About Us
Our Church and School
Bethlehem Lutheran Church & School has been a cornerstone of Wells County since 1897. We nurture hearts and minds by providing a Christ-centered education alongside a supportive church community. Students flourish academically, grow in faith, and develop strong character within our welcoming environment. Explore our website to discover how Bethlehem can partner with you to cultivate your child’s spiritual and educational journey.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church & School is proudly affiliated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS). As part of this nationwide network of congregations, we share a commitment to providing a strong theological foundation based on Scripture.
Our curriculum is developed by Concordia Publishing House, the publishing arm of the LCMS, ensuring a Christ-centered approach to all subjects. This connection allows us to offer the resources and support of a larger denomination while fostering a close-knit community here in rural Indiana.
What makes Bethlehem a congregation of Christ and Bethlehem’s people members of the body of Christ is the One who has called us togeter around His Holy Word and His Blessed Sacraments. This One is still our Bread of Life and continues to come to us to feed us in this house of bread now as He has done for 125 years, and He will, by His grace, continue to do likewise for years to come.
Samuel Wirgau — Head Pastor
Why a Christian School?
The command of Jesus is, “Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”. (Matt. 28: 19-20.) In order to “teach them”, Bethlehem Lutheran Church has maintained a Christian Day School since the beginning of the congregation.
Our Mission Statement
“Bethlehem Lutheran School works with parents to guide their children in gaining wisdom, pursuing virtue, and developing skills for life with God, neighbors, and self in this world and in the world to come.”
Our Core Values
- Christ-Centered: Our foundation is Jesus Christ and His teachings as revealed in scripture. This guides all aspects of our church and school programs.
- Lifelong Learning: We believe in the continuous pursuit of knowledge and faith development for all ages.
- Nurturing Community: We provide a safe, welcoming environment where everyone feels loved, valued, and supported in their spiritual and educational journeys.
- Service: We inspire individuals of all ages to live out their faith by actively serving others in our church, school, and community.
- Stewardship: We are committed to responsible use of resources entrusted to us, ensuring the continued vitality of our church and school for future generations.
Our Philosophy of Lutheran Education
Two basic principles provide the foundation of the philosophy of Lutheran education: (1) the Doctrine of God, and (2) the Doctrine of Man.
With respect to the Doctrine of God, Lutherans believe that the one, true God, as revealed in His Word, the Bible, is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Triune God created and preserves all things; redeemed mankind from sin, death and the power of the devil; and continues through the Word to guide and direct our lives preserving us in the true faith unto life everlasting.
With respect to the Doctrine of Man, we believe that man, who was originally created perfect by God, rebelled against God’s authority and fell into sin. Because of the sin of Adam and Eve all human beings are now born sinful and by nature are opposed to God, unable to change themselves, and are destined to eternal separation from God.
But the Triune God is full of mercy and compassion and from the time of the fall into sin has promised to save mankind from eternal death. The Old Testament reveals God’s plan of salvation through a promised One. The New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of all of God’s promises and the Savior of the world. Through faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who became a man and died on the cross as payment for the sins of mankind, and who rose again conquering death, we have been forgiven and restored as God’s dear children and given the gift of eternal life in heaven.
Since these two doctrinal principals indicate the centrality and relevance of God and spiritual concern for the whole life, it follows that Christian parents desire an education for their children in which religious instruction and spiritual nurture are the integrating factors in intellectual, moral, physical, aesthetic, emotional, social, civic, and vocational formation and growth.
Lutheran philosophy of education is based upon three sources of information: (1) the divine revelation of the Bible; (2) the findings of science and (3) human reason. God’s revelation to man, Holy Scripture, is accepted as absolute truth. The postulates of science and reason are accepted as relative truth, subject to God’s Word and to constant revision and correction as our understanding increases.