Concordia’s In Ministry Together Continues to Reach Schools Across the Nation

Concordia University, Nebraska’s In Ministry Together program not only makes Lutheran high schools aware of Concordia Nebraska, but also allows for matchless networking and support opportunities between the university, church congregations and Lutheran schools. The program was created following a conversation between university president Dr. Bernard Bull and assistant to the president for church engagement and university professor of theology Rev. Russ Sommerfeld. 

From the inception of the program, Bull expressed his desire to visit all of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod schools in the United States. Bull and Sommerfeld narrowed that list down to all of the Lutheran high schools in the United States. Then an even shorter list was formed as a place to begin. Bull’s visits began in the spring semester in 2022. 

“Dr. Bull is passionate about connecting with and listening to Lutheran educators to better understand the successes and challenges they face,” said Concordia Nebraska regional ambassador Kelly Shaver, who accompanied Bull on his most recent In Ministry Together trip.

Concordia’s undergraduate and graduate admissions staff, regional ambassadors, church work recruiters, alumni and university relations staff, and professors have all visited schools with Bull as members of the In Ministry Together team.  

Most recently, Bull visited schools in Wisconsin and Illinois including Sheboygan Lutheran High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Lake Country High School in Hartland, Wisconsin, and Rockford Lutheran Junior and Senior High School in Rockford, Illinois. The visits overlapped with the university’s A Cappella Choir tour in the region. 

“It was simply a great trip,” said Shaver. “Dr. Bull led chapel in Sheboygan and Rockford. He enjoyed lunch with staff at each school. Dr. Bull began his teaching career at Rockford Lutheran, so there were many connections and things to reminisce about with old colleagues! It’s a joy seeing how ministries in different locations share the common goal of glorifying God and making His name known, whether that’s in a theology class, dissecting animals in biology class, or rollerblading with students in gym class.”

Bull hopes to visit five or six Lutheran schools each semester. Visits look different at each campus: Bull may present a devotional to students. He may speak in theology class. He may present on a topic. He may speak to students about church work vocations. And at every visit, he makes time to visit with school administration and faculty.   

“We really do want to be in ministry together with these Lutheran schools,” said Sommerfeld. “Different members of our faculty and staff connection with a wide variety of different schools in different ways. We want to continue to build established relationships and also reach schools with whom we would like to have relationships. We are constantly learning to coordinate our alumni relations, admissions, advancement and outreach efforts. We want to keep developing this idea that ministry together is a two way street, not a one way street.”