One of the distinctive features of the MLS Chapel are the varied flags that are displayed in the back of the chapel, 23 different flags to be exact. Those flags represent the home countries of MLS students through the years. While MLS is not an international school, it is fair to say that the Lord has blessed our campus with exceptional international students from a myriad of nations across the globe.
This edition of the Cardinal Connection will have a distinct international feel to it, and for good reason. The Valedictorian of the Class of 2024, Gabby Kim, is an international student from South Korea. The class of 2024 included 3 other international students: Mary Wang (MLC), Eleanor Xu (WLC) and David Wang (U of M). You will also read about 2 of those MLS alumni who will be enrolling at WLS this fall: Jerry Yang (China) and Peter Kim (Korea).
Humanly speaking, you could say that Dr. John Lawrenz is responsible for that. It was under his leadership that MLS began enrolling international students with the goal of encouraging them for ministry either in the United States or in their country of origin. Because of his vision, MLS continues to send more international students to Martin Luther College than any other high school in America. Included in this publication is the announcement of a newly endowed scholarship named after Dr. John C. Lawrenz, the 4th president of MLS. Your contributions to that scholarship are humbly requested.
SUBMIT ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Cathy Rothfuss, Mission Advancement car@mlsem.org [ FROM OUR PRESIDENT ]
When the Lord gave the command to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation, in his omniscience he knew that a little school in Saginaw, MI would play a small part in fulfilling that command. We are so thankful to have the opportunity to encourage all of our students for gospel ministry, especially those who have global origins.
CARDINAL CONNECTION SUMMER 2024
Chief Editor
Rev. Mark T. Luetzow
Graphic Design
Michael D. Priebe, MLS ‘94
www.mlsem.org
Cardinal Connection is published in winter and summer free of charge for MLS alumni and friends.
SUBMIT NEWS ITEMS TO: Michael Priebe, Public Relations mdp@mlsem.org
Peter Kim and Jerry Yang
SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT LAWRENZ
Remember your leaders, who spoke the Word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (Heb. 13:7)
Dr. John C. Lawrenz served as President of Michigan Lutheran Seminary from 1978 to 1993. Students remember Dr J as a dynamic teacher of Old Testament history. Many graduates can still construct a map of the Holy Land the way he taught them. Students who were paying attention were astounded to learn how each detail of the Old Testament pointed to Christ.
Faculty members remember Dr. J as the constant improver of facilities. The current layout of the school comes from the 1985 building project in which separate buildings were tied together. In the same year, land was purchased and developed for an MLS track and baseball diamond, now known as Cardinal Field. The continuing beauty and efficiency of the campus can be traced directly to wise decisions made in the Lawrenz years.
WELS mission fields remember President Lawrenz as someone who reached out to enroll international students of high school age to return to their countries strengthened by instruction in the Word and connection to lifelong Christian friends. Some growth in current WELS mission fields can be traced to seeds planted under his leadership.
Saginaw community leaders remember Dr. Lawrenz as someone who cared about good relations in the athletic conference and in the community. The campus of MLS remains a stable flagship in its area of Saginaw. The faculty and staff of MLS are active contributors to local WELS churches and to the whole community.
It is fitting and proper that the MLS Foundation is endowing a scholarship in honor of the 4th president of MLS, Dr. John C. Lawrenz. He cared about scholarship, about good fiscal planning, and about supporting students who would continue their studies for the ministry of the gospel at the college level. This scholarship will be awarded to the graduating MLS senior enrolling at MLC who best exemplifies a passion for people by demonstrating Dr J like qualities of innovation, initiative, creativity, and leadership.
The MLS Family is invited to contribute to the new Dr. John C. Lawrenz Presidential Scholarship by making a donation to the MLS Foundation at this link (https://app.donorview.com/pPMq) or by scanning the QR code. A $15,000 matching gift has been given to support this new scholarship.
