[ FROM OUR PRESIDENT ] The following statistics were shared at a recent town hall meeting of the LCMS’ Set Apart to Serve initiative to recruit more church workers. When asked what most influenced their decision to become church workers, they stated: • • •
Personal encouragement from their pastor, 34%; Personal encouragement from another (non-ordained) church worker, 27% Encouragement from their parents and family, 25%.
Intrigued by those statistics, my informal survey of some of the MLS faculty produced these comments: • • •
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Prof. Matthew Prost: “The joy of serving others and the love for literature showed through in men like Prof. Clarence Jenkins and Prof. Bill Zeiger encouraging me to follow in their footsteps both inside and outside the classroom.” Prof. Karl Schmugge: “I don't recall one specific MLS professor encouraging me toward ministry, but the continual encouragement I received through the gospel in our chapel devotions led me to continue my studies in the pastor track.” Prof. Steve Thiesfeldt: “Both parents encouraged me, but in different ways. My mother attended DMLC and served as a teacher for two years before marrying. My father promised to pay the entire cost of a college education for any of his children who pursued ministry—and eight of them did.” Dean Melissa LaBair: “Growing up I never saw called workers that seemed upset about their line of work. Whether preaching, teaching, coaching, or mentoring they all seemed to genuinely enjoy their work. I wanted this for my career and now I get to experience that same joy every day.” Tutor Jeremiah Wallander: “I always thought you needed to be a specific kind of man to be a pastor until Paul Wendland said, “God isn’t calling some fake version of yourself, but the authentic you!” Tutor Megan Buth: “There wasn’t one thing that anyone said that made me realize that the ministry was right for me, but the culture at my home congregation (Faith Lutheran Sharpsburg, GA) is one of evangelism and outreach. Growing up in that environment helped me to see how meaningful a life of service is! My home congregation provided encouragement and financial help every step of the way and made ministry an easy decision for me.” Tutor Emily Rothfuss: “For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher. The love of teaching was embedded in the culture of both my grade school (St. John’s, Bay City) and at MLS. The teachers, pastors, and professors continually encouraged me to become a teacher not only because they knew my goal of wanting to become one, but because they knew my individual talents and abilities. The biggest encouragement that was offered at these schools was how individualistic their approach to teaching their student's was, especially when it came to getting to know them in a meaningful way.”
CARDINAL CONNECTION
WINTER 2024
Chief Editor Rev. Mark T. Luetzow Graphic Design Michael D. Priebe, MLS ‘94
www.mlsem.org Cardinal Connection is published in winter and summer free of charge for MLS alumni and friends. SUBMIT NEWS ITEMS TO: Michael Priebe, Public Relations mdp@mlsem.org SUBMIT ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Cathy Rothfuss, Mission Advancement car@mlsem.org
Whether it is a personal word of encouragement or a culture of ministry encouragement in a congregation or school, it remains the Spirit’s work through the gospel to motivate a heart to serve. Our privilege at MLS is to unleash the Spirit’s power through the gospel and marvel as more and more of God’s people offer lives in service to our Savior. As always, we appreciate your prayers and your support as we seek to encourage and equip today’s students for tomorrow’s ministry. ON THE COVER L to R, Tess Herman (Emanuel Flint), Gabby Kim (Canaan, Seoul, South Korea) and Madison Barnett (St. Luke’s, Vassar) sing as part of the MLS Concert Choir.
