Concordia Nebraska celebrates largest incoming number of church work students to date

Photo: Alyssa Bivens (Lutheran Teacher Diploma, Troy, Illinois) signing her Concordia University, Nebraska Church Work Letter of Intent.

Concordia University, Nebraska recently announced that the university will welcome more than 110 church work students to the university for the 2026-2027 school year, the largest number of incoming church work students at the university today. The university’s church work programs include pre-seminary, pre-deaconess, director of parish music, director of Christian education, Lutheran teacher or classical Lutheran educator.

"We praise and thank God as He continues to raise up people for lives of service to their neighbors near and far,” said Concordia Nebraska LCMS and Church Work Admissions Counselor Aaron Rohde. “To share the love of Jesus through a church work vocation carries such eternal significance. It is humbling and exciting to see strong numbers as we enter this new school year."

“To share the love of Jesus through a church work vocation carries such eternal significance. It is humbling and exciting to see strong numbers as we enter this new school year."

Seeking to continue to encourage students to consider pursuing church work studies at the university, Concordia Nebraska launched a Church Work Letter of Intent program in 2024 to celebrate students who are interested in pursuing pre-seminary, pre-deaconess, director of parish music, director of Christian education, Lutheran teacher or classical Lutheran educator studies at the university.

“The call to serve as a Lutheran church worker begins long before a student arrives on our campus. It starts with the inner call, nurtured through prayer, family and the local congregation,” added Concordia Nebraska Vice President Associate Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions Aaron Roberts. “Concordia is honored to be the next step in each student's journey as they prepare to answer God's call through a lifetime of service to the Church.”

Admitted students who indicate that they wish to pursue church work vocations at Concordia Nebraska receive a letter from the university which reiterates the university’s commitment to the student and the student’s commitment to the university. The student’s home church also receives a letter confirming that the student will be pursuing a church work vocation. This letter asks the pastor and congregation to pray for the student and also encourages the student to consider a letter signing event with their pastor as a celebration of their commitment. While the letter signing is not required (some students prefer to sign the letter in the privacy of their own home), it is a way to celebrate the student’s desire to serve.

At Concordia Nebraska, we equip students to serve as the hands and feet of Christ and be His witnesses through our church work programs. Whether students desire to serve as a Lutheran educator, director of Christian education, pastor, deaconess or parish musician, they will be prepared to share the love of Jesus around the world.