KnightWatch - September 2011

knightwatch M a r t in Lu t h e r Coll e ge

MLC

• Meet the First-Years • FAQ: Sports at MLC • Urban Ministry 1995 Luther Court New Ulm, MN 56073 Address Service Requested

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID OWATONNA, MN 55060 PERMIT #110

SEPTEMBER 2011

september 2011

KnightWatch Staff WRITER/EDITOR

Laurie Gauger ’86 GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Lime Valley Advertising, Inc. PHOTOGRAPHERS

William Pekrul ’80, PR Director Catherine St. John Rebecca Wilkens COPY EDITOR

Heidi Schoof ’86

Office of Admissions DIRECTOR

Mark Stein ’92 COUNSELORS

Ross Stelljes WLS ’89 Lori Unke ’83 Nicolas Schmoller WLS ’10 Daniel Gawrisch ’08

College Administration PRESIDENT

Mark Zarling WLS ’80 VP for ACADEMICS

David Wendler ’70 VP for ADMINISTRATION

Steven Thiesfeldt ’74 VP for MISSION ADVANCEMENT

Jon Scharlemann VP for STUDENT LIFE

Jeffrey Schone WLS ’87 KnightWatch is published by Martin Luther College and is intended to inform, inspire, and motivate young people who are considering enrolling at MLC to prepare for public ministry in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Comments are welcomed and should be directed to gaugerlf@mlc-wels.edu or Martin Luther College KnightWatch, 1995 Luther Court, New Ulm MN 56073.

Meet Professor Mark Stein:

MLC’s New Director of Admissions Having a hard time deciding on a college?

Professor Mark Stein, our new director of admissions, knows how that feels. He didn’t make his college choice until the July after high school graduation. He picked DMLC, but not because his parents and teachers had always encouraged him to be a teacher. He came at first for friends and football.

After his sophomore year, he took a year off to work. But he knew he should get back and finish college or he was going to end up “living in a van down by the river!” (The uninitiated might check out “Chris Farley Motivation” on YouTube.)

He enrolled at the University of South Dakota and floated from major to major.

Meanwhile, he and high school friend Melissa Koepke got married. That was when he pulled a 180. “I decided to become a teacher and finish up my education at

DMLC. I will admit I was still not 100% committed, but getting the itch more and more.” By senior year, he was passionate about it. The “kicker,” as he likes to say, was coaching grade 5-6 boys’ basketball at St. Paul’s in New Ulm, which he loved.

Professor Stein says he’ll miss Shoreland LHS, where he taught the last 11 years, but he’s looking forward to “a new challenge in God’s kingdom.”

As he leads our admissions team, he wants to communicate “the joy I have every day sharing the gospel with others. We are told by our God in Matthew 28:19, ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.’ That means you and I have that responsibility.

We need to tell others about the grace our God has shown us through the work of his Son! “It is fun! It is different every day! It is rewarding! It is our mission!”

In His Own Words

He’s a Fan: I consider Denver my hometown, and I’m an avid fan of all things Colorado: Rockies, Broncos, Buffalos, Nuggets, Avalanche, etc.

High School: My parents gave me three choices, none in Denver: Nebraska Lutheran, Arizona Lutheran Academy, or MLPS [a predecessor of LPS located in Prairie du Chien WI]. I attended Nebraska Lutheran. I met my wife and some of my best friends, and I stayed close to my Savior through some of the most formative times in a teenager’s life.

Funniest Moment at DMLC: One morning I asked a friend to move my car so I wouldn’t be late for class. He did. During class, President Huebner came in and asked if there was a Mark Stein in class.

He proceeded to tell me that I had exactly three minutes to move my car out of his parking spot or it would be towed.

