November 11, 2024

Editor: Haley Wels

Evangelism Day: United in Mission

Ministry looks different, depending on many factors: time, place, community, and culture. MLC’s annual Evangelism Day shows students what the future might look like for them by bringing individuals from varied ministries to MLC to share their experiences.


It’s fitting then that “United in Mission” was the theme for this year’s Evangelism Day. Pastor Jon Schroeder MLC ’95, WLS ’99 from Faith-Sharpsburg GA shared his keynote address, “Developing a Harvest Strategy,” and the presentation topics ranged from starting a church from nothing to ministry among Mormons to teaching apologetics to middle school students.


At the heart of these presentations was a powerful reminder of the calling shared by everyone at MLC, in the public ministry, and in the Christian church—to work together in proclaiming Christ’s message of salvation.


Pictured: Pastor Paul Spaude MLC ’13, WLS ’17 from St. Matthew-Niles IL presents on retooling existing ministries for outreach.

New Face on Campus: MacKenzie Holzbauer

Admissions Counselor MacKenzie (Lynch) Holzbauer grew to love MLC during her time on campus as a student, making it easy for her to encourage others to consider training for ministry.


“I find it very easy to talk to students about how awesome MLC is and what a privilege it is to learn and grow here,” she says. “I have a deep passion for ministry and serving others, and I enjoy getting to show that to the students I recruit.”


Professor Holzbauer grew up in Fond du Lac WI and graduated from Winnebago Lutheran Academy in 2019. At MLC, she majored in elementary education and physical education with a coaching minor, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2024. Professor Holzbauer was assigned to serve as an admissions counselor at MLC, and she’s utilizing her athletics knowledge and experience in her role, aiding MLC coaches with athletic recruitment.


In her role, Professor Holzbauer also travels to eight WELS high schools across the country, gives presentations to classes, and meets with students. “I love meeting with high schoolers and talking about their plans for college,” she says. “I can see the gifts God has given them, and I encourage them to align those gifts with serving in the public ministry.”


Meeting with those students is the best part of Professor Holzbauer’s ministry in admissions. “I love celebrating students’ successes with them,” she says, “and helping students to see how their gifts correspond with a life of service in the public ministry.”

Check Out MLC in the Rankings

Martin Luther College has been ranked #1 in America by the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse for “Top 10 Preparation for a Career.” We surpassed all 500 colleges that made the ranking.


Martin Luther College has been ranked the #1 Best College for Education in Minnesota and the 22nd Best College for Education in America by Niche.com. In the national list, we run behind Duke and Brown, as examples, but we outperform NYU and many, many others who didn't even make the list.


Martin Luther College has been awarded 4.5 stars on Moneys 2024 list of Best Colleges. The scale tops out at 5 stars, which was only achieved by 54 colleges in the country. We nabbed a 4.5, the next attainable rating.

Fall College Choir Tour

The MLC College Choir’s fall tour in Minnesota and Wisconsin featured four concerts and two worship services under the theme “God Is Our Refuge and Strength.”


Throughout the tour, the choir was joined in song by groups from their hosts—the adult choir at St. Paul-Tomah WI, members at Grace-Oshkosh WI, and the Croixaliers at St. Croix Lutheran Academy.


The MLC College Choir sang for students, faculty, and staff during chapel at St. Croix. Preseminary senior Ryan Boggs (St. Luke-Watertown WI) preached the sermon, reflecting on Psalm 46:1-3 as he shared this message: “We can sprint with certainty to the one who has promised to take care of us.”


After chapel, the choir members gave the St. Croix students the chance to win prizes by answering MLC trivia questions!


View photos and videos from the tour.


Pictured: The MLC College Choir praises God with the Croixaliers during chapel.

MLC Sweeps Football Player of the Week

After an exciting 46-14 victory over the Westminster Blue Jays, three Knights were named the UMAC Football Players of the Week, sweeping the football honors for the week of October 21-27. Andrew Esmay (Trinity-Temple TX), Thomas Koelpin (Foundation-Folsom CA), and Micah Koschnitzke (Grace-Milwaukee) each had standout performances during the game against Westminster.


Andrew earned the Player of the Week honor for the second time this season after he recorded three tackles, two forced fumbles and sacks, which included a 51-yard fumble recovery for touchdown in the second half. Andrew currently leads all of Division III in total sacks and forced fumbles.


Thomas finished his day at wide receiver with six receptions, 164 yards, and two touchdown grabs. He had over 150 receiving yards for the second consecutive week.


Micah made two field goals and was 4-4 on extra point attempts. The kicker moved up to second in MLC career field goals after Saturday’s game and also had an interception on defense in the second half.


Pictured: Andrew Esmay, Thomas Koelpin, Micah Koschnitzke

Fall Fest Fun

On the Sunday before the first snow(!), the MLC Student Senate hosted Fall Fest, inviting students, faculty, staff, and their families to celebrate all things fall.


With beautiful weather, a coffee bar, pumpkin decorating, yard games, and even a fun Reformation photo op (pictured), the event brought the campus family together to relax and enjoy the season.


See pictures from the event!

Fall MLC InFocus

The newest issue of our MLC InFocus magazine is out!


Learn more about our students’ ministry mentors, how Competency-Based Education is opening new pathways to ministry, and how MLC students used the summer to serve.


Read online.

Christmas at MLC

MLC Forum Presents ...

Call Updates

Calls Extended:

  • MLC called Bethany (Waldschmidt) Gerbing (Peace-Hartford WI) to serve as lead teacher in the toddler room at MLCs Early Childhood Learning Center.


Calls Received:

  • Professor Jennifer Mehlberg (early childhood ed) received a call to the WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools to serve as national coordinator of Early Childhood Ministries.
  • Dr. Kari Muente (social studies) received a call to serve as director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment for Fox Valley Lutheran Schools.
  • Ms. Catherine St. John (teacher at ECLC) received a call to serve as early childhood education director at Bethlehem-Carmel IN.


Contact us today:

507.354.8221



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