All photos by Mike Zimmerman Over 20,000 souls brave their way through the summer heat and vibrant streets of New Orleans to learn more about Jesus Christ, the Christian faith, and their Lutheran identity.
Setting a faith-filled stage
The energy was contagious from sun up to sun down. Students were enthusiastic to be out and about with other like-minded peers and leaders. They proudly expressed their individuality by wearing funky hats, brightly colored tutus, glow sticks as jewelry, and matching shirts with Christ-influenced slogans. They walked through crowds cheering positive affirmations, all while gathering around the one person holding a standard, so as not to lose their other group members in the midst of thousands.
Safeguarding your mind, body, and spirit
The YAVs (Young Adult Volunteers), along with the Gathering Ambassadors from the LCMS, were sprinkled throughout every event to help out as needed and ignite the level of enthusiasm required to ‘ENDURE‘ this five-day gathering.
Students spent their days going to Bible Study, attending informative sessions—both for students and adults—on a wide range of topics, learning about other schools and organizations they can attend, and enjoying interactive games, prominent speakers, worship music, and more. The conference center nourished students mentally, physically, and spiritually throughout the day. Nights were a time for fellowship and festivity, students were able to let loose at the Mass Events.
One youth leader in particular, Elisha Foreman, interim director of Missions, Children’s and Youth Discipleship at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Ohio, found the adult sessions to be very useful for professional and spiritual renewal. Regarding the Mass Events, Foreman says his group of students really appreciated the stark reality behind the statements made on stage during a teen spoken word skit on Sunday night. It was exceptionally powerful as it had students (anonymous) on stage behind a screen talking about their real problems like having an eating disorder or being victim to social media bullying. Subjects that youth are faced with today, whether it’s a personal struggle or a peer’s.
As for the student sessions, veteran LCMS speaker (nine years) Brad Alles presented three topics this year and found students’ reactions to be very positive, “the students were attentive, engaged, and applauding at the end,” he notes. Alles has been CUW’s associate professor of education for a decade now, and prior to Concordia, he was a high school teacher, speaker, and author. He thanks God for CUW’s passion in supporting youth through their contributions to the LCMS National Youth Gathering.
“As always, the Gathering is unlike anything else—20,000 youth praising Jesus and getting to know God better, serving the community, and growing together in love,” says Alles.
Enjoying free swag, free fun, and plenty of smiles
There wasn’t one booth throughout the entire conference center that you couldn’t find someone having fun, picking up swag, and smiling. Outside the excitement continued even with some less than desirable heat advisories. Students soldiered through the city in small to massive-sized groups spreading joy and ensuring no one was left behind.
Welcoming and accepting juxtaposition
As with any major city, however, there is an obvious juxtaposition of ideas, lifestyles, personalities, and preferences. New Orleans was a very interesting venue for the Gathering, as it offered a glimpse into what Christ’s time in Judea and Galilee must have been like. Jesus sought out public places with those whom were marginalized or struggling with afflictions to minister to. Students and adults walked the streets of New Orleans experiencing the local vibe—which wasn’t always pretty—with God in their hearts. Some were even involved in local service opportunities nearby that were prearranged with the LCMS Youth Gathering.
The Mass Events that took place outside of the convention center at the Superdome were out of this world. From FLAME’S speech and performance to Rend Collective, to the skits and musical performances by the LCMS Youth Gathering group, the crowds were enamored.
His gospel is all around us
Everywhere you turned Christ was present. Attendees were surrounded by His messages from the words displayed on clothing and print materials, to the words spoken and sang at the Mass Events, to the hospitable actions displayed by staff members and volunteers involved in the creation of the entire five-day event. Even those who were “strangers” to us out in the community were sharing and receiving God’s word with us daily. It was nothing short of amazing!
This year’s LCMS Youth Gathering host and poet Tanner Olson has been working with the Gathering since 2016 in some kind of capacity. He is a believer in the mission behind the Gathering and how it brings youth from all over the world together. Olson found this year’s theme, “Endure,” to be especially important as it reminds youth that sometimes life is heavy and hard—it’s all the things you don’t want it to be—but as Olson puts it, “we are surrounded by people who have carried on before us, who have lived by faith, who have walked with God, who have endured hard things, and you know, reminding one another that we can endure hard things.”
The main (and much needed) message of the Gathering, according to Olson, is that we look to Christ and trust that we are not alone in this, that hope continues to carry us forward.
“It was just a really beautiful message,” remarks Olson.
As a CUW alumnus with a degree in lay ministry and theology (today’s Director of Church Ministries program), Olson had several experiences as a student that influenced his calling to become a speaker, spoken word poet, and author. It was his CUW mentors (like Pastor Tom Eggebrecht) and friendships that really encouraged him to “dive into the unknown, to walk with faith, and to trust that this was something that could be helpful to many people.”
As this year’s host, Olson received close to 1,000 DMs from students and leaders emphasizing how his poetry resonated and connected with them in a profound way. “I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a high schooler or a college student these days,” says Olson. “A lot of pressure, uncertainty, and unknown, while having a lot of noise surround you.”
He explains the importance behind the Gathering and how having a calming message of hope and peace, and the reminders of, ‘We are not alone in that … that Christ has set us free,’ is what really matters.
Note: Tanner Olson will be speaking at the Beautiful Feet Mission Conference in November.
Watch the video by Mike Zimmerman to see more.
Visit LCMS Youth Gathering for more information on the 2028 Gathering.
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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.