martin luther college assignments 2023

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Martin luther college spring class of 2023 graduates with words from isaiah.

Martin Luther College graduates sing the opening hymn during Saturday's commencement service.

NEW ULM — Martin Luther College formally graduated 151 students Saturday, following the commencement service on campus.

The Commencement sermon was given by MLC President Rich Gurgel on the theme “The saving hand of your God holds you fast.” The sermon text chosen by the graduating class was from Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

In the commencement address, Gurgel advised the students not to look for attacks against them. He said, “If we try to stand against all that is against us by our own wisdom, strength, or our supposed greater righteousness, we will quickly find ourselves utterly defeated!”

The verse from Isaiah 41:10 is a promise with three parts.

Following the commenement ceremony, Martin Luther College students filed outside to celebrate. The rain held off long enough for grads to meet with family and friends outside

Gurgel explained three promises the graduates could take with them.

“The first promise assures you that your life and ministry isn’t about your fortitude or courage,” he said. “It’s about the strength he freely gives you!”

The next promise is assurance help draws close to us with God’s aid and help.

Third, God promises strength and will protect his followers.

Gurgel summarized by saying the graduate’s nothing in creation can separate the graduates from the love of God.

“You have nothing to fear,” he said. “The saving hand of your God holds you fast.”

The spring degrees awarded included 37 pre-seminary Bachelor of Arts degrees or Seminary Certification; 114 Bachelor of Science in Education degrees (including 19 early childhood education); six Bachelor of Science degrees (including three staff ministry degrees and three educational studies degrees) and one seminary certification for Parish Staff Ministry.

In addition, 13 students received their Master of Science in Education degrees, seven students earned their Master of Science in Educational Administration degrees, and three received a Master of Arts in Theological Studies.

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InFocus Year in Review 2022-2023

WRITER/EDITOR

Laurie Gauger DMLC ’87

COPY EDITOR

Heidi Schoof DMLC ’86

CONTRIBUTOR

Haley Wels MLC ’16

MLC PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM*

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Lime Valley Advertising, Inc.

Katherine Schmoller

Leah Matzke

Office of Mission Advancement

VP for MISSION ADVANCEMENT

Mark Maurice

PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR

William Pekrul DMLC ’80

College Administration

Rich Gurgel NWC ’81, WLS ’86

VP for ACADEMICS

Jeffery Wiechman DMLC ’90

VP for ADMINISTRATION

Scott Schmudlach DMLC ’85

VP for ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

Theodore Klug MLC ’97

VP for STUDENT LIFE

Jeffrey Schone NWC ’83, WLS ’87

* Professor William Pekrul DMLC ’80

Natasha Cabeza MLC ’24

Meghan Johnson MLC ’27

Maddie Liebert MLC ’26

Emma Nelson MLC ’25

Kostia Skorenkyi MLC ’23

Grace Winkel MLC ’23

A Practice Lost, a Practice Restored

On the cover:

2023 graduates Claire Herman and Jack Vogel

(Excerpt from the “Prayer of the Church,” The Service, Setting Three, Christian Worship 2021, p. 198)

As these words are prayed again and again in our churches across the country, you are seeing the restoration of a corporate worship practice that has been too often missing among us for 30 years.

A Practice Lost

In The Lutheran Hymnal, used in our WELS churches from 1941 to 1993, the Prayer of the Church for both non-communion (page 5) and communion Sundays (page 15) included this petition: “Send forth laborers into Thy harvest . . .” When Christian Worship 1993 came into use, there was a shift away from a repeating General Prayer to a set of Prayers of the Church that rotated through the seasons of the church year.

We could debate the pros and cons of that shift. Yet this much is certain: what was unintentionally lost in our corporate prayers was the weekly petition to our Father to raise up a new generation of gospel workers. In the 11 sample Prayers of the Church in Christian Worship 1993, there were some petitions asking God to bless those currently preaching and teaching the Word, and there was a flowering of petitions asking God to embolden his entire army of royal priests to speak to others the hope they profess. But you can scan all those prayers without finding a single clear reference to what Jesus urged us to pray: “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:38).

Now certainly, many of us continued to pray Jesus’ petition in our personal or family prayers. But was there not a loss when we no longer prayed this petition together in our congregations? What may have been the impact of that loss also on our individual or family prayers? A pattern lost in corporate worship easily becomes a pattern lost in our individual and family worship.

It’s not too much of a stretch to wonder whether part of what we are experiencing now in vacancies is the fruit of this truism of our prayer life: “You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:2).

MLC InFocus is published by Martin Luther College Mission Advancement Office and is distributed free of charge to students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends. Comments are welcomed and should be directed to [email protected] or Laurie Gauger, MLC InFocus, 1995 Luther Court, New Ulm MN 56073.

The mission of MLC is to train men and women to meet the public ministry needs of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

“Instill in the hearts of our children a desire to follow you as they prepare for future days. Help them distinguish between what is passing and what is eternal, between instant thrills and lasting joy. Encourage more young people to prepare for service in the public ministry of the gospel.”

A Practice Restored

That’s why the restoration in Christian Worship 2021 of the historic practice is so wonderful. Week after week, as the assembled people of God, we send our prayers heavenward, asking our Father to lead many from the next generation to serve in gospel ministry!

What a perfect time for this practice to be restored! Anyone who follows call lists and vacancy numbers knows we are struggling as a church body to provide anywhere near a sufficient number of staff ministers, teachers, and pastors. That is true even if all we consider is maintaining current levels of ministry. What really makes the need glaring is when we compare available workers to the expanding outreach opportunities in new mission starts and in schools with growing enrollments, from preschool through high school.

Partners in the Practice

I certainly don’t wish to shift attention away from MLC. We feel the weight of the responsibility you’ve given us to train a new generation of gospel messengers. As we Pursue Excellence Under the Cross, we assure you that we take seriously the task our Lord—and you—have entrusted to our campus.

But the task was never MLC’s alone. The work of recruiting young (and not so young) men and women for ministry isn’t something that happens only in New Ulm or wherever our MLC representatives happen to travel. The task belongs to our entire fellowship. It belongs to all who cherish the truth of the gospel proclaimed and shared!

And prayers for such faithful workers aren’t meant to rise to heaven only from New Ulm and here and there when we think of it in our church body. If we take seriously Jesus’ encouragement to pray for workers, such prayers will rise again and again—corporately and individually—all across our synod.

When all of us do both—pray and recruit—then we may find that God makes those we are encouraging the very answers to our prayers. Dear Father, encourage more young people to prepare for service in the public ministry. Amen.

President Gurgel is sharing an adaptation of this article at the 2023 Synod Convention in Saginaw, Michigan, this August. A video will also be available after August 3.

On Saturday, May 13, 142 students earned degrees marking the completion of their undergraduate ministerial training at Martin Luther College. This included 102 in education, 37 in preseminary studies, and three in staff ministry.

Another 23 students graduated with a master’s degree: 13 with a Master of Science in Education, seven with a Master of Science in Educational Administration, and three with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies.

Assignments Announced

This happy couple is Josiah and Maria Klatt, who’ve just heard they’re assigned to Apostles in San Jose—Josiah as a staff minister and Maria as a teacher of fourth grade and music. Theirs were just two of 138 assignments announced on May 13. Our graduates are now headed to their new ministries in high schools, elementary schools, early childhood centers, and congregations. Check out all the MLC assignments—and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s too—on pages 24-27.

Then thank the Lord with us! It’s he who has given these teachers, staff ministers, and pastors as gifts to the church he loves (Ephesians 4:11).

The alumni photos at the bottom of the pages are from the anniversary classes of MLC, NWC, and DMLC: ’48, ’53, ’58, ’63, ’68, ’73, ’78, ’83, ’88, ’93, ’98, ’03, ’08, ’13, and ’18. Thanks to our former alumni director, Steve Balza DMLC ’93, who provided this random selection of alumni.

2023 Northwestern College Alumni Society President Fund Grant Recipients

These preseminary majors received grants for exhibiting excellence in academics and campus leadership. The grants are named in honor of the seven presidents of Northwestern College (1865-1995), one of the predecessor schools of Martin Luther College. Biographies of the NWC presidents can be found at mlc-wels.edu/history/president-bios.

Ethan Cloute (St. Luke-Watertown WI)

E. E. Kowalke Grant for Biblical Languages (Greek)

Carson Oestreich (Immanuel-Hadar NE)

John A. Braun Grant for Leadership

Owen Eubank (Salem-Ann Arbor MI)

August F. Ernst Grant for Confessional Languages (Latin & German)

Josiah Koelpin (Calvary-Dallas)

Robert J. Voss Grant for Student Government

Nathan Pausma (St. Luke-Oakfield WI)

Robert J. Voss Grant for Student Life

Noah Cook (Christ-West Salem WI)

Lewis O. Thompson Grant for Worship and Music

Camden Sulzle (St. John-Redwood Falls MN)

August F. Ernst Grant for Confessional Languages (German)

Aric Reim (St. John-New Ulm MN)

Carleton Toppe Grant for GPA and Religion

Isaias Santos (Grace-Falls Church VA)

Adam Martin Grant for Living Languages (Spanish)

Liam Kopp (Immanuel-Greenville WI)

John A. Braun Grant for English

Caleb Arndt (Good Shepherd-Beaver Dam WI)

August F. Ernst Grant for Confessional Languages (Latin)

Joel Sauer (St. Peter-Sturgeon Bay WI)

E. E. Kowalke Grant for Biblical Languages (Hebrew)

2023 Senior Achievement Award Recipients

The tradition continues! Brass players woke up campus with Lutheran chorales on Commencement Day. Years ago, the instrumentalists would bravely hit their high notes from the top of Old Main. Today’s tradition—when it isn’t raining—takes them up on the roof of Luther Student Center. Follow us at facebook.com/mlcwels to hear them play.

Lucas Martin (St. John-Jefferson WI)

Jerome Kruse Knight Award for Athletic Achievement

Ezra Blumer (NorthCross-Lakeville MN)

UMAC Knight Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award*

MLC Service Award

Calvin Arstein (Cross of Christ-Boise ID)

MLC Leading Scholar, Studies in Pastoral Ministry

Kylie Wolf (Immanuel-Greenville WI)

UMAC Knight Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award

Josiah Winkel (Redemption-Milwaukee)

MLC Fine Arts Award

Juan David Escobar Amaya (Divine Savior-Doral FL)

MLC Student Body President Recognition

Ben Hillmer (St. Matthew-Oconomowoc WI)

MLC Via Veritas Vita

Alexandra Dabe (Beautiful Savior-Cincinnati)

MLC Leading Scholar, Studies in Educational Ministry

Ezra also won the UMAC Award. See page 21.

Feel all the feels! On

Team captured the moments when education and staff ministry graduates heard where they will be serving God’s people. See more grins and gasps at facebook.com/mlcwels.

There’s a world of stories to follow on the MLC socials.

/mlcwels @ martinluthercollege

with Optional MN LEARNING DISABILITIES (LD) LICENSURE

Lutheran schools are serving more and more students with special needs. That’s why MLC is preparing more and more special education teachers. We already have an undergraduate major in special education and a master’s degree with a special ed emphasis. Now we also have a full Master of Science in Special Education. This program prepares teachers to become a K-12 special ed teachers with the option of earning a Minnesota Learning Disabilities License (transferable to your home state.)

