ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- "God chooses to dance with you, so get dancing with God," Mike Yaconelli told 22,000 high-school-age and adult Lutherans gathered here for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Youth Gathering, "Dancing at the Cross Roads." Yaconelli spoke at the gathering's opening celebration June 28 at the Trans World Dome at America's Center.
The ELCA Youth Gathering is meeting June 28-July 2 and July 5- 9. The two events bring together some 40,000 Lutheran young people and adults, who are engaging in worship, Bible study, community service and fun.
Yaconelli, Yreka, Calif., is co-founder and owner of Youth Specialities, an international organization that trains and provides resources for more than 100,000 youth workers worldwide. Yaconelli, is also a lay minister for Grace Community Church, a small church "for those who don't like church much," he said.
"To be a Christian means that Jesus Christ is going to ruin your life, but what a glorious ruining it is," Yaconelli said.
Jesus understood how to live and play, Yaconelli told the young people. In our society today, "we have lost the ability to play. When you get old, you stop doing things like skipping, playing games and building sand castles. If you can't build a sand castle at age five, when can you?
"Everyone in this place is affected by society. Our culture is sucking the light out of the souls of men and women. Why are so many people dying, when half of the music still exists within them?" he said.
Yaconelli told participants, "Do not let [adults] keep you from failing. Don't be afraid to fail. God understands that failure is the way to learn," he said.
The theme for day one of the ELCA Youth Gathering was "Getting into the Dance." Music was provided by Ken Medema and the group, Lost and Found.
Adam Timmerman, a football player for the St. Louis Rams, welcomed the young people saying, "Your energy is being felt in St. Louis."
Timmerman wanted Lutheran young people to know "it's not enough knowing about God educationally, but it's about understanding God's love for you."
The Rev. Charles H. Maahs, bishop of the ELCA Central States Synod, Shawnee Mission, Kan., greeted participants on behalf of the 5.2 million members of the ELCA. He said, "Be at peace, dance with the Lord."
Evening emcees were Christa Harrison, 17, Platteville, Wis., and John Eiselt, 20, Stillwater, Minn. Harrison is a member of First English Lutheran Church, Platteville, and a senior at Platteville High School. Eiselt attends the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
