by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service
According to the Rev. Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners and
organizer of the Call to Renewal, there is "a lot of confusion
about what we mean by faith, by religion." Wallis spoke July 7
to more than 15,000 high-school-age Lutherans attending the 2006
Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA). The Gathering is bringing together about 40,000 young
Lutherans and adults from across the United States and around the
world in two back-to-back events -- July 5-9 and July 12-16 -- at
the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and Alamodome in San
Antonio, Texas.
"You've got a job as a new generation," Wallis said. "Your job
is to clear up the confusion about faith," he said. "What
changes history are social movements. There is a hunger for
spirituality, and there is a hunger for social justice, which is
what the world is waiting for today. Faith is the substance of
what we're waiting for," he said, adding that "you are the ones
we've been waiting for. A church is waiting for you. The
nation, the world is waiting for you. Your generation has come,"
and "we have a lot invested in you."
Wallis spoke on stage at the Alamodome during the ELCA Youth
Gathering's morning session. Other highlights of the morning
production included Bible study and a musical performance from
singer and rapper, Kelly Glow, Atlanta.
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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
