Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

Please drop off donations at the MLC reception desk no later than February 1. Or mail them to 1995 Luther Court, New Ulm MN 56073.

The 2024 spring semester starts today. So what’s been happening on campus for the last two weeks? MLC’s first January Term!

J-Term is a 2.5-week term between semesters that provides opportunities for concentrated learning.

For the first-year education and staff ministry majors, it was an opportunity to complete their Early Field Experience I here on campus. Many education majors also returned to campus to complete their clinical experiences in local public schools. Other students returned to campus for different curricular and cocurricular offerings, including Greek classes, athletic practices, and winter play rehearsals.

Many sophomore and junior education majors used J-Term to connect with a WELS school to complete additional Early Field Experience requirements.

J-Term also gave first-year preseminary majors the opportunity to dive into Early Ministry Experience I in locations all over WELS. This year, 27 first-years spent J-Term completing EME I, which immersed them in the work of a congregation, provided instruction in ministry skills, and motivated them as they continue their ministry training.

Pictured: Leah Domke (Memorial-Williamston MI) builds relationships with students during EFE II at Immanuel LES-Salem OR.

MLC welcomes Michelle Markgraf as the new director of Alumni Relations!

Michelle graduated from DMLC in 1990 and has served as a called teacher. She completed her MBA, which led her to employment as the operations manager and executive director of a variety of businesses.

We are blessed to have her join the MLC campus family and welcome the knowledge and experience she brings.

Professor Samuel Hunter (MLC ’06) serves MLC as a professor of physical education and the strength and conditioning coach for MLC athletics. Professor Hunter grew up in New Ulm, as his father, Professor Emeritus Thomas Hunter, served D/MLC from 1991 to 2021.

The impact of his father’s work is unmistakable. “From childhood, I admired my dad and his work at MLC, especially watching him coach football,” says Professor Hunter. “I would race home from school every day just to be in time for helping set up drills on the practice field. As a young boy, it was the most important part of my day. Little did I know that God was shaping me through those experiences.”

Seeing his father’s work as a servant-leader inspired Professor Hunter to pursue the public ministry as well. He graduated in 2006 and then went on to earn an MS in Educational Leadership and an ME in Physical Education, as well as certifications from USA Weightlifting and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He utilizes that training at MLC in the physical education courses he teaches and in his role as chair of the Wellness Committee.

While Professor Hunter’s gifts are well-used at MLC, his favorite part of preparing future called workers for public ministry is envisioning MLC students in classrooms and congregations across all corners of the world. “There is incredible talent rooted within servant hearts on MLC's campus,” he says. “It’s exciting to imagine how God will use these students in his kingdom. I find it humbling to have the opportunity to utilize my experiences to help foster growth as students prepare for their divine calls in the public ministry.”

While many students completed ministry field experiences during J-Term, a few students began a different type of field experience: study abroad.

MLC's Cultural Engagement Center offers a variety of short- and long-term study abroad opportunities, and this semester, five MLC students are living and studying in Galway, London, and Madrid.

According to the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES), studying abroad positively influences participants’ worldview and self-confidence. MLC students document that positive influence, including the ups and downs along the way, in the study abroad blog.

Read some examples of their blogs here.