At Martin Luther College, we believe that sometimes the most valuable training occurs outside the classroom. Experiential learning – learning through life experiences – allows you to take what you’ve learned in your college classroom and apply it out there, in the real world.
Some of that experiential learning occurs in the MLC Daylight program. Through Daylight, every spring and summer break dozens of MLC students hop on planes to the farthest corners of the US and abroad to assist WELS congregations in their local ministries.
We call our program “Daylight” because of what our Lord Jesus says in John 9:4: “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me.” Through Daylight, you can “work while it is day,” sharing the light of the gospel and the love of Christ with people all over the country.
Since 2000, almost 2500 MLC students have had a Daylight experience – sometimes for a week, sometimes for an entire summer. They’ve served in California and New York, Florida and Texas – even Hawaii.
As a Daylight volunteer you might . . .
- Teach VBS
- Lead a soccer Bible camp
- Assist with early childhood ministry
- Canvass neighborhoods for a mission congregation
- Work with adults who have developmental disabilities
- Lead an Easter for Kids program
- Assist at worship
When you participate in Daylight, it’s a win-win! You give a congregation your best service, energy, and enthusiasm, and what you get back is a ministry experience that will be with you forever.
“This experience gave me a taste of what the called servant’s life is all about—it takes a lot of time and energy. I learned so much about the impact a teacher has on a child. Seeing their development was the most rewarding experience I could have asked for as I study to become a teacher.”
– MLC Student
“It made me excited to serve here and now!”
“This experience has shown me what a blessing it is to go to a new place with new people and share God’s Word. I learned so much from each person I met, and I hope to use this experience to help me build more connections with people in the future.”
“Go on a short-term mission trip because it will leave you with new relationships, experiences, and blessings from God.”
“Go on a short-term mission trip because it provides you with the incredible opportunity to serve in a new place alongside people who share your faith, and allows you to utilize your God-given abilities to evangelize and proclaim your passion for the gospel.”
“Go on a short-term mission trip because God opens doors for you to meet people and understand ministry outside of your home mission.”
“It was amazing to see the hard work and dedication that it has taken to start this new mission in London, and I see the many, many blessings that I will have from this trip in my future ministry. Being able to connect and share my faith with multiple people of various backgrounds and cultures was truly an exciting experience.”
MLC Students:
View listings of available trip opportunities.
Please apply for your Daylight trip here.
Interested in hosting a Daylight short-term mission team from MLC?
You will do this through Mission Journeys at wels.net.
WHEN COMPLETING THE APPLICATION, PLEASE INDICATE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE A DAYLIGHT TEAM TO FULFILL YOUR REQUEST!
Is your congregation looking for full-time paid summer workers to assist your church or district?
Did your WELS church/group just host a Daylight Team from MLC? If so, please give us your feedback by completing the Congregational Follow-Up Form.
Please Note:
If applying for a summer team after February 1st, please contact MLC Daylight (Daylight@mlc-wels.edu) directly in order to determine team availability.
Cultural Engagement Center Advisory Committee Grant Request
In keeping with its mission – The Service and Cross-Cultural Learning Committee (SCCLC) supports learning and service opportunities that enhance cultural awareness and promote cultural competency among the MLC family by promoting experiences both on and off campus and by providing financial assistance. – the SCCLC will consider grant requests for Daylight that
Include both a service component and a culture component AND will be used to enhance cultural awareness and promote cultural competency within the MLC family.