VIP: Very Influential Person: President Huebner! We still laugh about that car incident. He telephoned me while I held the call to MLC, and as usual he had very wise words. He truly is a man of God! Most Influential of All: My parents. They were patient and encouraging during those “I don’t know what I want to do” times in my life. Neither was a pastor or teacher, but they knew the importance of spreading the gospel. My dad, who is in heaven now, would say “I told you so” if he saw the joy my ministry brings to me.

His Family: My wife, Melissa, is a dental hygienist. She’s smarter than me and the balance in my life.

She’s my rock. My kids are Megan (17), Mariah (15), and Matthew (12). They all love athletics and school. Most important, they love their God and are not afraid to confess it to others!

Likes and Loves: I love to coach. I love yard work and being outdoors. And I enjoy romantic comedies. Don’t tell anyone.

Mark Stein and family

2

On our cover: Elise Lau (St. Paul-New Ulm MN), Breanna Bader (St. PaulOnalaska WI), and Brittany Hartwig (Immanuel-Medford WI), along with other dorm staffers, welcomed the new first-years and moved them in.

See more pictures on pages 4-5.

Meet New Admissions Counselor

Dan Gawrisch

Very rarely on Call Day is an MLC graduate assigned to his own college. For our new admissions counselor, Dan Gawrisch, it happened twice.

In 2008, he was assigned as a P.E. instructor at MLC. After a year of trying to call his former profs by their first names, he left to get his master’s degree in P.E. Then he presented himself to the Assignment Committee in 2011—and they promptly assigned him to MLC again, this time as an admissions counselor.

“It has definitely been a blessing,” he says. “It’s just not something I pictured ever happening during my five years as a student.”

Born and raised in the Milwaukee suburb of New Berlin along with five older siblings, Dan graduated from WISCO in 2003, MLC in 2008, and the Graduate School at the University of Northern Iowa in 2010.

With a dad who’s a pastor and a grandpa who was a seminary prof, Dan says, “I

Dan Gawrisch

guess ministry is in my blood. I attended MLC mostly because I thought I could best use the gifts I’ve been given to serve the Lord as a teacher or coach. Some of the most influential people in my life have been teachers and coaches. I wanted to positively impact students the way they impacted me.”

He wasn’t positive about MLC though.

“I thought I’d attend the first year and transfer if it didn’t feel right. It was my freshman year EFE [Early Field Experience] that helped me realize this is how I can best serve my Lord, and I decided to stay for good. “

“Trying to make a decision about a career path and how to serve the Lord for the rest of your life is an overwhelming task.

It’s best to put your faith in him, approach him in prayer, and trust that his plans for you will be carried out.”

When’s MLC Coming to Visit You? ALA: Oct 20-21 Nick Schmoller, Lori Unke CLHS: Oct 28-29 Lori Unke ELHS: Oct 25 Dan Gawrisch FVLHS: Sep 22-23 Ross Stelljes, Lori Unke

His college memories center mostly on friendships and playing football, especially the annual Metrodome game. And he still loves playing and watching sports, which includes cheering on the defending Super Bowl champs.

GPLHS: Sep 21 Dan Gawrisch

He’s looking forward to building relationships with students and faculties at the high schools he’ll visit (Evergreen, Great Plains, Kettle Moraine, Lakeside, LPS, Northland, St. Croix, Shoreland, and WISCO).

Luther: Sep 7-8 Ross Stelljes

“My goal when I talk to young people is to guide them in the college decisionmaking process—primarily by pointing them to their Savior and also showing them what a tremendous blessing it is to attend MLC.