Master of Science Master of Science Master of Science Master of Science Master of Science

Dr. Rachel Youngblom, MLC professor of special education (pictured), knows the importance of special education in Lutheran schools. “Providing our WELS teachers with the knowledge of special education, and having licensed special educators in our schools and classrooms, is an absolute game-changer,” she says.

This program is for you if you want to . . .

• Recognize and address the types of learning disabilities common in Lutheran schools,

• Coordinate and provide special education services for all students,

• Collaborate professionally with school and community partners,

• Implement and monitor student IEPs/ISPs, and

• Ensure all students in the Lutheran school succeed. Our professors understand your needs and challenges, and they embed practical applications in every course. Learn a new strategy today and apply it in your classroom tomorrow.

“It means our schools are better equipped to support a wider range of students—children who might have received an education elsewhere and missed out on hearing God’s Word.”

Graduates of the MLC MS in Special Education program can serve as resources for students, parents, and other teachers—in their own schools and in their communities.

Master Master Master Master Master

Accelerated master’s program for undergrads.

At MLC, you can earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years!

August 2023: Enroll as a first-year college student

May 2027: Graduate with your BS-Special Education

May 2028: Graduate with your MS-Special Education

Master of Science

The courses I am taking at MLC have an immediate application to my students. Each semester I learn something that I can turn around and use in my classroom to help my students who have special needs. The behavior plans, differentiated lesson plans, and varied accommodations and modifications that I have learned about in my courses were able to immediately help my students increase their academic success and self-confidence.

It’s been exactly what I needed to start a Guided Studies program. Every semester I comment that God has handed me the right classes at the right time. One of the most valuable aspects has been the community of teachers I’ve been learning with and the professors who have added their wisdom and experience. They are very much my long-distance coworkers. The evidencebased procedures and depth of knowledge the master’s program provides allows us to better support our children, teachers, and parents.

MS Education

Instruction

Educational Technology

Special Education

MS Special Education

MS Educational Administration

Early Childhood Director

Technology Director

MA Theological Studies

WELS educators respond to God’s call, offering their lives as living sacrifices for the sake of the gospel. As faithful servants they work hard, presenting the best offering they can to their Lord and the people they serve. MLC exists to support these special teachers. Our master’s programs are uniquely designed to give them what they need for ministry in a manner that respects their busy lives.

Competency-Based Education Q & A Update

It’s becoming a reality!

Thanks to grants and donor gifts, Competency-Based Education (CBE) is becoming a reality at MLC.

Dr. Nichole LaGrow (pictured), director of the Nontraditional Education Program that leverages CBE, has been hard at work since January, putting the necessary pieces into place for the nontraditional elementary education degree. We asked her to give us an update.

The big question: When can we officially admit students? We are still at least a year away from recruiting and admitting our first cohort of learners. We need to make our way through all the internal, on-campus curriculum review processes and meet all the state licensing and accreditation requirements. These are some of the things I’ll continue to work on this summer and next school year.

Some are wondering: Will this be an easy way to an elementary ed degree and a call? We do not want to give anyone the impression that this is a quick backdoor way into the ministry. We are intentionally crafting a program that will hold the same academic rigor as our traditional program.

So, in the fundamental ways, the nontraditional CBE program is similar to our traditional on-campus program. Yes, the outcomes are the same. A learner who engages with the CBE elementary education degree program will be tasked with achieving the same outcomes and meeting the same standards for licensure as our on-campus students. In many cases, we will use the same, or very similar, major assessments, which ask learners to create lesson plans or unit plans, critique case studies and scenarios, engage in self-reflection, or craft research papers and presentations.

Will the program include a student teaching experience too? Yes, we are incorporating all the required clinical experiences in the program. The hours of observing, micro-teaching, and student teaching provide valuable opportunities to take those theories of teaching and learning included in the curriculum and apply them in the classroom.

Where will the student teaching take place? We already have internal processes in place to help identify WELS and public schools in the learners’ communities that would be ideal sites. And learners may very well be able to complete the clinical experiences at Lutheran elementary schools where they are already serving as paraprofessionals or volunteers.

CBE sounds very similar to our on-campus elementary ed degree program. What makes it different? The nontraditional CBE program is different in several ways:

1. CBE is entirely online: Learners will not need to come to New Ulm, though they are always welcome to visit—to meet with me or engage with their professors.

2. CBE is self-paced and flexibly paced: Learners will move through the course content differently and more independently, completing comprehension checks and assessments to demonstrate their knowledge and competence. While we will encourage learners to complete a minimum of 12 credits (about four courses) each term, they will engage with each course one at a time, accelerating where they have knowledge and experience to support their learning, and taking time to deepen their knowledge when content is new or needs to be refreshed.

3. CBE does not include gen-eds. The program will not include the general education courses that all college degrees require. Learners will need to complete those courses at another college or university if they do not already have a degree.

These are big differences. For those who could never enroll in a full-time on-campus experience here, these differences will make it possible for them to become licensed teachers. Our program is not merely about producing licensed teachers, is it? Producing licensed teachers is one goal, but not the only goal. MLC graduates are not merely state-licensed. They are also synod-certified. The CBE program, like our traditional program, is grounded in MLC’s mission “to train men and women to meet the public ministry needs of the WELS and to proclaim the Word of God faithfully and in accord with the Lutheran Confessions in the Book of Concord.” That means we are also building a CBE course of study in the required theology courses, which are imperative for shaping who we are as Lutheran educators. Learners will engage in the six-course theology minor first, before beginning their education coursework, to ensure that they have a strong foundation in the principles and practices of our shared faith.

How will MLC support the learners? In addition to providing the academic content, we will assist and encourage the learners every step of the way. One specific support we will incorporate is the cohort model. The learners will enroll in cohorts—small groups that make their way through the program together. While learners in a cohort may not necessarily be working their way through the same courses at the same time, the cohort model creates a space where they do some things together.

Cohorts will be invited to participate in monthly synchronous virtual meetings to learn more about the resources in the MLC Library, educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), and New Teacher Induction (NTI), to name just a few of the resources available to all members of the MLC community.

Even more important, cohort members can celebrate successes, share resources, engage in dialogue, and build a community across the WELS—a blessing our traditional students have through their engagement in campus life.

What are you most excited about right now? I think that’s the hardest question you’ve asked me! There are so many blessings to celebrate. It is truly wonderful to be a part of a supportive community where we are all working together to achieve this shared goal. What brings me joy is knowing that each day we are one step closer to welcoming our first cohort of learners, and I cannot wait to share the content, activities, and assessments we are creating with them.

What Is Competency-Based Education? And Why Do We Need It?

The need for more WELS teachers is great. Some of our schools—especially urban schools—have seen explosive growth. After the assignments were announced on MLC Call Day in May 2022, 140 teacher vacancies around the synod were unfilled. The challenge remains: After this year’s Call Day, 158 teacher vacancies were unfilled.

Our new nontraditional program will leverage Competency-Based Education, or CBE, to help fill this great need.

CBE is an online option that recognizes competence in a subject or skill through activities, assessments, and portfolios. It is intended for those who already have a two- or four-year college degree, but do not have the academic credentials needed to become a state-licensed and synod-certified teacher. It is designed to reflect the same high standards as our traditional programs.

CBE will work especially well for second-career individuals and unique urban people groups, allowing them to earn their college degrees while staying in their own communities and their own jobs—some of which are in WELS schools.

In the Footsteps of Paul in Greece

Over spring break 2023, six MLC students and two MLC professors had the unique opportunity to do field research in Greece as participants in the Roman Roads Project. The project, originally known as The Anatolian Roads Project (TARP), was begun nearly 15 years ago by a pair of good friends, Dr. Glen Thompson of Wisconsin Lutheran College and Dr. Mark Wilson, founder and director of the Asia Minor Research Center in Antalya, Turkey (ancient Attalia), where he resides.

The MLC participants were Zach Neumann (New Life-Kenosha WI; preseminary), Josh Aden (St. John/St. James-Reedsville WI; elementary ed and secondary social studies ed major), Lydia Hahm (Holy Trinity-New Hope MN; secondary chemistry and physics ed major), Liza Bornschlegl (Resurrection and Life-Rochester MN; secondary English ed major), Josh Zander (Immanuel-Manitowoc WI; secondary social studies ed major), and Luke Wegner (St. Marcus-Milwaukee; preseminary).

MLC students previously have been invited on these research tours, though only one (Paul Spaude, MLC ’13, WLS ’17) has participated. However, a generous donation from Jerry and Kay Fischer of the Fischer Family Foundation, longtime supporters of the project, made it possible for more students to go at a reduced rate.

This was the fifth trip of the Roman Roads Project but the very first one that explored Roman roads in Greece. The stated goal of the trip was to trace the route of Paul through Greece on his second missionary trip and try to ascertain the exact pathways Paul may have taken.

Our trip began near ancient Philippi, where our group walked, studied, and measured various sections of the ancient Via Egnatia, the main Roman road that traversed Greece in the north.

Students learned field research firsthand as they used laser distance measuring tools and handheld GPS locators to mark various places on the roads. They learned that sometimes the routes of Roman roads could be plausibly reconstructed from the presence of cemeteries (necropoli) and burial monuments, since Romans often placed their final memorials in prominent places that many would see.

Students were also required to keep detailed journals of observations that became part of the research record of the Roman Roads Project.

MLC Professors and Students Do Field Research for Roman Roads Project

But the project wasn’t all work. The group also visited sites famous to Greece from both the Bible and ancient historical records: Philippi, Thessalonika, Thermopylae, Pella, Dion, Athens, Delphi, Corinth. It was especially meaningful for the group to worship one Sunday in Philippi, near the river where Paul met Lydia, and the next Sunday in the forum of Corinth.

“The most meaningful thing about going to Greece,” said Liza Bornschlegl, “was how real it made biblical accounts for me. It’s one thing to read the accounts of the New Testament and the early Christian church, but it’s totally different to actually walk where Paul walked and to stand in the ruins of the cities where he preached.”

Zach Neumann had a similar impression: “Seeing these historical sites and rereading the accounts in the very places where Paul may have stood thousands of years earlier put into perspective the immensity of the task that he and his companions undertook in bringing the gospel to the ends of the earth.”

That also impressed Lydia Hahm, but for her it was the opportunity to do hands-on research that was most memorable:

“Being able to walk in the steps of the apostle Paul was an amazing opportunity in and of itself, but what I think I will really remember is seeing Dr. Thompson and Dr. Wilson work. The way that they would explain the route we were looking at, or debate the inscriptions in museums, gave me a view into what archeological research looks like.”

February 24-March 7, 2023

In her observation journal, Lydia Hahm also included watercolor depictions of the research sites—like this one at Amphipolis.

Correcting the Biblical Maps

Roman Roads Research Yields Results

Readers of this article might find it surprising that virtually all the maps of Paul’s second journey that we find in our Bibles involve some degree of speculation. For instance, since much of the area south and east of Thessalonika was marshland in New Testament times, where exactly did the Roman roads go through this area? How exactly did Paul escape the hostility in Thessalonika and arrive safely in Berea (modern Veria)?

Also, in the account of Paul’s travels recorded in Acts 16-17, there are several summary statements such as this: “Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens” (Acts 17:15). But how? What was the route? Did Paul travel by land, by sea, or by a combination of the two? If by land, where did the roads run? If by sea, from which port did Paul leave northern Greece and head south? We simply don’t know.

But it is research from the Roman Roads Project that has led already to more answers to these questions, resulting in corrections to the biblical maps. Continuing research may well lead to more.

