Martin Luther College
MLC President Rev. Richard Gurgel
Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., is celebrating its 25th anniversary during the 2020–21 school year. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has changed some of the practical ways that MLC’s students learn, the college is still committed to training a corps of Christian witnesses who are qualified to meet the ministry needs of WELS and who are competent to proclaim the Word of God faithfully and in accord with the Lutheran Confessions in the Book of Concord. In fall 2020, 714 undergraduates were participating in this training, which took place both on campus and virtually.
To meet the current ministry needs of WELS, Martin Luther College:
- prepares men for pastoral training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary;
- prepares men and women for service as teachers and staff ministers in the synod’s churches, schools, and other institutions;
- prepares men and women for other church ministries, both full- and part-time, responding to the needs of WELS;
- prepares international students for ministry in partnership with WELS mission fields; and
- provides programs of continuing education that meet the ministerial needs of WELS.
For more information, visit mlc-wels.edu.
Equipping Christian Witnesses
Student Joey Behm shares details about the college’s comprehensive campaign known as “Equipping Christian Witnesses” with members of Sola Fide, Lawrenceville, Ga., during the 2020 spring choir tour. The three pillars of the campaign are shown below. For more information, visit mlc-wels.edu/mlc-campaign.
Jordan Massiah
Chapel livestream
Junior and senior men who were scheduled to preach for evening chapel in MLC’s Chapel of the Christ in spring 2020 preached from home after the school had to close its in-person instruction. These students sent their chapel videos to MLC for livestreaming and sharing on social media—potentially reaching more people than they would have in the campus chapel. Jordan Massiah (pictured), a member of Hope, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was one such student. Massiah notes, “The comfort I had in knowing that God’s Word works, no matter the circumstances, took away the nerves. It turned into a beautiful passion, which was to make my devotion simple enough to relate to people, but also advanced enough so that people wouldn’t lose interest. That’s something I’ll take with me into my future ministry.”
Lynn Jungen
Continuing Education
During the 2020–21 school year, 919 students are enrolled in Martin Luther College’s continuing education program. One hundred forty-six of those are pursuing graduate degrees in theological studies, educational administration, or education. Pictured is Lynn Jungen, who graduated in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree from Doctor Martin Luther College and in 2020 with a master’s degree from Martin Luther College. Jungen serves as an early childhood director in Manitowoc, Wis.
Did you know?
The Conference of Presidents issued 150 assignments on call day in May 2020. It was the first time the call service was held virtually. MLC’s spring graduation service was also streamed online rather than being held in person. The college sent graduates celebratory packages with their graduation essentials, including their diplomas and gowns.
