About Streams

Streams is an interactive, Internet-based media network. It is owned and operated by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) located at 2929 N Mayfair Rd, Milwaukee WI 53222. To learn more About WELS and about your Savior, be sure to visit What About Jesus.

The Streams network is a concept that seeks to leverage the new age of content delivery over the Internet. Its mission statement is to "Provide assistance, enhance, and increase the reach of conventional ministry through the availability and effective use of electronic live and on-demand media."

Streams, originally called WELSCast, was a vision crafted by the WELS Communication Services Commission in the fall of 2000, but was never initiated due to funding shortages. The "beginnings" of a WELSCast concept was seen at the last two synod conventions. Those broadcasts took steps toward proving to the constituency that this was a viable form of communication. Also the concept was promoted at WELS Tech 2003, where a message from President Karl Gurgel was streamed from Florida to Wisconsin. As the cost of the associated technology went down, the feasibility of the project was again considered. It was officially approved at the 2005 synod convention and subsequently named "Streams."

The name Streams uniquely identifies a WELS Web casting solution on a number of different dimensions—theologically and technologically. "Streaming" is often the word used for pushing audio and video content over the Internet to individual computers (i.e. Web streaming). Streams also presents a beautiful picture used in Scripture (John 7:38, Psalm 46:4) as we see God's grace "streaming" out from the cross to water our souls and grow our faith. The imagery of water is also a common picture used in WELS material and in the familiar well of "Come to the WELS."

Streams is funded through three sources: 1) Your donations, 2) Grants/donations from WELS-affiliated organizations who benefit from the Streams ministry, and 3) WELS Operating Budget. Currently Streams does not accept paid advertising. Therefore, no positive income comes directly to Streams. We recently began accepting Donations from Streams users to help offset the growing costs of operating this network.

It is our prayer that the content of Streams will be a blessing to you in your personal or professional life. We also hope that Streams will provide congregations with an opportunity to share their mission and ministry with their members, community, and the world they serve. If you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear them. Please visit our Contact Info page.