Dr. John & Phoebe Lawrenz
Former MLS Presidents, Lawrenz, Prange & Petermann
Dr. John C. Lawrenz
Dr. John & Phoebe Lawrenz with their grandchildren in 2019.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
This edition of our Cardinal Connection features two MLS international Alumni, Peter Kim (South Korea) and Jerry Yang (China). Both graduated from MLC this May and will be attending Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in the Fall. They really are a testament to the global reach of the gospel and God’s work through Michigan Lutheran Seminary. We hope you enjoy this Alumni Spotlight.
JERRY YANG
For our Cardinal Connection readers, give us a brief introduction to yourself:
I am from Beijing,China. I am an only child. My dad worked as a business accountant for hotels while my mom is in an early childhood career. We are members of Beijing Evangelical Lutheran Church.
What made you decide to attend MLS?
Prof. Norv Kock was the international student recruiter, and I saw his presentation when he came to China in 2015. His recruitment video, which was a skit made by the student body of MLS, really lit a spark in me. Mike Luedtke also recommended MLS to me and my dad.
What surprised you about American education?
American schools treat extracurriculars much higher than Chinese schools, especially sports teams. At MLS, over 90 percent of the student body would participate in sports, band, cheer-leading teams, etc. Professors have lots of respect for the students, and students respect their professors not simply because they control their grades and future, but because they respect their teachings and character.
Every MLS international student is assigned a host family. Who was your host family and tell us how they helped make your high school years better?
The Pankows were my host family for my freshman year. They were a great family and brought great influences to my life. Mrs. Pankow always cooked Asian food and bought me nice presents for Christmas and my birthday. Every holiday Pastor Pankow would take us out to do activities such as tubing, shooting guns, and going to see Christmas lights. I built very close friendships with his sons and daughters.
The O'Briens were my second host family. They’ve been a family to me for 8 years even during college. Sully, their second oldest son, is like a brother to me. We roomed together, even traveled to China together. The O'Briens have been a great support to me, especially during the Covid months.
Learning the Biblical languages can be a challenge. How did you meet the challenge of doing that when it was not taught in your native language?
At the time I was really struggling with comprehending all the grammar and Biblical texts, and I wished I had studied Latin because its grammar is similar to Greek. But as time went by, I learned enough grammar and collected enough Greek and Hebrew vocabulary in my language bank, and could finally sight read the Bible in Greek and Hebrew in some chapters. That accomplishment really motivated me to study more.
What are your plans after graduating from WLS? Do you plan to stay in the US or are you hoping to serve in your home country?
I would prefer to stay in the U.S. because Chinese policy toward Christianity has been getting more and more hostile. However, when the right time comes, I would be more than willing to serve anywhere in the world that God would use my gifts best.
What would you say to other international students who are considering attending MLS?
MLS is not just an ordinary school you are going to, it's also a family where you will be taken care of as a child of God.
Jerry with Heather, Sully and Elijah O'Brien
PETER KIM
For our Cardinal Connection readers, give us a brief introduction to yourself:
My Korean name is SungGon Kim, and I grew up in South Korea. I graduated from MLS in 2017, and then from MLC this past May. My father is a consultant for church fundraising and ministry exploration. My mother teaches Korean to multicultural family members. My home church is Seoul Lutheran Church in Seoul, South Korea.
Did you have a person or an experience that drew you into the desire to serve in ministry?
My father has been an influence on me. He travels to China, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and Nepal building churches and safe dormitories for the college students, and organizing scholarships for them. My father is a worker. After I started school at MLS, I got to travel with my father to Vietnam and witnessed how God uses people for his work. These experiences had a great impact on me thinking about entering the ministry.
Tell us about the transition from South Korea to Michigan:
Growing up in a big city, Michigan was interesting because it felt like the countryside in Korea. But it was easy to adapt to Michigan's environment. I could tell that Michigan's air was much cleaner than Korea; it was a very nice experience to stay in Michigan.
