Concordia Nebraska to recognize church work students with sending service

On Friday, May 9, Concordia University, Nebraska will recognize the professional church work graduates at a sending service. The worship service allows for the students who are going out to serve the world through the church to be recognized for their work and dedication before they either take a call or go on to further their education.

The service was started about seven years ago by Concordia Director of Dual Credit, Dr. Beth Pester. When Concordia was Concordia Teacher's College, the Lutheran teacher graduates would have experienced something similar to call day at the seminary at their graduation. Dr. Pester wanted to celebrate the people choosing to go into professional church work degrees. She talked to the university about implementing something that would do that and got approval to create the opportunity. She and Rev. Dr. John Mehl, Executive Director of Mission of Christ Network, collaborated to create a sending service that could become a Concordia tradition.