For the first time in four decades, enrollment at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, has exceeded 800 students. In the current winter quarter, the Seminary's total enrollment reached 807, with 673 of the 807 enrolled in programs leading to service in the pastoral ministry of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS).

"This significant enrollment milestone is just one of the many ways God is blessing Concordia Seminary," commented Dr. John F. Johnson, president of Concordia Seminary. "Our students, faculty and staff are wonderful gifts from God, and together we are experiencing truly exciting times as we serve the Lord of the church and fulfill the mission He has given us."

The Seminary's dramatic enrollment growth accelerated at the beginning of the current academic year with the matriculation of 178 new residential students preparing to serve as pastors, the largest number in 32 years and a 44% increase over last year's incoming class. Leading the way in this growth was the number enrolled in its master of divinity program, the program which prepares 90% of those who will serve as pastors. In the 1998-99 academic year, full-time enrollment in this program was 406. This academic year, enrollment is 544, a 34% increase.

The Seminary's enrollment in programs leading to ordained ministry in The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod includes:

Traditional Residential Programs Leading to Ordination:

• Master of Divinity - 503
• Certificate - 41

Non-residential Programs Leading to Ordination:

• Hispanic Institute of Theology - 18
• Distance Education Leading To Ordination - 16
• Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology - 63
• Ethnic Pastoral Certification Program (at Concordia University, Irvine)- 32

In addition, the Seminary's enrollment in programs of advanced theological study remains strong. Its Graduate School enrollment includes 53 students in the Ph.D. program and 43 students in the master of arts program, 14 with majors in diaconal studies, leading to service as a deaconess.

The Seminary's phenomenal growth in traditional residential programs leading to ordained ministry in the LCMS has produced an urgent need for student financial aid support."This growth is an answer to the prayers offered by God's people for pastors," commented Leonard Fiedler, the Seminary's vice president for development. "At the same time, this enrollment increase has produced a daunting fiscal challenge as we strive to support those preparing to serve as our future pastors. We remain committed to removing the financial obstacles that can prevent the church from receiving a new pastor."

One week ago, the Seminary announced a $500,000 matching-gift grant which is being used to match, dollar-for-dollar, gifts offered to provide tuition support for the Seminary's residential students preparing to serve as pastors. The matching grant has a June 30, 2004 expiration date. Donors can take advantage of the matching grant by contacting the Seminary via its toll-free phone number at 1-800-822-5287, or by utilizing the Seminary's secure online donation function on its Web site (www.csl.edu/donate.htm). A credit card may be used to make an offering for full-tuition assistance, and donors can designate that their gift be matched.

For more information on the Seminary's programs leading to ordained ministry, contact the Seminary's admissions office at 1-800-822-9545 (admissions@csl.edu).

For more information concerning the Seminary's programs of advanced theological study in its Graduate School, contact the Graduate School at 314-505-7102 or (GradSchool@csl.edu).

For more information on offering support for those preparing to serve as pastors, contact the Seminary's development office at 1-800-822-9545 (development@csl.edu).

All may be contacted by writing to Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105.