Passionate about serving in the classroom, in the church and beyond Makayla Adams PB ’24 says “I am excited to see where the Lord will lead me.”

Makayla Adams PB ‘24 of St. Louis, Missouri chose to study at Concordia Nebraska in part because of a letter she wrote to herself during her freshman year of high school. 

“I chose to study at Concordia Nebraska because of the Christ-centered foundation,” she explained. “My freshman year of high school, I was in an honors English class, and my teacher had us write letters to our future selves. Fast forward four years later, and I graduated high school. Soon after, I received this letter in the mail. Little did I know, I said I wanted to go to Concordia Nebraska in that letter, and I had committed just weeks earlier before reading this letter. God's hand was certainly guiding me the whole time. When I visited Concordia, I felt at peace because it felt like home.”  

When touring colleges during high school Adams toured several public and private universities, comparing location, costs, campus culture and more. 

“Eventually, I narrowed it down to Concordia and a Missouri state school,” she said. “In regards to money, they were almost the same amount per semester. I think this is just one example in which God provided for me in what I was looking for in an education. There is something to be said about the body of believers at Concordia. Not only do professors and friends support you, but they pray for you. Not only do they offer you guidance, but they encourage you to attend chapel, church, Bible study and more. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to attend a college where my faith was nurtured and my character was developed around Christian values. This, in my opinion, is rare to universities like Concordia Nebraska, because of its intimate atmosphere and core beliefs.” 

Because Concordia Nebraska stands on the firm foundation of Christ, I know I can build my life more and more on this same foundation. Being surrounded by the love of God every day really does align your life to Him.

She is working toward her bachelor of science in elementary education with Lutheran Teacher Diploma and Christian Education Leadership and Director of Christian Education certifications. 

She has been involved on campus in a variety of ways including as a praise band member, Concordia youth ministry leader, Cantamus choir section leader and admissions office diplomat. She has also participated in intramurals and served the university’s LAUNCH program as both leader and co-chair. 

 “I have been involved in choir for four years at Concordia, and I am beyond grateful for that opportunity,” she said. “I began at Concordia as a music education major, and although I have since then changed majors, I have had the opportunity to meet some of the kindest and genuine staff through Concordia's music program. We are not taught just to sing or play our instruments, but instead are taught how to minister to others through the power of music. Music at Concordia is treated with a much bigger purpose and meaning beyond just the notes on the page, and it sets them apart to serve Christ all the more.”  

Adams said many of our teachers and role models attended Concordia Nebraska. She is also the fifteenth person in her family to attend a school in the Concordia University System.  

“My Director of Christian Education at my home church, Daniel Meyer, graduated from Concordia Nebraska and brought a group of youth up every one to two years or so to visit,” she said. “I went with him in the winter of my sophomore year of high school and loved the small town! A previous intern from my church, Dana Otto, was attending at the time, so we got to stay in the dorms with her and tour the campus. It just felt like home! I visited other colleges after that, but ended up committing during my senior year of high school to Concordia.”  

She said that her favorite thing about her Concordia Nebraska experience has been the supportive and encouraging mentorship she has found in friends, professors, pastors and others.  

“Any time I have needed to talk, ask a question, or needed some advice, someone has always been there! The people that make up Concordia Nebraska show Christ-like love in all that they do, and this is true of the Seward community, too,” she said. “Professor-student relationships at Concordia are very personal, which very positively contributes not only to increased motivation and mood, but also to academic performance. Every single one of my professors has had my best interest in mind and is willing to talk about class, faith or life. For me personally, professors played a big role in the switching of my major. I was able to talk things through with a few of them and receive guidance when I was unsure what my next steps were.”  

She said her experience at the university has helped to prepare her for her career. 

“In regards to teaching, I had lots and lots of field experience and peer review at Concordia. Those experiences will help me as I near teaching professionally,” she said. “And the church work side of things is similar! I had great field experience opportunities at Concordia Nebraska and community opportunities to process and talk about them. Concordia Youth Ministry has also played a huge role providing me with devotion-leading skills, game options and more.” 

Adams graduated this past May and has a jam-packed, exciting year and a half ahead of her. This fall, she is student teaching. Her first eight weeks, she will be serving in first grade at St. John Lutheran in Seward. She does not yet have her out-of-state assignment for the second eight weeks. Then on August 31, she will learn where she will be placed for a DCE internship from January to December 2025. 

“There are currently a lot of unknowns, but I am excited to see where the Lord will lead me,” she said. “After the internship ends, I am not sure where I will end up or whether I will do teaching, DCE or both. I have also considered missions, so that will potentially be on the table as well. I have been to two mission trips in Mexico with Casas por Cristo and one mission trip with Concordia to Puerto Rico! Those positive experiences have motivated me in that area!” 
Adams is the daughter of Aaron and Christi, and she has two sisters Chloe and Jocelyn. Her mom works at a Lutheran preschool. When she’s not studying or serving, Adams enjoys staying active, being outdoors, going to coffee shops, volleyball, camp, musical theater and hanging out with her dogs Freddy and Scooter.  

“My time at Concordia Nebraska has definitely helped to develop my faith,” she said. “Having the ability to attend chapel daily is a real gift! Chapel, for me, is a period of rest with my Savior in the middle of a busy day of classes. I have learned how to have personal devotion time and have been able to study God's Word with my friends at Bible studies. I've had open faith conversations with peers, pastors, and professors. I have seen amazing role models of faith and can learn from them. Because Concordia Nebraska stands on the firm foundation of Christ, I know I can build my life more and more on this same foundation. Being surrounded by the love of God every day really does align your life to Him.”  

A Director of Christian Education is a synodically-certified, called and commissioned lifespan educational leader prepared for team ministry in a congregational setting. The Christian education leadership major from Concordia University, Nebraska helps students serve Christ’s church through education as a Director of Christian education (DCE), youth or camp ministry leader, Christian teacher or as a national or international missionary by equipping them to bring Christian values and leadership to God’s people in a church or school.