“Tutor, can I have car permission to go to Wal-Mart?”

“Tutor, I locked myself out of my room. Do you think you could let me in?”

“Tutor, I have a question about the homework assignment you gave. Do we have to do it?”

These were but a few of the questions that I was asked almost every day as a tutor at Luther Preparatory School (LPS), Watertown, Wis., one of the synod’s prep schools. “Tutor” was my title, but I actually did very little tutoring, at least in the sense of helping with homework. The title comes from the early years of Northwestern College. “Tutor” meant “dorm supervisor.” I lived in the dormitory with my wife Annie and about 30 teenage boys on my floor.

Besides granting permission to those students who would like to drive their cars, opening locked doors, and handing out homework assignments, I had many other duties as a tutor. My main focus was in the dormitory. I watched study hall every night, and I made sure everyone was in bed on time. I supervised the cafeteria at mealtimes. I drove sick students to the doctor. I woke up early to unlock the doors in the dorm, and I got mail from the post office. And I actually did teach a limited class schedule during the day.

Teaching at Luther Preparatory School was a unique situation because I also went to high school there. Now I can say that I have shared in this school’s mission of preparing young people for future ministry as a student and as a teacher. As a student at Prep, I had role models in my professors and tutors. They were examples of faith in action—in the classroom, on the playing field, and in the community. These teachers expressed a certain zeal for teaching and a love for what they taught. They were an encouragement for the public ministry.

As a part of the staff, I now had this opportunity to encourage young men and women for the ministry. I remember spending some time after bed checks talking with two young men, roommates who definitely have the potential and the ability to serve in the public ministry. We chatted about college choices and what it is like to be a teacher. I told each of them that from what I have seen of them they have the God-given talents to be public ministers. God willing, when these young men graduate from Prep, they will go on to Martin Luther College. What a blessing it is to be like Barnabas—a “Son of Encouragement!” (Acts 4:36).