We commend the WELS members of Christian Life Resources, Inc. for their strong witness for the sanctity of life, for counseling mothers against abortions, and for publishing materials that uphold God's Word concerning life issues. We also commend them for their scholarship program to reward those who have contended for the truth on pro-life issues.

Several things struck us as we read about each recipient. Five of the eleven graduated from WELS Lutheran high schools. All eleven are planning to attend college after high school. The most telling fact was that only one of the eleven scholarship recipients was enrolled at a Lutheran college of our fellowship. Nine others were going to attend secular colleges and one planned to attend a liberal Lutheran college where God's truth is despised.

Attending secular colleges can be viewed in two different ways. On the one hand these ten young people have the potential to proclaim the true Gospel in secular schools where it is urgently needed. On many campuses they will have the support of Lutheran Collegians and other WELS congregations. On the other hand, attending secular colleges presents great risks to these gifted young people. For many professors at those secular colleges will confront them with philosophies antagonistic to their beliefs, teach a post-modern philosophy that no absolute truth exists, and deny the fundamental truths of the Bible. They will be taught to tolerate and accept all life styles, religions, and cultures as equally truthful and valid. Can pro-life students survive in pro-death institutions? Only by the grace of God as students continue in His Word and Sacraments.

One student chose to attend a confessional Lutheran college. Which college did she pick? Our own Bethany Lutheran College!, where she will begin studying to become a doctor. At Bethany this student will receive a great education and additional instruction in God's Word. Her Christian education will help her to make pro-life and pro-God choices in her practice as a doctor.

Christians who know and confess the truths of God's Word are the salt of the earth. Wherever they are, they can proclaim those truths about God, creation, Jesus as Savior, salvation by faith alone, and pro-life. They can make a difference through their faith in Jesus.

Our children continue to face increasing dangers and challenges in the secular world in which they live. The stage in life where they can face those challenges spiritually will differ from one person to the next. Some need further instruction in God's Word while others may be strong enough in the faith to witness in a secular college.

In any case, we should cherish the educational treasure that God has given us in our own Bethany Lutheran College (and also Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee and Martin Luther College in New Ulm) where students can build upon the foundation of Biblical truth as they prepare to be the leaders of tomorrow. Urge our young people to attend such colleges.

College is much too late for young people to be grounded in God's Word. Our Lutheran elementary schools, Lutheran area high schools, Bible classes, Sunday schools, home education and parental instruction all work together toward the goal of bringing up children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4) so that "we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine -- but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ" (Ephesans 4:14,15). Support Christian education through prayers, encouragement, and gifts so that another generation will grow up to worship God in spirit and truth.