HVLHS: Sep 28 Nick Schmoller ILHS: Oct 6 Nick Schmoller KMLHS: Sep 13-14 Dan Gawrisch, Ross Stelljes LLHS: Oct 4-5 Lori, Nick, Dan LPS: Sep 14-15, Oct 12-14 Nick, Ross, Dan, Lori Manitowoc LHS: Sep 21-22 Nick Schmoller Mich LHS: Oct 7 Nick Schmoller MLS: Sep 26-27, Nov 27-29 Lori, Nick MVLHS: Oct 7,12 Ross Stelljes, Lori Unke NELHS: Oct 23-24 Ross Stelljes Northland LHS: Sep 29 Dan Gawrisch RMLHS: Oct 18 Ross Stelljes SCLHS: Sep 27-28 Ross Stelljes, Dan Gawrisch SLHS: Sep 23 Dan Gawrisch West LHS: Sep 20 Nick Schmoller WLA: Sep 20-21 Ross Stelljes, Lori Unke WISCO: Oct 18-19 Nick, Lori, Dan

Ross Stelljes

Lori Unke

Nick Schmoller

When she knew: I knew MLC would be the place for me when I came for a Focus on Ministry. It showed me how great a place MLC was and how fun and friendly all the people are.

Watch the clock: The hardest thing for me to adjust to was time management. I had to balance school, homework, friends, family, work, sleep, and FUN. At first it was hard, but people assured me things would get easier, and guess what? They did!

She loves the Chapel of the Christ: I think it’s beautiful, but what I love more than the building is what happens inside. It’s such a comforting feeling knowing that when the chapel is packed, all the people are working toward the same goal as you, to bring others to know their Savior.

Friendship 101: I’ve made so many friends who I know will always be there for me, no matter what. I have a very small, close group of friends but also a large group I hang out with.

w w w . m l cSophomore, - w e l s . e dEarly u Childhood Ed / Elementary Ed

Soccer, Chorale, Piano, Intramural Volleyball

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Rachel (Great Plains LHS) Lindwurm3

in their own words

True: In the past six years, we know of two couples who met freshman year at Speed Dating—and clicked—and now are married. Just saying.

e i n r t O a tio C L M n MLC’s dorm staff—and President Zarling—did the heavy lifting for frosh and their parents. “I didn’t have to carry in a thing!” one first-year said.

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Justin 4 (Lakeside LHS) Eternick

in their own words

Time to cut the cord: The hardest adjustment to college life was living and figuring certain things out on my own instead of having that help from my parents.

He wants to teach: Early Field Experience was a great experience for me. It helped me realize this is definitely what I want to do someday. Eventually I’d like to teach history in the high school setting. I feel like I could really relate to that group of people.

Ain’t no livin’ like dorm livin’: I like how close you get to people in your dorm. You don’t really realize how much you look forward to just spending time in the dorm with your friends, either playing video games or just watching TV. If you’re not sure: In all honesty, just give it a try. I think you’d be surprised you aren’t the only ones who just aren’t sure about MLC. It can’t hurt, and many people I know weren’t so sure about it, and now they can’t imagine doing anything else.

Junior, Secondary Social Studies Ed Football, Basketball, Intramurals, Piano

n W eek end

Call it a mixer. Call it crazy fun.

Call it one of the best Friday nights of your life.

Plans can change: Up until November of my senior year, I planned on becoming a sports writer.

It sparked his interest: Leading my church youth group actually helped me decide that MLC was right for me. It sparked my interest in youth ministry. I’d love to be a family and youth counselor or a high school guidance counselor.

Best class: Bible History classes are by far my favorite. I love the opportunity to carry my Bible to class and study God’s Word daily in the classroom.

What he missed: The only thing I really missed (other than Mom’s cooking) was my dog. My cure for homesickness: get involved! The more time you spend playing intramurals, volunteering, etc., the less time you think about home. The dorm life at MLC creates a great substitute for a family.

w w w . m l cSophomore, - w e l s . e dStaff u Ministry / Secondary English Ed

Football, Track, Intramural Volleyball, Piano

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Stephen (Mariner HS—Florida) Pankow5

in their own words

By Pastor Nick Schmoller ’06 MLC Admissions Counselor

If you’re considering the pastoral ministry, you may be wondering: What happens after your four years at MLC? After hours of studying Greek and Hebrew, in addition to math, science, and writing, you don the black cap and gown and MLC medal at graduation. Now what?