A Semester Abroad in Greece

While in Athens, the tour group met up with MLC student Morgan Behnke (Trinity-Brillion WI; pictured in Delphi), who was completing her study abroad semester. In her blogpost, “A piece of my heart in Greece,” she wrote:

“Even though I came to Greece alone, I was never alone. There is nothing like studying abroad to make you realize God’s omnipresence. He’s in the incredibly kind Greek who helped me, an utterly lost foreigner, find my way when they could have pushed me away. . . . He’s in the breathtaking sunsets emerging from the mountains . . . He’s in the study abroad students I met at the beginning of the semester who wanted to start a weekly Bible study together. . . . God’s hand was evident as he provided and remained in control of all things.”

Read more from her blog at blogs.mlc-wels.edu/study-abroad.

Begun in 2015, MLC’s Semester Abroad Program has facilitated the placement of 18 students in Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, and Greece. In 2023-2024, another seven students are slated to study abroad in Germany, Ireland, the UK, and Spain.

Want to know more?

Watch this video of Dr. Glen Thompson’s presentation at the March 2023 meeting of the Milwaukee Area Biblical Archaeology Society (MABAS), “Early Christian Travel in Macedonia and Greece.”

Watch for a new book in November 2023: In This Way We Came to Rome: With Paul on the Appian Way by Drs. Glen Thompson and Mark Wilson (Lexham Press).

NEW Early Ministry Experiences

It’s an eight-year journey. When preseminary students step on campus the first day of their first year, they know it’s an eight-year journey to the pulpit—four years of Greek, Hebrew, theology, and liberal arts at Martin Luther College; another three years of theological and ministerial training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary; and a vicar year, where they’ll serve a congregation under the supervision of an experienced pastor.

To some of these young men, fresh out of high school, that pulpit is distant and that journey daunting. The MLC preseminary faculty wanted to help. So they designed a new field experience, Early Ministry Experience 1, to provide early encouragement to the young men on this journey. EME1 takes the young men directly into the life of a congregation for several days, allowing them to see how things work, assist where they can, and ask a lot of questions.

We talked to seven preseminary students who piloted EME1 this spring. Their activities varied: They may have set up a gym for a mission congregation’s worship service, read a sermon in church, played organ, gone to Bible classes, visited the homebound, prepped an important mailing, attended a congregational meeting, or even read books to preschoolers. But one activity was shared by all—and made a huge impact—the opportunity to ask hard questions and get honest answers about real ministry with real pastors. Let’s see what they learned.

Adam Arrowsmith (Trinity-Bay City MI) went to Foundation-Las Vegas and worked with Pastor Matt Frey MLC ’02, WLS ’06 and Pastor Tom Unke NWC ’88, WLS ’92 (pictured).

Adam’s ministry experiences: I looked at Pastor Frey’s text study for Palm Sunday and the process in which it was done, read a sermonette during the service at Shepherd of the Hills-Las Vegas, sat in on my first circuit meeting, visited a shut-in, prepared 4,800 invitations to Foundation’s opening service, and made some WELS connections as every good WELS Lutheran does. What Adam learned: Ministry comes in all different shapes and sizes. Something that works here might not work there. In the mission setting, you need to figure out how best to serve the community . . . When you’re out in the ministry, you’re not alone. You have support from the other churches around you . . . Also, you wear a lot of different hats. You don’t have a secretary or a maintenance guy. You are the guy, so be ready to serve.

This is new—and very good: I grew up in a church that’s been around for over 125 years, so being in the mission setting was a good experience. If the WELS is trying to open 100 new missions in 10 years, I think it’ll be beneficial for more students to get experience in the mission setting.

for Preseminary Men

EME1 is a great addition to our program plan for preseminary students. Although almost all of them were already getting early ministry experiences, this new requirement does two things: it guarantees that every preseminary student will have a chance to experience these things, and it intentionalizes it. Students will think more deeply about and reflect on the things they did and share their thoughts with fellow students in their debriefing sessions. It’s also something that preseminary students have been asking for. We pray it will help us retain more preseminary students, especially during or after their first year, which is when the biggest losses occur. May God bless this effort!

Professor James Danell NWC ’86, WLS ’90 Dean of Preseminary Studies

Ben Springstroh (St. Luke-Little Chute WI) and Jake Bigelow (St. Peter-Appleton WI) went to another church called Foundation, this one in Falcon, Colorado, where they worked with Pastor Steven Prahl MLC ’01, WLS ’05.

Glimpses into ministry: We helped set up the church service (using Church-in-a-Box) in a grade school gym; talked to countless members—most of whom were not lifelong Christians—about their stories; observed confirmation class; attended Faith Builders, which is their Bible information class hosted in Pastor Prahl’s dining room; attended a life group Bible study in the home of a couple who had not been baptized until they were 71 years old; went out to eat with the home missions advisor; went hiking and out to dinner with different members of the church; and visited Fount of Life, where Pastor Prahl is serving a vacancy and where we learned more about the administrative work of ministry.

Present in the preschool: We both got to read a Dr. Seuss book to the kids. The preschool teacher said it is very important for a pastor to be present around the kids, especially at drop-off time, so that the parents can get to know a friendly face. And if he occasionally does devotions in a robe, the kids get used to seeing a pastor dressed up, and they aren’t as uncomfortable if they come to church.

Ben appreciated all the conversations: We talked to members like Le (pictured with Ben, left, and Jake, right), who were all very passionate about worship and their faith. Getting to see adults learning the wonderful truths of Scripture at Bible information class, some of them for the very first time, is always inspiring. Often we take for granted the basic things we know about the Bible, such as how to read it, which is the lesson we sat in on, and it was a good reminder that not everyone has had the same opportunities to grow in faith as we had in our Lutheran schools. We also asked Pastor some questions about the seminary and talked to him about his experiences in the mission setting,

including the logistics side of starting a mission.

Building excitement for Ben: I’m even more excited about pursuing public ministry as a way to share what I believe with other people while learning more about their life stories. Everybody is different, and I’ve come to see that as a blessing for ministry.

Jake knows it’s more than sermons on Sunday: The ministry is not a 9-5 type of job. It’s an all-day-everyday-howyou-live-your-life type of work. As the pastor, you’re always there for God’s people, whether it be Sunday morning at church or on a Monday night going out to eat. Everybody wants to talk to you, and everybody is open and willing to talk about God’s Word. Some have miraculous stories of coming to faith later in life by God’s grace, while others share their doubts about whether or not they believe in God.

Jake knows that “someday” is now: This trip made me realize that much of what I learned can be applied now. I don’t need to be a pastor to share Jesus’ love with all the people I run into in my day-to-day life.

Early Ministry Experience 1

Each first-year preseminary student is required to spend several days immersed in a WELS congregation. The student will participate in various church activities, discuss ministry with the pastor, keep a reflection journal, and then debrief with the MLC Early Ministry Experience coordinator upon return to campus.

1. Motivational: To encourage MLC students in their pastoral training, maintaining and strengthening their desire for public ministry through interaction with experienced and joyful pastors. This is especially important because their early preparation is mostly academic and unconnected to actual ministry.

2. Cultural: To expose students to ministry settings different from those they know. These might be new home missions, in support of our current WELS initiative, “100 Missions in 10 Years.”

3. Instructional: To help equip our students with the skills and attitudes needed for pastoral ministry.

Additional field experience requirements

1. Early Ministry Experience 2: Complete a congregational assistance experience under the auspices of MLC’s Daylight program.

2. Evening Chapel: Prepare and preach an evening chapel devotion at MLC.

3. Sunday Morning Ride-Along (optional): Accompany an MLC professor who fills a pulpit vacancy at a local congregation. Talk one-on-one with the professor about ministry, interact with members, and possibly read the lessons and assist at Bible class.

Caleb Chmielewski (Pilgrim-Menomonee Falls WI) spent many hours in two congregations closer to the college. He worked with Pastor Tim Berg MLC ’02, WLS ’06 at St. John-Sleepy Eye MN and with Pastor Rob Guenther MLC ’00, WLS ’04 at St. John-New Ulm MN.

He didn’t know much: I come from a family where the closest pastor is my great-grandpa, who died when I was young. I admittedly don’t know much about being a pastor. I knew that it wasn’t only writing a sermon and presenting it, but I didn’t know what the “other” consisted of.

He knows more now: I observed Pastor Berg as he gave communion to a shut-in and had a devotion; observed a chapel service at the local nursing home; attended a lot of meetings; watched catechism class, Bible information class, and marriage tune-up class; observed many church services; and talked with Pastor Berg and Pastor Guenther about different aspects of ministry, sermon writing, pastor conferences, and Bible study making.

Closer to home, but still exciting: Compared to other EME trips, my trip might seem small or insignificant. After all, I barely left New Ulm. But it was anything but for me. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. I saw some sad happenings and some happy ones at these churches. Even a 2-1/2-hour voters meeting was great to see, because it was a room full of people who genuinely cared about the happenings of the church. It gave me immense comfort, knowing how many people care for you as a pastor and how many people you get to help.

He’s more confident now: This was a great reminder of why I came to MLC: to reach lost souls, people who have fallen away. The trip also reassured me that this is something I can manage.

Greek is challenging, Latin is difficult, and I’m sure Hebrew will not be a cakewalk, but it won’t matter when I’m out tending to God’s flock. This trip strengthened and encouraged me in a time I needed it most.

Matt Koelpin (Calvary-Dallas), Zach Maedke (Trinity-Coleman WI), and Ben Schoch (Zion-Chesaning MI) completed their early ministry experience at Our Savior-San Antonio West, where they worked with Pastor Micah Koelpin MLC ’16, WLS ’20 (pictured second from left). This is a daughter congregation of Our Savior-San Antonio East, which is led by Pastor Nathan Sutton MLC ’99, WLS ’04 and Staff Minister David Kasischke MLC ’16.

On the agenda: Zach played organ for the Good Friday service, and Ben did tech for the Sunday service. We attended a staff meeting; helped to set up the “church on wheels” for the Easter service in an area grade school; helped with the Easter egg hunt; learned how to write and format a proper devotion; talked a lot to Pastor Micah about ministry and about the logistics of mission congregations; and visited members every day, listening to their life stories and their views on mission ministry.

They’ll remember Pastor Micah Koelpin’s words of wisdom: “If you have the chance to meet with someone face to face, always take it. If you have the chance to visit someone, always visit them. If someone invites you to hang out, say yes!”

Eye-opening for Zach: For my entire life in Coleman, Wisconsin, I’ve grown up with WELS people, so going out and meeting people that are different from me was really good. I’m glad I’m just a first-year, and I have seven years left, because I have a lot more to learn.

Matt’s newfound passion: Being a pastor doesn’t just revolve around what you do on Sunday and how you get people to church. It is much more than that. It’s also just being a friend to your neighbors, helping out in every and any way you can. This trip gave me a new perspective, especially on mission ministry. It made me more excited about being in the mission field. I have a newfound passion for going out and talking to people, initially about their lives, and then, more importantly, about his Word.

Ben wants every first-year to have this: The trip made me excited to be studying for the pastoral ministry. It was a very good experience and will be a blessing to the first-years. It adds excitement for the ministry and lets us learn real ministry outside of the classroom as we look forward to being called workers at a congregation soon.