Every MLS international student is assigned a host family. Who was your host family and tell us how they helped make your high school years better?
My host family, Pastor Joel and Dawn Willitz, were basically my American family. I do not know how to thank them enough. They really took care of me. They showed me what true love is. I was a stranger to them; now they call me their Korean son. They took me everywhere they went: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida, and Texas. Most importantly, they took me to church every Sunday. They also introduced a Lutheran way of living at home, reading the Bible during supper.
A little known fact is that MLS sends more international students to MLC than any other high school in America. What is it about MLS that makes it a special place to grow in your faith and be encouraged to serve in the ministry?
MLS, in fact, is a preparatory school for MLC. The friends I went to school with were encouraged to go to MLC. MLS has its own unique identity. MLS has more bonding friendships than other schools do. Religion classes definitely helped me to grow in my faith, to reflect on what my life was about whether it was really Christian living or not.
After your first year of MLC, you had to step away from your studies to serve a mandatory term of 2 years in the Korean military. Tell us about that experience and how that affected your plans to study to be a pastor.
Military life was actually very meaningful for me because I got to taste the real world. There were no Christians around me 24/7 like MLS or MLC. I also got to learn how the unbelievers behave and think about Christianity. Living with them for about a year and a half was extremely interesting. Sometimes, I felt they were
better than Christians. This experience did not affect my plans to study to be a pastor; however, it changed my view or perspective of unbelievers. They are no different from believers, except they do not have salvation.
Learning the Biblical languages can be a challenge. How did you meet the challenge of doing that when it was not taught in your native language?
Surely, Hebrew and Greek are very different languages from Korean, but I was very excited to learn these languages because I was actually learning the Biblical languages. Studying in the States for 4 years before MLC really helped me learn the Biblical languages. My brain started getting comfortable with English, and I forgot Korean while staying in the States. That actually challenged me more as I learned the Biblical languages. I remember that my brain processed from the Biblical languages to English to Korean both ways.
What are your plans after graduating from WLS? Do you plan to stay in the US or are you hoping to serve in your home country or somewhere else?
After I graduate from WLS, I would like to experience serving in the church in the U.S. for a few years, and then I would like to serve in other places besides Korea.
CAMPUS NEWS
FACULTY FAREWELLS
Join us in saying farewell to six of our faculty members who concluded their service on the MLS campus! It's been a wonderful blessing having them and we thank God for their time here and pray that the Lord's hand will guide them where they go next.
• Dean Ross Chartrand accepted a call to serve as a home missionary in Bentonville, Arkansas.
• Tutor Aiden Holien was assigned to teach 7-9th grade social studies at Sola Fide Academy in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
• Instructor Cameron Schroeder will get married in June and return to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary for three more years of study.
• Instructor Megan Spaude accepted a call to teach grades 5 and 6 at St. John's Lutheran in Bay City, MI.
• VP Steve Thiesfeldt and his wife Jeneane will enjoy retirement here in Saginaw.
PARDON OUR DUST
MLS DRAMA PRODUCTIONS
The fall musical will be the familiar story of A Charlie Brown Christmas. The classic animated television special comes to life in this faithful stage adaptation in which Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Show Dates: November 22-24, 2024
Our annual Children’s Theater production will be The Emperor’s New Clothes adapted by John O’Hara. The famous vain Emperor is obsessed with the newest, the fanciest, the most beautiful clothes - but at what cost to his citizens or reputation? His hardworking maids narrate as the arrogant Emperor is conned by two hucksters into parading through town in his special “birthday suit.”
Show Dates: February 27-March 1, 2025
While summer is quieter without the activity of our students, the campus has not slowed down. Campus improvements are happening at a rapid rate.
• Thanks to your generous donations, the gym floor will be completely refurbished with a new design featuring the updated Cardinal Head logo.
