Admissions News - July 2011

Master of Arts grads take sense of calling, community with them

Kendall Jeske focuses his call on the future of the church

From depression to substance abuse to an overwhelming pressure to succeed, teenagers today face a wealth of problems. Kendall Jeske, a 2011 graduate with an M.A. in Children, Youth and Family Ministry, is making it his mission to work with teens in a church setting.

Jeske was recently named director of youth and family ministries at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minn. He will be working with 7th-12th grade youth and their families to wrestle with issues of faith, faith formation and what it means to live a Christian life according to Lutheran sacramental promises.

"I'll be learning, questioning and serving alongside these young people, their families and the greater community at Mount Olivet," Jeske said.

Jeske spent the year after his college graduation as a cook in an Asian fusion restaurant and as a volunteer with the middle and high school youth groups from his home church. He said he thought about attending culinary school, but ultimately chose to go to Luther because it allowed the greatest flexibility for all his passions to mix and mingle.

"My passions for food and hospitality can and do still play a large role in my calling as a youth worker. This is the best of both worlds," Jeske said.

Denise Meyer takes Luther's community of faith with her

Of all the things Denise Meyer had the opportunity to participate in while an M.A. student at Luther Seminary, there's one thing she'll miss the most--the community of faith.

"Luther helped me identify what being in community really means. I am confident that I will have the ability to develop this same feeling of community in my future call in the church," Meyer said.
Meyer is still unsure where she is being called, but believes her role in the future will include helping and empowering women.

"It has been important in my journey to make sure women know that their lives matter to God and others," she said.

During her time at Luther, Meyer said she loved the biblical study and the interaction between students and professors. She describes attending Luther as the "experience of a lifetime.

"God has a plan for my life and being part of the Luther community has given me the skills to serve God and be a blessing to others."