Sunday Morning Ride-Alongs

Did you know that MLC professors are often asked to guest preach? Sometimes it’s for one Sunday, sometimes for a months-long vacancy. In 2022-2023, 14 different professors quietly filled requests to preach at almost 30 different area congregations. Hardly a week goes by in which an MLC professor or two doesn’t prepare a sermon and lead worship—in addition to their full college teaching schedule. And as part of Early Ministry Experience, they may very well take a preseminary student along for the ride.

Early Field Experience for Education Majors Too

Teachers-in-training at MLC are also required to complete early field experiences, beginning their first year at MLC.

EFE 1: Intro to the Teaching Ministry (5 days on campus)

EFE 2: Observation & Participation (5 days at a school)

EFE 3: Observation, Participation & Teaching (5 days at a school)

THE BETTY KOHN!

Hundreds gathered on Homecoming Saturday, October 8, to dedicate the new Betty Kohn Fieldhouse.

DAYS & KNIGHTS FALL ’22-’23

SERVANT-LEADERS Student Senate reps offer new ideas and maintain valuable traditions. They serve and they lead. When they’re assigned to your congregation or school, they’ll be bringing those servant-leadership gifts along.

CHAMPS AGAIN! For the second year in a row, the women’s cross country team won the UMAC.

Maya Habben (Mt. Calvary-Flagstaff AZ) became the first runner in MLC history to place first overall. When Hannah Kratz (Our Savior-Birmingham AL) crossed the finish line right after Habben, that marked the first-ever 1-2 finish by the Knights.

COULD GOD USE ME IN THE MINISTRY?

More than 750 high school students—like these from Nebraska LHS, pictured—visited MLC this year for Focus on Ministry campus visits.

THAT’S A THOUSAND!

Kylie Wolf (ImmanuelGreenville WI) reached a landmark goal in volleyball, notching her 1,000th set assist in October. Kylie will be doing a lot of “assisting” at Luther Prep next year, where she’s been assigned as a tutor.

FRIENDS FUR-EVER

Luther was our furriest first-year on campus this year. His pet-parent, Tutor Nate Savage, was always paw-leased to let students play with him.

TWICE AS NICE Professor

Bre Olson earned UMAC Coach of the Year honors for both women’s cross country and outdoor track—a double award that’s a first in MLC’s history.

MOONCAKES, ANYONE?

To celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, Professor Tingting Schwartz (pictured) and Chinese students Zihui Lou and Yijun Wang shared books, culture, and yummy mooncakes with some littles from the Early Childhood Learning Center.

FALL ALL-CONFERENCE

CROSS COUNTRY

Maya Habben (Mt. Calvary-Flagstaff AZ, pictured)

Hannah Kratz (Our Savior-Birmingham AL)

Abigail Hillmer (Victory of the Lamb-Katy TX)

Caleb Lash (First-Racine WI)

Micah Schibbelhut (St. Paul-Onalaska WI)

Isaiah Hahm (Zion-Hartland WI)

Adam Arrowsmith (Trinity-Bay City MI)

Joey Ehlke (Good Shepherd-West Bend WI)

DAYS & KNIGHTS WINTER ’22-’23

Snowed . . ..

. . and snowed and snowed this winter. To those students from the South, we can only say, “Welcome to Minnesota!”

BREAK A LEG

Inside the Fourth Wall was one of Forum’s four productions this year. About 1/6 of our student body—107 students—made up the casts, staffs, and productions crews. No worries: No legs were actually broken.

WORKING WHILE IT’S DAY

Six students spent part of their Christmas break doing a Daylight project in Puerto Rico. Through Daylight, churches get assistance, and our students get experience. We call that a win-win.

SENIOR WINS UMAC AWARD

The athletic skills of Ezra Blumer (NorthCross-Lakeville MN)—paired with his academic gifts, leadership, and service—earned him the 2023 UMAC Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award.

Ezra is only the fifth MLC athlete to win the prestigious award, joining Joshua Koelpin (2019), Kira Grev (2018), April Cook (2011), and Nathan Nass (2008).

Watch Ezra’s interview with UMAC here.

SPRING (WINTER?)

TOUR It was supposed to be our spring tour to the West Coast. But unseasonable snow compelled the College Choir to clip a few Washington and Oregon stops off the itinerary. Still, we loved sharing the gospel in beautiful song at concerts in California.

MLC FIRST: INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

This year we were excited to field our first indoor track & field team.

Indoor Track & Field All-Conference

Caleb Lash (First-Racine WI) Carson Oestreich (Immanuel-Hadar NE) Micah Schibbelhut (St. Paul-Onalaska WI, pictured) Maya Habben (Mt. Calvary-Flagstaff AZ)

EVANGELISM DAY

Hundreds of students, dozens of presenters, one purpose: To tell the world about Jesus’ love.

PULPIT PRACTICE

All year long you’ll find preseminary students preaching at evening chapel. It’s great experiential learning for your future pastors—men like Juan David Escobar (Divine Savior-Doral FL).

LIFE IN THE DORM Winter finds students indoors more than out. What’s it like in the dorms? Former resident assistant Lexi Dabe (Beautiful Savior-Cincinnati, pictured) lists a few things only MLC women would understand:

• You share a restroom with 40 of your closest friends.

• You have a random assortment of teaching supplies always at the ready.

• Your favorite section at WalMart is the wax melts (because candles aren’t allowed).

• One of the most valuable forms of dorm currency is Berres Brothers coffee.

2023 STUDENT HONORS RECITALISTS

Brooke Flunker

(St. Paul-Winneconne WI) soprano

Hope Sulzle

(St. John-Redwood Falls MN) piano duet

Carolyn Bauer

(St. Paul/First-North Hollywood CA) piano duet

Chloe Grunewald

(St. Peter-Fond du Lac WI) marimba

Ben Foster (Emanuel-Lansing MI) organ

Colin Krueger (Riverview-Appleton WI) tenor

Joseph Panning

(St. Paul-Litchfield MN) alto saxophone

Noah Ungemach

(First German-Manitowoc WI, pictured) tenor

Owen Eubank

(Salem-Ann Arbor MI) organ

DAYS & KNIGHTS SPRING ’22-’23

WOMEN’S TRACK TAKES TOP HONOR

It was one for the books. Our women’s outdoor track and field team brought home the first championship in program history, notching 188 points, smashing the previous team record of 140.

FIRST TASTE OF TEACHING

Come spring break, the air is charged with nervous excitement as first-years like Alex Schroeder (Good Shepherd-Burton MI) do their Early Field Experience. When the week is done, the teachers-in-training stand a little taller—with more confidence and clarity about their future as teachers.

FOOTBALL FUN & FUNDAMENTALS Coach

Paul Huebner MLC ’06 and a huddle of MLC Knights hosted a football camp for 99 kids in the Betty

A GOOD NIGHT FOR THE KNIGHTS

We loved seeing our smiling alumni at the Alumni Dinner and the Commencement Concert.

COMMENCEMENT CONCERT

Contemporary

Broadway. Jazzy madrigals. “Good Vibrations.” Whitacre’s Hebrew Love Songs. Pick your era. Pick your style. Pick voice, winds, strings, or bells. At this year’s Commencement concert, we delivered.

SPRING SPORT RECORD BREAKERS

Lisa Hoffer (St. Paul-New Ulm MN, pictured)

• Single-season batting average (.514)

• Career batting average (.466)

• Single-season hits (54)

• Pole Vault (3.85 meters)

Ally Platzer (Shepherd of the Hills-Lansing MI)

• Pole Vault (2.75 meters)

Maya Habben (Mt. Calvary-Flagstaff AZ)

• 3000 Meter Steeplechase (12:18.99)

SPRING ALL-CONFERENCE

Mason Cox (St. Paul-New Ulm MN, pictured)

Jordyn Heckendorf (Shepherd of the Hills-West Bend WI)

Lisa Hoffer (St. Paul-New Ulm MN)

OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Erika Gosch (St. Paul-Rapid City SD)

Emma Nelson (St. John-Redwood Falls MN)

Elise Nolte (Riverview-Appleton WI)

Ella Schlei (Zion-Sanborn MN)

Madelinn Romsdahl

(Living Savior-Asheville NC)

Samuel Malliet (St. John-Burlington WI)

Jeremiah Stanton (Redemption-Milwaukee)

WINDS ON THE ROAD

The Wind Symphony’s annual May tour included Minnesota and Wisconsin stops: four area Lutheran high schools, two grade schools, two churches—and Lake Harriet Bandshell Park.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Stone Soup was this year’s smash Children’s Theatre production, the fourth and final show of Forum’s season. How was it? Thousands of grade school watchers said, “Delicious!”

MLC AND WLS GRADUATES

Arizona-california district.

Jonah Babinec (Kenosha WI) to North Hollywood Christian Academy-North Hollywood CA: gr 7, coaching, math (one-year assignment)

Molly Bauer (North Hollywood CA) to Emmaus LS-Phoenix: ECE director apprentice (one-year assignment)

Madison Deisinger (Lansing MI) to Shepherd of the Hills LPS-Las Vegas: ECE (assignment made permanent)

Allison Grunke (Fairfax MN) to Mt. Calvary LS-Redding CA: ECE director (assignment made permanent)

Grant Hagen (Appleton WI) to Pan de Vida LC-Garden Grove CA: pastor

Josiah Klatt (Belleville WI) to Apostles LC-San Jose: congregation/high school staff minister

Maria Klatt (Sun Prairie WI) to Apostles LS-San Jose: gr 4, music

Trung Le (Boise ID) to King of Kings LC (Vietnamese outreach)-Garden Grove CA: pastor

Hannah Mayer (Fort Atkinson WI) to California LHS: dorm supervisor, Spanish, drama (one-year assignment)

Justus McKenzie (Neenah WI) to St. Peter

LC-Modesto CA: pastor

Claudia Meyer (Greeley CO) to East Fork LS-Whiteriver AZ: gr 6-7 (assignment made permanent)

Elsa Ponath (Stillwater MN) to East Fork LS-Whitewater AZ: gr 1-2 (one-year assignment)

Benjamin Riegsecker (Lincoln NE) to California LHS: dorm supervisor, math, coaching (reassigned for second year)

Samantha Schoch (Vanderbilt MI) to California LHS: dorm supervisor, instructor (reassigned for third year)

Grace Sievert (Yorba Linda CA) to Shepherd of the Hills LS-La Mesa CA: gr 3-4, coaching

DAKOTA-MONTANA DISTRICT

Karl DeMarce (Memphis MO) to St. John

LC-Tappen ND: pastor

Aaron Fischer (Wilmot WI) to St. Martin LS-Watertown SD: gr 7

Nicole Porter (New Ulm MN) to Great Plains LHS: dorm supervisor, math (one-year assignment)

Daniel Spaude (Antigo WI) to Mighty Fortress/ St. John LC-Red Deer/Wetaskiwin AB, CAN: pastor

Michael Starr (Bay City MI) to Great Plains LHS: dorm supervisor, geography, religion (reassigned for third year)

Michaela Zabell (Bangor WI) to Our Savior LS-Brookings SD: gr K-4 (one-year assignment)

MICHIGAN DISTRICT

Megan Buth (Newnan GA) to Michigan Lutheran Seminary: tutor (reassigned for second year)

Ross Gottschalk (Hartland WI) to St. Paul LC-Columbus OH: associate of district president

Samuel Helwig (Hubertus WI) to Our Savior

LC-Perry MI: pastor

Aiden Holien (Watertown SD) to Michigan Lutheran Seminary: tutor (reassigned for second year)

Lucas Martin (Jefferson WI) to Hope Christian Academy-Westland MI: Spanish, Crossing Bridges