Some things are different at the seminary.

Your first year is called junior year. (I know it’s confusing.) Your second is middler year, and then vicar year takes you away from campus to a congregation where you intern under a pastor and really experience public ministry. Finally, you come back to the campus for senior year.

The class schedule is different too. Classes run from 7:30 am to 12:30, with chapel— led by you and your classmates— midmorning. You have no free periods in the morning, but your afternoons and

evenings are always free so you can work and do your homework.

Most seminary students work almost 20 hours a week to help pay for school, but you can also count on financial aid. In fact, every year you’re there, more financial aid is available. All of my friends graduated from sem with less debt than they had when they enrolled four years earlier.

What’s special about seminary classes is, now that you’re done with math and science, and even with memorizing Greek and Hebrew vocabulary, you can devote all your time to reading and translating God’s Word and learning how to be a pastor.

Maybe the best part of seminary is spending time with other men training

to be pastors. All non-married students live in suite-style dorms where each has his own bedroom and shares a common living room with two friends. When you’re not hanging out in the dorm, you may be practicing Tuesday evenings with the Seminary Chorus or playing intramural basketball. (They even have a live draft before the season starts!) Spending all this time together helps you appreciate the different gifts God has given to your classmates—and maybe you learn a little from them too.

Combine this amazing atmosphere with the practical classroom experience, and your seminary career will be unforgettable. Wondering what happens after MLC? Don’t wonder any longer. The other school on the hill can’t be beat.

What’s That You’re Wearing?

This sea of red is the 2010-11 sophomore class at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, all wearing MLC Knights T-shirts as they sing for chapel at MLS. The students got their T-shirts during their annual visit to MLC, which, according to Pastor Andrew Naumann of MLS, helps “jump-start the idea of entering the public ministry for MLS students.” Photo submitted by Pastor Andrew Naumann, MLS

These 2011 preseminary graduates are starting their junior (first) year at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary: Matthew Mueller (LPS), Justin Otto (LPS), Benjamin Zuberbier (WLA), Adam Pilarski (Portland LHS-Portland OR), Matthew Rothe (LPS), Joshua Schultz (LPS), and Benjamin Schmudlach (LPS).

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Katrina (Arizona Lutheran Academy) Buchholz 6

in their own words

It’s a long way from Arizona to Minnesota: It was difficult when I realized, “Wow, I’m not going home for four months.” Once I got going though, my schedule was so busy, and all of a sudden, it was time to go home for Christmas!

Winter, anyone? One winter day I went snowshoeing, sledding, and ice skating all in one day! That’s something you don’t do much in Phoenix!

One of the best things she did her first year: Try out for Oklahoma! It was such a great experience and I met tons of new people. It was inspiring to see how many talents God has given some people, and how they are so humble, giving glory to God alone!

She admits it: Making friends was one of my biggest fears since I didn’t know many of my new classmates. My advice is to be outgoing, get involved, and before you know it you’ll have friendships that will last a lifetime!

Sophomore, Elementary M aEd r t/ Social i n L Studies u t h e Minor r C o ll e g e Drama, Organ, Piano, College Choir

SPORTS•SPORTS•SPORTS•SPORTS MLC Sports FAQ What intercollegiate sports does MLC have? Men’s and women’s cross country, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, and track & field; men’s football and baseball; women’s volleyball and softball.

What division and conference do the MLC Knights play in? NCAA Division III, Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC).

How far away are conference schools?

Bethany (Mankato MN) ½ hr St. Scholastica (Duluth MN) 4½ hr Crown (St. Bonifacius MN) 1½ hr Northland (Ashland WI) 5½ hr Northwestern (St. Paul MN) 2 hr Presentation (Aberdeen SD) 5 hr U of M, Morris (Morris MN) 3 hr

When are practices? Usually 4-6 pm.

Are there cuts? Some teams have cuts.

Some do not.