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TASTE OF MINISTRY In mid-October, the entire MLS senior class spent 2-4 days shadowing experienced called-workers across our nation in our Taste of Ministry program. During these days, the students had the opportunity to participate in worship, lead group discussions, and get hands-on ministry experience to give them a context by which they can make an informed decision about serving the Lord in the public ministry. For many of them, this was the final ministry experience before they make their final college choice. Here is what they had to say: “I'm excited for the diversity. Seeing how multicultural communities affect a church body and how ‘typical’ aspects are carried out are two things I am really looking to get out of this experience." Drew Luetzow (Christ, Saginaw)
“I’m hoping to gain experience and knowledge of what it is like to be a called worker in Christ and to be immersed in a new environment of people and faith.” Madison Barnett (St. Luke’s, Vassar)
I am looking forward to experiencing first hand what our called workers do every day that goes unseen and often unappreciated, and to encourage my own ministry and call to witness. Luke Zondervan (Cross of Glory, Washington, MI)
This was the second year that all the senior guys that desired a pastor track experience were assigned to WELS home missions across the nation. Giving them a taste of ministry in a home mission setting expands their appreciation of how a church begins and the “all-in” attitude of a new mission start. Lord willing, some of these young men will be assigned to missions congregations in the final years of our WELS 100 new missions in 10 years initiative. WELS Mission Counselor Pastor Matt Vogt (MLS ‘97) writes: “Our prayer is that through these experiences more and more young men might consider making the commitment to training for future outreach, mission-minded public gospel ministry. Not all of them will become church planters, but they will all Lord-willing have a passion for reaching out aggressively in their communities with the love of Jesus, regardless of their future ministry context.” If you would like to support the Taste of Ministry program, please visit our website www.mlsem.org. WINTER 2024 ~ CARDINAL CONNECTION
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Jon and his wife Jill have two children: Kaitlyn (who recently student taught at MLS) and is now teaching grades 2-4 in Largo, MD, where she was born, and Micah, who was married this past May and lives in Des Moines, Iowa with his wife Hannah. You are part of the MLS class of 1990. What made your class unique? I believe our freshman class ushered in a change in the dress code, where jeans could be worn. I also think that during our junior year, we were the first class to have a formal dance. If memory serves me correctly, we were the first ones to take a sophomore trip to visit DMLC. Our trip was in the spring and our bus broke down in northern Indiana/southern Michigan on the way back and we borrowed school bus from MLHS to get back to MLS! This edition of the Cardinal Connection features Dr. Jonathan Roux (MLS ‘90). After his graduation from MLS, Dr. Roux graduated from (D)MLC in December of 1994 with a double major in elementary and secondary education in Parish music. He was assigned mid-year to serve as principal, organist, 1st -8th grade teacher at Divine Peace Lutheran School in Largo, MD. He arrived on December 31st and started teaching on January 3rd! While in Maryland, Jon completed his Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in 2005 with an emphasis in reading and language arts through McDaniel College. In 2008 he accepted the call to teach at his alma mater, Martin Luther College, in the Education division.
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What message would Dr. Jon Roux circa 2024 give to MLS Senior Jon Roux circa 1990? To the1990 MLS senior: continue to study academics and God’s Word diligently; work to maintain friendships from your high school years (social media has helped in doing so). To the 1986 MLS freshman: make time to be more involved with on-campus activities. Which one MLS faculty member made the biggest impact in your time at MLS? It’s difficult to name just one instructor because I think I was influenced by everyone, both in large and small ways. Marcus Manthey arrived at MLS at the beginning of my sophomore year and fostered a love of reading and writing. Dr. Lawrenz
made the Old Testament come alive for me as he taught us how to draw maps of the Holy Land (something I continued to do with my elementary students and even with my college students) in our freshmen Bible course. Professor Harold Hosbach, my keyboard instructors Virgene Klockziem and Wendy Malone, and countless faculty members encouraged my work with organ and piano. I still get the opportunity to play for services at MLC, at St. John’s in New Ulm, where we are members, and at some of the local congregations. It is a high privilege to serve in our Ministerial Education system as a professor at MLC. What joys do you experience being part of the ministerial education system? I enjoy seeing students’ creativity and passion for teaching as they complete assignments related to future teaching opportunities, microteach in class, and participate in their literacy clinical experiences. I always pray that their creativity and desire to make lessons connect with their students remain as they enter the full-time ministry. I look forward to seeing how God uses these students to bless His ministry.
