Through a generous endowment gift Zion and St. John’s are able to provide scholarships and awards to students that are wishing to become WELS Christian School Teachers or Pastors. A scholarship fund was established by Orrin Helmer a long time resident of Kingston and member of Zion who entered enteral glory in October 2020 at age 95.
We are extremely honored that Orrin Helmer included us in his estate plans. As part of his estate and will he instructed the congregation to establish a Scholarship Trust Fund in his name to benefit students from either Zion or St. John's that are intent on furthering their education in college or seminary to be a WELS Pastor or Christian School Teacher. Only the interest earnings from the trust can be used to support the scholarships. The fund has an initial balance over $207,000 and will remain intact for 15 years until the end of 2035 at which time the principal from the trust may be distributed to Zion congregation for its General Fund purposes. We are thankful for this wonderful gift to our congregations.
Anyone is welcome to donate additional amounts toward this scholarship trust fund to further support Christian Education in our community for years to come. DONATE TODAY!
Requirements to Qualify for the Award
+ Student must be intent upon pursuing a post-high school education with the objective of becoming a minister or teacher in the faith
+ Student shall be recommended collectively by the Pastor of the congregation and President of Zion and President of St. John’s
+ Student shall be a congregational member of either Zion Lutheran Church of Kingston or St. John’s Lutheran Church of Salemville
Awards may not be given each and every year, and, indeed, by its very nature may not be given frequently at all. The purpose of the award is to provide incentive and support for anyone interested in continuing their education in the ministry.
Learn More - Training for the ministry
Zion and St. John’s congregations are members Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod supports four schools that equip students to serve as pastors, teachers, or staff ministers. The four-school ministerial education system serves as an integral ministry of WELS, and exists for the one purpose: to prepare well-trained servants for the church.
SEMINARY
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., is dedicated to preparing men to serve as pastors. In recent years the student body totals around 140. Seminary students learn through a combination of classroom studies and real-world ministry experiences. Each seminary student serves as a full-time vicar during his third year of studies. In working in cooperation with the Board for Home Missions, two-thirds of the seminary’s vicars are serving in mission settings. The Vicars in Missions program aims to place students in congregations with strong supervising pastors, active lay involvement, and a mission mindset. The seminary continues to expand opportunities for continuing education and distance education through on- and off-campus courses and online distance learning. Grow in Grace, the institute for continuing education, was established at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary to help continue growing even after graduation.
COLLEGE
With an enrollment of about 724 students during the school year, Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., offers bachelor degrees for early childhood, elementary school, and high school educators; staff ministers; and men training to be pastors. The college also offers a Graduate Studies program with 74 students studying in four areas of emphasis. Almost 100 MLC students traveled across North America during the summer to offer ministry assistance to WELS congregations.
PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis., and Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich., prepare high school students to attend Martin Luther College. The curriculum emphasizes subjects such as foreign languages, theology, and music. Teens are offered “Taste of Ministry” opportunities, which include shadowing called workers to learn more about their work. Students also are given firsthand gospel ministry experiences on campus and during mission trips.