Convocation Speakers 2013-2014: The Takeaway MLC invited eleven speakers to address our students for our 2013-2014 convocation series. The 11 speakers, all pastors and teachers serving across the country, shared their personal experiences, joys, and challenges. We asked each speaker to share one thing they hoped students took away from their presentations.
THE TOPIC Pastor Mark Gabb WLS ’97 and Teacher Kyle Bender DMLC ’93 (St. Paul-Beverly Hills FL) “Pastors and Teachers Working Together” Teacher Ryan Rathje MLC ’98 (Manitowoc LHS) “Technology in the K-12 Classroom”
Ryan Rathje
Pastor Ben Kratz WLS ’03 (Our Savior-Birmingham AL)
The love of Christ compels us to make every effort to foster strong team ministry among all called workers and congregational leaders, for the sake of carrying out the mission that Christ has given us. Good technology integration shines a light so bright on the learning that the tech becomes transparent. Ministry outside of the Midwest means not only being aware of cultural differences in order to reach people with the gospel, but enjoying the blessings God brings from those differences.
“My Service in the South” Teacher Betty Bilitz DMLC ’77 (Star of Bethlehem-New Berlin WI) “What Makes a Good Student Teaching Experience?” Pastor Matt Denoyer WLS ’00 (Shepherd of the Hills-Duluth MN) “It’s a Small World After All: A Parish Pastor Makes International Connections” David Wendland MLC ’11 (MLC ECLC-New Ulm MN) “Experiences and Impressions of a New Called Worker”
It’s so important to have a servant attitude, enthusiasm, and willingness to work and learn when student teaching. The world continues to get smaller and smaller with advances in communication. The Bible can be taught all the way across the world with the ease of technology. In your first year of ministry you will encounter so many joys and challenges, and they will all truly be blessings!
“Experiences and Impressions of a New Called Worker”
You are more prepared and qualified to teach than you think you are. MLC truly has made you ready to be a classroom teacher, and if you’re proclaiming the gospel news, you can’t go wrong!
Paul Kanzenbach MLC ’09 (St. Paul-Cannon Falls MN)
God uses the blessings and challenges in our lives to stretch and prepare us for future ministry.
Kelly Martin MLC ’12 (Mt. Olive-Appleton WI)
Ben Kratz
THE TAKEAWAY
“Experiences and Impressions of a New Called Worker” Jennifer Proeber MLC ’07 (Great Plains LHS) “Experiences and Impressions of a New Called Worker” Pastor John Braun WLS ’69 (Northwestern Publishing House)
The most important thing you can do for a teenage student is reinforce their spiritual identity. If you want readers to be touched by your words, meet them where they are and touch their hearts.
“The Pastor and Writing”
Betty Bilitz
Sharon Dobbertin DMLC 1974 Arlington Heights IL
Joel Haar MLC 1999 Toronto, Ontario
Keith Tullberg NWC 1979 Moline IL
Charlyn Shoemaker DMLC 1949 Milwaukee
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