Biblical truths like these are vital. When we apply this truth to our lives, we allow it to have a profound impact. That’s why service is such a wonderful part of the curriculum at Martin Luther High School. Before graduation, students must complete 60 credits of community service. By giving their time and efforts, students give back to God and share the love of Christ with others.

This spring, Mr. Chad Janetzke, the Theology Department Chair at Martin Luther High School, realized multiple obstacles to completing the required community service credits. Mr. Janetzke and Mr. Bob Leissring, Theology Teacher, partnered up to create two service days in the spring for juniors and seniors. Almost 100 students gathered at Martin Luther each morning for a devotional and activity before being sent out to serve others in the name of Jesus.

Some of the locations students went to included Hales Corners Lutheran Church, Unity Lutheran Church, and Ebenezer Stone Ministries. Students assisted in preparing 484 coats to be distributed at Ebenezer Stone Ministries and Hope for Restoration. Other Spartans helped create and package VBS materials for this summer, where hundreds of kids will learn about Jesus! The selfless service of the students and the gracious teachers who supervised each group blessed multiple organizations, who, in turn, will now be more prepared to invest in the lives of individuals and share the love of Christ with them.

Mr. Leissring shared, “I think, in general, young people like to help. Young people like to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Young people want to be useful, and sometimes it’s limited at their age... so if this helps them do that in a small way, I think that’s great!” Students learn in class that we should serve, about the love of Jesus, and how He was our servant. Through service, they can express these truths and be a light to the community.

Read more about how the students were a light to the organizations they served.

Mrs. Jackie Kilgas | Math Teacher

“My group served at Lucky Mutts Animal Rescue. I was proud of the way my students conducted themselves in their work ethic and joy for serving. To be transparent, we thought serving here would be working directly with the dogs being adopted. The students’ hope to work with dogs didn’t match the reality of what was asked of them, yet they did not grumble. Rather, they joyfully fulfilled what was asked of them – cleaning the adoption rooms – because that is what Jesus wants in serving others... The group of students exemplified strong work ethic and supported each other... The students were witnesses of Christ to this organization by serving them and praying with and for them before we left.”

Mr. Scott Nickel | English Department Chair

“My group served at Granville Lutheran School. It was awesome to see how relaxed and comfortable our kids were with first and second graders. Especially entertaining was watching DK Elam play duck duck goose with a group of little kids, chasing each other. The little ones especially delighted in “tagging” DK because they could outrun him around the circle. Later DK read a book about caterpillars turning into butterflies that was quite engaging. DK did his best to answer all their nature questions! Martin Luther students colored, played at recess, organized books in the classroom library, and answered a zillion questions about life and high school.”

Mrs. Karen Hartlaub | Math Teacher/Academic Resource

Mrs. Jessi Wittig | Registrar

“Our group served at Ebenezer Stone Ministries. Our event started with utilizing an international student to help the staff member with some Spanish translation. Kids worked together to accomplish a huge goal of sorting 15k pounds of food into boxes by category. They used problem solving to make this process efficient and to determine where a food item should be placed. Some of our students were international so they learned about many new foods. Many asked staff about returning to help on their own time! All in all it was a success and very gratifying!”