As we get ready to head to Houston in a few weeks for this year’s ELCA Youth Gathering, we knew that the best perspective for what to expect for the event would best be shared by other youth workers! Check out what other leaders are excited to experience, and what they are looking forward to most for this year’s Gathering!

From Elizabeth Hood, director of children, youth and family ministries, Grace Lutheran Church:

“I think my answer can best be summed up in one word: community. In a world more connected than ever but also more alone and isolated, at the Youth Gathering we find community. I am bringing the largest group I have ever taken to a Youth Gathering, 25 participants, which is a lot for a west coast Lutheran church!

We have youth who are active weekly participants and youth who are brand new to the program. I always overthink rooming assignments, plane seats and car placements, being intentional and hoping for a spark of friendship or connection for those new youth.

The night before we leave for the Youth Gathering, when I have thought and over-planned and prepared for anything and everything, I lie in bed thinking… will they all get along? Will we bond as a group and work well together for the next week? And sure enough, like clockwork, within the first 24-48 hours there is this magic moment that happens. It is hard to describe and it always happens when I least expect it to, that moment when we become a community. My heart swells to even think about it.

I have a picture in my head of each time it has happened on a trip. But, at the Youth Gathering it doesn’t just happen once, it happens over and over again. The first night we walk into the Mass Gathering and the youth see the thousands gathering and they realize that this is part of their community. When they are singing, arm over shoulder, swaying on the floor of the stadium with new friends: community. When they walk through the streets of an unfamiliar city and high five a youth from another state far far away from their own: community.

They are impacted by the mass expansion of their circle of community and that word takes on a whole new meaning. They make new friends in an instant and connections that change the course of their lives.

As a youth minister, these connections to each other and the larger community are priceless. The way this new community changes my group is profound. When we return home, we aren’t just 25 people in a group, we are a community, and we are connected to a much larger community than most of them had realized. They belong, whether this was their first Youth Gathering or their last, they are forever bound and woven into this community and it changes everything."

From Pastor Scott Hannon, who will be taking 29 youth and five adult leaders from two congregations in Western New York (Hope Lutheran in Arcade, NY and St. John Lutheran in Williamsville, NY):

"As we approach this year’s National Youth Gathering in Houston I am excited for many things. I’m looking forward to showing our youth just how big the church is. I’m eager to watch them serve. I’m pumped at the opportunities they will have to deepen their faith and grow in community. But what I am most excited about is watching as God’s Spirit opens their minds, hearts, ears, eyes, arms and lives.

I can’t wait to see my normally 'too cool for school' teenage boys acting silly and having fun. I can’t wait to watch our youths’ arms fling open for high-fives and hugs from total strangers. I can’t wait to listen to them share thoughts, ideas and insights they normally keep to themselves. I can’t wait to catch those “aha moments” that open their lives to God’s Spirit. I can’t wait until God opens their mouths in song and prayer. I can’t wait to witness as they go through an experience that has the potential to change everything. That is what I am most looking forward to. I can’t wait."

From Angela Hemphill,, Chaperone of Elevate High School Youth Group from Another Level Ministries in Los Angeles, CA:

"In being a Lutheran from birth I have grown to have a special love for Youth Gatherings and conventions! For me these were a  major part of my faith formation as a youth.

As we hustle and bustle with crazy deadlines, blood, sweat and, yes, tears to raise the funds to take our youth to Houston, I am driven by the hope that this trip will help  them discover who they are in Christ and in the Lutheran church.  I pray that they are inspired to be proud of their faith as they join 34,000 other youth worshipping Christ.

Lastly, I hope to give them exposure to people, places and experiences outside of their local context. At the end of it all I just  hope they really do  realize Jesus really changes thing!"

From Ellen Rothweiler, Minister for Youth and Family, Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, IA:

"We are sending a group of 10 from our congregation, Grace Lutheran in Des Moines, and I am so looking forward to how that group grows together. I especially enjoy watching the adult leaders grow in their confidence when relating to youth. The Gathering tests and pushes limits and you come back exhausted but also feeling a bit invincible. If you can survive The Gathering, what else can you take on?

One of my favorite thing about The Gathering is that youth get to experience several different manifestations of “church”; their congregation group, their travel group, their synod on synod day, their service day group, all 30,000+ children of God gathered for communion on Sunday. It helps them see church in different ways and themselves as a part of that church as they move through life.

Thank you to these leaders for sharing their thoughts—and excitement—for what’s to come at Youth Gathering this year! I don’t know about you, but it makes us want to start counting down the days until we’ll see you all in Houston!"

Are you attending Youth Gathering? We’ll see you there! Stay updated with what’s happening at the Sparkhouse booth (including a $2,000 giveaway for your church) by signing up here.