We are the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) North Dakota (ND) District Youth Ministry Task Force and Lutheran Youth Fellowship (LYF). The District Youth Ministry Task Force (adults & District LYF president) and elected leaders of the District LYF (District Youth Committee – DYC) work together to offer resources and events that empower middle school and high school-age youth to grow their relationship with Jesus Christ and each other.
— Cancelled— ND District Middle School Gathering
October 20-22, 2022 • Ramada Inn, Bismarck
—This gathering has been cancelled due to low registrations—
Upcoming Events
LYF Spring Retreat • March 3-4, 2023 • Chieftain Conference Center, Carrington
This past spring, five young people from the North Dakota District, attended YouthLead training sponsored by LCMS Youth Ministry. Attendees included Jessica Schuh, ND District LYF Secretary; Caylee Nelson, ND District LYF President; Aidan Quirk, Synod Youth Ministry Leadership Team; Joseph Agnew, ND District LYF president-elect and Samuel Tschaekofske, ND District LYF Treasurer, all from Bethel, Bismarck. They gathered at the Pallotine Renewal Center, Florissant, MO to focus on “Vocation: Right Here, Right Now.” They will facilitate four sessions at the ND District Lutheran Youth Fellowship Retreat, March 3-4, 2023. Topics will include: 1) My Unique Vocation, 2) Perspective, Not Plans. 3) Step Boldly, 4) Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Lead Now and Later plus Bible study led by Pastor Adam Harvala, ND District LYF pastoral advisor.
YouthLead, March 16-19, 2023
Pallotine Renewal Center, St. Louis, MO
Registration opens October 2022
Any high school student active in their local congregation may register.
For details about attending with other ND youth, contact Pat Sebastian, patsebbis@aol.com (701) 471-3289.
YouthLead equips teens to develop and use their leadership skills as they serve Christ within their congregations and communities. This annual leadership training event is facilitated by the Synod YouthLead Leadership Team. This training uses leadership resources developed to give teens the tools they need to mature in their faith, become leaders in their congregations, and reach out to their peers with the love of Christ.
C.F.W. Walther (the first LCMS President) once said, “You cannot use your time to better advantage than by serving well the young people of the congregation.”
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MODELS FOR YOUTH MINISTRY in the LCMS throughout the years. From Confirmation instruction, Sunday School, Walther League to Lutheran Youth Fellowship and beyond, congregations have served their young people in a variety of ways at different times. As Generation Z passes through our youth ministries, congregations may feel unprepared to face the unique gifts and challenges of working with teens today. LCMS Youth Ministry has spent significant time in the last few years listening, reading data, conducting research and digging into Scripture around what is key for healthy congregational youth ministry. Our heart is to faithfully lead, serve, resource and network youth and adults by working through LCMS districts and congregations with Christ at the center of everything.
While the practices described in the Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry may not cover every facet of ministry or teaching of this church, we do hope it provides support, direction, and inspiration.
This is not a program.
This is not a short-term fix.
This is not about you.
This is about Jesus.
This is possible for any congregation.
This task is worth it.
Thank you for dedicating your time, heart, and energy to the care of today’s youth.
