‘Christ at the center’: Raising up the next generation of Lutheran school teachers

(LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

By James Baneck

You have to meet Vaughn Hendrickson and Eden Dehne. They are two awesome students I met at Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), studying to be Lutheran school teachers. They represent more than 400 young Lutherans preparing to be Lutheran teachers at our five universities of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). They also represent thousands before them, ever since 1838, when Lutheran teachers taught school on the ships crossing the Atlantic to the United States.

The main purpose of our Lutheran schools is to immerse our children in Holy Scripture. Through the Word, the Holy Spirit creates and sustains saving faith in our children as they learn of Christ and their salvation through His death and resurrection. In our Lutheran schools, children are also formed in the Lutheran Confessions, the liturgy and the hymns of the church. And in their study of a variety of academic disciplines, they are formed for service to God and neighbor in their many vocations.

Vaughn Hendrickson

Vaughn expressed it this way: “Parents have many options when deciding where to send their child to school. Lutheran schools provide such a unique opportunity for students, as they can openly discuss their faith with the teacher [and] their peers and not feel pressured or scared by others in doing so. Lutheran schools set students up to go out into the world, ready to share their faith and Christ’s love with those around them.”

Eden said, “As Christians, the Gospel shapes our worldview. In Lutheran schools, every subject area can be taught with Christ at the center.”

When asked why he wants to be a Lutheran teacher, Vaughn said, “I love sharing my faith with others, and teaching in a Lutheran school gives me the opportunity to do that with my students.” Eden said, “I really can’t imagine teaching in a school where I can’t say, ‘Isn’t God awesome?’ while teaching my students about His creation, or where I can’t read a piece of literature from a theological perspective.”

Set Apart to Serve is dedicated to creating a culture of intentionally encouraging young people and adults to consider full-time church work. Essential to this effort is the active involvement of people throughout the church. Vaughn shared that he was influenced to pursue becoming a teacher in part by the experience of having a male teacher in fifth grade: “It was incredible to have another male role model like that in my life, supporting me in and out of the classroom. My aunt also encouraged me. She has been a Lutheran educator for more than 25 years. My home church has also been incredibly supportive in my schooling and encouraged me from a young age to consider a field in the church.”

Eden Dehne

Eden credits her teachers, parents and others. “My parents have been Lutheran teachers — my dad is now a pastor, and my mom teaches second grade in a Lutheran school — and they are big influences on my decision. I always wanted to be a teacher like my mom. My dad was the first one to suggest that I become a science teacher. I came to Concordia as an education major with a concentration in biology. I added English, literature and philosophy, which help me connect with people who share … our sinful state [that I may then share the Gospel].”

In the fall, Vaughn will be a junior, after which he will continue to student teaching. He loves studying at CUNE. “The professors care so much about their students and support them in any way they can. They provide great instruction on classroom management, organization and instruction. The theology classes are preparing me to profess my faith to my future students and support them in the faith.”

Eden will be a senior this fall. She is thankful that the “professors at Concordia constantly relate the course materials to faith, which helps all of us prepare to serve God by serving others in our future vocations.”

Like so many Concordia church work students, Vaughn and Eden work hard, have jobs to help pay for schooling, and even take advantage of some great summer learning experiences. This summer, Vaughn is coaching swimming and cross-country for elementary and middle school youth and going to Hong Kong to teach vacation Bible school and to China to teach English. Eden is working for the summer day care program at a Lutheran elementary school. Vaughn and Eden are going to be great Lutheran teachers. The future is bright with Concordia students like these.

Pray for our Lutheran school teachers, who are incredible servants of the church as they teach Christ to our children every day, that they, too, may know His love for them as they serve and care for His children.

The Rev. Dr. James Baneck is executive director of the LCMS Office of Pastoral Education.

Whom in your life will you encourage and support to be a Lutheran school teacher? Maybe you are considering this vocation yourself.

To learn more, visit lcms.org/sas and click the “Lutheran School Teacher” link under “Professional church work vocations within the LCMS.”

Posted May 28, 2026