• The Inter-Dorm Office (IDO) will receive a fresh new look for increased visibility and functionality
• Classroom 35 is being renovated as a pilot project for future classroom renovations.
• Finally, workers are replacing the damaged terrazzo flooring in the boys locker room and the crumbling concrete entrance in front of the dorm.
All of these projects will be accomplished without dipping into our reserves or increasing student tuition rates.
ADMISSIONS UPDATE
MEET MARK BURGER
Cardinal Nation, please welcome Mark Burger back to campus! Mark Burger has accepted a one-year emergency call to fill the vacancy in our Admissions department. He is an MLS alumni who is putting a pause on his seminary training to assist us in encouraging young people to enroll at MLS and consider full-time gospel ministry. Mark writes:
My wife, Aislinn, and I are both 2017 graduates of MLS and we’re so excited to be back on campus for the 2024-2025 school year! I just wrapped up my vicar year in Covington, GA. I’m looking forward to sharing my love for MLS with lots of new people and especially future Cardinals! I love watching and playing sports, especially my Detroit Lions. It’ll be good to be back in home territory! My other hobbies include reading, board games, and spending time with my family. This will be the closest I’ve lived to them ever since I was an MLS student!
Welcome Mark & Aislinn! Request a visit to your church or school by emailing him at mark.m.burger@mlsem.org
ALUMNI ASSIGNMENTS
This past spring MLS had 17 alumni graduate from Martin Luther College (MLC)! 6 of them received their first calls, while 9 of them are continuing at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS). Two MLS alumni graduated from WLS and received their first calls as well.
WLS ASSIGNMENTS
• Keith Brassow (MLS '16) - Graduate Associate to the President of the Pacific NW District
• Tristan Pankow (MLS '16) - Living Shepherd Laramie, WY
MLC GRADUATES AND ASSIGNMENTS
• Joshua Bannick (MLS '20)*
• Cole Broekhuizen (MLS '20)*
• Daniel Buth (MLS '20)*
• Matthew Emmendorfer (MLS '19) - Mt Calvary, La Crosse, WI
• Owen Eubank (MLS '20)*
• Emma Holzen (MLS '20) - deferred assignment to pursue Masters degree
• Sung Gon (Peter) Kim (MLS '17)*
• Liam Kopp (MLS '20)*
• Olivia Krueger (MLS '20) - St Philip, Milwaukee, WI
• Aiden Lewis (MLS '20)*
• Natalie Mapes (MLS '20) - St John, Wauwatosa, WI
• Reagan Moore (MLS '20)*
• Taylor Natalie (MLS '20) - God's Treasures Child Care, Winthrop, MN
• Max Nordlie (MLS '20)*
• Nathaniel Ruediger (MLS '20) - St John, Manitowoc, WI
• Katlyn Schwab (MLS '20) - Trinity, Waukesha, WI
• Yu Geng (Jerry) Yang (MLS '20)*
* Will continue their pastoral training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
Mark and Aislinn Burger
THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS
Tribute gifts given to MLS from January 1, 2024 – June 31, 2024. Gifts to the MLS Foundation are found on the Foundation website www.mls-foundation.org.
In Honor of...
KAY E. HIMM
Rev. and Mrs. Dennis Himm
RAYMOND PRETZER
Mr. and Mrs. John Pretzer
KARL M. SCHMUGGE
Mrs. Tammy L. Williams
RUTH E. WESTENDORF
Mrs. Arlene E. Mossner
Mrs. Jennifer Rosenbaum
Rev. David A. Rosenbaum
TRINITY, BAY CITY SCHOOL STAFF
Mr. Allan Ferrio
In Memory of...
