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
“We had the opportunity to canvass door to door in Queens, lead Art in the Park with crafts and the Easter story, and help with preparations for our church’s Sunday service,” says Camryn Biebert (pictured).
“The church was very welcoming, so we had a lot of fun getting to know the members throughout the week. My favorite moment from this exciting trip was sharing the Easter message with the kids at the park and seeing their excitement when they heard that their Savior has risen.”
“We got to help out a WELS church that was just getting started,” says Corey Paske (pictured).
“For years a group of people wanted to have a church, and now they finally got a pastor called there. The trip showed the group how much work goes into getting a church off the ground in a new area.”
“Any experience is good experience for us, and College Station was by and large a great one,” says Alex Lindemann (pictured).
“We sang for services, including their huge Easter in the Park celebration, saw much of their cool town, and met some fun and hospitable people.”
“We hung flyers on doorknobs and talked to people about what their church life was like,” says Dana Pietrzyk (pictured).
“It was really awesome to talk to different people about what they believed. It strengthened my confidence in talking to people about Jesus, and it helped me realize that there are so many more people that need the gospel.”
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.
Service and Cross-Cultural Learning 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.
