Every day, headlines of the local newspaper scream of the crime and moral decay that have gripped Milwaukee's urban community. Those same headlines beg for answers that will restore and renew the spirit of the city we once knew. Politicians,Politicians, city stewards, and reporters are all asking questions, but only this young man, a Concordia University School 6th grader, asked the right one. Jesus is the answer to every question. Only He can provide answers being sought by the curious, the needy, the uneducated, the perplexed, the sad, the angry and the confused.

LutheranLutheran Urban Mission Initiative (LUMIN) has been called to serve as a powerful agent of transformation in Christian education in Milwaukee's urban community.

LUMIN's mission is education. Our faculty, staff and school administrators are educational missionaries, using the most effective techniques, disci-plined teaching methods, and latest technologies available.

LUMIN's mission is Christian education. We affirm God as the author and creator of all things. Though we are not affiliated with a congregation in the traditional church/school model, our schools teach every subject from a Christian worldview so students may see His glory and majesty in all things.

The question came with childlike innocence and curiosity, "Who is this JESUS guy and what made him so famous?" In the complex simplicity of this question, LUMIN's educational ministry and mission were confirmed. and mission were confirmed.

LUMIN's mission is a ministry. Our primary purpose is to give glory to God and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an educational setting with our stu-dents. In every activity and subject matter, we praise God and worship Him.

LUMIN's mission is a mission work. Most students at LUMIN schools areun-churched. Our classrooms are a fertile mission field in which to share the Gospel—which we pursue every day, in every possible way.

Through dedicated Christian servants, LUMIN and Concordia University School have been truly blessed and have experienced miraculous growth in just 3 short years—the kind of growth that can only come from God and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet the harvest remains plentiful.

Will you join us in this educational ministry?

ToTo enable growth and the continued pursuit of Godly excellence in this ministry, we need your help. Will you prayerfully consider participation through the gift of a donation, as a volunteer, or prayer partner?

Children of the city are crying for answers. Together we can educate, train and equip students to call upon Him for those answers.

Together, we can make certain that every child knows “this Jesus guy and what made him so famous.”

Thank you for your help and support of this mission and ministry. Thank you for your help and support of this mission and ministry.

Blessings to you, in Him, Dick Laabs Tim Young EagleLUMIN President LUMIN Board Chair

LIVING & BREATHING THE GOSPEL IN EDUCATIONAL MINISTRY

ILLUMINATIONSWINTER 2008 | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

How important is an education at Concordia University School (C.U.S.) for a typical family in the community considering its choices for schools? What is a parent willing to sacrifice for her child’s education?

ForFor Ramona Williams-West, mother of 5th grader Ryan and 6th grader Ronald, the sacrifice means taking her boys and their 14-month-old brother on three buses and pushing a baby stroller six blocks along Granville Road to get them to school by 8 a.m. When Ramona, a nursing student at Mount Mary College, has an 8 a.m. class, it means her husband, Jesse, takes each boy separately to school on his moped – two round trips from home to school. The couple isn’t ex-actly sure what they’ll do with the moped option once the snow starts flying.

“We are going to sacrifice to go here because my kids love going to this school,” Ramona says. The boys so much want to be in school that Ramona and Jesse will do whatever is needed to get them to class on time. “They are so enthusiastic about coming that I’ll be having the blues if they can’t make it,” she adds.

Ramona was looking for a change from the school her boys attended last year and said she heard good things about C.U.S. They needed a school that would back up the discipline and Christian principles they were teaching at home. Ramona was impressed by the warm greeting she received from Principal Kim Taylor when she stopped by to visit the school.

WhileWhile not having school bus transportation could be seen as a disadvantage for C.U.S., it works to the school’s and family’s advantage because when par-ents take their children to school, they meet regularly with teachers and the principal. Communication is improved.

“Every teacher will speak with you and everyone goes above and beyond the call of duty,” Ramona says. “With the love and warmth I feel here, I have no concerns about my kids.

