In Their Own Words
Alicia Mengel
MLC ’24 (Wisconsin LHS / Mt. Calvary-Waukesha WI)
Majors: Elementary Education & Instrumental Music
Music activities: College Choir, Wind Symphony, pit orchestra for musicals, and lessons in trumpet, piano, and voice
She’s doing ministry now, well before graduation: 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 old. I’ve had many opportunities to play trumpet in chapel and with choral pieces. I was also given the opportunity to teach trumpet and French horn to 14 students at St. Paul’s, New Ulm. These have helped me grow as a musician and in my confidence as a teacher.
She’s got great ministry models: The professors at MLC not only enhance our musical abilities, but also model what music ministry means. For our professors, their music ministry does not end at the end of the school day. They serve in worship in chapel and in church services, using their gifts to serve the Lord and modeling to us that our music ministry also continues outside of the classroom.
Wherever she serves: What my future ministry will look like is uncertain, but it’s comforting to know that wherever I have the opportunity to serve, I’ll be able to use my gifts of music. I’d love to play trumpet for services and to utilize all the musical gifts of my congregation, organizing ways for these people to serve the Lord through music as often as they are able.
She loves sharing the gospel in song: Music uses one of God’s greatest gifts to spread the gospel in a special way.
Noah Ungemach
MLC ’24 (Manitowoc LHS / First German-Manitowoc WI)
Majors: Elementary Education & Vocal Music
Music activities: College Choir, Chorale, Wind Symphony, Chapel Brass, Chamber Singers, Praise Ensemble, and lessons in voice, organ, and euphonium
He knows music ministry matters: I’ve grown up around music ministry my whole life. I’ve seen the impact that music in ministry has made in many people’s lives. The combination of music and God’s Word is a very powerful thing.
What he’s learned at MLC: I’ve learned so much from my MLC music professors in the classroom. I’ve learned what music excellence looks like, the ins and outs of music theory, how to conduct myself in front of an ensemble, and how to pick music and run rehearsals. But what I will always cherish is what I’ve learned outside the classroom. I’ve learned what it looks like to care about each and every one of my students, how to encourage great musicianship all around me, and how to emphasize praising God with our gifts above anything else. These are things I will remember going into my ministry.
It’s all in God’s hands, but when he considers his future: I hope to spend many years in the grade school setting as a principal or a music teacher, as well as a committed church musician. The challenge excites me. I also hope that after some years in a grade school setting, I might get a call into a high school ministry as a music teacher, where I will be able to use my skills and knowledge to encourage the next generation to love and cherish God’s gift of music.
When the call comes, he’ll be ready: MLC has encouraged me to strengthen my gifts so that I’m equipped with what I need to succeed in my future ministry. Through opportunities provided by the college, students like me can grow in knowledge, skills, and maturity, so we have the confidence to serve our future congregations to the best of our ability.
Meg Stangl
MLC ’25 (Michigan LHS / Trinity-Watertown WI)
Majors: Elementary Education & Vocal Music
Music activities: College Choir, Chorale, Wind Symphony, assistant music director for musical, and lessons in piano and voice
She trusts her MLC professors: My music professors have been amazing. I feel like they genuinely care about me, and they remind me of my God-given gifts when the task at hand seems difficult. Their instruction in class has helped me grow, and the conversations I have with them outside of the school day about music and life in general help me feel comfortable so I’m able to fully invest myself into learning with them.
She knows the “why”: I appreciate my professors’ guidance back to the why of my musical training: to prepare for service in God’s kingdom.
She’s thankful for the gift: I think music is beautiful in its complexity, and I love that God created it to work the way it does so that it can be an art form accessible to so many people. The voice is such a personal instrument. Each of us has a different voice, and God knows each of our voices. How amazing is it that we can praise him and know that he hears us individually! It makes worship so much more personal when the members of the congregation can participate this way!
She wants to honor the giver: Music in ministry is so important to me because I think we should use the gift that God has given us to honor him right back. Worship can be enhanced for all when they have the opportunity to sing praises or listen to a church choir sing.
