Mission Statement

Michigan Lutheran High School provides a Christ-centered secondary education to prepare young adults for lives of Christian service in their churches, workplaces, communities, the world, and for life with their Lord in eternity.

MLHS exists as an arm of the congregations of the WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) that belong to the Southwestern Michigan Lutheran High School Association.  MLHS is accredited by the WELS, the Michigan Association of Nonpublic Schools, and the National Council for Private School Accreditation.

 Our vision is to glorify God as follows:

·    To be Christ-centered and confessionally Lutheran in worship, instruction, counseling, discipline, and activities,

·    To proclaim, teach, and apply the Holy Scriptures as they fit each aspect of life, and to nurture "growth in grace" (2 Peter 3:18) and the resultant "fruits of faith" (John 15:54) through the gospel,

·    To reach out into our community with the glorious Gospel message as Christ has commissioned and to be lifelong learners of God's holy Word

·    To encourage students to use their gifts for a life of service and leadership and to equip students for faithful and capable citizenship,

·    To teach students to develop their academic abilities and to apply these skills as lifelong learners,

·    To enable students to become well rounded by providing curricular and co-curricular opportunities as Christian educational experiences,

·    To encourage and prepare interested students for the preaching and teaching ministries.

We expand our students' skills, attitudes, and knowledge so that our graduates:

·    Possess a strong academic foundation (Michigan Merit Curriculum) and are effective in both verbal and in written communication,

·    Are able to problem solve and work cooperatively, 

·    Are efficient with technology and its applications,

·    Think globally and understand the benefits of healthful living,

·    Display leadership and are independent, life-long learners,

·    Possess the confident hope that they will reside with their Father in heaven throughout eternity upon completion of their walk with Christ on earth.

A Brief History of Michigan Lutheran High School

Michigan Lutheran High School is a proud community member of Southwestern Michigan and Northern Indiana, frequently referred to as “Michiana.”  The Southwestern Michigan Lutheran High School Association was established on March 10, 1968.  Hosted by St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor, pioneered by the six WELS congregations in Berrien County and bolstered by the encouraging support of an additional 10 area WELS churches, a constitution was adopted and a Board of Regents was elected by June 30, 1968.  Though a 50-acre tract of land was purchased in St. Joseph by November of 1968, the school used temporary quarters at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor during the school years of 1970-71 with Mr. Elmer Dobberstein serving as the first principal.

With 1971's capital drive raising over $300,000 towards a permanent facility, ground was broken on April 17, 1972, and the cornerstone set in place on August 13 of that same year.  Under the theme "Thou Hast Done It," the 34,000 square-foot building was dedicated on June 3, 1973, five years and one day after the MLHS Association had adopted its constitution.   The young school celebrated its next milestone on June 19, 1974, when the first graduating class of fifteen students received their diplomas.

During its lifetime, the facility has received multiple upgrades to its athletic fields, fine arts equipment, and technology.  Recent facility updates took place with the 35th Anniversary in 2005, when over $350,000 was raised to repair the roof, resurface the parking lot, and completely refurbish the gymnasium.  The 40th Anniversary in 2010 saw exterior landscaping, building facelifts and a new computer lab, along with new interior paint and carpet themes for 2011.

 

Michigan Lutheran High School Today

Throughout its years, ML has graduated over 1000 alumni and has been served by more than 60 different called workers.  Michigan Lutheran has a deep relationship with its community: Many alumni and supporters reside in the area, some of whose families were instrumental in founding the school, and many more who continue the Titan tradition by enrolling their children too. Local employers seek out ML students: Titan alumni fill important positions in countless professions throughout the country.  Many others serve their Lord full time in the pastoral and teaching ministries. 

Over the years, the faces and facility of ML have changed, but its central focus on Jesus Christ has not wavered.  The school remains committed to its mission of preparing young adults for lives of Christian service as future lay members, lay leadership, and called workers in God’s kingdom.  Dedicated disciples of Jesus have given immeasurable time, talents, and prayer to make the work of MLHS possible for nearly half a century. For example, Titan coaches are well known and respected not only for their success, but also for fostering character-building in their athletes and for their emphasis on Christian sportsmanship.   In today’s world, preparing young disciples of Christ is more important than ever.

TITAN NATION - Alumni Testimonials

Isaac Rice - MLHS (2009), Bethany Lutheran College - I would like to show my deepest gratitude for ML shaping me, to help me be the person that I am today. Last year I was involved with the hockey broadcast (at Bethany Lutheran College) as I am this year. This year I am even more involved; I am one of two pre game producers. I have been working my way up, and I have set myself up to be very successful in the future as long as I really apply myself. Last year our broadcast was nominated for a local Emmy. Next semester I am going to China, which is going to be an amazing experience. I would like to once again thank all the instructors at ML who did not let me quit, and helped me to get this far!  P.S. Go Titans!

David Balza – MLHS (1987), University of Michigan ’91 – Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN  -  I am very thankful to our Lord that I had the opportunity to attend one of our Lutheran Day Schools (St. Paul – South Haven), followed by four years at MLHS.  Rarely do we recognize our greatest blessings at the time they occur.  It is often many years later that we see their true worth.  Certainly I received an excellent academic education and made some life-long friends at ML, but more importantly, I grew in my faith and in the knowledge of my Lord while there.  Looking back, I really appreciate how well the teachers incorporated Christ into all of the curriculum.  Whether it was science, math, history or English, the classes were taught from a biblical perspective.  This perspective has been invaluable since, through college and into the so-called “real world.”  I continue to work to maintain a Christ-centered outlook in all areas of my life thanks in great part to the training that I received at good ‘old ML!
Ashley Hunt (Emhoff)  (2004) - I like ML… because it is a close-knit, positive environment… I learned a lot from being a student at ML, but the most important thing I learned is that God is always here to provide and protect us thru the rough times… the best thing that it taught me was to believe and trust in God because without him you really have nothing.
Titan Alumni - Please contact us with your news and updates at mlhstitans@hotmail.com  We will post your announcements in the weekly online newsletter and in our semi-monthly publication of The Lighthouse.