Reduce student debt
Student debt is one of the greatest barriers for future pastors and church leaders. The Jubilee Scholarship addresses this problem by covering tuition costs for all newly admitted Master of Arts and Master of Divinity students at Luther Seminary.
The challenge
Times have changed. Pastors, deacons, and youth directors need to be agile—creative, innovative, and responsive to the needs of the church and the world.
Our bold response
Thanks to thousands of generous donors each year, 100% of Master of Arts and Master of Divinity students have their tuition paid at Luther Seminary.
Debt-free pastors can focus their time and full attention on ministry wherever they are called to serve. That’s the kind of dedicated Christian leadership you want for your church and churches around the country.
Find out more about the Jubilee Scholarship by reading the FAQ
Donor Stories
- Read about Paul and Ruth Hauge’s support of educating leaders at Luther Seminary×
Paul and Ruth Hauge
Paul and Ruth Hauge care deeply about good pastoring. They have long been blessed by skilled and compassionate pastors in their home congregation. They watched their urban congregation double in size over the years, clearly thriving. “[Our visionary pastor] had a great deal of help with the other pastors, and I think the congregation really stepped up too,” said Paul.
They watch for young congregational members who might have the gifts and instincts for pastoral ministry and they encourage them, for the sake of the church’s future. Ruth said, “There’s a young adult at church that I’ve been talking with. I’ve been telling him he needs to become a pastor, and I think he is thinking about it.” They understand how important good leadership is, and that it doesn’t just happen!
The Hauges not only encourage future leaders, they have long supported Luther Seminary, where many of the church’s future leaders are formed. They grew up in families that talked about the importance of seminaries for the health of the church and took that to heart and to their finances.
They are impressed with Luther Seminary’s leadership, even more so after witnessing Luther’s nimble response to the pandemic. They celebrate that students continue to make their way through the degree process and move on to serve faith communities for years to come. They are grateful to have the opportunity to give to this mission. It’s God’s call to them, and they are following!
- Read about Marge Hegge’s decision to establish the Rev. Irvin Junis Lovseth and Harriet Lovseth Scholarship×
Margaret 'Marge' Hegge
Luther Seminary has been a part of Margaret “Marge” Hegge’s life since the year she was born, when her father used the G.I. Bill to enroll. In 2012, the family created a named scholarship in honor of their parents: the Rev. Irvin Junis Lovseth and Harriet Lovseth Scholarship, which funds a student’s tuition every year.
“I remember [my father] talking about how profound his teachers were, and I’ve felt called to be part of this place to honor him and support the evolution of our denomination,” says Marge, who is chair of the Luther Seminary Board of Directors.
In addition to establishing the named scholarship with family members, Marge is a vocal champion of the Jubilee Scholarship, calling it “a top priority in my personal and professional life.” It’s important to her to remove the financial barriers that prevent people from pursuing a calling in ministry.
Marge is enthusiastic about the innovative spirit of the seminary’s leadership, despite the risks involved in tackling things that have never been done before. “They have moved faithfully ahead to where the Spirit is leading, and that is powerful,” she says.