On May 16, 166 students graduated from Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn. MLC’s mission is to train men and women to meet the public ministry needs of WELS.
Forty-three of the 2026 graduates completed a bachelor of arts degree or seminary certification. Of those, 42 men plan to continue on to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., to train as pastors. Thirty received master’s degrees, further continuing their education as they serve in their various vocations. The remainder completed other programs, including training to be teachers, staff ministers, and parish music directors in congregations.
Also in May, 100 candidates, from the 2026 graduating class and from years prior, accepted assignments into full-time ministry as teachers or staff ministers; of those, 17 were reassigned to their current service.
“It’s such a wonderful thing to see the Lord of the church providing workers for his harvest field as he promised,” says Charles Vannieuwenhoven, administrator of the Board for Ministerial Education. “We are thankful to God for these members who are so willing to say, ‘Here am I, send me!’ We pray for God’s blessings on the work they will do in his name.”
Watch a wrap-up video and livestreams of the services plus view the assignment list.
