WEBVTT 1 00:00:06.300 --> 00:00:10.000 The Harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 2 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:14.200 Pray, the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers into his Harvest. 3 00:00:14.200 --> 00:00:16.900 Welcome to Mission Works 4 00:00:16.900 --> 00:00:17.900 Thanks to Donors. 5 00:00:17.900 --> 00:00:21.800 Jesus gives us works to do for his mission. 6 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:24.300 This Friday is commencement at Concordia 7 00:00:24.300 --> 00:00:30.300 Seminary, let me share some numbers numbers about laborers that you 8 00:00:30.300 --> 00:00:33.000 are helping send into the Harvest. 9 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:39.400 Now, numbers can be boring, I know, but these numbers represent real 10 00:00:39.400 --> 00:00:45.900 people going into real life ministry and each one will reach hundreds, 11 00:00:45.900 --> 00:00:46.900 thousands 12 00:00:46.900 --> 00:00:48.400 God only knows 13 00:00:48.400 --> 00:00:54.200 and I mean God does know. These numbers will reach precious blood bought 14 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:56.000 souls with the Gospel of Jesus. 15 00:00:57.700 --> 00:01:04.000 51 students will receive the Master of Divinity degree. For about 100 16 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:08.200 years and academic degree has been the standard route into Ministry. 17 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:13.600 This traditional program is academically rigorous and is the largest 18 00:01:13.600 --> 00:01:15.600 program at our Seminary. 19 00:01:16.700 --> 00:01:19.400 But since the need for workers is so great 20 00:01:19.400 --> 00:01:23.200 we also Grant certificates for Ministry. 21 00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:28.800 A certificate is not an academic program, but the candidates still 22 00:01:28.800 --> 00:01:30.700 must meet the requirements of the Lutheran 23 00:01:30.700 --> 00:01:35.800 Church-Missouri Synod to serve in a congregation. This year four 24 00:01:35.800 --> 00:01:39.300 candidates will receive the Alternate Route certificate. 25 00:01:39.300 --> 00:01:43.700 These students live on campus are in the same classes with MDiv 26 00:01:43.700 --> 00:01:47.300 students, but the Alternate Route is one of year shorter. 27 00:01:48.300 --> 00:01:49.300 Throughout this year 28 00:01:49.300 --> 00:01:53.700 we also awarded certificates to 39 students 29 00:01:53.700 --> 00:01:58.200 in other Ministry programs. These are the Center for Hispanic Studies, 30 00:01:58.200 --> 00:02:04.000 nine students. The Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology, 8 students, 31 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:11.000 and the Specific Ministry Pastor program 24, students. Of all these 32 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:14.200 numbers 3 women are entering Deaconess Ministry. 33 00:02:14.200 --> 00:02:19.000 One through the Master of Arts in Deaconess studies program and two 34 00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:21.000 through the Center for Hispanic Studies. 35 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:23.300 In addition 36 00:02:24.100 --> 00:02:27.400 graduate degrees will be awarded Friday evening. 37 00:02:27.400 --> 00:02:31.500 These are students who have continued their education or church 38 00:02:31.500 --> 00:02:34.500 workers who have deepened their knowledge and skills. 39 00:02:34.500 --> 00:02:40.100 19 students will receive the Doctor of Ministry the Master of Sacred 40 00:02:40.100 --> 00:02:42.500 Theology or the Doctor of Philosophy. 41 00:02:44.600 --> 00:02:50.400 You can learn about all these programs by visiting, our website. Lots 42 00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:51.300 of numbers. 43 00:02:51.300 --> 00:03:01.500 The totals are easier to remember, 95 entering Ministry, 95, and 19 44 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:02.700 and advanced degrees. 45 00:03:02.700 --> 00:03:07.400 Now in the world of seminaries Concordia Seminary is a large Seminary 46 00:03:07.400 --> 00:03:09.800 but the need is larger. 47 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:15.100 The people to reach are so so many. Thank you for encouraging 48 00:03:15.100 --> 00:03:19.700 people to study for Ministry and amidst all these numbers. 49 00:03:19.700 --> 00:03:22.200 Please take this to heart. 50 00:03:22.200 --> 00:03:26.300 Mission Works, Thanks to Donors. 51 00:03:27.200 --> 00:03:28.500 Thanks to you.