Campaign Completion – Thank you

The Martin Luther College Alumni Association is happy to announce the completion of our 3-year Fishers of Men campaign. We thank God who graciously guided our alma mater through a quarter-century of ministry training and motivated the hearts of the 500+ individuals who contributed to the campaign. We are extremely grateful for and thankful to those who donated and helped advance the cause. As of the June 30, 2020 campaign completion, the $100,000 goal was met. The statue, historical sign, and surroundings are paid in full. The MLCAA endowed scholarship was initiated in 2020 and continues to grow with two $1000 awards given out to MLC students each year.

The Scholarship

2020-21 Scholarship Recipients

The MLCAA is committed to deepening our impact on MLC financial aid. The endowed scholarship creates an avenue to support students for generations to come. It is awarded annually to two students who demonstrate gifts for ministry and financial need. The campaign goal of a starting balance of $30,000 was met and continues to grow. Lord willing, additional scholarships with higher dollar values will be awarded in the years to come.

The Statue

The Fisher of Men statue was installed on Good Friday (April 2, 2021) and dedicated on MLC Day (May 5, 2021). Archived video of the brief ceremony can be found on the MLC YouTube site and there and images on the gallery.

Fisher of Men depicts Jesus at the Sea of Galilee calling Andrew and Simon Peter to follow him and to become fishers of men. Holding a cast net, visually symbolizing the call to ministry, Jesus awaits our response. The statue’s gaze is directed toward the cross atop the Chapel of the Christ—a visual reminder of Christ’s saving work.

Christian artist Max Greiner’s statues can be found on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College and other Christian colleges and universities around the United States. Currently, this statue is the only one of its kind in Minnesota and the surrounding states.

Fisher of Men ® is the copyrighted & trademarked creation of Christian artist Max Greiner, Jr. of Kerrville, Texas © (www.maxgreinerart.com)

Placement on Campus

The statue sits at the center of the MLC mall on a base mirroring that of the campus’ Luther statue, with scripture selections on all sides. It serves as a visual reminder that Christ is at the center of MLC’s ministry. It also reminds us of His call (“Come follow me“) and His promise (“I will make you fishers of men“). Symbolically, the Martin Luther statue faces down the mall towards Christ, pointing to the Word.

MLC graduates and faculty traditionally pass this location in procession at the start of graduation ceremonies.