鈥淎sk the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest鈥 (Luke 10:2 ESV). These words guide the mission of SA国际传媒, St. Louis as its Enrollment team works to raise up the next generation of pastors and deaconesses.
鈥淭wo words come to mind when I think about recruitment at the Seminary: prayer and relation,鈥 says Admissions Officer Rev. Joel Heckmann. 鈥淲e begin every effort with prayer, entrusting this work to our crucified, risen and ascended Lord Jesus.鈥
From campus visits and one-on-one calls to social media content and lay partnerships, the Seminary is engaging students, families and congregations in diverse ways 鈥 and watching God provide.
A renewed sense of urgency
The Seminary鈥檚 current recruitment efforts are grounded in long-standing priorities while encompassing fresh approaches. The need is significant and the goal is clear: increase enrollment across all programs while ensuring each prospective student feels supported and valued.
鈥淭his work is ultimately about people,鈥 Heckmann says. 鈥淲hether we鈥檙e meeting students on campus, on the road or over the phone, we want them and their families to know that they matter 鈥 and that we鈥檙e here to walk with them.鈥
鈥淭wo words come to mind when I think about recruitment at the Seminary: prayer and relation.鈥 鈥 Rev. Joel Heckmann
As the church faces an aging clergy roster and many congregations experience pastoral vacancies, the call to recruit new church workers is a high priority. But Heckmann emphasizes that the Seminary鈥檚 goal is not just higher enrollment 鈥 it is preparing faithful, well-formed students who are answering God鈥檚 call to serve.
Connections that make the difference
Personal relationships are at the center of recruitment. 鈥淲e鈥檙e building relationships with hundreds of prospective students each year,鈥 Heckmann says. 鈥淭he format might vary 鈥 phone, Zoom, in person 鈥 but the goal is always the same: helping students discern how God is leading them.鈥
That connection often begins online. Media such as the 鈥淯nder the Fig Tree鈥 podcast, videos, and blog and social media content introduce students to the Seminary community. 鈥淢any current students reference the podcast as helpful in their discernment,鈥 Heckmann says. 鈥淭hey appreciate hearing about the different paths to ministry.鈥
For others, a visit to campus is the turning point. Events such as Vocatio: High School, Vocatio: Retreat and personalized campus visits let prospective students and families experience Seminary life firsthand. 鈥淢any students today describe a visit to campus as one of the most impactful portions of their discernment process,鈥 Heckmann notes.
One such visit last fall included three young brothers 鈥 sons of Rev. Zachariah and Claire Burgdorf 鈥 who explored campus while visiting their grandparents, Rev. Philip and Deaconess Jillene Houser, longtime residents of the St. Louis area. During their stop at the Seminary, the boys climbed to the top of Luther Tower, pausing beside the bells of the carillon and taking in the view. Their joy and curiosity reflected the heart of the Seminary鈥檚 welcome: planting early seeds of interest and helping even the youngest visitors imagine a future of faithful service.
And the connections extend well beyond the Seminary grounds. 鈥淥ur faculty, staff and students travel throughout the country and even internationally to meet the next generation of church workers,鈥 Heckmann says. One example: Called to Serve events 鈥 hosted in LCMS congregations 鈥 provide a meal, a Bible study on vocation, updates on enrollment and practical resources for those interested in the Seminary or in helping to identify and encourage prospective seminarians.
Equipping the whole church
The Seminary鈥檚 recruitment work is strengthened by a growing network of laypeople, pastors and volunteers across the country.
One unique initiative is the Army of Volunteers (AOV) 鈥 a grassroots effort inviting LCMS members to participate in recruitment where the Seminary cannot always be present. 鈥淎ny LCMS Lutheran can participate,鈥 Heckmann says. 鈥淲e currently have more than 50 AOV members 鈥 and we鈥檙e always looking for more.鈥 Volunteers pray, identify and encourage prospective students, share Seminary content and sponsor visit events.
Admissions officers also conduct regular check-in calls with applicants. 鈥淲e love to call our applicants to pray with them, share God鈥檚 Word and make sure they know what comes next,鈥 Heckmann says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a simple gesture, but it shows that we care about the whole person.鈥
The Seminary also is working to expand outreach among Hispanic and bilingual men who may be called into pastoral ministry. 鈥淲ith the Hispanic population continually increasing, it鈥檚 vitally important that we raise up pastors who can minister among this community,鈥 Heckmann says.
Real stories, real impact
One encouraging example of recruitment bearing fruit is in the Sunshine State, where Director of Enrollment Rev. Jesse Kueker forged a relationship with the LCMS U group at Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla.
鈥淭hrough Called to Serve events and consistent visits, multiple students from that group are now enrolled in the M.Div. Program,鈥 Heckmann says. 鈥淗ad Rev. Jay Winters not invited Rev. Kueker to visit and recruit among his LCMS U students, it鈥檚 likely these men would not have ended up at SA国际传媒. God be praised!鈥 It takes the whole church, working and laboring together, to encourage more men to the pastoral office.
It is a testament to how consistent outreach and personal relationships can lead prospective students to consider church work 鈥 and find their place at the Seminary.
How others can help
Recruitment is not the task of one department 鈥 it is the calling of the whole church.
鈥淔aculty regularly meet with prospective students during campus visits and participate in our faculty phone-a-thon, where they call prospective students to offer encouragement and answer questions,鈥 Heckmann says. 鈥淧astors are often the first to identify and encourage someone to consider church work. And alumni give prospective students a picture of what formation at the Seminary really looks like.鈥 Donors also play a vital role, making possible the financial aid, programs, services and outreach efforts that allow students to discern their call without financial barriers.
But perhaps the most powerful support is also the most personal. 鈥淭o support recruitment, I echo Rev. Kueker鈥檚 words: Encourage them!鈥 Heckmann says. 鈥淎sk, 鈥楬ave you ever thought about going to the Seminary?鈥 Take them to lunch. Pray for them. Connect them with us. We would love to come alongside them in prayer and conversation.鈥
A harvest to come
The work of recruitment is challenging 鈥 but filled with hope.
鈥淭he task is daunting and may at times feel impossible,鈥 Heckmann says. 鈥淗owever, the same Lord who calls us to pray for more pastors and deaconesses is the one who Himself will provide them.鈥
As the Seminary looks to the future, it continues to pray, connect and trust in the one who provides the growth.
鈥淭he church always needs pastors, deaconesses, missionaries and other leaders to bring the gifts of God to His people,鈥 Heckmann says. 鈥淎nd Christ is faithful. He will not fail to provide.鈥