What are the coaches like? They are experienced men and women who are knowledgeable and competitive in their sport. They also keep winning and losing in perspective.

How competitive is MLC? MLC plays against some of the best DIII teams in the area and finishes in the top half of the UMAC in many sports every year.

What about homework? Coaches know that you’re a student first, an athlete second. Usually students in sports are better prepared for their classes, because they learn how to manage

Can I Come for Just a Year

going to the University of Michigan-Flint for physical therapy.

Amanda, why did you leave MLC? I decided to leave because I don’t believe teaching is the career for me. It was also very hard for me to be 12 hours away from my family in Michigan. I’m now

Any advice for high school students considering MLC? Even if you are unsure whether you want to be a WELS teacher, I’d say go for it. You don’t want to live your life wondering

Was coming to MLC a mistake, then?

No! I do not regret coming to MLC. It was a great experience! I met many new friends who are extraordinary people. I played on the basketball team, which gave me so many memories. I learned many things I can also take on to my future career, and of course the spiritual advances I made at school are awesome. It was so much fun being at MLC. I’m going to miss it.

Favorite class: Ecclesiastical Latin with Professor Fredrich. He made the class about so much more than just Latin, so I also learned a ton about church history and doctrine.

We call it Daylight USA: I went to College Station, Texas, with friends over Easter and passed out invitations to the church’s Easter in the Park service.

The church normally has around 50 members in church, but for that service we got over 300 people. It was amazing.

No better place: If you aren’t sure what you want to do, there is no better place to figure it out than at a school where you are surrounded by God’s Word. Come to MLC and give it a shot.

Sophomore, w w w . Preseminary m l c - w e l s Studies . e d u / Confessional Languages Minor Football, Basketball, Chorale, Intramural Volleyball and Softball

Can I play more than one sport?

Yes. MLC encourages the multi-sport athlete. When seasons overlap, the coaches and players involved will work out a plan to benefit both the athlete and teams.

If I’m in sports, can I be in anything else? Yes, you can be in choir, band, drama, and other organizations while playing sports.

It may be challenging at times, however, to meet the demands of various activities at the collegiate level.

or Two?

It may seem like a strange headline for a recruitment magazine, but Amanda Gardner, an MLS grad who spent two years at MLC and then transferred out, speaks to all of you who have questions like these: Should I give MLC a try even if I’m not sure? Can I go just for a year or two to get my “gen eds” (general education courses required at all colleges)? Can I transfer out easily? Will I be happy about attending MLC even if I end up leaving?

According to Amanda, the answers to the above are yes, yes, yes, and yes.

Dorm life: It’s even better than it was at MLS. There is more freedom and responsibility, plus there are even more great guys to get to know and mess around with.

their time. And it shows: Lots of MLC athletes make the Academic All-Conference team every season.

what could’ve happened if you’d given MLC a try. If you don’t like it and don’t think you want to be a teacher, it’s ok! You still have great friends and memories. You can serve the Lord in any career you choose.

Trust that the Lord will guide your ways.

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Amanda Gardner was a starter on the basketball team her two years at MLC.

Micah (Michigan Lutheran Seminary) Plocher 7

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Urban Ministry:

MLC Graduate Mark Gnewuch Is Making a Difference

When Mark Gnewuch ’06 was called in 2009 to teach second grade at Siloah, an urban school in Milwaukee, a longtime urban teacher told him, “Remember that you’re just spit in the ocean.” In other words, in an educational milieu sometimes marked by poverty, low achievement, and behavioral problems, he shouldn’t expect to make much difference in his students’ lives.

Mark understood that a mindset like that would let him off the hook in one sense. He wouldn’t have to work too hard or care too much. After all, he was only a bit of spit.

Although it would be easy to give in to that, Mark decided not to. He decided to oust cynicism and embrace positivity. He decided that he would set the bar high for the children in his classroom, some for whom the bar had been set very low, if at all.

