Study Abroad: Berlin

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Josiah Koelpin with his host-mom on the Glienicker Brücke (Bridge) in Berlin.

David Rutschow (Peace-Cottonwood AZ) and Josiah Koelpin (Calvary-Dallas) spent last semester studying abroad in Berlin.

Both young men attended classes, traveled throughout Europe, and worshiped with our WELS sister synod Evangelisch-Lutherische Freikirche (ELFK).

David and Josiah’s blog offered advice to students considering studying abroad. “Be open about new experiences,” says Josiah, “especially if they are out of your comfort zone. The friends I made along the way, my experiences, and the joy of learning I have found are all evidence of God’s hand throughout this semester and always.”

Josiah admits that he felt nervous about maintaining a strong faith in a highly atheist country. To overcome this challenge, David and Josiah connected with other WELS members from the United States and forged friendships with their peers at ELFK congregations.

“Through fellowship at the ELFK churches in Berlin, Hartenstein, and Dresden, and the WELS Heidelberg Retreat, I was well-supported in my faith,” says Josiah.

Student Teaching

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How do you spot a student teacher? Look for an excited smile and an air of nervous anticipation.
Elementary and secondary student teachers arrived on campus ready to begin training for their professional semester. Their “boot camp” included research, block plans, and, of course, practice lessons!
But there’s more to preparing for the teaching ministry than academics. “I appreciate students’ willingness to listen to suggestions that will help them become better teachers,” says Student Teacher Supervisor Ron Ohm. “I also appreciate how they see relationship-building between their students and them as an important asset in both instruction and classroom management.”
Preparation for student teaching is essential, but the semester-long teaching experience itself is where students develop the skills they need for ministry.
“Reading students’ final Reflection Journal entry on personal growth is very revealing,” says Professor Ohm. “Each student can think back to how far they’ve come in 10 or even all 16 weeks of student teaching. Often they surprise themselves when they think about how they have grown professionally, emotionally, and spiritually.”

Secondary student teachers gather for a group photo before they begin their public school placements. They will be in Lutheran high schools by March.

December 2022 Graduates

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Join us in thanking God for the ministry candidates who completed their programs in December 2022!
The 15 students who completed their programs will walk in the May graduation service. Five candidates received new assignments in December, and two previous assignments were made permanent.
In addition to the 15 program completions, nine candidates completed their ministry certification. May God continue to bless these workers in his field.

Call Activity

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Calls Extended by MLC
  • Mr. Duane Vance (Illinois Lutheran Schools) received a call to MLC to serve as professor of education and middle and secondary student teacher supervisor.
  • Pastor Aaron Dolan (Fox Valley LHS) accepted the call to MLC to serve as theology professor and coach.
  • Dr. Nichole LaGrow (Appleton) accepted the call to MLC to serve as professor of education and director of nontraditional programs (Competency-Based Education).
  • Dr. Martin LaGrow (Appleton) accepted the call to MLC to serve as professor of education and instructional design (Competency-Based Education).
Calls Received by MLC Faculty
  • Professor Matthew Pearson (PE) returned a call to teach 7th grade, religion, English, and PE at Mt. Lebanon LES-Milwaukee.
  • Professor Timothy Grundmeier (history) received a call to serve as pastor at Victory-Lexington KY.
  • Professor Timothy Grundmeier (history) returned a call to serve as pastor at Pilgrim-Minneapolis.
  • Admissions Counselor Martín Santos received a call to serve at Huron Valley LHS and Palabra de Vida-Detroit.
  • Professor Nicolas Schmoller (theology & foreign language) returned a call to serve as pastor at Good Shepherd-Midland MI.
  • VP for Student Life Jeff Schone returned a call to serve as pastor at St. John-Whitewater WI.
  • Professor Breanna Olson (PE) returned a call to serve as dean of women, coach, and teacher at Fox Valley LHS.
  • Admissions Counselor Halie Flores accepted a call to teach kindergarten at Immanuel LES-Greenville WI.