“We feel welcomed here. TheChrist-like attitudes andbehaviors at this school arelike nothing I’ve ever feltbefore,” says Ramona.“The teachers makelearning fun. Andhaving Christianhaving Christianeducation in theschool just affirmswhat we’re teachingour sons at home.”

IT’S NOT EASY,BUT IT’S WORTH IT

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

WHAT’S INSIDE:• THE LUMIN STORY• SCHOOL PROFILES• BIG ADDITION

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL8242 N. Granville Rd.

Enrollment: 153 students in 4K-8th grade

Governing body: LUMIN

Staff: 11 FT & 4 PT teachers; 3 FT and 1 PT administrative positions.

Established: 2005 MPCP enrollment: 95%

ProgramProgram features: Music, art, reading, computer, and physical education

teachers. Before- and after-school care. Art club and intramurals program

with Concordia University Wisconsin students. After-school science class

with Discovery World. School breakfast. Sports programs.

NORTHWEST LUTHERAN SCHOOL4119 N. 81st St.

Enrollment: 179 students in 4K-8th grades

Governing body:Governing body: Northwest Lutheran School Assn.

Staff: 10 FT & 5 PT teachers; 3 FT and 4 PT administrative postions

Established: 1957 MPCP enrollment: 84%

Program features: Music, art, computer, physical education and resource

teachers. Staff librarian. Before- and after-school care. Band, sports and

choir programs.

SHERMAN PARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL2703 N. Sherman Blvd.2703 N. Sherman Blvd.

Enrollment: 78 students in 4K-5th and 36 in Preschool

Governing body: Sherman Park Lutheran Church

Staff: 9 FT & 3 PT teachers; 3 FT administrative positions

Established: Preschool, 1968;

Elementary school, 2006

MPCP enrollment: 97%

Program features: Music, art, Spanish and

resource teachers. Before- and after-school care.

THE LUMIN SCHOOLS

Lutheran Urban Mission Initiative (LUMIN) was founded in 2002 as a 501(c)3

nonprofit corporation and a Recognized Service Organization of the Lu-

theran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). The founders were a group of busi-

ness people and professional educators deeply concerned about the trend

of LCMS education in Milwaukee’s urban community. Several LCMS schools

had closed in recent years and others were struggling to remain open.

In 2005, Nazareth Lutheran Church closed its doors and ownership of the

property—that included an elementary school—defaulted to the South

Wisconsin District of the LCMS. LUMIN joined with the District, Concordia

University Wisconsin and the Lutheran High School Association of Greater

Milwaukee in an informal partnership to keep the school going even

though only 13 students were retained. The group renamed the school

Concordia University School and designated LUMIN to operate it. LUMIN

subsequently purchased the property from the District in 2007.subsequently purchased the property from the District in 2007.

Most importantly, LUMIN resolved to develop a new model for

LCMS/Christian education in the urban community, one that could later be

replicated elsewhere. Key features of this model include:

• Strong academics; focus on reading; responsive to below-grade-level learners

• Outreach strategies to share the Gospel message

• High performing teachers and administrators

• Aggressive enrollment growth

• Safe and well maintained facilities

• Financial stability

In addition to Concordia University School which it owns and operates,

LUMIN also manages Northwest Lutheran School and Sherman Park Lu-

theran School & Preschool. All three schools are located in Milwaukee and

participate in the Milwaukee Parental Choice

Program (MPCP) which provides

low-income families with

vouchers to pay for

education. The three

schools serve a total

of nearly 450 students

with approximately

60 devoted faculty,60 devoted faculty,

staff and support

personnel.

THE LUMIN STORY

If you have any comments orwould like to add a friend to

our mailing list, please contact:Terry Bolda

Director of Development(414) 354-5126, ext. 252

bolda@cuslight.orgbolda@cuslight.org

LUMIN VISION• LUMIN schools are recognized for motivating urban students to achieve high academic success through interaction with exceptional teachers who care deeply for them and their future.

• Families are valued and fully engaged in the student learning process.