One large takeaway from this study applies to all teachers: Telling is not teaching. Telling students information is not the same as engaging them in the learning process. Meeting standards involves students demonstrating that knowledge.
to serve in our church body. Consider supporting MLS with your financial contributions as God moves your heart.
Do you have a “go to” Bible passage, and if so, why that one?
When I began at MLC, the concept of universal standards (Common Core State Standards) was all over the news. While public school educators had worked with standards for a long period of time, the use of standards in the development of lessons, instruction, and assessment in our WELS schools was not a common practice. The use of state or content area standards had not been a practice in many of their teacher education programs. I followed two WELS teachers as they worked to incorporate standards in their social studies and language arts instruction. The process of this research and study gave me valuable insight I use in teaching pre-service teachers at MLC how to work with standards in their planning and instruction.
Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” I like the reminder to always pray pray in thanksgiving when things are going well, pray when things aren’t going well, pray for comfort, and pray for direction - praying with the hope and conviction God gives us in his Word, relying on Him for his direction and timing.
Interesting fact - my first call was to Divine Peace in Largo, Maryland, to replace Ruth Muehlenbeck, who was also an MLS graduate. A number of years later, Melissa (Leslie) Borchardt, another MLS graduate, also served at that school with me. A number of years after I left MD, another MLS graduate, Ryan Finkbiner, also served there.
ALUMNI INFORMATION
You recently completed your doctorate from the University of MN by defending your original research project: "Teachers Navigating Change: The Implementation of Standards into One’s Planning and Teaching." Can you give us a brief summary of that project and the impetus to conduct that research?
As an alumnus, what encouragement can you give to other MLS alumni? Pray for the students, faculty, and mission of MLS. Encourage the youth of your local church and school to attend MLS and consider preparing to enter the full-time ministry. There is a great need for pastors and teachers
Do you have an interesting MLS connection?
Thank you Dr. Roux! We pray for God’s continued blessings in your ministry and with your family. Do you have a suggestion for a future alumni spotlight, email Mike Priebe at mdp@mlsem.org.
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Alleluia! On December 15, 2023 the MLS student body put on their annual Christmas Concert. The choirs and band presented both familiar and new carols that helped the audience prepare their heart for the coming of our Savior Jesus.
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CAMPUS NEWS VALUS ACCEPTS CALL TO MLS Mr. Nolan Valus has accepted the call to serve as Academic Dean at MLS, a position that has been partially vacant for 3 years. Nolan is a 2007 graduate of MLS and a 2011 graduate of MLC. He was awarded a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from MLC in 2018. He previously taught at Mt. Olive in Delano, MN, St. John’s in Saginaw, and most recently at Divine Grace in Lake Orion, MI. Nolan is married to Courtney (nee Schultz) and they are blessed with 2 daughters, Aria and Felicity. We welcome the Valus family back to MLS.
PROF. STEVE THIESFEDLT 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION The 2023-24 school year marks the 50th anniversary of the teaching ministry of Prof. Steven Thiesfeldt. Through those 50 years, Prof. Thiesfeldt has been privileged to serve at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Tomah, WI; Salem, Stillwater, MN; St. Matthew's, Winona, MN; and four of our WELS Ministerial Education schools: Martin Luther Preparatory School, Prairie du Chien, WI; Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, WI; Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN; and finally, here, at Michigan Lutheran Seminary. A special service of thanksgiving to the Lord for those 50 years of ministry is being planned for Sunday, April 28th in the MLS chapel. Former students,coworkers, family and friends of the Thiesfeldt family are invited to attend the service. If you wish to send a card, please send it to MLS attn: Pres. Mark Luetzow.
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS Each year 1.5 million students around the U.S. take the PSAT which helps to prepare students for the SAT as well as works as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship. The top 50,000 of those students who take the PSAT are recognized as commended students. Of those commended students 16,000 move on to the semifinalist level. In September of 2023, MLS seniors Garrett Robinson (Bethany, Saginaw) and Gabby Kim (Canaan, Seoul, South Korea) were recognized by the scholarship program for their scores. Garrett was a commended student and Gabby qualified for the Semifinalist level. She will find out in February if she is named a finalist for one or more of the 7,500 scholarships awarded to the top students in the US. Congratulations Gabby & Garrett! Robinson
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Kim
ADMISSIONS UPDATE ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SEEING OUR CAMPUS?
