Asia Lutheran Seminary (ALS), operated by WELS World Missions in Hong Kong, held its first graduation ceremony last month, with four men receiving degrees.

The ceremony marked a milestone for the school, opened just four years ago. In a city with more than 30 degree-granting Bible colleges and seminaries, "our first graduation was a statement that we are real, legitimate, and that we intend to stay," says Dr. John Lawrenz, president of ALS.

One of the graduates received a Master of Divinity, two received a Master of Arts in Religion, and one received a Bachelor of Theology. All continue to serve in a variety of roles in congregations in Hong Kong or Taiwan. "In respect to each of the men it means the triumph of the Spirit over various difficulties," says Lawrenz. In particular, Lawrenz cites the financial challenges. Because there are no grant dollars available to ALS students, all but the retired must work, most of them full time, throughout their education.

ALS faces its own challenges in recruiting. In Hong Kong, there is no Lutheran elementary school system, no Lutheran secondary schools like in WELS, and no ministerial education college. "We aspire to the same solid Lutheran ends, walking a different path," Lawrenz says.

Currently, about 50 students are enrolled in 11 different courses at ALS, but fewer than ten are seriously pursuing degrees. The rest are studying simply to deepen their understanding of Scripture or to better equip themselves to serve as evangelists or in other roles in congregations.