• Academic achievements are documented through use of comprehensive assessment tools and other data-driven indicators. assessment tools and other data-driven indicators.

• Graduates understand God’s world and that He prepares them for servant leadership in their homes and communities.

• Graduates demonstrate continued academic success in high school.

LUMIN MISSIONThe mission of LUMIN is operating safe, urban elementary schools where

stimulating instruction offered from a Christian worldview results in

exhilarated learning that prepares students for academic success and

leadership opportunities.

In August, LUMIN completed a major

expansion and remodeling project at

Concordia University School in

Milwaukee. The 13,000 square

foot addition includes eight new

classrooms which allow the school

to increase enrollment to 200to increase enrollment to 200

students and separate combined

classrooms.

Remodeling in the original church

portion of the building adds an

art room and library, doubles

the size of the cafeteria, provides

offices for LUMIN staff, and includesoffices for LUMIN staff, and includes

both a roof replacement and new HVAC system.

Lutheran Church Extension Fund provided a $1.3 million loan to fund the

project. The new facilities were dedicated during the first chapel service

of the school year.

Total enrollment has surged to 153 students, an increase of more than 50

students from the prior school year.

“God“God continues to bless the ministry of Concordia University School which

started in 2005 by utilizing the facilities of the former Nazareth Lutheran

Church and School. This expansion will help our mission by allowing us to

serve more children and families in the community,” says Dick Laabs,

LUMIN President.

NEW ADDITION BUILT ONSTRONG FOUNDATION

Chairman Vice Chairman SecretaryTim Young Eagle Dr. Thomas M. Buck William J SchuermanSciele Pharma Sales Lutheran High School Apria Healthcare Assn. of Greater Milw.PresidentRichard Laabs Dennis Harmon Rev. Dr. Roy PetersonLUMINLUMIN Miracle Cleaning Services Concordia University Wisconsin

Tim Scheid Dr. Richard Schnake Robert F. SeefeldLemberg Electric Co. Concordia University Wisconsin Center District WisconsinWilliam ZickTri City National Bank

LUMIN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL8242 N. Granville Rd.

Enrollment: 153 students in 4K-8th grade

Governing body: LUMIN

Staff: 11 FT & 4 PT teachers; 3 FT and 1 PT administrative positions.

Established: 2005 MPCP enrollment: 95%

ProgramProgram features: Music, art, reading, computer, and physical education

teachers. Before- and after-school care. Art club and intramurals program

with Concordia University Wisconsin students. After-school science class

with Discovery World. School breakfast. Sports programs.

NORTHWEST LUTHERAN SCHOOL4119 N. 81st St.

Enrollment: 179 students in 4K-8th grades

Governing body:Governing body: Northwest Lutheran School Assn.

Staff: 10 FT & 5 PT teachers; 3 FT and 4 PT administrative postions

Established: 1957 MPCP enrollment: 84%

Program features: Music, art, computer, physical education and resource

teachers. Staff librarian. Before- and after-school care. Band, sports and

choir programs.

SHERMAN PARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL2703 N. Sherman Blvd.2703 N. Sherman Blvd.

Enrollment: 78 students in 4K-5th and 36 in Preschool

Governing body: Sherman Park Lutheran Church

Staff: 9 FT & 3 PT teachers; 3 FT administrative positions

Established: Preschool, 1968;

Elementary school, 2006

MPCP enrollment: 97%

Program features: Music, art, Spanish and

resource teachers. Before- and after-school care.

THE LUMIN SCHOOLS

Lutheran Urban Mission Initiative (LUMIN) was founded in 2002 as a 501(c)3

nonprofit corporation and a Recognized Service Organization of the Lu-

theran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). The founders were a group of busi-

ness people and professional educators deeply concerned about the trend

of LCMS education in Milwaukee’s urban community. Several LCMS schools

had closed in recent years and others were struggling to remain open.