He decided he was going to be the best teacher possible, searching for new techniques and procedures, looking outside the box—all the while loving each little soul.

Mark Gnewuch and his 2009-2010 second grade class at Siloah Lutheran School, Milwaukee. “I am confident that the urban setting is the most exciting setting for ministry,” he says, “and it shows no sign of slowing down!”

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Jessica Buller

12(St.

Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists—Minnesota)

in their own words

The campus just feels right: I had visited some other colleges, but they weren’t warm and friendly like MLC was. I love MLC’s campus! I love all of the big trees and the view of New Ulm on top of the hill. It is beautiful no matter what season it is, and it only takes five minutes to get to class.

Chapel: I am thankful for chapel at MLC because it gives you the opportunity to worship with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ every day. I also love Compline because it’s so peaceful. It’s the perfect way to end your Monday night!

Her faith has grown: None of my friends from St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists shared my faith. Being at SPCPA made me even more thankful to go to MLC because I am surrounded by encouraging and uplifting friends!

God has a plan, but if she had her way: I would love to have a class of preschoolers and teach piano lessons some day. It’s exciting to think that I might end up in a place I would have never expected!

Sophomore, Early Childhood Education a r t i n L u t h e r C o ll e g e Piano, Organ, Wind M Symphony

Paul ’s Wall

“I get to be the guy who believes in them,” he said. “I get to be the one who makes them thirsty to learn.”

From the Beyoncé Technique to phonics wall card chants to dramatic readings of Bible stories, Mark is being Christ to these children in every way he can: loving them, accepting them, expecting much, forgiving much—like any good teacher anywhere.

By Paul A. Hoversten, (Arizona Lutheran Academy)

“I stand in direct opposition to the one who says I’m just spit in the ocean. I know that, with God’s help, great teaching— and great teaching alone—will close the achievement gap,” he says. “If someone says, ‘Spit,’ I say, ‘Spit farther.’

I Will Teach You What to Say I’m writing to you from the airport, quite possibly the best peoplewatching venue one can find. There are few other places in the world that bring together people with such a range of emotions—the sad and the angry and the eager and the overwhelmed and the poor, terrified souls who know that humans weren’t meant to fly.

“And now I’m standing at the shoreline of that ocean,” he continues, “and I’m looking out, imagining all the possibilities for these kids. And all I want to do . . . is swim.”

I sit at my gate and observe those around me, and I realize I will never know any more about any of them than I do right now. So I hypothesize that the balding man who is speaking too loudly on his Bluetooth is a recent widower, but since he traveled so much for work he wasn’t home when his wife passed, and now he’s headed back for the funeral. I hypothesize that the 15-year-old girl with jet black hair is just learning English and is alone in the airport and doesn’t understand the signs or the announcements made at the gate.

But I come eventually, inevitably, to the conclusion that not one of these people will remember my face, and, more tragically, I won’t remember any of theirs. We will not say anything to each other. And not a single life will be affected by another.

Last year Mark and Beth Gnewuch (far left) were godparents as Marques (orange shirt) and Marquesha (polka-dot dress) were baptized.

Mark and Beth’s son, Judah (in Beth’s arms), asks every Sunday who they’ll see at church: “See Marques? See Marquesha? See Jesus?”

But don’t I want my life to affect another? Don’t I want to say something that will matter? Isn’t that the whole point?

Interested in urban ministry? You can request an urban school for your early field experiences (sophomore and junior year) and student teaching (senior year). Thanks to MLC’s partnership last year with the Center for Urban Teaching at Wisconsin Lutheran College, we were successful in finding places for all early field experience requests in Milwaukee’s central city.

This is ministry. We say things that matter. By the grace and calling of God, we affect lives.

“Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Exodus 4:11-12

Nine MLC graduates were assigned to urban schools this summer, and another was hired as an educational assistant.

