Different Minds, ONE HEART

Different Minds, ONE HEART

By Sarah Gieseke DMLC ’82

The earliest years of the Christian church are rich in acts of selfless support for fellow Christians and the Lord’s work. Those examples from the past live on in the present. Consider three recent donations we’ve received at MLC. Each came from a variety of plans and activities, yet they all embody what God reveals about the early Christian church. “All the believers were one in heart and mind” (Acts 4:32).

RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MCFARLAND, WISCONSIN, knows the importance of providing tuition funds for families. Their 120 members have always supported their families through a Christian Education Assistance program by making up the difference between member and non-member tuition at local Lutheran elementary schools and Lakeside LHS. They also provide up to half the member tuition rate.

But they didn’t want to stop there. They know that education cannot happen without trained pastors, teachers, and staff ministers. That’s why the congregation added a budget line for tuition assistance at Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

Then members Carol and Bob felt the need to up the ante. “It is important to encourage and help students who will serve in our churches,” they said. They added $100,000 to Risen Savior’s donation for MLC student tuition. How the Spirit inspires!

The hearts of believers are also united at LIVING HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MIDLOTHIAN, VIRGINIA. From 2020 to 2023 they conducted a building expansion campaign called Not Unto Us. But they did not raise the funds only for themselves. From the beginning they designated 10% of the campaign offerings to MLC.

Living Hope does outreach through a fine arts camp. Last summer they had help from Luther Preparatory School

students. One of those LPS students, Ella Bergemann (Good Shepherd-Downers Grove IL), is now at MLC, a meaningful reminder to their members and an encouragement to others of the larger work of WELS.

The church’s final donation of $19,151 went to MLC’s Congregational Partner Grant Program, along with a letter that said, “We pray for MLC regularly. We thank God for the faithful faculty, staff, and students. [Signed] Your brothers and sisters at Living Hope.”

Sometimes hearts encourage feet to move. That was the case for ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH IN WEYAUWEGA, WISCONSIN. Their parent group, Friends Assisting Christian Education (FACE), sponsored a walk a-thon and encouraged unity by having participants walk in “flocks.” Each flock was made up of students from preschool through eighth grade. Their flocks logged the equivalent of 400 miles. That’s 70 miles more than if they walked from Weyauwega to MLC!

The faculty chose to donate the $6,819 walk-a-thon and school mission collections money to MLC’s tuition assistance. They see it as a way to support and encourage future pastors, staff ministers, and teachers. As Principal Jeff Miller put it, “Each year, students enter the public ministry having been trained the same way and holding the same beliefs. What a tremendous blessing from God and one that we should support with our prayers and resources.”

Principal Miller concludes, “God be praised that he opened the hearts of so many to give and used the feet of our students to witness to their faith and raise offerings.”