Megan Martin (Sheboygan WI) to Hope Christian Academy-Westland MI: gr 6-8

Jacob Mathena (Covington GA) to Michigan LHS: dorm supervisor, social studies, English (reassigned for third year)

Isaac Pappenfuss (Sebewaing MI) to Trinity LC-Saline MI: associate pastor

Sophia Qualmann (Crossville TN) to Emanuel First LPS-Lansing MI: ECE teacher, director apprentice (one-year assignment)

Paul Ritter (Rockford IL) to Crown of Life

LC-Warren MI: pastor

Emily Rothfuss (Bay City MI) to Michigan

Lutheran Seminary: tutor (one-year assignment)

Melina Satorius (Annandale VA) to St. Paul LS-Columbus OH: gr 1-2

Rebecca Schilling (Holmen WI) to St. Paul LS-Columbus OH: gr 3-4 (assignment made permanent)

Emma Schleicher (Sturgeon Bay WI) to St. John LS-Bay City MI: gr 3-4

Hannah Schneekloth (Mabel MN) to Michigan LHS: dorm supervisor, science (one-year assignment)

Nathan Spaude (Alger MI) to St. John

LS-Hemlock MI: gr 5-8

Jeremiah Wallander (Appleton WI) to Michigan Lutheran Seminary: tutor (one-year assignment)

Megan Wassermann (Maple Lake MN) to Michigan Lutheran Seminary: math instructor (one-year assignment)

MINNESOTA DISTRICT

Abigail Bartel (Baraboo WI) to Mt. Olive

LS-Delano MN: 3K-4K (one-year assignment)

Robert Beaver (Oconomowoc WI) to Salem

LC-Woodbury MN: pastor

Lydia Bitter (Bemidji MN) to St. John LS-Red Wing MN: gr 7-8 (assignment made permanent)

Aaron Bush (New Berlin WI) to Martin Luther College: tutor (one-year assignment)

Jakob Casper (Jackson WI) to Bloomington

LS-Bloomington MN: gr 7 homeroom, gr 6-8 reading (one-year assignment)

Karl Christie (Waukesha WI) to Our Savior

LC-Kasson MN: pastor

Katherine Fink (Kenosha WI) to Salem

PS-Woodbury MN: 3K-4K

Yaffet Gabayehu (Dallas) to Holy Trinity

LC-New Hope MN: associate of district president

Alyssa Heckendorf (Reno NV) to Martin Luther College: admissions counselor (one-year assignment)

Maxwell Holmes (Sturtevant WI) to West LHS: STEM, engineering

Joel Holz (Clarksville TN) to Immanuel

LS-Hutchinson MN: gr 5-8 (one-year assignment)

Matthew Krueger (De Pere WI) to Salem

LS-Loretto MN: gr 7-8, athletic director

Rebecca Loescher (Jackson WI) to Immanuel LS-Hutchinson MN: gr 2-4 (one-year assignment)

Erik Lund (Oskaloosa IA) to St. John/Good Shepherd LC-Lake Benton/Pipestone MN: pastor

Lynsey Marohn (Reedsville WI) to Building Blocks for Life PS-Cambridge MN: ECE teacher, director apprentice (one-year assignment)

Assigned to Your District

Joseph Nash (Wildomar CA) to St. Peter LS-St. Peter MN: gr 7-8 (reassigned for second year)

Morgan Palubicki (Winona MN) to St. John LS-Caledonia MN: gr 5-6 (assignment made permanent)

Hannah Renner (Rochester MN) to Trinity LS-Belle Plaine MN: gr 1-2, school choir (one-year assignment)

Nathaniel Savage (Phoenix) to Martin Luther College: tutor (reassigned for second year)

Sophia Scheuerlein (Watertown WI) to St. Paul

LS-Arlington MN: K, gr 5-6 (one-year assignment)

Philip Schroeder (Chula Vista CA) to Christ Our Savior LC (new mission start)-Collinsville IL: pastor

Chantel Vant Hul (Sleepy Eye MN) to St. Paul

LS-St. James MN: 3K-4K

Evan Vant Hul (Cleveland WI) to Minnesota Valley LHS: chemistry (part-time, assignment made permanent)

Amanda Weddle (Tomah WI) to St. Croix LA: gr 6-8

Hannah Willems (Johnson Creek WI) to St. Croix LA: dorm supervisor, instructor (one-year assignment)

NEBRASKA DISTRICT

Stephanie Ham (Sioux Falls SD) to Mt. Olive LS-Overland Park KS: gr 3-4

Jenna Kassen (Racine WI) to Rocky Mountain LHS: gr 9-12 Spanish, gr 9 English

Jared Lindemann (Egg Harbor WI) to Fount of Life LC-Colorado Springs CO: pastor

Samantha Paul (New Hope MN) to Shepherd of the Valley LS-Westminster CO: gr 6-8 (assignment made permanent)

Mollie Roekle (Greenfield WI) to Lord of Life LS-Thornton CO: gr 7-8 (one-year assignment)

Daniel Schmidt Jr. (Ixonia WI) to Hope LCManhattan KS: associate of district president

Noah Worster (York NE) to Nebraska LHS: dorm supervisor, instructor (one-year assignment)

David Young (Oconomowoc WI) to Our Redeemer/Rock of Ages LC-Martin SD/Gordon NE: pastor

NORTH ATLANTIC DISTRICT

Justin Digman (Fond du Lac WI) to Abiding Word LC-Orleans ON, CAN: pastor

Joshua Koelpin (New Ulm MN) to New Mission Start-Boston: pastor

Andrew Krueger (Findlay OH) to Our Savior

LC-East Brunswick NJ: pastor

Alaina Qualmann (Crossville TN) to Grace Lutheran Child Care-Charlotte NC: ECE teacher, assistant director

Kaitlyn Roux (New Ulm MN) to Divine Peace

LS-Largo MD: gr 2-4

Sydney Stobb (Westland MI) to Grace Christian Academy-Falls Church VA: K

NORTHERN WISCONSIN DISTRICT

Erik Alair (Newman CA) to Ascension

LC-Antigo WI: pastor

Kortney Behnke (Appleton WI) to Winnebago LA: special ed

Alexandria Conrad (Scotland SD) to Immanuel

LS-Manitowoc WI: gr 1 (one-year assignment)

Joshua Frailing (Appleton WI) to Trinity

LC-Marinette WI: pastor

Sheldon Habben (Waukesha WI) to Trinity

LS-Minocqua WI: gr 7-8 (one-year assignment)

John Jordan (Pewaukee WI) to Beautiful Savior

LC-Green Bay WI: associate pastor

Ryan Kohl (Antioch IL) to Beautiful Savior

LC-Green Bay WI: staff minister

Joshuah Kren (Waukesha WI) to Fox Valley

LHS: life science, coaching (assignment made permanent)

Leah Kuchenbecker (De Pere WI) to St. Peter LS-Sturgeon Bay WI: K, choir, organ

Elise Matthies (Lake Mills WI) to Jesus’ Lambs of Grace-Manitowoc WI: ECE teacher, director apprentice (one-year assignment)

Courtney Mitchell (Berrien Springs MI) to Zion LS-Egg Harbor WI: K (one-year assignment)

Joseph Neuberger (Appleton WI) to Divine Savior LC-Shawano WI: pastor

Josie O’Brien (Fond du Lac WI) to St. Peter

LS-Fond du Lac WI: gr 4

Cassie Rawlings (Neenah WI) to St. John LS-Peshtigo WI: gr 3-5

Jewel St. Germaine (Random Lake WI) to St. Paul LS-Appleton WI: gr 7, upper grade PE, health (one-year assignment)

Samuel Westra (Grove City OH) to Mt. Olive

LC-Iron Mountain MI: pastor

Daniel Zabel (Lake City MN) to Trinity

LS-Marinette WI: gr 5-8 (one-year assignment)

Matthew Zeng (Roseville MN) to Trinity LC-Neenah WI: associate pastor

PACIFIC NORTHWEST DISTRICT

Avery Broyles (Meridian ID) to St. Matthew LS-Spokane WA: gr 3

Joel Hopper (Waukesha WI) to St. Paul LC-Tacoma WA: pastor

Amanda Kant (Vallejo CA) to Christ the King LS-Bremerton WA: gr 7-8, departmentalized

Jonah Plocher (Garden Grove CA) to Christ the King LS-Bremerton WA: gr 5-6, departmentalized, Principal Training Program

Matthew Swanson (Rochester MN) to Immanuel LC-Salem OR: pastor

Benjamin Washburn (Jackson WI) to Holy Trinity LS-Des Moines WA: gr 7, departmentalized social studies, coaching

SOUTH ATLANTIC DISTRICT

Benjamin Balge (Milwaukee) to The Shore (new mission start)-Parrish FL: pastor

Jonah Christenson (Cornell WI) to New Hope LA-West Melbourne FL: gr 1-2

Lindsey Doyen (Oneida WI) to St. Paul LS-Beverly Hills FL: gr 3

Lexi Fischer (Courtland MN) to Ascension LS-Sarasota FL: gr 7-8

Isabelle Kettler (Henderson MI) to Divine Savior Academy-Doral FL: gr 9-12 biology, general science

Juliana Kock (Los Angeles) to Christ Our Savior Academy-Columbia TN: ECE director (assignment made permanent)

Jee Ah Larsen (Pewaukee WI) to Abiding Love PS-Cape Coral FL: ECE teacher, director apprentice (one-year assignment)

Jarrett Mielke (Sarasota FL) to Victory LC-Jacksonville FL: staff minister

Melody Morris (Clermont FL) to Divine Savior Academy-Delray Beach FL: K

Ashlee Olsen (Louis Corners WI) to Crown of Life Christian Academy-Fort Myers FL: ECE

Kara Peter (Portage MI) to Good Shepherd LA-Deltona FL: gr 4

Ally Platzer (Olivet MI) to Divine Savior Academy-Delray Beach FL: gr 7

Lailah Stein (Lansing MI) to Abiding Peace Academy-Simpsonville SC: gr 6-8 (one-year assignment)

Emma Wilson (Manitowoc WI) to King of Kings LS-Maitland FL: gr 5-6

SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT

Matthew Brohn (Hudson WI) to Divine Savior Academy-Sienna TX: high school engineering, chemistry

Michael Fromm (Milwaukee) to Divine Savior Academy-Sienna TX: middle school social studies, Principal Training Program

Caleb King (Lomira WI) to New Mission Start-Collin County TX: pastor

Rebekah Koestler (Racine WI) to Holy Word Christian Academy-Austin TX: ECE director (assignment made permanent)

Haley Martin (Saginaw MI) to Divine Savior Academy-Santa Rita Ranch TX: gr 4 (one-year assignment)

Rebecca Orth (Beaver Dam WI) to Divine Savior Academy-Santa Rita Ranch TX: gr 1

Jacob Roecker (Campbellsport WI) to Gethsemane LC-Oklahoma City: pastor

SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN DISTRICT

Maya Aden (Reedsville WI) to Risen Savior LS-Milwaukee: gr 5-8 language arts (one-year assignment)

Noah Arnold (Oconto Falls WI) to Illinois Lutheran Junior HS: gr 5

Heaven Bausley (Milwaukee) to Christ/St. Peter LS-Milwaukee: gr 2 (assignment made permanent)

Aimee Behm (Louis Corners WI) to Morning Star LS-Jackson WI: Learning Center (reassigned for second year)