Admissions Counselor Cameron Schroeder and his team of student ambassadors would love to welcome you to our home here in Saginaw! Talking about all that Michigan Lutheran Seminary has to offer is great, but nothing beats seeing our campus with your own eyes. We are happy to host Student Shadow Visits on any normal school day. Live far away? No sweat! One of our student ambassadors would be glad to host you in their room for a night so you can experience dorm life first-hand. Email cameron.k.schroeder@mlsem.org to set up your visit today!
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THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS Tribute gifts given to MLS from July 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023. Gifts to the MLS Foundation are found on the Foundation website www.mls-foundation.org.
In Honor of... HOGEY A. HOLTZ Rev. and Mrs. Matthew Holtz KEN METEVIA Mr. and Mrs. Mark Zoellner DAVID A. VOSS Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Mosher TRINITY, BAY CITY SCHOOL STAFF Mr. and Mrs. Allan Ferrio
In Memory of... ELDEN A. BENDER Rev. Donald Veitengruber
MARY ELLEN GRAHAM Rev. and Mrs. John Bortulin Mrs. Trisha Hall Mr. and Mrs. Keith Mee OTTO HOENECKE Mrs. Paula Liska MICHAEL C. LEHMAN Ms. Barbara Lehman DIANNE R. LINTEMUTH Mr. Alvah Lintemuth
DALE A. SELVES Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Paulin LINDA J. STUPPY Ms. Barbara Kiepke MARK H. TESCH Mrs. Susan Tesch REV. AND MRS. CARL W. VOSS Mrs. Esther Selves
PAUL A. SCHULTZ MLS Foundation Dr. William Zeiger GARY D. SCHULZ Mr. Thomas J. Schulz
LOREN C. DIETRICH Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Dietrich
MLS appreciates the many gifts given by people like you, our friends and alumni. Please consider supporting the work MLS does to train future pastors, teachers and staff ministers. Scan this QR code to support MLS through an online gift. Or go to our website at https://www.mlsem.org/support/ The Cardinal Connection is also available digitally! If you or someone you know would prefer to receive an electronic version of the publication, please contact Michael Priebe at mdp@mlsem.org or by phone at 989-793-1010, ext 231 to make the change.
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SEMINARY ATHLETICS FOOTBALL EARNS ACADEMIC ALL STATE RECOGNITION The Seminary football team was recently named by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association (MHSFCA) to be first-team Academic All-State for Division 8 high schools. This honor is won by compiling the team grade point average. MLS finished in the top four in our division and will receive a banner to hang at our field. The team has earned this honor 11 out of the past 12 years!
CROSS COUNTRY COMPETES IN STATE MEET The boys’ cross country team finished a successfull season by sending 7 runners to the state finals meet held Saturday, November 4 at Michigan International Speedway. The boys finished 24th as a team. The Cardinals were lead by senior Jeffery Harden (Bethany, Saginaw) and junior Camden Fager (Zion, Monroe), who was the team MVP.
MLS FOUNDATION NEWS MLS FOUNDATION DINNER AUCTION The MLS Foundation is excited for our upcoming 21st annual auction! There will also be an online auction, so everyone can participate. A preview of items will begin at noon on February 2. Bidding opens at 7:00 EST on February 5, and bidding will close at 8:00 EST on February 12. This annual event helps the MLS Foundation support Michigan Lutheran Seminary with financial aid, scholarships, and various other needs. To register for the online auction and join the fun visit https://auctria.events/MLS2024 or scan the QR code below.
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Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Saginaw, MI Permit No. 269 2777 Hardin Street Saginaw, Michigan 48602-3795 (989) 793-1010 www.mlsem.org