Student adoption update

According to recent estimates, the population of the U.S. is at just under 308 million. Of these, about 5 million people – or 1.7% – are adoptees. Of children aged 18 and under, approximately 2.5% have been adopted. A lot of love and mutual blessings result from these adoptions.

At the seminary we observe lots of love and many blessings when students are adopted by benefactors. At this writing, 23 of our students have been adopted by congregations or by organizations and families within congregations. That represents about 14% of our student population (including vicars). The number and percentage of adopted students has been rising slowly yet steadily over the last years. For this we are grateful.

Blessings abound for both adopters and adoptees. In addition to the satisfaction of offering assistance to students as they complete their training to become pastors, those who adopt seminarians also enjoy a special relationship with the men and their families. Many exchange cards, photos, and personal letters throughout the year.

Students enjoy a variety of blessings as well. “When I came to the seminary my first year, I had no idea how I was going to afford the cost of school. I had debt from college tuition as well as a wife and two young children to care for (we now have three). When I was informed that a local WELS couple was going to adopt me and cover the cost of my tuition I was dumbstruck. I knew from past experiences that God’s people are generous, but I never expected something like this. This adoption has given me more time to spend with my family and my studies instead of at work. What a blessing for me now, but also for the congregation that, God willing, I will one day serve. My family is thankful for the blessings that are being harvested by this program.” — WLS student adoptee

Anyone interested in more information about adopting a student is invited to contact the seminary at (262) 242- 8100 or Prof. Forrest Bivens at bivensf@wls.wels.net.