Emmalie Bitter (West Bend WI) to Wisconsin LHS: science (one-year assignment)

Sarah Brooks (Janesville WI) to St. Marcus LS-Milwaukee: gr 4 (one-year assignment)

Alexandra Dabe (Cincinnati) to Salem LS-Milwaukee: 4K (one-year assignment)

Noelle Dimke (Henderson CO) to Bethlehem LS-Germantown WI: gr 1 (reassigned for second year)

Leah Fix (Pardeeville WI) to Peace LS-Hartford WI: gr 1 (reassigned for second year)

Hannah Foelske (Steger IL) to Crown of Life LS-Hubertus WI: gr 5-6 (reassigned for second year)

Celia Fulton (Oshkosh WI) to Good Shepherd LA-Downers Grove IL: gr 1-2

Adia Gabb (Los Angeles) to Mt. Lebanon

LS-Milwaukee: gr 2 (one-year assignment)

Margaret Gabb (Hernando FL) to Garden Homes LS-Milwaukee: gr 7, departmentalized science (one-year assignment)

Erika Gosch (Rapid City SD) to Risen Savior

LS-Milwaukee: gr 4 (one-year assignment)

Aidan Gregorius (Watertown WI) to St. Marcus LS-Milwaukee: gr 5-6 social studies (assignment made permanent)

Tabitha Gregorius (Watertown WI) to Bethlehem LS-Menomonee Falls WI: gr 5 (one-year assignment)

Claire Herman (Flushing MI) to St. Philip LSMilwaukee: lower grades (one-year assignment)

Rachel Hirsch (DeForest WI) to Salem

LS-Milwaukee: language arts (reassigned for second year)

Madelyn Holtz (Appleton WI) to Atonement

LS-Milwaukee: 4K (one-year assignment)

Hoonsik Jo (Seoul, South Korea) to Jerusalem

LS-Morton Grove IL: gr 5-6, gr 3-8 science (one-year assignment)

Ryan Kluba (Manitowoc WI) to Good Shepherd LS-West Bend WI: gr 6, school music coordinator

Zachary Kluball (Tomah WI) to Victory LC-Lexington KY: pastor

Nathan Klusmeyer (Wautoma WI) to Water of Life LC-Racine/Caledonia WI: pastor

Samantha Kohls (Waterloo WI) to Immanuel LS-Waukegan IL: ECE director apprentice (reassigned for second year)

Conor Kopp (Appleton WI) to Illinois LHS: gr 9-12 English

Madylin Mielke (Inver Grove Heights MN) to St. Marcus LS-Milwaukee: primary grades (one-year assignment)

Nicholas Mitchell (South Haven MI) to Shoreland LHS: speech, forensics, English Branden Mueller (Howards Grove WI) to Wisconsin LS-Racine WI: gr 7, departmentalized math (assignment made permanent)

Nicole Mueller (Two Rivers WI) to Trinity LS-Caledonia WI: gr 7, departmentalized language arts (assignment made permanent)

Caleb Paul (Bennett CO) to Illinois LHS: gr 9-12 Spanish

Rebecca Rivera (Wethersfield CT) to St. Philip LS-Milwaukee: middle grades (one-year assignment)

Alyssa Roethke (Hartford WI) to Peace LS-Hartford WI: ECE (one-year assignment)

Mercedes Ronholt (York NE) to Living Hope LS-West Allis WI: gr 3 (reassigned for second year)

Tony Sahatjian (Thousand Oaks CA) to Zion LS-South Milwaukee WI: gr 5-6, athletic director (one-year assignment)

Ziwen Shi (Yinchuan, Ningxia, China) to Illinois LHS: gr 10-12 chemistry, physics (assignment made permanent)

Alexander Stoeberl (Franklin WI) to Atonement LS-Milwaukee: gr 5-8 religion (assignment made permanent)

Sidney Tomhave (Commerce City CO) to Garden Homes LS-Milwaukee: gr 3 (reassigned for third year)

Melissa Waterstradt (Oconomowoc WI) to Siloah LS-Milwaukee: gr 3-4 (one-year assignment)

Christian Willick (Elm Grove WI) to Resurrection LC-Aurora IL: associate pastor

Evan Willick (Elm Grove WI) to Mt. Calvary LS-Waukesha WI: gr 7

Keegan Young (Manitowoc WI) to Christ/St. Peter LS-Milwaukee: gr 7-8, Principal Training Program (one-year assignment)

Elizabeth Zabel (Appleton WI) to Atonement LS-Milwaukee: gr 5-6, language arts (one-year assignment)

Natalie Zirbel (De Pere WI) to Our Savior LS-Grafton WI: gr 1-2, school music coordinator (one-year assignment)

WESTERN WISCONSIN DISTRICT

Grace Bain (Onalaska WI) to St. John LS-Baraboo WI: 3K

Hannah Bain (Mequon WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (reassigned for second year)

Amber Barcalow (Kenosha WI) to St. Paul LS-Fort Atkinson WI: gr 1

Brett Burger (Lake Mills WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (one-year assignment)

Jace Fellers (Monroe NC) to Christ/St. John LS-West Salem WI: gr 7-8

Nathanael Goelzer (Deltona FL) to Gethsemane LC-Davenport IA: pastor

Joseph Herrewig (Fond du Lac WI) to Trinity/St. Luke LS-Watertown WI: gr 7, athletic director

David Hirsch (Manhattan KS) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (one-year assignment)

Lauren Kamps (Coleman WI) to St. John LS-Waterloo WI: ECE teacher, director apprentice (one-year assignment)

Evan Korthals (Kingston MI) to St. Paul LS-Lake Mills WI: gr 7, Principal Training Program

Andrew Kramer (Redwood Falls MN) to Peace LS-Sun Prairie WI: gr 7 (one-year assignment)

Rebecca Krug (Green Bay WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (reassigned for second year)

Holly Meyer (Burton MI) to St. Paul LS-Fort Atkinson WI: 4K

Marcus Mortensen (Beaver Dam WI) to Crown of Life Christian Academy-Fort Atkinson WI: gr 8 science (assignment made permanent)

John Niebuhr (Gibbon MN) to St. Mark LS-Eau

Claire WI: gr 7-8, Principal Training Program

Stephen Oelhafen (Waukesha WI) to St. Paul LC-Menomonie WI: associate pastor

Ashley Peterson (Sioux Falls SD) to St. Paul LC-Wonewoc WI: staff minister (one-year assignment)

Zachary Satorius (Annandale VA) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (one-year assignment)

Taylor Schoenherr (Jefferson WI) to Leap of Faith Early Childhood Center-New Lisbon WI: ECE director apprentice (reassigned for second year)

Ethan Schultz (Waukesha WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (one-year assignment)

Luke Schultz (Rhinelander WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (reassigned for second year)

Samuel Schulz (DeForest WI) to St. John LC-Whitewater WI: pastor

Rachel Sickinger (Oshkosh WI) to St. Paul LS-Lake Mills WI: gr 6

Ava Steinbrenner (Hartford WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (reassigned for third year)

Collin Wenzel (Appleton WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (reassigned for second year)

Daniel Wessel (New Ulm MN) to Bethany

LC-Fort Atkinson WI: pastor

Kylie Wolf (Greenville WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (one-year assignment)

ASSIGNED TO WORLD MISSION

Justin Steinke (San Antonio TX) to the Philippines (Asia One Team): missionary

ELECTING INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

Alyssa Bergemann (Port Orchard WA) to Dominican Republic

Janessa Brock (Happy Valley CA) to Grenada (Friends Network)

David Freund (South Milwaukee WI) to Academia Cristo-Ecuador (second year)

Rachel Ihlenfeldt (Greenleaf WI) to Grenada (second year)

Emily Raymond (Sun Prairie WI) to Dominican Republic (second year)

NOTE: After Call Days at MLC and WLS, 158 teacher vacancies and 140 pastor vacancies remained unfilled across the synod. These vacancy numbers are slightly higher than last year’s.

ECE – Early Childhood Education

K – Kindergarten

LA – Lutheran Academy

LC – Lutheran Church

LHS – Lutheran High School

LPS – Lutheran Preschool

LS – Lutheran School

PS – Preschool

** Additional calls and assignments may have been made since this list went to press. For the fully updated lists, go to mlc-wels.edu/assignments and wls.wels.net/about-wels/assignment-list

Emergency Teacher Calls

Three seniors have agreed to accept one-year emergency teaching calls to schools still seeking teachers.

Joshua Aden (Reedsville WI) to Cross of Glory LS-Washington MI: gr 3-5 (one-year call)

Josephine Bieberitz (Eau Claire WI) to Divine Peace LS-Largo MD: gr K-1 (one-year call)

Isaiah Hahm (New Hope MN) to Atonement LS-Milwaukee: gr 7-8 science (one-year call)

Colin Krueger (Appleton WI) to King of Kings LS-Maitland FL: gr 5-6 (one-year call)

A few more emergency calls will also be filled this summer.

Focus OnDonors

Alan and muriel meyer.

Twenty years ago, Alan and Muriel Meyer had never even heard of Martin Luther College. Now they’re generous supporters, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

In the early 2000s, the Meyers’ church, Immanuel in Salem, Oregon, was starting a new Lutheran elementary school, and the Meyers wanted to assist families who might have trouble paying Lutheran school tuition. Working with Paul Soukup, then-gift planning counselor with WELS, they established an endowment fund for student financial aid at Immanuel.

During that process, they learned that the teachers for their new grade school would be graduates of Martin Luther College, an institution 1,700 miles away in New Ulm, Minnesota. In fact, their pastors would also have been educated in the WELS ministerial training system that included MLC.

That’s when they looked at each other and decided that another endowment fund was in order. “We decided that we could also support students there. We believed that this would benefit the entire synod as MLC is vital to the education of called workers.”

Thinking about the needs of others is a way of life for the Meyers. They’ve lived all over the country and have always found ways to serve their community. Before moving to Oregon, Muriel had her own consulting business, helping children with special needs. In Salem, she has served as chair of the Human Rights Committee at the Fairview Training Center; as manager of Second Edition, a clothing resale shop associated with the Assistance League of Salem/Keizer; and as administrative assistant at Immanuel.

Alan has worked in management positions in several different industries: laboratory supplies, electronic test equipment, semiconductor production equipment, electric utility, and forest products. He’s also served for 16 years as a board member of the Energy Trust of Oregon. And at Immanuel, he’s filled several leadership positions, including president and treasurer.

Both Alan and Muriel have also served on the City of Salem Morningside Neighborhood Association for 30 years, Alan as vice president and traffic chair, and Muriel as parks chair. “We enjoy meeting and greeting folks that are new to the community,” they said, “and informing them of the services available to them.”

With hearts curved outward toward church and community, the decision to support MLC with their financial gifts seemed a natural step—even though they’ve never stepped foot on the campus itself.

They do feel a connection though—a connection nurtured through visits by various MLC personnel through the years: former gift counselor Kate Tohal, President Emeritus Mark Zarling, and more recently, President Rich Gurgel and Vice President Mark Maurice.

And even more important than these great connections is the Great Commission that MLC strives to fulfill—going to all nations, baptizing and teaching. “We are big believers in education, especially Christian education,” the Meyers said. “We hope that our contributions will enable additional students to attend MLC to prepare themselves for service within WELS. Even if they decide on a career outside of the church, we believe the education they receive at MLC will benefit both them and society.”

