It’s October 31, 1517.

Martin Luther strides to the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. In one hand, he clutches a paper listing 95 theses interrogating the Catholic Church’s sale of indulgences. Luther nails the paper to the door—an act that would come to symbolize the beginning of the Protestant Reformation in Europe.

It’s a powerful moment to picture in your mind, but doing so from home or a classroom limits it to just that: a concept without context.

Now imagine walking up to the doors of the Castle Church, placing your hand on the exact spot Luther’s nail struck, and contemplating everything that sprang forth in the months and years that followed.

“That’s when it all comes to life,” says Mark Tranvik ’92 Th.D., professor of Reformation history and theology. “It’s not just learning. It’s experiencing history firsthand.”

Luther Seminary’s commitment to global learning is more than just an academic pursuit. It’s a journey of transformation: students go out into the world and come back changed. Through global travel courses and international internships, students are given the opportunity to see the world through new eyes, to walk in the footsteps of historical figures, and to build relationships with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

These experiences not only enhance their theological education but also prepare them to be compassionate, culturally competent leaders in the church and the world.

“It was remarkable,” says Christopher Beaver ’26 M.Div., who traveled to Germany earlier this year to experience the legacy of the Lutheran tradition in historic places, including Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Eisleben, Eisenach, Leipzig, and Weimar. “Taking time out of the regular routine to experience another culture is a transformative experience.”

Connecting history to the present

Luther faculty members have also recently offered international courses destined for Germany, Turkey, Guatemala, and Mexico.

Rachel Wyffels ’26 M.Div., who participated in Tranvik’s Germany course in May 2024, reflects on the ways in which visiting Wittenberg helped her to understand the magnitude of the Reformation.

“Being in Wittenberg, I finally got a sense of how a small town could become the center of such a monumental movement. It was surreal to think about Luther walking those same streets, grappling with the same issues we study today,” Wyffels says.

The trip also gave her a deeper appreciation of the cultural differences in preaching styles.

“In Germany, preaching tends to avoid emotional appeal because of its historical misuse during the Nazi era. It made me realize how much history influences our practices—even in the church,” she adds.

Jamie Richards ’23 M.A., who focused on the life and legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer through coursework in Berlin with Professor Andy Root, found the experience deeply moving.

“It’s one thing to read about World War II and the Holocaust, but to see the remnants of that history with your own eyes—the Berlin Wall, bombed churches, bullet holes still visible in the stone walls—it’s an entirely different experience,” Richards says. “Walking where Bonhoeffer walked, standing in the room where he wrote, made his story come alive in a way that it never could have from a book or a lecture.”

The seminary’s global travel courses don’t ignore the more painful aspects of Christian history. In fact, they confront them head-on. Tranvik emphasizes the importance of grappling with the full spectrum of Martin Luther’s legacy, including his problematic views on Judaism.

“When students visit sites tied to anti-Semitism and the Nazi period, they’re forced to reckon with the complexities of Luther’s legacy. It’s challenging, but it’s a crucial part of understanding our history and what it means for us today,” he says.

Transcending Barriers

For decades, Luther students have taken part in internships around the world through the ELCA’s Horizon International Internship program. While study abroad courses offer short-term experiences, the seminary’s partnership with the Horizon program gives students access to a new level of immersion through year-long international internship placements. These internships provide students with the opportunity to live and work in a new cultural setting and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to minister as part of a global church. Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malaysia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Slovakia, and Chile are among the site options available for 2024–25.

It was a beautiful example of how faith can transcend language barriers.—Sophie Warnberg ’26 M.Div.

The Horizon program is a vital part of preparing leaders for the global church, says Kevin Jacobson ’90 M.Div., director for global personnel at the ELCA.

“The Horizon internship program is one way we help students understand what it means to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ in today’s global context,” he says. “It’s about learning to live and work in community with people from different cultures and backgrounds. And that’s something you can’t fully grasp until you’ve experienced it yourself.”

Sophie Warnberg ’26 M.Div., who spent her internship in Novi Sad, Serbia, through the Horizon Program, describes her experience as both challenging and rewarding.

“I didn’t fully comprehend what I was getting into when I arrived. The congregation spoke Slovak, but the community spoke Serbian, so I was navigating multiple language barriers every day,” Warnberg recalls. “But the congregation welcomed me with open arms. They were patient, kind, and always willing to teach me, even if that meant using hand gestures and Google Translate to communicate.”

