December 8, 2025

FEBRUARY 9, 2026

After a semester in the classroom, first-year students are eager to get their first taste of public ministry in Early Field Experience I.

Over J-Term, education and staff ministry students worked with their professors to prepare and teach lessons, first for their peers and then for groups of students from St. Paul LS-New Ulm MN.

Ruth Dorn (pictured, Emanuel-New London WI) taught an eighth-grade science lesson. It brought her a lot of joy — and clarity about her future in ministry too!

“I am excited about the future, where I get to do this for a living and connect with students,” said Ruth. “There is still so much for me to learn here at MLC, and this makes me excited to continue learning in the classroom.”

See pictures from EFE I in our photo gallery!

We’re excited to share that Martin Luther College has selected Fresh Ideas as its new dining services partner.

Rooted in shared values and a commitment to student success, this partnership brings a collaborative vision for an engaging, student-centered dining experience. Students can look forward to fresh dining concepts, dynamic menus, updated spaces, and a new dining app — all designed to build community and support campus life.

Together, Martin Luther College and Fresh Ideas look forward to nourishing both body and mind while creating meaningful connections around the table.

Visit freshideas.moe/mlcdining to view menus, dining hours, information on catering, meal plans, the FreshX app, and more.

Jordan Otto (St. John-St. Paul MN), Evan Otto (St. John-St. Paul MN), and Temo Ramirez (Zion-South Milwaukee WI) traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico, over J-Term.

In conjunction with MLC’s Daylight program, the team spent a week visiting sugarcane workers’ camps, leading VBS lessons and activities, and interacting with children in the community, an impoverished area where the residents live in small makeshift shelters. They also brought clothing donations and helped lead a worship service.

Teams often lead VBS on Daylight trips. What made this trip unique was that the team was able to use their Spanish language skills to share the gospel and be part of the ministry in Cuernavaca.

“I loved working with the other people involved in the VBS,” said Jordan. “It was a blessing to see a group of Christians who have a passion for sharing the gospel. Even though we live in different countries, we have a Savior who unites us. It was also heartwarming to see how excited the kids were to see us and hear God’s Word from us.”

Last week was Winter Carnival! Students enjoyed a week packed with activities like karaoke, broomball, marshmallow sculptures, and more. Check out a few highlights below, and see even more in our photo gallery.

Students gathered in the dining hall to sing some of their favorites at karaoke night!

It wouldn’t be Winter Carnival without fun on the ice! Open-skate and a hockey game versus WLS are beloved traditions.

Students enjoyed pickleball — one of our most popular intramurals — with a special Winter Carnival twist!

Knights took the stage on Saturday, sharing their skills with the campus family in the Winter Carnival talent show.

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS) invites high school sophomore, junior, and senior guys to a two-day Focus on Ministry event. They will tour campus, visit classes, worship in chapel, stay in the dorms — and spend some time with the seminary students who can answer their questions about preparing to be a pastor.

The next Focus on Ministry is Sunday-Monday, February 22-23. Registration and details.

The MLC men’s basketball team defeated Bethany 77-73 on February 4 in a high-intensity game. With the win, the Knights complete a season sweep of the Vikings for the first time since the 2004-05 season! MLC edged out Bethany two weeks ago in New Ulm for its first win over its rival since 2015.

MLC almost earned a wire-to-wire win, leading for over 38 of the 40 minutes of game time.

The Knights shot over 62 percent in the first half to guide them to a double-digit lead. Bethany came out in the second half with a comeback and put some pressure on the Knights, tying the game 60-60 with just over seven minutes left on the clock.

MLC made it 75-70 with 49 seconds remaining, as Adam Loberger (Mount Olive-Appleton WI) connected on a step-back jumper over his defender. Luke Fix (St. John-Lannon WI) was aggressive and grabbed a critical offensive rebound off a missed free-throw attempt. Luke added a free throw afterward to keep the Vikings out. Pictured: Tom Balge (St. Paul-New Ulm MN) soars over his defender to lay it in.

Read more highlights at MLC athletics.

The winter issue of MLC InFocus is here!

Learn about our new brand, big-city and global ministries, and how we’re empowering Knights as they pursue gospel ministry.

And check out pictures of Knight life from the fall semester!

Read online

Join us in the MLC Auditorium February 27 - March 1 as we bring to life Murder on the Orient Express, “the most highly produced comedy mystery in the world.”

It's the winter of 1934, and a fierce storm halts the Orient Express dead in its tracks. When the passengers discover a guest murdered onboard, it falls to the brilliant Hercule Poirot to solve the case before time runs out.

This new adaptation by Ken Ludwig, one of the world’s premier playwrights, remains true to Christie’s beloved novel while staging a transporting tale featuring memorable characters, thrilling pacing, and an ending that leaves you wanting more.

Feb 27 - 7:30

Feb 28 - 7:30

Mar 1 - 2:00

Visit our website for ticketing information.

The MLC College Choir spring tour is scheduled for March 5-15, 2026.

We are eager to share God’s Word in song with churches and schools in Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, and we hope you can join us for a worship service or concert near you.

Visit our website for more information.

Worldwide MLC Day Is May 6!

On this special day, we invite all the friends of Martin Luther College to celebrate and support the Knights — the men and women training to become your pastors, teachers, and staff ministers!

Your gifts that day support the matching fund of the Congregational Partner Grant Program — an incredibly successful program that will contribute $1.9 million to student tuition accounts in 2025-2026.

We’re so thankful for your support, which is helping ensure the blessings of ministerial training this year and for generations to come.

Calls Extended:

• Rev. Brett Krause (Zion-Denver) received a call to MLC to serve as director of admissions and as an admissions counselor.
• Mrs. Holly Dannecker (Mt. Olive-Appleton WI) accepted a call to MLC to serve as a professor of special education.

Calls Received:

• ECLC Director Melissa Berg received a call to serve as a lower grade teacher at St. Paul LES-New Ulm MN.
• Professor Kathryn Gut (early childhood education) returned a call to serve as the director of early childhood education at Bethlehem-Germantown WI.