In 2005, Nazareth Lutheran Church closed its doors and ownership of the

property—that included an elementary school—defaulted to the South

Wisconsin District of the LCMS. LUMIN joined with the District, Concordia

University Wisconsin and the Lutheran High School Association of Greater

Milwaukee in an informal partnership to keep the school going even

though only 13 students were retained. The group renamed the school

Concordia University School and designated LUMIN to operate it. LUMIN

subsequently purchased the property from the District in 2007.subsequently purchased the property from the District in 2007.

Most importantly, LUMIN resolved to develop a new model for

LCMS/Christian education in the urban community, one that could later be

replicated elsewhere. Key features of this model include:

• Strong academics; focus on reading; responsive to below-grade-level learners

• Outreach strategies to share the Gospel message

• High performing teachers and administrators

• Aggressive enrollment growth

• Safe and well maintained facilities

• Financial stability

In addition to Concordia University School which it owns and operates,

LUMIN also manages Northwest Lutheran School and Sherman Park Lu-

theran School & Preschool. All three schools are located in Milwaukee and

participate in the Milwaukee Parental Choice

Program (MPCP) which provides

low-income families with

vouchers to pay for

education. The three

schools serve a total

of nearly 450 students

with approximately

60 devoted faculty,60 devoted faculty,

staff and support

personnel.

THE LUMIN STORY

If you have any comments orwould like to add a friend to

our mailing list, please contact:Terry Bolda

Director of Development(414) 354-5126, ext. 252

bolda@cuslight.orgbolda@cuslight.org

LUMIN VISION• LUMIN schools are recognized for motivating urban students to achieve high academic success through interaction with exceptional teachers who care deeply for them and their future.

• Families are valued and fully engaged in the student learning process.

• Academic achievements are documented through use of comprehensive assessment tools and other data-driven indicators. assessment tools and other data-driven indicators.

• Graduates understand God’s world and that He prepares them for servant leadership in their homes and communities.

• Graduates demonstrate continued academic success in high school.

LUMIN MISSIONThe mission of LUMIN is operating safe, urban elementary schools where

stimulating instruction offered from a Christian worldview results in

exhilarated learning that prepares students for academic success and

leadership opportunities.

In August, LUMIN completed a major

expansion and remodeling project at

Concordia University School in

Milwaukee. The 13,000 square

foot addition includes eight new

classrooms which allow the school

to increase enrollment to 200to increase enrollment to 200

students and separate combined

classrooms.

Remodeling in the original church

portion of the building adds an

art room and library, doubles

the size of the cafeteria, provides

offices for LUMIN staff, and includesoffices for LUMIN staff, and includes

both a roof replacement and new HVAC system.

Lutheran Church Extension Fund provided a $1.3 million loan to fund the

project. The new facilities were dedicated during the first chapel service

of the school year.

Total enrollment has surged to 153 students, an increase of more than 50

students from the prior school year.

“God“God continues to bless the ministry of Concordia University School which

started in 2005 by utilizing the facilities of the former Nazareth Lutheran

Church and School. This expansion will help our mission by allowing us to

serve more children and families in the community,” says Dick Laabs,

LUMIN President.

NEW ADDITION BUILT ONSTRONG FOUNDATION

Chairman Vice Chairman SecretaryTim Young Eagle Dr. Thomas M. Buck William J SchuermanSciele Pharma Sales Lutheran High School Apria Healthcare Assn. of Greater Milw.PresidentRichard Laabs Dennis Harmon Rev. Dr. Roy PetersonLUMINLUMIN Miracle Cleaning Services Concordia University Wisconsin

Tim Scheid Dr. Richard Schnake Robert F. SeefeldLemberg Electric Co. Concordia University Wisconsin Center District WisconsinWilliam ZickTri City National Bank

LUMIN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Every day, headlines of the local newspaper scream of the crime and moral decay that have gripped Milwaukee's urban community. Those same headlines beg for answers that will restore and renew the spirit of the city we once knew. Politicians,Politicians, city stewards, and reporters are all asking questions, but only this young man, a Concordia University School 6th grader, asked the right one. Jesus is the answer to every question. Only He can provide answers being sought by the curious, the needy, the uneducated, the perplexed, the sad, the angry and the confused.