Despite the challenges, Warnberg found the experience to be incredibly enriching, particularly in the relationships she formed. She joined a traditional Slovak choir and went on a concert tour in the Czech Republic, deepening her connections with the community.

“One of the highlights of my internship was leading Bible studies with the altar guild, a group of elderly women. They didn’t speak English, and my Slovak was limited, but we found ways to connect and learn together. It was a beautiful example of how faith can transcend language barriers,” she shares.

“By the end of my internship, I felt like I had become part of their family,” Warnberg says. “Saying goodbye was hard, but it was also a reminder of how much these relationships had meant to me.”

On the other side of the world, Justin Mauney ’24 M.Div. served his Horizon internship at Luther House Chapel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“The internship was everything I hoped for and more. It was challenging, but the congregation was incredibly welcoming. They made my wife and me feel at home from the moment we arrived, and that made all the difference,” Mauney recalls.

His time in Malaysia also gave him a new perspective on interfaith dialogue.

“I had the opportunity to visit various religious sites and engage with people from different faith traditions,” he says. “It opened my eyes to the ways in which different religions strive to better their communities, and it gave me a deeper appreciation for the diversity of faith practices around the world.”

Global learning, local ministry

The true impact of global learning becomes evident when students return home and begin to integrate their lived experiences into their ministries. These experiences often challenge preconceived notions and encourage students to approach ministry with a broader, more inclusive perspective.

Warnberg reflects on how her time in Serbia has influenced her approach to ministry in the United States.

“In Eastern Europe, people don’t plan things far in advance. You learn to be flexible and to show up consistently, even when you don’t know what to expect,” she says. “That’s a lesson I’ve carried with me into my ministry back home. It’s taught me the importance of being adaptable and responsive, and that’s something I think every minister can benefit from.”

The Guatemala and Mexico travel course, led by Professor Guillermo Hansen, has had a profound impact on students, particularly in their understanding of ministry in the Global South. Hansen emphasizes the importance of understanding the socioeconomic conditions in these regions, as well as the role of the Lutheran church in addressing issues like immigration and Indigenous rights.

“Experiencing another way of life, even briefly, can be almost upsetting. But it’s a necessary part of the

learning process. It helps students contextualize their own challenges and understand the interconnectedness of our global community,” he says.

Academic Affairs Senior Manager Jody Nyenhuis, who has participated in several travel courses in Turkey, believes these experiences plant a deeper sense of hope and connection in students.

“When you develop relationships with people from different parts of the world, you realize that—despite our differences—we all share the same faith and trust in God,” she says. “That understanding changes how you approach ministry and life. It gives you a broader perspective and a deeper appreciation for the global church.”

For Mauney, the lessons he learned in Malaysia continue to shape his ministry in North Carolina.

“One of the most important things I learned during my internship was the value of hospitality. In Malaysia,

hospitality isn’t just a practice. It’s a way of life,” Mauney says. “It’s something I’ve tried to bring into my own ministry—creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and loved.”

Lasting impact

Studying abroad at Luther often creates a ripple effect in students’ lives, extending far beyond the duration of courses and internships. For many, international experiences are life-changing, shaping not only their approach to ministry but also their understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

Warnberg’s time in Serbia, for example, helped her realize the importance of accompaniment in ministry, and Richards’s time in Berlin deepened her understanding of faith and resilience.

“Seeing the remnants of the Nazi era, walking through concentration camps, and standing in the places where history was made gave me a new perspective on the power of faith in the face of adversity,” Richards says. “It’s something I think about often in my ministry, especially when facing challenges. It’s a reminder that faith can sustain us—even in the darkest of times.”

Sometimes the connections made abroad are just as impactful as the experiences within them. Many students say they have stayed in touch with those they met, continuing to build relationships and share updates even after the internship or course has ended. It’s a testament to the power of global learning to foster a sense of communion that transcends place, time, and nationality.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the need for leaders who can navigate diverse cultural contexts and build bridges across differences is more important than ever. Luther Seminary’s study abroad courses and international internships provide a vital platform for developing such leaders, ensuring that they are equipped to meet the challenges of ministry in a globalized world.

In the words of Warnberg, who now calls several places home, “These experiences have taught me that ministry is about walking alongside others, no matter where they are from, and learning together. That’s a lesson I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”