From Christ Academy to Seminary

By Brian T. German, Student Director, Christ Academy 2007

When the spring academic quarter comes to an end at Concordia Theological Seminary, many students go away for the summer and the liveliness of the campus tends to fade. At the end of June, however, a new group of students from all over the nation take up residence for two weeks. These students, like the seminarians enrolled at CTS, come to live in the dorms, to study theology under seminary professors, and to worship in Kramer Chapel. What, then, is the difference in the two groups? These men are in high school. They have a passion for theology and come to be a part of Christ Academy–High School (H.S.).

Students of Christ Academy–H.S. study the true center of all Christian teaching–Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It is Christ who comes to us offering His gifts, and so it is fitting that the center of the Academy experience is found in worship. Students attend services daily to receive the God-given gifts of forgiveness and life and to give thanks for them. Outside of worship and class time students can also enjoy a wide range of extracurricular activities including basketball, capture the flag, a scavenger hunt, and a trip to Cedar Point amusement park.

Indeed, Christ Academy is not your normal agenda for highschool camps or retreats. Many programs of today’s age offer flashy, postmodern tendencies lacking any substance. To the contrary Christ Academy–H.S. has been described as “the ultimate event” for high-school-aged men. It offers confessional Lutheran theology focusing on Jesus Christ and it continues to flourish. Whether you are considering the ministry or just want to learn more about our Savior who is present in Word and Sacrament, the Academy will provide one with clarity of vocational direction and enrichment in God’s Word.

Already out of high school? The seminary has also been blessed with a way to continue the Academy experience into the college years with Christ Academy–College. This college retreat takes place every February and offers a fulfilling weekend of study in the classroom, theological discussion with faculty and students, and the formation of solid Lutheran fellowship. It is great to see men from a variety of universities aspire the Office of the Holy Ministry.

Having been blessed with five years of experience with Christ Academy–H.S., then Christ Academy–Germany, and Christ Academy–College, I am an eyewitness to the life-changing studies present with each Academy. Not only do I see this take place with the students, but I can also attest to this fact personally. Starting college as an education major, it was really the experience of Christ Academy that finally convinced me of God’s calling to the ministerial life. It is a life deeply rooted in Jesus Christ and from His calling ministers are formed as servants of His church. Now that I attend the seminary how wonderful it is to see God’s calling in action as He prepares laborers for His harvest! (Luke 10:2)

Concordia Theological Seminary continues to receive many young men from all over the country to study at Christ Academy. Whether you are in high school or college, God has blessed the seminary with this Academy for the study of Christ crucified and for the sake of the church. Our Lord does provide and He provides you with the opportunity to come and experience the many blessings He bestows through Christ Academy.