Faith & Values at MLS
Christ-centered. Bible-focused. Welcoming to all families.
Martin Luther School is a Christ-centered Lutheran school Joplin MO where faith shapes everything we do. A mission ministry of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), MLS has been kindling character, sparking joy, and igniting curiosity in every child through the light of Christ since 1953. As a Lutheran school Joplin MO, faith is woven into every classroom, every chapel, and every relationship.
You don’t have to be Lutheran to be part of our school family — and many of our families aren’t. Whether your family comes from a Baptist, non-denominational, Catholic, or other church background, your child is welcome here.
“We’re not here to make little Lutherans — we’re here to encourage little Christians.”
At the same time, we know that choosing a school rooted in a specific church tradition raises honest questions — especially if “Lutheran” is unfamiliar to you. This page is here to answer those questions directly, so you can make an informed decision for your family.
For our core confession of faith — the Trinity, the Three Solas, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ — visit our What We Believe page. Below, we address the questions that families in the Joplin area ask most often as they explore MLS.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
LCMS and ELCA: Two Very Different Churches
This is the question we hear most often, and it matters.
There are two main Lutheran church bodies in America: the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Despite sharing the name “Lutheran,” they hold very different positions on key issues of faith and life. Martin Luther School belongs to the LCMS.
As we confess on our What We Believe page, our faith is built on the Three Solas of the Reformation: Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone. The LCMS holds to the Bible as God’s inspired and inerrant Word — the ultimate authority for faith and life. We believe what the Scriptures teach, even when it is countercultural. Here is where that leads:
The Sanctity of Life
We believe life begins at conception and that every human being — born and unborn — is created in the image of God and is one of God’s unique creations. We stand for the protection of life from conception to natural death.
Marriage & Sexuality
We believe God created marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman. We hold to the Bible’s teaching on sexual morality and gender as God’s good design.
The Authority of Scripture
We do not adjust the Bible’s teaching based on cultural trends. Sola Scriptura — God’s Word is true, reliable, and sufficient — and we teach it that way to our students.
Men and Women in Ministry
Our school is led by Principal Mollie Ramstad, and women serve across our church and school as teachers, administrators, deaconesses, and lay leaders. Following Scripture’s teaching on the pastoral office, the LCMS reserves ordination for qualified men. Our Ministry Leadership Team — Pastor Christopher Ramstad, DCE Jason Glaskey, and Principal Ramstad — works together to serve our students and families.
If you are coming from a Baptist, non-denominational, or other conservative Christian background, you will find that on these issues we stand on very similar ground. The LCMS has not moved from its biblical foundations, and it will not.
For more on the Lutheran Confessions and the history of our faith, visit The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or explore Luther’s Small Catechism from Concordia Publishing House.
What Makes Lutheran Education Different?
Many Christian schools teach the Bible, and we are thankful for that. What makes a Lutheran school distinctive is not just that we teach God’s Word, but how we teach it — and what it means for everything else your child learns. Faith is not an add-on at MLS. It is the foundation of everything we do.
Grace, Not Moralism
Some approaches to Christian education focus heavily on behavior and rules — “be a good kid for Jesus.” Lutheran education starts somewhere different: you are a sinner, and Jesus died for you. Everything flows from that. Sola Gratia — Grace Alone. Your child will learn that their worth comes not from performance but from the God who created and redeemed them. That changes how a child handles failure, forgives a friend, and faces hard days. It is how we form Compassionate Leaders and Resilient Learners.
Law and Gospel
Lutheran teaching carefully distinguishes between God’s Law — which shows us our sin and our need for a Savior — and the Gospel, which delivers the forgiveness and life Jesus won for us. Your child will not just learn Bible stories. They will learn how to read the Bible the way the Church has read it for two thousand years. This is the heart of forming Christ-Centered Servants.
The Church Year
Our school follows the rhythm of the Christian calendar — Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost. From Lenten chapel services to Advent devotions, your child will experience the story of Jesus not just as history but as a living reality that shapes the year, the week, and the day.
