Cheryl and I are at the LCMS Youth Gathering in Houston. This event happens every three years. Youth and adults from all over gather together to rejoice in the oneness we have in Jesus, to be fed with God’s Word, to attend sessions about topics they deal with in their lives, to do servant events in the area, and to have fun!  The exhibit hall will expose them to opportunities for service in the church and Christian Educational Institutions. The Gathering officially began last night with a Mass Event at Minute Maid park. About 20,000 people are in attendance. Check it out of Facebook: LCMS Youth Gathering.

There are over 1000 people here in volunteer capacities, many of whom paid their own way just to come and help. We do this because we know that this type of event can be life altering for our young people. They will start friendships that will last for the rest of their lives. They will encourage each other in their lives of discipleship. Many of them will feel God’s call to service in the church, either in full time ministry or in a volunteer capacity. It is a good thing.

While it is a lot of fun, that is not the reason I keep coming to these things. I want to do my little part to make this a positive experience for all the participants. This gathering is all about Jesus. We want all participants to grow closer to their Lord and in their understanding of who He is and what He has done for them through His life and death and resurrection and ascension.

The theme of this gathering is “In All Things” based on Collosians 1:15-20

Colossians 1:15–20 (ESV) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. ¹⁹ For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

This is from the official gathering website: “In All Things is a reminder that the Christian story encompasses all things. Nothing, and no one, is left out. In baptism, all things in our lives are brought under the gracious rule and reign of Jesus Christ. The story includes all of each of us. Christ is the single “big idea” in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, and he will be the single big idea at the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering.”

Please pray for this gathering, the workers and volunteers and all the participants.