Creative Ways You Can Give to MLC

Donor Advised Fund (DAF):

A popular way to ease your charitable giving while receiving generous tax benefits. It’s easy to start a donor advised fund, and MLC can receive these gifts anytime!

Individual Retirement Account (IRA):

Wonderful tax benefits for making gifts from your IRA if you are 70.5 years old or better! MLC can also be named as a beneficiary of your IRA or other qualified retirement plan.

Giving and Receiving: Gift plans that provide you with an income stream—and tax savings too! MLC reps will show you all the possibilities.

Interested in learning more about any of these options?

Please contact Mark Maurice or Beth Scharf at 507.354.8221.

You can also contact the WELS Ministry of Christian Giving at 1.800.827.5482 or [email protected].

MLC partners with the WELS Foundation to help God’s people with various types of charitable gifts that can benefit both them and Martin Luther College.

If You Invite Us, We’ll Say Yes!

Could we visit your congregation for an MLC Sunday? Could we present to your OWLS group, LWMS, or other organization?

Our professors are ready to preach, lead Bible class, and give presentations on what’s new at Martin Luther College.

Please contact Christy at [email protected] to request a visit from us!

And, of course, our giving counselors would love to meet with you individually at any time. Please contact Mark at [email protected] or Beth at [email protected]. Or call 507.354.8221

Professor David Scharf (pictured) led chapel at Luther HS during our spring Wind Symphony tour. Many schools and churches graciously hosted us during this tour and the College Choir tour. We’re also grateful to the congregations that have recently hosted MLC Sundays: Trinity-Belle Plaine MN; Faith-Prior Lake MN; St. John-Newtonburg WI: St. Paul-Saginaw MI, and Zion-Columbus WI. We loved speaking with you!

Jeff and Yvonne Quint Endowed & Annual Scholarships

An endowed scholarship and an annual scholarship were established in 2023 by Jeff and Yvonne Quint.

The couple established the scholarships because they appreciate the value of Christian education. Jeff attended Lutheran elementary school in California, but no Lutheran junior or senior high schools were available. Yvonne did not have the privilege of attending Lutheran schools. When the couple moved to Wisconsin in 2000, they joined St. John Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and Yvonne later worked in the Mission Advancement Office of Wisconsin Lutheran High School. This engagement with Lutheran education made a big impact on the couple.

“Yvonne’s immersion in WLHS culture, and our volunteer work at church, WLHS, Wisconsin Lutheran College, and St. Marcus Lutheran School in Milwaukee showed us the great and lasting impact a focused, Christ-centered education can have on students,” they said. “Its value is beyond price.”

To help share the gospel message and to assist families who cannot afford a Christian education, the couple established both an endowed scholarship and an annual scholarship at Martin Luther College. “Many teachers and pastors carry their college debt into their careers,” they said. “Helping them during their studies is a blessing we shouldn’t underestimate.”

The Quints urge others to consider supporting MLC as well. “We encourage families who have been blessed with earthly resources to seriously consider supporting our prospective called workers. It is surely a wise investment. Their dedication and faithfulness will impact students throughout their lives and into eternity.”

Scholarship recipients are MLC preseminary and education majors who demonstrate financial need.

You choose the size and scope of your scholarship.

FOR EXAMPLE . . .

• An annual gift of $1,000 could be awarded as one or two smaller scholarships per year.

• An annual gift of $10,000 could be awarded as several scholarships every year.

• An endowed scholarship of $25,000 would allow us to award 4% annually in scholarships.

Next Renovation: CHAPEL OF THE CHRIST LOWER LEVEL

Thank you! A few months ago, we asked you to help us finish a project, and you came through!

Because of your generous gifts, we are now closer to beginning construction in the lower level of the Chapel of the Christ, turning it into a great rehearsal and recital space for our student musicians.

Why is this important? Because music is important! At MLC, about 95% of our students will sing in a choir, play in an instrumental ensemble, or take music lessons for at least one semester before they graduate.

Some of these students are dedicating their entire lives to music ministry. They’re majoring in vocal music, instrumental music, or parish music and hoping to one day serve your church or school as music teachers, worship leaders and planners, organists and pianists, band and choir directors.

They understand that music is a special gift of God, and that for millennia God’s people have understood the power of music to sing the gospel straight into the heart.

The centerpiece of our plans for the chapel lower level is a large recital and rehearsal room with state-of-the-art equipment, acoustical design, and much-needed storage for robes and instruments just steps away. The first critical step is constructing the necessary infrastructure. Your gifts have brought us closer to making this a reality. Thank you!

If you’d still like to give to this project, go to mlc-wels.edu/donate and click on “Chapel Lower Level Construction.”

Want More MLC Music in Your Life?

“By providing me with opportunities to grow in my abilities and to use my gifts, MLC is preparing me for my future ministry to God’s people, young and

Find your favorites at mlc-wels.edu/choirmusic/ or on your favorite streaming service, including Pandora, Spotify, and iTunes.

And here’s a bonus: MLC gets a tiny royalty fee for every listen!

Alicia Mengel MLC ’24

“At MLC, I’ve learned what music excellence looks like, and I’ve been equipped with what I need to succeed in my future ministry.”

Noah Ungemach MLC ’24

Saying Goodbye to MLC’s First Director of Alumni Relations

We’re saddened to say goodbye to Steve Balza DMLC ’93, who served as director of Alumni Relations for 16 years. As the very first hired director, Steve created the Alumni Relations Office from the ground up. He also established the MLC Alumni Association, which raised funds for many campus projects, including the Fisher of Men statue.

With the help of the MLCAA and other volunteers, Steve hosted alumni tours and trips, assisted with class reunions, organized the Alumni Commencement Dinner, and ran an amazing Homecoming weekend.

He also initiated the Archives Project and the History page—mlc-wels.edu/alumni/history—which holds all college yearbooks and hundreds of other digital assets.

Five MLCAA presidents served during Steve’s tenure: John Dolan NWC ’74, WLS ’78; Aaron Hartwig MLC ’02, ’08; Jonathan Schaefer MLC ’02; Jason Oakland MLC ’00, WLS ’04; and Phil Hunter MLC ’11, WLS ’15

Pastor John Dolan recalls the very beginning: “An alumni society for Martin Luther College was inevitable. It was really only a matter of time that, after 1995, a small but solid group of willing volunteers would get the ball rolling. They represented a variety of gifts, ages, and ministry service. What they had in common was the commitment to lay the foundation of a society that would give encouragement and support to the college as well as provide opportunities for alumni to interact for a good cause. It would be fun too.

“It didn’t take long before it became obvious that consistent, on-the-ground, full-time leadership would be essential. Steve Balza fit the bill, and then some. I remember a somewhat soft-spoken young man with a personality that didn’t need to take over the room. He had the wonderful ability to quietly but firmly lead. A humble spirit was matched with a drive to do a job well. I remember his organizational gifts and attention to detail.

“Under his guidance the society grew up quickly and began to offer creative, interesting, and entertaining programs that served the college and its alumni well. No one, I suppose, is irreplaceable, but Steve Balza will be missed. He left his mark, and we are grateful for it.”

Is your DMLC, DMLHS, MLA, MLC, or NWC class or affinity group ready to reunite? Many groups meet at MLC, where they can worship in the chapel, tour the campus and community, and sometimes interact with students and staff. The MLC Alumni Relations Office is here to help you get started! Either go to mlc-wels.edu/alumni/reunions to register your reunion. Or contact Beth Scharf at [email protected]. Here are the groups with reunion plans at MLC in the works.

1978 MLA August 4-6, 2023 Contact: Tim Bentz

1963 DMLHS Sep 12-13, 2023

1973 MLA Sep 15-16, 2023

Do You Remember?

We found this circa 1967 photo of Junto, a current events discussion club, in the papers of Professor Arn Koelpin (far right) According to the Messenger, Junto discussed all kinds of timely topics during those years, including racial tensions, the draft, and UFOs. This photo may have been taken at the Minnesota State Capitol. Please help us fill in the details! Are you in this photo? Can you name the year and the location? We’d love to know what you know! Share the details with Beth Scharf MLC ’00 at [email protected].

Knight Knight Baby!

Future Knights Asher Jonathan Bourman and Jude Timothy Bourman were born to Jonathan Bourman MLC ’04, WLS ’08 and Melanie Rathje Bourman MLC ’05 on September 8, 2022. The Bourman twins—and their older sister, Elliana—lay claim to the back pew at St. Mark-Mankato MN.

Have a great shot of your future Knight in some natty Knight apparel? Send it to [email protected].

Virtual Tour

Whether you’ve never been to campus . . . or you want to take a trip down memory lane . . . you’ll love our 360-degree virtual tour. Be sure to share it with prospective students too! mlc-wels.edu/admissions/virtual-tour

SEP 29 - OCT 1

Homecoming Weekend Homecoming Weekend

Mark your calendars and join us for a weekend packed with fun for the whole family. See the full slate of events, including the talent show, Knights athletics, Sprinter Fun Run, alumni mixer, disc golf tournament, on-campus Homecoming worship, Family Fun Zone, and more at mlc-wels.edu/events/homecoming

The MLC Fund

Martin luther college, will your next pastor, teacher, or staff minister come from.

To prepare these men and women for gospel ministry, your support is essential!

Many church pulpits and classroom podiums are vacant, waiting for a called worker to fill them. As the WELS College of Ministry, MLC is uniquely positioned to fill this need! About 90% of WELS called workers are MLC graduates!

Pastors & Missionaries

Almost all WELS pastors attended Martin Luther College or its predecessor college, Northwestern College. It’s here they began their study of Greek and Hebrew. It’s here they learned confessional Lutheran doctrine. It’s here the Holy Spirit strengthened their faith and their love for souls.

Teachers PK-12

The majority of teachers at WELS schools graduated from Martin Luther College. Whether they teach at preschools, elementary schools, or high schools, it’s here they mastered the “what” and the “how” of teaching—including the importance of teaching everything in the light of God’s Holy Word.

Staff Ministers

Most staff ministers graduated from Martin Luther College. It’s here they learned theology and developed the special gifts they use in family ministry, parish music and worship, evangelism, visitation, administration, and Christian education.

Please give to the MLC Fund!

Your gifts to the MLC Fund go to work immediately, supporting vital classroom instruction, essential student services, and facility maintenance— all the critical infrastructure that supports our students on their journey to the public ministry.

4 Ways to Give

Text FUND to 507.223.4344

Visit mlc-wels.edu/mlcfund

Call 507.354.8221 x295

Mail your gift in the envelope

2 Kinds of Gifts

One-time gift | Recurring gift

1 Kind of Giver

The generous kind! No matter how—or how much—the Spirit moves you to give, we are so grateful for your generosity! You are not only supporting a college. You are helping prepare your next pastor, teacher, or staff minister.

These gifts provide a steady, dependable stream of income to support students every day. It’s easy!

• Automatic. Set it up and relax, knowing you’re supporting MLC in an ongoing way.

• Your choice. Choose an amount as low as $5/month.

• Adjustable. Family situations can change. If you ever want to adjust the amount—or cancel it entirely—you can, no questions asked.

MLC students grow in faith, master their subjects, develop their talents, and gain valuable ministry experience—all in preparation to serve you, your church, and your school.

Another Great MLC Day!

We had another great MLC Day—thanks to you!

A big part of the day is sharing the MLC story on our online Kudoboard and on social media. You dropped in to visit, expressed your prayers for our students, and offered lots of love and encouragement!