Chapel and Worship
Students attend chapel weekly, led by Pastor Ramstad, DCE Jason Glaskey, and Principal Mollie Ramstad, with students assisting each week and developing their leadership skills. Chapel includes prayers, Scripture readings, and a short message from God’s Word. It is joyful and age-appropriate — and it forms habits of worship that last a lifetime. Learn more on our Programs page.
Vocation
Martin Luther taught that God calls each person to serve others through their everyday roles — student, child, friend, neighbor. At MLS, academic subjects are not separate from faith. Math, reading, science, and the arts are all ways of exploring God’s creation and preparing to serve in the callings He gives. This is what it means to be an Innovative Thinker — curiosity ignited by the light of Christ.
100 Scriptures by Graduation
Every Saturday night, families across Joplin prepare for Sunday worship. At Martin Luther School, something remarkable happens: students already know the Scripture they will hear.
The 25 Bible passages every MLS student memorizes each year are drawn from the three-year lectionary cycle — the same readings proclaimed at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Sunday mornings. From our youngest preschoolers to our 8th graders, every student in the school is learning the same 25 passages — just in the way that fits them best. The littlest ones learn a key phrase from each Scripture. Older students learn the full passage. Same Word. Same 25 passages. Every child, every grade, together.
25 lectionary passages each year — plus extra verses tied to the school’s annual theme and mission. By graduation, students carry 100 unique Scriptures in their hearts. That is a gift no circumstance can take away.
Each spring, students in grades 3–8 compete in our Bible Bee — reciting their passages and competing for the school title. The winner’s name is engraved on the school plaque. Every student leaves with Scripture that will serve them their whole life. Learn more about all of our programs.
A Word About Baptism
If your family background is Baptist or non-denominational, you may be surprised to learn that Lutherans baptize infants. We understand this is unfamiliar, and we are glad to talk about it.
Here is the short version: Lutherans believe that Baptism is God’s work, not ours. It is not a decision we make for God — it is a promise God makes to us. In Baptism, God forgives sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal life. He does this through water connected to His Word, and He does it for people of all ages — including children, whom Jesus Himself welcomed and blessed (Mark 10:14).
We baptize infants not because of tradition, but because Jesus said, “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them” (Matthew 28:19) — and “all nations” does not have an age restriction. As Luther’s Small Catechism teaches, Baptism “works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.”
If you disagree with us on this, you are still welcome at MLS. We will never baptize your child without your family’s desire and involvement, and we will never pressure anyone. But we will teach what we believe and why — and we have found that even families who come in skeptical come to appreciate the depth and beauty of what God promises in Baptism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between LCMS and ELCA?
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are two separate church bodies with very different beliefs. They do not share membership, pastors, or communion. The LCMS holds to the Bible as God’s inspired and inerrant Word — Sola Scriptura. On the issues of life, marriage, gender, and the pastoral office, the LCMS stands where it has always stood. Martin Luther School belongs to the LCMS. If you have heard something about “Lutherans” that concerned you, it is worth asking which Lutheran church body was involved.
Where does MLS stand on abortion, marriage, and gender?
We hold to what the Bible teaches. Life is sacred from conception to natural death. Marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman. God created us male and female, and His design for human sexuality is good. These are not political positions — they are convictions rooted in God’s Word, taught in our classrooms, and reflected in how we care for students and families.
Will my child be pressured to become Lutheran?
No. Your child will learn the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective — the Bible, the catechism, prayers, and the Church Year. We do not hide what we believe or why. But we will never pressure a child or family to leave their home church or join ours. Many of our strongest school families are not members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, and they are a valued part of our community.
Do Lutherans believe the Bible is true?
Yes — completely. Sola Scriptura — the LCMS confesses the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God. It is without error in everything it teaches, and it is the only rule and standard for Christian doctrine and life. Your child will learn the Bible — Old Testament and New Testament — throughout their years at MLS. They will memorize Scripture, study Bible history, and learn to see every subject through the lens of God’s Word.