LutheranLutheran Urban Mission Initiative (LUMIN) has been called to serve as a powerful agent of transformation in Christian education in Milwaukee's urban community.

LUMIN's mission is education. Our faculty, staff and school administrators are educational missionaries, using the most effective techniques, disci-plined teaching methods, and latest technologies available.

LUMIN's mission is Christian education. We affirm God as the author and creator of all things. Though we are not affiliated with a congregation in the traditional church/school model, our schools teach every subject from a Christian worldview so students may see His glory and majesty in all things.

The question came with childlike innocence and curiosity, "Who is this JESUS guy and what made him so famous?" In the complex simplicity of this question, LUMIN's educational ministry and mission were confirmed. and mission were confirmed.

LUMIN's mission is a ministry. Our primary purpose is to give glory to God and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an educational setting with our stu-dents. In every activity and subject matter, we praise God and worship Him.

LUMIN's mission is a mission work. Most students at LUMIN schools areun-churched. Our classrooms are a fertile mission field in which to share the Gospel—which we pursue every day, in every possible way.

Through dedicated Christian servants, LUMIN and Concordia University School have been truly blessed and have experienced miraculous growth in just 3 short years—the kind of growth that can only come from God and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet the harvest remains plentiful.

Will you join us in this educational ministry?

ToTo enable growth and the continued pursuit of Godly excellence in this ministry, we need your help. Will you prayerfully consider participation through the gift of a donation, as a volunteer, or prayer partner?

Children of the city are crying for answers. Together we can educate, train and equip students to call upon Him for those answers.

Together, we can make certain that every child knows “this Jesus guy and what made him so famous.”

Thank you for your help and support of this mission and ministry. Thank you for your help and support of this mission and ministry.

Blessings to you, in Him, Dick Laabs Tim Young EagleLUMIN President LUMIN Board Chair

LIVING & BREATHING THE GOSPEL IN EDUCATIONAL MINISTRY

ILLUMINATIONSWINTER 2008 | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

How important is an education at Concordia University School (C.U.S.) for a typical family in the community considering its choices for schools? What is a parent willing to sacrifice for her child’s education?

ForFor Ramona Williams-West, mother of 5th grader Ryan and 6th grader Ronald, the sacrifice means taking her boys and their 14-month-old brother on three buses and pushing a baby stroller six blocks along Granville Road to get them to school by 8 a.m. When Ramona, a nursing student at Mount Mary College, has an 8 a.m. class, it means her husband, Jesse, takes each boy separately to school on his moped – two round trips from home to school. The couple isn’t ex-actly sure what they’ll do with the moped option once the snow starts flying.

“We are going to sacrifice to go here because my kids love going to this school,” Ramona says. The boys so much want to be in school that Ramona and Jesse will do whatever is needed to get them to class on time. “They are so enthusiastic about coming that I’ll be having the blues if they can’t make it,” she adds.

Ramona was looking for a change from the school her boys attended last year and said she heard good things about C.U.S. They needed a school that would back up the discipline and Christian principles they were teaching at home. Ramona was impressed by the warm greeting she received from Principal Kim Taylor when she stopped by to visit the school.

WhileWhile not having school bus transportation could be seen as a disadvantage for C.U.S., it works to the school’s and family’s advantage because when par-ents take their children to school, they meet regularly with teachers and the principal. Communication is improved.

“Every teacher will speak with you and everyone goes above and beyond the call of duty,” Ramona says. “With the love and warmth I feel here, I have no concerns about my kids.

“We feel welcomed here. TheChrist-like attitudes andbehaviors at this school arelike nothing I’ve ever feltbefore,” says Ramona.“The teachers makelearning fun. Andhaving Christianhaving Christianeducation in theschool just affirmswhat we’re teachingour sons at home.”

IT’S NOT EASY,BUT IT’S WORTH IT

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

WHAT’S INSIDE:• THE LUMIN STORY• SCHOOL PROFILES• BIG ADDITION