“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
–Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
It is always interesting to see where God calls our students to serve and what shape those calls take after students leave the seminary. Many serve as pastors in congregations. Increasingly we are seeing our newly trained leaders heading into ministries that are less traditional. They are stretching the horizons of traditional service and sharing God’s love in unexpected ways and places. Our students are pursuing opportunities all over the world. This demonstrates the importance of preparing students to stretch their boundaries to witness anew in God’s world.
In this issue of Story magazine, you will read about some fascinating ways that alumni and students are stretching their own horizons and making a difference both in the communities they serve and in the larger church and world.
In the following pages, you’ll read about:
- A current student who runs a prison ministry that allows inmates to help others
- Grads who give back above and beyond their calls through mentoring and stewardship
- Alums who reach people where they are and in a number of compelling ways
I hope you will be as inspired as I am by the many ways these people are sharing the gospel. I am also delighted to learn of our graduates stretching their horizons in a global arena.
As you may know, I serve on the Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). This past June, I had the opportunity to travel to Medan, Indonesia, for the LWF Council meeting. I was thrilled to meet bishops, pastors, teachers and other leaders who received their education at Luther Seminary. The stories they told me about the ways they are sharing the gospel in many different countries were both heartening and stirring. God is working through them in amazing ways.
It reinforces the importance of seminaries equipping students to stretch their horizons for a wide variety of possible ministries. Our students and alums are addressing changing needs with a strong awareness, understanding and set of experiences that reflect the world we live in.
We hope you enjoy this issue of Story. Please continue to pray for Luther Seminary and the leaders we educate.
Robin Steinke
President