We Love MLC!

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May 3 is only 114 days away. Why the countdown? It’s MLC Day!
On this day, we encourage friends of MLC across the globe to support the training of called workers by praying, sharing, and giving. We are thankful for your support and can’t wait to celebrate MLC Day 2023!

Jim Unke Memorial Scholarship

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New Ulm, MN – Our help is needed in honoring and carrying forward the gospel ministry legacy of Jim Unke, MLC’s long-time Athletic Director who passed away last summer. Anyone who knew Jim knew that he cared deeply about athletics at MLC, but his passion for sports at the college was singularly focused on assisting in the growth and development of future pastors, teachers, and staff ministers. The Jim Unke Memorial Scholarship will honor and carry forward Coach Unke’s legacy of gospel ministry by financially supporting the training of future pastors, teachers, and staff ministers at MLC for long into the future. The campaign is seeking to raise $25,000 over 25 days in honor of Jim’s 25 years of service to MLC as Athletic Director. Please partner with the “25-25-25 Campaign” in carrying forward Jim’s ministry impact at MLC for generations to come through the establishment of the Jim Unke Memorial Scholarship!

Here’s how you can partner with the campaign:

  1. Watch the campaign promo video attached to this post
  2. Donate to the campaign at https://gofund.me/93f2dcba and follow the GoFundMe progress throughout the month of January
  3. Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/unkememorialscholarship and look for campaign updates and further video content over the next 25 days
  4. Share this campaign with others in any capacity that you are willing and able–sharing on Facebook and other social media platforms, sending the above links to whomever you think might be interested, etc.”

Click here to watch the Jim Unke Memorial Scholarship video.

Call Activity

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Calls Extended by MLC
  • Mr. Duane Vance (Illinois Lutheran Schools) has received a call to MLC to serve as a professor of education and as a middle and secondary student teacher supervisor.
  • Pastor Aaron Dolan (Fox Valley LHS) has accepted the call to MLC to serve as theology professor and coach.
  • Dr. Nichole LaGrow (Appleton) has accepted the call to MLC to serve as professor of education and director of Nontraditional Programs (Competency-Based Education).
  • Dr. Martin LaGrow (Appleton) has accepted the call to MLC to serve as professor of education and instructional design (Competency-Based Education).
Calls Received by MLC Faculty
  • Admissions Counselor Martín Santos received a call to serve at Huron Valley LHS and Palabra de Vida-Detroit.
  • Professor Nicolas Schmoller (Theology & Foreign Language) received a call to serve as pastor at Good Shepherd-Midland MI.
  • VP for Student Life Jeff Schone received a call to serve as pastor at St. John-Whitewater WI.
  • Professor Breanna Olson (PE) received a call to serve as dean of women, coach, and teacher at Fox Valley LHS.
  • Admissions Counselor Halie Flores accepted a call to teach kindergarten at Immanuel LES-Greenville WI.
  • Campus Pastor John Boeder accepted a call to serve as pastor at Ascension-Escondido CA.
  • Ms. Jessica Schmidt (ECLC assistant teacher) accepted a call to serve as director and teacher at God’s Treasures Child Care of Zion-Winthrop MN.
  • Ms. Catherine St. John (ECLC lead teacher) returned a call to serve as preschool director and 3K teacher at Trinity/St. Luke-Watertown WI.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day at MLC prepares students for ministry in a multicultural society. MLC’s upcoming celebration of MLK Day takes place on January 16, 2023, and centers on 1 Corinthians 12:12: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”

MLC will host keynote speaker Ronald Kelly and provide a variety of activities for the campus family, including a social dynamic simulation, a movie discussion, choir and fine arts workshops, a panel discussion, and more.

Pictured: Keynote speaker Ronald Kelly with his family

Fun Amid Finals

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The end of the semester is packed with studying, recitals, and projects, but at MLC, it’s also packed with fun! Basketball and drama (the scripted kind) relieved the stress of finals.

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