What is the Gathering

Every three years, thousands of high schoolers and their adult leaders from across the ELCA come together for the ELCA Youth Gathering. It’s not just an event but a movement in which faith ignites and community comes alive. Through inspiring speakers, experiential learning and transformative connections, young people experience the church in bold, unforgettable ways. Each night, participants share a unique faith experience through high-energy worship and powerful storytelling. The Gathering is an opportunity to ask big questions, grow in faith and be part of something bigger than yourself. Are you ready to join the movement?

Our mission:

The ELCA Youth Gathering, a unique community by size and scope, exists to accompany young people in their faith journey. Through experiential learning, worship, and intentional community, participants will be both affirmed and challenged in their faith.

Our vision:

Inspire a movement of young people to boldly live out their faith.

Our values:

Faith: We root everything we do in God’s undeserving grace, creating space for young people to grow in faith, wrestle with big questions and be transformed by the gospel.

Belonging: Every young person is created in God’s image and celebrated as a whole person — questions, complexities and all. The Gathering is a place where all people belong and are seen, valued and embraced in Christ’s love.

Connection: Through shared experiences, the Gathering creates connections — within congregations, across the ELCA and with the wider world — reminding young people that they are part of something bigger than themselves.

Curiosity: We cultivate a spirit of curiosity, encouraging young people to ask bold questions, explore new perspectives and expand their understanding of faith in action.

Inclusion: We commit to creating an equitable, accessible and just environment where every young voice matters. We believe that God’s creation and love are without limit and that our work to embrace our neighbor expresses God’s inclusionary love.

Leadership: We believe that young people are not just the future of the church but leaders here and now. The Gathering empowers young people to discover their gifts, grow in confidence and step into courageous leadership in their churches, their communities and the world.

History of the Gathering

Young Lutherans have been gathering for more than a hundred years! The Lutheran denominations that merged to create the ELCA all had rich traditions of bringing their young people together. We’ve gathered in places from Los Angeles to Boston under such themes as “Called to Freedom” and “Jesus, Justice, Jazz,” with speakers ranging from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber.

ELCA Youth Gatherings (1988-Present)

1988	San Antonio, Texas: “Rejoice in the Lord Always”
1991	Dallas, Texas: “Called to Freedom”
1994	Atlanta, Ga.: “2 Be Alive”
1997	New Orleans, La.: “River of Hope”
2000	St. Louis, Mo.: “Dancing at the Crossroads”
2003	Atlanta, Ga.: “Ubuntu” (“Do Life”)
2006	San Antonio, Texas: “Cruzando” (“Crossing”)
2009	New Orleans, La.: “Jesus, Justice, Jazz”
2012	New Orleans, La.: “Citizens With the Saints”
2015	Detroit, Mich.: “Rise Up Together”
2018	Houston, Texas: “This Changes Everything”
2021/2022	Minneapolis, Minn.: “boundless: God beyond measure” (canceled due to COVID-19)
2024	New Orleans, La.: “Created to Be”
2027	Minneapolis, Minn.: “Imagine More”

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