The 2004 YOUTH GATHERING HAS A NAME....In a city known for it's fantasy theme parks and where the designers of those parks were called "imagineers", the participants at the 2004 National LCMS Youth Gathering will go "BEYOND IMAGINATION". The Gathering is scheduled for July 24 - 28, 2004 in Orlando, Florida. The Gathering is open to youth in grades 9th - 12th. Stayed tune for more updates.

My Amazing Lutheran Experience

Last week (March 14th) I traveled to St. Louis, MO with Kristin Hertel as the NJ District Representative to the Lutheran Church Youth Leadership Council.

I had an interesting start to my amazing Lutheran experience going to St. Louis. Right off the bat, I was pulled off to the side during the carry-on bag inspection to be completely searched! Then as we boarded the plane, I was pulled aside again to have both my belongings and me checked. Although this made us laugh, it also made me feel more secure flying and I thanked my Lord for letting it all happen.

In St. Louis, I met so many amazing people from all over the country, who all have such a passion for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm and caring in all of us. Our main topic in St. Louis was Servanthood and how to truly serve God. We discussed and were taught what the real truth and meaning behind "serving" the Lord is.
On Saturday night, we had a youth worship service that created a very intense and wonderful "Lutheran" experience.

I would like to share one more way the Lord amazed me during this experience. As we were getting ready to come back, we were all sad to leave each other but we had to check our luggage and get on the plane. Well, you might have guessed that I was again pulled to the side and searched and my bags inspected! As we boarded the plane, I was chosen one last time to have my belongings inspected! Four times in four tries - unbelievable! But I could see the Lord working because he lessened my upset state about leaving all of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!

I want to thank all of you for supporting me and strengthening my faith. Casi Hochkeppel
03/2002

Last March I was chosen as the New Jersey District Representative to the Council of Lutheran Youth Fellowship Representatives. I spent four days in St. Louis, MO learning a community building workshop called Teens Building Teams (TBT). Over 88 LCMS youth from around the country attended. I have kept in touch with many of them and I used what I learned at a workshop that I ran at the Winter Youth Gathering last month in Ridgewood.

I am pleased to let you know that I am handing my "job" over to Casi Hochkeppel who was chosen to be NJ's newest District Rep! I know that she will be a great Rep and that she will be a great asset to the program.

Together on March 14-17th we will be going to St. Louis to learn some new skills, do several service projects and have some great fellowship with other Lutheran youth from around the country.

Please keep Casi and me in your thoughts and prayers.
Kristin Hertel
02/2002

"Wonderfully Confusing"
by Kristin Hertel

New Orleans was awesome! My parents are tired of hearing that word but I am not sure how else to describe it. Awesome but confusing. Let me explain.

As I have been looking at colleges, I thought I would major in some kind of science, perhaps becoming a biologist. I had pretty much decided this. I put that out of my mind as I got ready to attend the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA.

I had heard about the last one in Atlanta and it sounded like a great time. I have been looking forward to going for over 3 years. I knew that there would be a lot of kids. But walking into the Super dome in New Orleans, IT WAS AWESOME! Just to think that 35,000 kids were like me, believed like me, loved our Lord like me, sang the same songs as me! We attended an ongoing live drama that took us through all that Jesus went through during Holy Week. To see it with my own eyes to feel His pain, to see Him "on" the cross. How could He have done that for me, for all of us?! We worked on service projects. A mass church service was held and all 35,000 of us took communion together. It was awesome! We studied our Bibles together, we got to know each other and we understood what it took Jesus to conquer death and sin for us.

All I thought about was that He had done so much for us and that we have to spread the Word. Thirty-five thousand kids could tell a lot of people and why shouldn't I? Church work - well maybe. Working with kids - possibly. Telling this wonderful news that has filled me up - definitely.

I will never forget this wonderfully awesome time. I thank everyone who helped us go. Now I hope that God will guide my life and show me the direction He wants me to go. I'll be listening. I'll let you know!
Sept 2001

 

The 2004 YOUTH GATHERING HAS A NAME....In a city known for it's fantasy theme parks and where the designers of those parks were called "imagineers", the participants at the 2004 National LCMS Youth Gathering will go "BEYOND IMAGINATION". The Gathering is scheduled for July 24 - 28, 2004 in Orlando, Florida. The Gathering is open to youth in grades 9th - 12th. Stayed tune for more updates.

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