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It is all about Jesus
By William Pekrul: on August 20, 2008
Over the next two weeks students will be coming to the campuses of your four ministerial training schools (Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI, Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN, Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, WI, and Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, MI). Some students will be returning to school to get one step closer to their goal of becoming a full time worker in a congregation or school. Some students will be coming to the campus for the first time, ready to embark on an adventure that God has in store for them. What will they find when they get to the campus?
Professor Bill Pekrul serves at Martin Luther College as a student advisor and director of public relations. He offers insights about the culture, training, and purpose of each of our schools as he writes to you about his recent experiences as MLC.
MLC President Mark Zarling has a theme which appears in many of his writings, sermons, Bible studies, or even casual conversations. I don’t know if he consciously includes this apt phrase, but it resonates powerfully within me whenever I hear it. It returned again to me as a new school year begins and I’ve had the opportunity to express encouragements, greetings, and farewells with fellow workers in God’s kingdom. President Zarling often reminds us, “Our ministry at MLC, it’s all about souls and it’s all about Jesus.”
I talked to Rachel at a picnic. She told me about her first year teaching and the special needs children that she had in her class. When she explained the unique strategies that she used with these students, I was amazed. I was amazed at the situation that would have challenged a veteran teacher, but I was even more amazed at the energy that accompanied Rachel’s story. Yes, it was a challenging year. Yes, she prayed that next year would go more smoothly. But with that, she was so appreciative of the support that she received from MLC prof Dr. Al Spurgin. In his course relating to the exceptional child, Dr. Spurgin had taught Rachel’s class about the specific syndrome that three of her students were dealing with. He also was happy to counsel Rachel as the year progressed when she needed some professional advice. Al reminded her that these were precious souls in her class, souls that Jesus loved, souls that she could indeed help and teach. God has truly blessed our classrooms with dedicated teachers who see their students as blood-bought souls, loved by Jesus.
I met Jesse on our campus. He was assigned, fresh out of Seminary, to serve as a tutor at MLC with responsibilities in our upperclassmen’s residence hall. He will also be teaching religion classes. Jesse spoke with enthusiasm about working with the students in class. He viewed his role among MLC students as a great way to share the lessons of life that he learned while a student at MLC and at Seminary. He thought that the “been there, done that” perspective of a young, WELS worker might open up opportunities for him to encourage students during their doubts and challenges as they prepare for the ministry. What a blessing to have this mature young man on our campus to show with his life and attitude the grace of Jesus Christ inside and outside the classroom.
Karl came into my office two days ago. He’s going home for a while before heading off to the Seminary. I enjoyed the opportunity of having Karl in class starting as a freshmen. Through the four years that I’ve known Karl I’ve enjoyed his positive, Christ-centered attitude toward classwork, his participation in drama, his involvement in student activities, and his cheerful greetings around campus. Now after growing in his faith through classes, personal Bible study, and mutual encouragement; after seeking out opportunities to serve those around him; after applying his talents to activities at MLC and in New Ulm, Karl was saying goodbye. With the same firm handshake that he used four years ago, Karl affirmed that we would see each other again. I silently thanked God for giving me another friend in the ministry. It is such a blessing to know men like Karl and to include him in my prayers as he continues his training at Seminary.
I am encouraged to know that many men like Karl are training to be pastors at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, that many men and women like Jesse are serving souls on our campus, that many women and men like Rachel are teaching our children in our elementary and high schools. God richly sends us his blessing and encouragement at MLC as we serve these workers in his kingdom. And as our campus fills with the hustle and bustle of a new school year, the undercurrent is joy - joy in the work that we share. Because it’s all about souls - it’s all about Jesus.
Topics: GENERAL, Ministerial Ed, SYNOD LEADERS