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Dear friends:

As we approach the Christmas season, a season where we remember God's greatest gift, I find myself reflecting on life's great blessings; and for me, Luther College is one of those blessings. As a graduate of the university campus, and now as its president, I look back on the difference that Luther has made in my life and in the lives of the students who have passed through its doors, taken its classes, lived in its residence, and become a part of its community.

Over the past ten years, one Luther endeavour that has had an impact on the lives of many students has been the peer chaplaincy. In 2002, the first peer chaplain, Jennifer Jade Kerr, engaged in an experiment in ministry on the university campus. Working with chaplain Cheryl Toth, she exercised her gifts in music and teaching with her peers in a way enabled her to explore her vocation. Today Jennifer is a Christian recording artist and congregational worker.

At the end of that first year, the peer chaplaincy ministry expanded from one student working with the chaplain to three. Each year three students of varying denominational backgrounds work together as a team to provide ministry to other students. The peer chaplains also develop projects that reflect their particular gifts and interests. Their leadership is vital to the ministry of the chaplaincy, and peer chaplaincy is vital in developing the leadership gifts of students who make a difference on campus and in the wider community. It is one of the ways Luther College “equips the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).

One need look no further than the peer chaplains themselves to see the effect that the program has on Luther’s student community. Mike Maekelburger, who served for two years as a peer chaplain, explains, “It’s important that students who are in the transition years of their life have someone to talk to who understands. The peer chaplaincy program helps build those bridges by providing faith-based peer support and opportunities for individual growth. For me personally, being a peer chaplain has helped guide my spiritual journey, and the relationships I made during my time as a peer chaplain have pushed my faith forward in a positive way.”

Luther College’s peer chaplaincy is an important component in providing a strong liberal arts education, holistic learning environment, and supportive faith-based context for students. As such, the College is committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the peer chaplaincy program. We need the help of our generous supporters to do that. To fully endow the peer chaplaincy, Luther College aims to raise $50 000 in 2012.

Today, I ask you to help us make our goal of endowing the peer chaplaincy a reality so that we can continue to provide students with the spiritual, social and academic support they need to succeed as students and discover their vocations.

Thanks for considering this. Blessings to you and yours this Christmas season.

Sincerely,

Bryan Hillis, PhD
President, Luther College