PHYLLIS AVERY
Mrs. Lorraine Neuman
DANIEL G. BARCKHOLTZ
Mrs. Jane A. Barckholtz
Mrs. Mary Ebelt
STEPHEN P. BOEHM
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Boehm
Mr. Stephen E. Crawford
Mrs. Doris K. Boehm
GEORGE CHAMPION
Emanuel Redeemer Lutheran Guild
STACIA CHAMPION
Emanuel Redeemer Lutheran Guild
LARRY CROOK
Mrs. Eleanor A. Crook
GARY A. FROST
Mr. Myron L. Dunbar
Mr. Robert Grunst
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Schreiner
Mr. and Mrs. William McCommon
Mrs. Carol J. Frost
Mrs. Jean Devereaux
Mrs. Kimberly E. Drew
Ms. Norma Delucia
Rev. and Mrs. Lloyd Schlomer
DEBRA M. GORDON
Emanuel Redeemer Lutheran Guild
MARY E. GRAHAM
Ms. Carol J. Quandt
CARL A. HEYER
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Schroeder
Mr. Stephen E. Crawford
DEBBIE KRAMP
Mr. Larry Kramp
DIANNE R. LINTEMUTH
Rev. and Mrs. Lloyd Schlomer
ALICE PARKER
Emanuel Redeemer Lutheran Guild
GERALDINE PITT
Mrs. Betty Stottlemyer
ELIZABETH L. PRETZER
Mr. and Mrs. John Pretzer
DAVID PRIEBE
Mrs. Deborah R. Priebe
RANDALL H. RATHJE
Dr. William Zeiger
Lt. Col Craig Patranc
Mr. and Mrs. Dale Taylor
Mr. David A. Rathje
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Fritz
Mr. Dennis J. Schulze
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Hogey Holtz
Mr. and Mrs. James Becker
Mr. Larry Kramp
Mr. and Mrs. Leon Brands
Mr. Mark Krieger
Mr. Marlin Rathje
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Stevenson
Mr. Robert Armstrong
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Borchard
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Sosinski
Mrs. Donna J. Rue
Mrs. Elizabeth J. Hawkes
Mrs. Janeen Whitmer
Mrs. Maxine F. Thompson
Mrs. Tammy J. Armbruster
Ms. Karan Premo
Ms. Karen Lyons
Prof. and Mrs. Carl Weihrauch
Prof. and Mrs. Marcus Bode
Prof. and Dean Seth Labair
Prof. and Mrs. Steven Ehlke
Rev. and Mrs. Daniel Schroeder
Rev. and Mrs. Lawrence Retberg
Rev. and Mrs. Noah Bater
Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Schroeder
MARILYN R. ROEKLE
Mr. Victor Roekle
JOANNE ROSENBAUM
Rev. David A. Rosenbaum
WERNER H. ROSENBAUM
Rev. David A. Rosenbaum
CHARLES A. ROTH
Mrs. Eleanor A. Crook
GARY D. SCHULZ
Mr. Thomas J. Schulz
NILA J. SPAUDE
Prof. and Mrs. Marcus Bode
BARBARA TESCH
Mrs. Rachel C. Tesch
EXCITING NEWS!
A generous donor has made a gift commitment of $50,000 to help reduce the debt the MLS Foundation incurred when financing the building of the press box, bathrooms, and concession area. We financed a portion of the project back in 2018 to get the project finished, borrowing $538,118. Currently the loan is at $360,282. We could use your help in taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity! All gifts directed to the MLS Foundation for this effort will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000 until September 27, 2024 of Homecoming week. Please prayerfully consider making a gift to this effort. Reducing and eliminating this debt is a high priority and every dollar given will be a blessing!
MLS appreciates the many gifts given by people like you, our friends and alumni. Please consider supporting the work MLS does to train future pastors, teachers and staff ministers. Scan this QR code to support MLS through an on-line gift. Or go to our website at https://www.mlsem.org/support/
The Cardinal Connection is also available digitally! If you or someone you know would prefer to receive an electronic version of the publication, please contact Michael Priebe at mdp@mlsem.org or by phone at 989-793-1010, ext 231 to make the change.
