At Concordia, you can unapologetically go into a Christian profession. There is a great community of people interested in the same thing as you, that is unsurpassed by any public institution.
If there was ever an archetype for someone unapologetically going into a Christian profession, it would be Caleb Jalas. “At kindergarten graduation, we were going through what we wanted our jobs to be and the other kids were like, ‘I want to be a firefighter” or ‘I want to be a princess,’ and when it came to me, I was like, ‘I want to be a pastor.’” Not much has changed for Caleb. Right now, he’s in the pre-seminary program, is majoring in theology and minoring in religious education.
Even though Caleb has a strong desire for ministry, he realizes that he still has a lot to learn. “Right now, I’m just taking it all in. I’ve loved networking with and learning from the knowledgeable upperclassmen and professors in my program.”
Caleb found that with Concordia’s curriculum, he could double major and graduate in three years. Even though he likes this prospect, he wants to get the most out of the Concordia experience. “I might major in strategic communications instead of theology so I can stay at Concordia for the full four years.”
Caleb’s goal is to use his time at Concordia as a launching pad to much greater things. “I hope to eventually get my Masters of Divinity or Doctorate. I would love to be a pastor for the experience, but eventually, I want to be higher up in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. I’ve always seen myself as a leader who can also listen to others. It’s my desire to use these skills to impact the Lutheran church and beyond.” When pressed about his unshakable confidence, Caleb’s response was emphatic, “Oh I know what I want to do, I just hope God doesn’t see my plans and laugh at them.”