Welcome!
We are a community of believers who come together to share the love of Jesus.
We strive to create a friendly environment where we can explore our faith together. You are welcome here -- just as you are.
What we Believe
Abiding Word is a member congregation of the South Central District of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).
WELS was founded in the state of Wisconsin nearly a centurly and a half ago, and now has congregations throughout the United States and Canada and supports foreign missions in many parts of the world. Our teaching is based on the Bible alone, not on human opinion or philosophy.
We believe that God has given the Bible to mankind to show the way to eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, and that the Bible is God’s truth in all its parts. It is the only reliable guide we have for everything we face in life and death.
Meet our Pastors
Pastor Matt Brown
HEAD PASTOR
Ministry Philosophy: Jesus’ church exists for people to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior and share with others his message of forgiveness and love. My goal in ministry is to use God’s Word to carry out Jesus’ mission for his church and trust that he will accomplish his plans through the proclamation of his Word. It is great to be a part of Jesus’ work for his church.
Education: Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern College in Watertown, WI. (1995)
Master of Divinity from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI. (2000)
Experience: I helped start Beautiful Savior Lutheran church in Clarksville, TN. I served that congregation from 2000-2016. While in seminary I served congregations in Maitland, Florida and Milwaukee, WI. I also taught one year of high school from 1998-99.
Personal Interests: God has blessed me with an understanding and supportive wife. He has blessed us with 5 children. We enjoy spending family time together, being outdoors, going to the beach, playing and watching sports.
Pastor Josh Bodden
PART-TIME PASTOR
Ministry Philosophy: Share the Word. That's what God has called us to do, and it's a joyful task. Through worship, Bible study, encouraging fellow believers, and going out into the world. This job isn't just for pastors and teachers, but for all Christians. My greatest joy is working with the entire congregation and seeing how God uses all of our unique gifts to carry out the Gospel ministry he has set before us.
Education: Seminary Certification from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN (2007)
Master of Divinity from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI (2011)
Experience:While I was training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, I served for a year at the dual congregation of Christ in Eagle River, WI, and St. John's in Phelps, WI. After graduating, I served at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI, for four years, and then I went on to serve as a pastor at Mount Calvary in Waukesha, WI, for another 6 years.
Personal Interests:The Lord has given me an amazing wife, four wonderful children, and a house full of pets. We enjoy being outdoors as much as possible, where I tend to take far too many pictures. I also enjoy writing and videography.
Our History
1969 - First Church Service
Abiding Word held its first church service at 2:00PM on September 14, 1969 at Bammel Elementary School , just north of our present church building. Pastor Vilas Glaeske from Christ the Lord congregation near Kirkwood and Bellaire led the worship services and encouraged the first families.
1970 - First Resident pastor
In June, 1970 Pastor William Gabb was called to be the first resident pastor of this fledgling group. They found an old farmhouse on Spring-Stuebner Rd. to use as the first parsonage, a place for worship and hold meetings.
1971 - First Land Purchase
After buying 4 acres of land on Red Oak Dr. in February of 1971, they began worshipping in a double wide, relocatable chapel and the number who regularly attended worship slowly increased. Ground breaking for a permanent worship facility and education wing took place on December 31, 1972.
1973 - School first opens
Christian education was close to the heart of the members of Abiding Word and this led them to establish a Lutheran elementary school. They began classes with a total of 19 children in grades K-5 in the fall of 1973. A two-story, 6,000 square foot addition to the school was dedicated in 1979.
1994 - New Sanctuary
Fifteen years passed before the congregation outgrew their facilities. December, 1994 saw groundbreaking for a new sanctuary, a beautiful worship facility dedicated in July of 1995. Moving worship services into the new sanctuary allowed the original building to be remodeled into a preschool center.
2000 - 30th Anniversary
The preschool was opened in the fall of 1994. As the number of students in the elementary school increased, additional facilities were sorely needed. The current Christian Life Center and School was dedicated during Abiding Word’s 30th anniversary celebration service on September 10, 2000. The school and preschool attendance continues to thrive, as does the church membership.