One of the rare ones, he just knew: Ever since I was a little boy I knew I wanted to be a pastor. By fourth grade I found out about MLC and decided it was the place for me. I feel that pastoral ministry is where God wants me to use my talents, and MLC is one of the initial steps towards this ministry.

We’re open late: I quite enjoy the caf ’s late-night hours. It’s a great time to take a break from studying with other hungry friends.

He’s been practicing: I’ve done liturgy and the children’s sermon in my home church. It was a great experience to be in front of a church full of people and help lead them in worship. This experience was just a taste of what is to come, but it helps keep me focused on the goal.

Maybe someday: I’ve always been excited to preach on a regular basis. So I would like to be a parish pastor for at least one part of my life. Teaching Religion and Latin class at a high school level also looks like a lot of fun.

Studies / Latin Minor w w w . m l Sophomore, c - w e l s . e dPreseminary u Tennis, Jesus Cares

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Tom (Fox Valley LHS) Gorzalski13

in their own words

Fifth Annual Thalassa Prize Do you have an adventurous spirit? Like to travel, meet new people, try new things? More important, do you want to share the gospel with people who’ve never heard it before? Then MLC’s Daylight International is the program for you. Dozens of MLC students and graduates are serving around the world right now through Daylight International—and you can join them one day!

The 2011 Thalassa winner and two runners-up on this spread give us a glimpse into the ministries of a few D/MLC graduates who served God abroad. Might you be submitting an entry to the Thalassa contest in a few years—from Southeast Asia, Mexico, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, or some other country? We hope so!

2011 Grand Prize Winner I was visiting a small village and I stumbled across a small child. . . . I could tell that he was afraid of something, or possibly someone. His face told me that. I could only imagine what had happened at home. Maybe he did something wrong and was afraid of his father’s anger. . . . That used to be me and every believer before the Holy Spirit called us out of darkness.

We used to hide from our Heavenly Father, thinking that we could bear the grief and shame on our own. He doesn’t know. He doesn’t know that someone else was punished for his wrongdoing. He doesn’t know that his Father loves him, and he is welcomed home by arms that have held children before, by arms that have hung on a cross. But I get to share it with children like him . . . I get to tell them, “Don’t be afraid. Let’s go home.”

Since August 2009, Amber Schlomer has taught college-level science and English Bible studies in Southeast Asia. The $1000 Thalassa prize was divided between Amber and the mission of her choice in Southeast Asia.

re

Rebecca 14Engelbrecht (Shoreland LHS)

in their own words

“Don’t Be Afraid”

By Amber Schlomer ’05 — Southeast Asia

No way, Mom: When I was little, I told my mother I was not ever going to be a teacher. But when I got to high school, I saw how the teachers enjoyed what they were doing and I decided to try teaching out. So far so good!

Playing volleyball at MLC is awesome: I love sports, and stepping it up in college is really fun. It also helps create friendships. It’s a little intimidating at first to meet the upperclassmen, but then I figured out that they’re people like me, and it was great to create those friendships.

Old but always new: The classes that help you dig deeper in the Bible help you to realize new things about your God all the time. And it’s a comfort to be able to talk with anyone around you about your faith and know they will listen.

Start here: MLC is a fun place to start out, even if you don’t finish here.

You can come and make many friends and grow in your faith, and then you can always transfer if you don’t want to be a pastor or teacher.

Elementary Ed / Math Minor M aChorale r t i n L u t h e r C o ll e g e Volleyball, Intramurals,

2011 Runner-Up

“The Gap”

By Chris J. Pluger ’97 — Zambia A woman stands at the shore of the Zambezi River, looking across toward a country that is impossible for her to reach. At one time, all of us—theologically speaking—stood face to face with a similar, uncrossable gap. Our sins and our sinful nature separated us from a holy God. We had no way across the gap on our own. . . . But in an amazing display of his amazing grace, God crossed the gap and came to our side of the river. Jesus Christ took on human flesh and became one of us. . . . My family and I are moving to Zambia to live among the Nsenga people—a tribe of almost two million without a Bible. With God’s help, we will use our gifts to help them translate the Bible into the language of their hearts. We can’t get this woman across the river, nor can we bridge the theological gap between her and God. Only the Holy Spirit, working through the Word, can do that. But together we can help bridge the language gap that exists so that she can hear and learn God’s Word in the language of her heart. . . .”