Your Gift to the Congregational

On MLC Day, you gave so generously to our Congregational Partner Grant Program. Through this program, MLC matches congregations’ grants—up to $1,325 per student for 2024-2025. Thank you for your gifts this year:

$ 67,433 donated

$ 50,000 anonymous donor match

$117,433 total

According to our strategic plan, Pursuing Excellence Under the Cross, we are increasing the amount we will match by 10% for each of the next five years. That means a new student can receive more than $12,000 over the course of the next four years!

We love our graduate, Zachary Thiel!

Happy MLC Day from Mt. Calvary Lutheran School in Waukesha, Wisconsin! We were excited to learn that our school colors are the same as MLC’s! May God bless all those training to be our future pastors and teachers!

Partner Grant Program

Lord, thank you for our current called workers, our future called workers, and everyone who serves in ministry! You are SO GOOD, Lord, and the blessings from MLC grads past and present are countless just when it comes to our family alone! We love you, Father. Thank you for loving us!

Adam, Kathleen, Avery, Levi, & Claire Zastrow

Be the Match

We’ll continue to rely on your generosity to help us match each congregational gift. Even if your congregation doesn’t have a student currently at MLC, you can still support the program—on MLC Day or any other day! Our students are so thankful! Watch a short video to see.

Faculty Retiring in 2023

Professor Douglas Lange NWC ’77, WLS ’82 served as a coach and professor of physical education at MLC from 2005 to 2023. Prior to his ministry here, he served as dean of students, religion teacher, and coach at St. Croix LHS (1995-2005); dean of students, religion teacher, and coach at Arizona Lutheran Academy (19871995), and pastor at Faith-Russellville AR (1982-1987).

Professor Greg Holzhueter, a former student and later a colleague of Professor Lange, appreciated his coach’s skill, passion, and faith:

“I had the privilege of being Coach Lange’s starting quarterback on the MLC football team for four years, his student in PE/theology classes, and his colleague for the last seven years.

“What first struck me was Coach Lange’s ability to instill confidence in those he led. As a first-year, I could tell that he believed in me more than I believed in myself, and his confidence carried me during a time of transition. This ability to encourage was a gift of Coach’s ministry to myself and many others.

“Another aspect of Coach Lange’s ministry that jumped out to me was his passion. There was never a doubt that he loved the ministry he was doing, whether it was coaching, teaching, or preaching.

“Finally, and most importantly, Coach Lange simply modeled what it was to be a man of faith. Twelve to fifteen years later, I can still remember much of what he said during team devotions and theology classes. He modeled how to humbly own one’s sinfulness and how to find comfort in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He showed us how to live gospel ministry instead of simply showing us how to do gospel ministry. I am eternally grateful to Coach Lange for that.”

Professor Emeritus Lange plans to help manage a Northwoods resort and continue to be a “fisherman” for Jesus as well as becoming a better fisherman.

His last message for MLC students: “You have the awesome privilege of serving God by serving others with your life’s calling. What more could you ask of life?”

Professor Ronald Ohm DMLC ’78 served as a professor of education and student teacher supervisor at MLC from 2002 to 2023. Prior to his ministry here, he served as vice principal and teacher at Minnesota Valley LHS (1997-2002), principal and teacher at St. John-Sleepy Eye MN (1989-1997), and minister of music and teacher at Emanuel (now Crown of Life)-West St. Paul MN (1978-1989).

Dr. Cindy Whaley, a longtime colleague of Professor Ohm in the Education Office, notes Ron’s impact on middle school and high school teachers across the synod:

“From 2002 to 2023, Ron Ohm led the secondary education program in teaching courses and supervising student teachers. With a servant’s heart, academic prowess, and excellent supervisory practices, Ron molded middle and secondary education teachers into effective teacher-ministers who are now educating students across the synod. Ron’s utmost care, concern, and specific feedback, which he crafted carefully for each student teacher, will forever be etched in their minds.

“It would be hard to estimate the number of miles Ron traveled to supervise his student teachers over the years, never complaining but always sharing how God’s angels kept him safe through inclement weather on his way to another school or back to Carlotta and his children.

“For over two decades, many of us knew Ron’s serious side, but he also displayed a humorous side. He purposefully incorporated a joke or funny story into every class and then would share it in the Education Office after teaching. His students and colleagues wholeheartedly looked forward to and enjoyed his humor.

“It’s a joy and privilege to have served with and learned from such a humble, excellent servant-leader, professor, colleague, and friend. God bless Ron and Carlotta in their busy years of retirement!”

Professor Emeritus Ohm plans to offer his services as a substitute teacher, to stay involved with volleyball officiating as long as he can, and to enjoy traveling with his wife, Carlotta, to visit family.

His advice for MLC students: “Remember that ministry will be time-consuming, messy, rewarding, frustrating, and always about others. Ministry is taking care of God’s people, in all sorts of settings, with the knowledge that you don’t and can’t do it alone. Ministry is a team effort with other people and with your God. Pray for wisdom, patience, perseverance, and an unselfish heart to carry out your callings faithfully.”

Celebrating Ministry

Anniversaries.

Dr. Lawrence Olson 40 years (pictured with his wife, Mary)

Professor Ronald Ohm 45 years (not pictured)

Dr. Cindy Whaley 45 years (not pictured)

ISSUES IN LUTHERAN EDUCATION

2022-23 Blog Posts by MLC Professors

Instructor Michael Plocher DMLC ’93, MLC ’16

“ChatGTP and Artificial Intelligence in Education”

Dr. James Carlovsky MLC ’02, ’10

“Saxon Math Is Going Away—What’s Next?”

Dr. John Meyer DMLC ’87

“Lutheran School Principals: A Changing Paradigm”

Professor Tingting Schwartz MLC ’15

“How to Serve Racially, Ethnically, Culturally Diverse Students”

• “What’s in Your Student’s Lunch Box?”

• “What Language Do the Parents of Your Students Speak?”

• “What Books Are on Your Classroom Bookshelf?”

In Memoriam

Welcoming new faculty for 2023-2024.

Aaron Bush MLC ’19, WLS ’23 (New Berlin WI) Tutor, Instructor

Rev. Aaron Dolan MLC ’03, WLS ’07 (Fox Valley LHS) Professor of Theology, Coach

Alyssa Heckendorf MLC ’23 (Reno NV) Admissions Counselor

Samuel Hunter MLC ’06 (Martin Luther College coach) Professor of Physical Education, Coach

Dr. Martin LaGrow DMLC ’93 (Appleton WI)

Professor of Education, Instructional Designer for Competency-Based Education

Dr. Nichole LaGrow (Appleton WI) Professor of Education, Director of Competency-Based Education

Duane Vance MLC ’07, ’16 (Illinois Lutheran Schools) Professor of Education, Student Teacher Supervisor

Retiring in 2022-2023

Paul Henning Maintenance Technician (2010-2023)

Gwen Kral Registrar (1975-2022)

Douglas Lange Professor of Theology & PE (2005-2023)

Ronald Ohm Student Teacher Supervisor (2002-2023)

For full obituaries, go to mlc-wels.edu/history/professor-obituaries

Passing the Mantle

You are Elijahs! Pastors, teachers, staff ministers, ministers of the gospel of all kinds, as you share the Word of God, you are doing the work of Elijah. And somewhere in your circle of influence is an Elisha, a young person who will take up the mantle of gospel ministry from you (2 Kings 2). Even now, they are watching you, wanting to imitate you, and waiting for a word of encouragement from you. Many, many MLC students have an Elijah, someone who exemplified joyful ministry and encouraged them to consider ministry. Here are a few from the class of 2023:

HER ELIJAHS: Wendy Bixby

“Coach Bixby (pictured with her husband and Alyssa) not only taught me Spanish and volleyball at FVL, but she cared about my life. I would love to make an impact on other students by showing the love and passion that Coach Bixby showed me.

“Mr. Retzlaff (not pictured) inspired me to be a teacher because of the love he shows his students and the passion he has for the gospel. He made it obvious how important it is to spread the good news of Jesus as our Savior to people around the world. I pray that I can make as much of an impact on others as he did on me.”

HIS ELIJAH: Tom Unke NWC ’88, WLS ’92

“At St. Paul’s in Howards Grove, Pastor Unke always encouraged me to consider the ministry. He was a great example of how a pastor could impact the lives of everyone that he served. He inspired me to come to MLC.”

“Mrs. Gartner has been my inspiration since kindergarten at Grace in Lowell, Arkansas. She has shown me how important it is to build a positive relationship with students and encourage them to do their best. This is a big part of teaching, and Mrs. Gartner and I have always had that strong relationship both inside and outside the classroom. She cared about how I was doing as a student and as an individual. I hope to have that kind of relationship and positive influence on my future students!”

Check out our Project Elijah classroom resources! Using these activities to help your K-8 students think about becoming a called worker is one way you can be an Elijah and “pass the mantle” to each Elisha in your classroom. mlc-wels.edu/publications/project-elijah

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WELS Ministerial Education works to provide workers for the more than 1,200 churches and 750 schools in the synod. WELS provides this education through a system of four schools: two high-school-level preparatory schools, a college, and a seminary.

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

The continuing scriptural purpose of Ministerial Education is the preparation of candidates for the public ministry of the gospel to proclaim Christ’s love in the congregations, schools, and mission fields of our fellowship. A special emphasis of the last biennium has been to identify and meet the continuing and changing needs of our church body at this point in the history of the holy Christian Church. Our report gives you an overview of the efforts to coordinate that work. The reports from the four ministerial education schools demonstrate how they are carrying out their mission on your behalf.

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

Martin luther college.

New Ulm, MN

Luther Preparatory School

Watertown, WI

Michigan Lutheran Seminary

Saginaw, MI

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2023 Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary graduates

Volume 110, Number 7 Issue: July 2023

Forward in Christ is the official magazine of Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

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MLC mid-year graduates

A day in the life of a future pastor

District news: April 2020

Assignments and graduations at our ministerial education schools

The recent disruptions caused by the COVID-19 virus have had a great impact on our synodical schools. In-person classes had to be canceled at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS), Mequon, Wis.; Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn.; Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis.; and Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich. In addition, decisions have now been made to hold virtual events for the reading of assignments at MLC and WLS and for graduation ceremonies at all four schools. The Assignment Committee will be meeting via video conference to make the assignments in the days before the assignments are announced.

At MLC, 171 teacher and staff ministry candidates are available for assignment. At WLS, 26 pastoral candidates and 28 vicar candidates will be assigned.

Even though graduations and assignments will take place in an entirely different format this year, the reasons to celebrate remain the same. God continues to provide workers for his harvest field, and we continue to thank him for these blessings and for the faithful work done by our faculties and students.

You can participate in these happy events by joining the online events at the schools, accessible via the schools’ websites:

Martin Luther College Graduation: Saturday, May 16, 10:00 a.m. (Central) Announcement of assignments: Saturday, May 16, 11:15 a.m. (Central)

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Graduation and announcement of assignments (pastors and vicars): Thursday, May 21, 10:00 a.m. (Central)

Luther Preparatory School Saturday, May 23, 10:00 a.m. (Central)

Michigan Lutheran Seminary Saturday, May 23, 9:30 a.m. (Central) (10:30 a.m. [Eastern])

If you know of a graduate from one of these schools in your congregation or extended family, let them know how much you appreciate them and that the entire synod is keeping them in our prayers.

Serving with you in Christ, WELS President Mark Schroeder

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WELS Center for Mission and Ministry

N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive Waukesha, WI 53188

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Phone: 414-256-3200

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