work. The Beautiful Feet Missions Conference brings these actions to life, giving students a space for fellowship, service and spreading His word.
“Scripture calls us to serve,” says James Schultz (’25), a senior majoring in Lutheran secondary education and Service to the World coordinator for CUW’s Campus Ministry Leadership Team.
This annual conference hosts students, pastors and campus ministry leaders from Concordia universities across the nation—roughly 195 people are expected to attend this year.
“The presence of so many students from so many other LCMS universities helps make this big world feel a bit smaller,” says Rev. Jonathon Bakker, campus pastor. “It’s an opportunity for our students to start to see how the pieces of their life may be falling into place as they consider future service to the Lord and his church at home or abroad.”
Maggie Leimkuehler, undergraduate clinical and skills lab coordinator, says this is the first time CUW has hosted since before COVID, so it’s exciting to welcome it back home.
This year’s theme is “Ready, Set, Go!” based on 1 Peter 3:15, which reminds us to always be ready to give a defense for the hope within us, according to Leimkuehler. Schultz added, “Our focus is on apologetics—helping students understand what they believe and why so they can share their faith with confidence.”
Student Annie Schaffer, who will graduate in spring 2027 with a degree in secondary English education with a Lutheran teacher diploma, is one of two student leaders for this event. She has attended past conferences and loves witnessing their annual evolution.
“In so many ways it’s beneficial for all Concordia students because we get the opportunity to meet, learn and worship all in the same place—mixed together,” says Schaffer. “You can make lifelong friends and find resources for ministry and mission work that can be right next door or across the world.”
Step up
Today, Friday, Nov. 7, is the big service day. “All 195 conference attendees—plus about 60 CUW students—will deploy across 10 project sites in the community,” confirms Leimkuehler. “We’ll work with organizations like City on a Hill, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Family Sharing and Lighthouse Ministries. Students will also make blankets, pack snack bags and collect donations on campus.”
Essentially, each project meets a need that has been identified in the local area—things like organizing hygiene donations, supporting foster children or helping older community members with yard work.
“We’re called to be the hands and feet of Christ,” says Leimkuehler. “Getting out of our comfort zones and serving helps students live that out tangibly.”
Off-Campus service projects are:
- City on a Hill (organizing hygiene donations)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters (gala setup and care packages)
- Family Sharing (pantry organization)
- Lighthouse Ministries (deep cleaning)
- Riveredge Nature Center (fencing and gardening)
- St. Paul’s, Grafton (event setup and cleaning)
- Beautiful Savior, Mequon (lawn work)
On-Campus service projects are:
- Blanket Making: For Children’s Hospital and Lakeshore Advocacy
- Snack Packs: For Milwaukee Rescue Mission
- Can Drive: Food collection for Family Sharing
- Clothing Drive: Professional/family clothing for Mr. Bob’s
Luke Witte, a computer science and philosophy major, is the other student leader for this year’s event. He is helping Big Brothers Big Sisters make care packages today.
He said students should consider attending the conference to gain insight into how they can better bring others to the church. “It is also a great opportunity to build relationships with Christian students from other universities,” Witte said. He will graduate in spring 2027.
Step together
Fellowship is a huge part of this event and the breakout sessions support this. “Being surrounded by peers from other Concordias who share your faith is powerful,” Schultz said.
Speakers, breakout sessions and service opportunities, provide students with the necessary tools and encouragement to live missionally.
“I had the opportunity to attend the Beautiful Feet Missions Conference my sophomore year and I’m excited to participate again this year,” says student Mikayla Dolan (’26). “One of the biggest takeaways I had from the past conference was that faith and ministry aren’t only reserved for Sundays. We are called to be living out our faith in our day-to-day lives through service to our neighbors and it is through this service that we may have the opportunity to share the Gospel with them.”
Step boldly
Recognizing how intimidating evangelism and apologetics can be for some, Leimkuehler says, “We want students to realize it’s not scary. They’re learning how to take that first step and point people toward truth and hope in Christ.”
Schultz hopes students will leave the conference with confidence in their faith. “I hope they leave ready to answer tough questions and share the hope of Christ boldly.”
“For a university with a clear mission of forming students in mind, body and spirit for lives of service to Christ in the church and in the world, it is an honor to host this conference, and I invite everyone to pray for these students and the work of the Lord.” —Pastor Bakker
Step abroad
Upcoming “Spring Break Mission Trip” to North Carolina
- Where: Camp Linn Haven in N.C.
- When: February 27 to March 7, 2026
- Who: Lutheran Early Response Team
- What: They will train you and lead you in providing post-disaster relief
To find out more information or to sign up, click here.
Want in?
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.