Chris Pluger began fulltime service in Petauke, Eastern Province Zambia, the summer of 2011, living with the Nsenga people, learning their language, and helping them translate the Bible into their mother tongue.

2011 Runner-Up

“In the Right Place at the Right Time—and Ready”

By Paul Kelm ’86 — Czech Republic . . . One particular day a loud “crack” startled us. We noticed that one of the carriages which bears tourists through Prague’s downtown had just lost a wheel. . . . Wildly the horses galloped down the cobbled street, sparks flying from the undercarriage.

I took nearly one hundred photographs of the ensuing mayhem.

One of them ran in the local newspaper the next day. . . .Without venturing out, I never would have witnessed that event. It is our responsibility to go out into the world to share God’s Word with others. Being in the right place is important, but being ready is imperative. We need to be ready to share God’s Word when he presents us with opportunities. . . .

Paul Kelm taught at Martin Luther School and led the English Conversation Club and English Bible class in Plzen, Czech Republic, from 1994 to 2006.

Why teaching? I wanted to go into a field where every day something new could happen. With kids, anything and everything goes, which makes life more exciting and gives you something to look forward to each and every day.

Smaller can be better: You become a family with your friends because MLC isn’t one of those huge campuses that has 50 million kids. It creates an atmosphere that lets everyone express themselves the way they want to.

MLC is much more . . . than just a tiny college in a tiny town where you go to be a teacher in a small school. It’s a place of potential for all kinds of different people.

Give it a try!

We’re all about the Word here: Whether you are in sports or in drama or just sitting in your classes, the Word of God is living and active in the school. It presents itself through the professors and the way they teach. It’s rare to find such a place as this. My faith could not have found a better place to be strengthened.

Education / Math Minor w w w . m l c - w e l s . Elementary edu

Intramurals, Piano, Men’s Choir

rk

Ryan (West LHS) Klatt15

in their own words

Focus on Ministry

48 Hours that Can Help You Decide Statistics say that for most college-bound seniors, the campus visit is the #1 factor in their college decision. High school students who’ve attended MLC Focus on Ministry often say the same.

That’s because “Focus” is much more than a campus visit. It’s a chance to eat, drink, think, breathe, talk, and pray ministry—while meeting college students, sampling classes, listening to profs, and getting the general feel of the campus and the daily life at MLC.

Focus on Ministry dates for 2011-12 are October 9-11, November 3-5, February 2-4, and March 22-24. Check with your guidance counselor to see when your school group is making the trip. And here’s what you can expect when you get here: Thursday Arrive late afternoon • Tour campus • Eat in caf • Worship at chapel • Hear from pastor or teacher about their ministry and their decision to enter the ministry • Enjoy speed dating and other fun • Sleep in dorm

Friday Visit classes and/or Early Childhood Center • Talk to profs, coaches, and directors • Worship at chapel • Eat in caf • Get straight talk from students about college life • Hear about Early Ministry Opportunities • Swim at Vogel • Enjoy the musical, play, or game • Mix it up with friends old and new • Head back to dorm Saturday Enjoy a football, soccer, or basketball game • Head back home with lots of new things to think about!

The LPS juniors visited MLC in November 2010.

Other Visit Opportunities You can also make an anytime personal visit or join us for a Family Open House: • October 22 (Soccer, Football) • December 3 (Readers’ Theater, Christmas Concert) • February 4 (Winter Carnival, Basketball) • April 28 (Children’s Theater) Please call ahead to let us know when you’d like to come: 507.354.8221.