Thousands of participants—which includes youths, adults, congregational groups, community groups, and more—come together every three years to celebrate their walk with Jesus Christ.
The LCMS Youth Gathering is right around the corner on July 19-23, 2025 in New Orleans. This five-day event, which is expected to have approximately 20,000 participants, is designed to encourage young people to grow in their faith through their fellowship in Word and Sacrament.
This year’s theme is ENDURE. Concordia University Wisconsin will be there with a team of student ambassadors, faculty, speakers, alumni, and staff. Here are just four of the many great reasons we would love for you to join us!
LCMS Youth Gathering: Endure with CUW
No. 1: Embrace education
Learn more about our programs, our mission, and how to apply. CUW is a community where students from all walks of life may come and grow in their mind, body, and spirit. Our faculty and alumni will be hosting specific sessions throughout the event.
As a veteran LCMS speaker, Brad Alles, associate professor of education, is looking forward to the Gathering in New Orleans. His scheduled talks will cover three topics: “The ABC’s of Defending Your Faith”; “Last Things First: Eschatology and Enduring the End Times”; and “No Zombies Allowed: Resurrection and Our Hope in Christ.” They are all one-hour presentations held in the Convention Center rooms (265-268), Sunday to Tuesday.
Others from CUW that will be speaking at the conference (including their choice of topics) are:
- Alumna Sarah Schultz: “Untangling the Bullying Mess”
- Former CUW Associate Campus Pastor Rev. Doug Bender: Bible Study
- Alumnus Ryan Hansen: “There is No ‘You’ in Truth,” and “Tik Tok Heretic: Confronting False Teaching Prevalent in Our Culture with Biblical Truth”
- Alumnus Chad Janetzke: “Wearing More Than One Hat with Style!” and “Power Tool: Instructions Not Included”
- Alumnus Tanner Olson: Superdome mass events, book signing at CUW booth (E403), and final sending
- Alumnus Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson: “What Do I Do? Simple Steps for Tough Decisions,” and “Dealing With Doubts”
- Rev. Dr. Kurt Taylor: “Leadership: What It Is, and What It Isn’t,” and “Leading in The Midst of Change”
Be sure to check them (and many more) out!
No. 2: Join fellowship
Share your Gathering experiences with us, and help us build a stronger community that fosters a sense of belonging. Student ambassadors, distinguished alumni speakers, and others from the Concordia community will be on-site to join in the fellowship. We encourage you to reach out to a new face and introduce yourself—a friendly greeting can go a long way to make someone’s day.
CUW’s Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing Dr. Michael Uden has been to four Gathering events. He says that these events are similar to family reunions “in the best and brightest sense,” which most of us can relate to. “The national Gatherings represent a marvelous blessing of our church body as brothers and sisters in Christ gather together in worship and fellowship,” says Uden.
“Concordia means ‘hearts together,’ and the LCMS Youth Gathering is a great example of that camaraderie at its best.”
– Dr. Michael Uden
No. 3: Get connected
Meet Concordia faculty, alumni, staff, and current students at this event. At the booth, come and get a group photo taken to become a treasured part of our stained glass mosaic re-creating the iconic image of Christ risen from CUW’s Chapel of Christ Triumphant. On July 22, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., author and CUW alumnus Tanner Olson will be at our booth signing his new children’s book, “All the Things I Say to God.”
Come meet Olson and others from CUW. You can plan to see our team out and about talking to attendees, hosting interviews, taking videos and photos, or just simply helping out. Some faces may be comforting and familiar, while some will certainly be new and ready to meet you!
Director of Traditional Undergraduate Admission Leah Toerpe is instrumental in putting this event together. She has been to three Gatherings previously—two as a student, one as staff—and is looking forward to going again. Toerpe hopes to see a bunch of old (and new) faces. “Being an alumna of Concordia Wisconsin, I know I will see old friends from college who are currently serving as pastors, youth leaders or as chaperones for their own kids groups attending.”
Toerpe fondly recalls her previous times attending and shares that three of her kids will be going as students this year. “It has been a lot of fun for my husband and I to share our stories of attending Gatherings as teens,” says Toerpe. “It’s amazing how these events stick with you decades later.”
No. 4: Have fun!
CUW will have flash giveaways, including … It’s a secret! Fill out your information at our booth to qualify. We’ll also have 13,000 customized baseball caps available for free during the exhibit. So please come say “Hi!” to us and pick up your swag. CUW is also sponsoring musical performances for the mass events on Sunday and Monday nights at the Superdome. Lutheran Christian hip-hop artist FLAME will be performing Sunday and Christian folk rock worship band Rend Collective on Monday. So be sure to come check them out. Student ambassadors will be there!
This will be the third time Emma Kaiser, business communication major and lead student ambassador, is attending the LCMS Youth Gathering. “It has grounded me in my faith in a way nothing else has,” she says. “As a young adult learning to navigate life and hold on to hope, this event reminded me of who I am and—more importantly—whose I am. It reignited a fire in my soul for the Lord when the world felt heavy and uncertain.”
“Chills don’t even begin to cover it. Worshipping with thousands under one roof feels like a glimpse of heaven. This Gathering reminds me I’m not alone—my story is part of something so much bigger.”
– Emma Kaiser
CUW looks forward to seeing everyone at the LCMS Youth Gathering this month.
Calling all Concordia University System Alums!
If you are headed to the LCMS Youth Gathering, you can reconnect with your fellow Falcons, Cardinals, Cougars, Bears, Eagles, and more. We’re planning an unforgettable evening of fellowship, fun, and maybe even a little taste of the NOLA magic! You can secure your spot by pre-registering now to reunite with old friends and make new connections. Let’s make this the biggest and best Concordia alumni gathering event ever! To tag a fellow alum: #NYG2025 #ConcordiaAlumni #NOLA #YouthGathering #AlumniSocial #ConcordiaUniversitySystem #NewOrleans #LCMS #Endure2025
More information
This event is organized by LCMS Youth Ministry in Saint Louis, Mo.
For additional ways to connect to LCMS Youth Ministry, please visit lcms.org/youth.
Download the App
The Gathering App is available for download on the App Store and Google Play under “LCMS Youth Gathering” or “LCMS YG.” This will allow participants to bookmark their favorite speakers, learn more about sessions, and stay connected to what is happening.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or faint hearted.”
– Hebrews 12:1-3
Want in?
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.