What happens in chapel?
Students attend chapel weekly, led by Pastor Ramstad, DCE Jason Glaskey, and Principal Mollie Ramstad, with students assisting each week and developing their leadership skills. A typical chapel includes Scripture readings, the Apostles’ Creed, a brief message from God’s Word, and prayers. Chapel follows the Church Year — your child will learn the seasons of Advent, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost and how they tell the story of Jesus. It is a joyful, age-appropriate gathering that forms habits of worship that last a lifetime.
Why do Lutherans baptize babies?
Lutherans believe Baptism is God’s work, not a human decision. In Baptism, God forgives sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal life through water connected to His Word. Because Baptism is God’s gift and promise, it is for people of all ages, including infants. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me” (Mark 10:14) and “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them” (Matthew 28:19). We take Him at His Word. If your family holds a different view of Baptism, you are still fully welcome at MLS.
Can my family take Communion at Immanuel Lutheran Church?
The LCMS practices what is called “closed” (or “close”) Communion. This means that the Lord’s Supper is offered to those who share our confession of faith — typically confirmed members of LCMS congregations. This is not meant as a rejection of other Christians. It is an act of pastoral care. We believe that in the Lord’s Supper, we receive Christ’s true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, and that communing together is a public confession of shared faith. If you are interested in learning more, Pastor Ramstad would be glad to speak with you — call the church office at (417) 624-0333.
How is MLS different from other Christian schools in Joplin?
We respect every Christian school doing good work in this community. What makes MLS distinctive is the Lutheran approach: grace over moralism, Law and Gospel, the Church Year, academic vocation, and a small school by design where every child is known by name. We are also fully accredited through NLSA with 8 identified strengths, 1 Powerful Practice distinction, and zero deficiencies.
Is MLS accredited?
Yes. Martin Luther School is fully accredited through the National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) program. Our most recent accreditation (2026) resulted in full accreditation in good standing, with 8 strengths, 1 Powerful Practice distinction (our innovative Power Hour program), and 0 major deficiencies. We also use NWEA MAP Growth Testing to benchmark academic progress. Learn more on our Accreditation page.
Grow in Faith Alongside Your Child
At MLS, faith formation doesn’t stop at the classroom door — and it doesn’t end with the school bell. Many of our families tell us that enrolling their child in a Christ-centered school has reignited their own hunger for God’s Word. If you feel that pull, there is a place for you on Thursday mornings.
LifeLight Bible Study — Thursday Mornings
Thursdays · 9:30–11:00 a.m. · Fellowship Hall · Immanuel Lutheran Church
DCE Jason Glaskey leads an in-depth LifeLight Bible study each Thursday morning in the Fellowship Hall at Immanuel Lutheran Church. LifeLight is published by Concordia Publishing House and used by thousands of LCMS congregations. It pairs personal study during the week with group discussion and a teaching session — designed for anyone, whether you have been studying Scripture for decades or are just beginning.
The current series is 1 & 2 Peter — the apostle Peter’s letters to Christians facing uncertainty and persecution, overflowing with hope and the call to stand firm in Christ. MLS parents and grandparents are especially encouraged to come.
Your Family Is Welcome
Martin Luther School has served the Joplin community since 1953. We are a small school with small classes, and that is by design — we know every child by name. Our families come from many different church backgrounds. What they share is a commitment to raising children of faith, character, and curiosity — fanning into flame a passion for Christ that will impact their community through knowledge, character, and resilience (2 Timothy 1:6).
Call us at (417) 624-1403 · Hear from our families on our Testimonials page
Martin Luther School is a mission ministry of Immanuel Lutheran Church (LCMS), located at 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804. Fully accredited by National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA). Serving children age 3 through 8th grade.
Martin Luther School is affiliated with the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and accredited through National Lutheran School Accreditation.