Tens of thousands of mostly teenaged Lutherans from the United States and around the world will travel in San Antonio, Texas, next month for the triennial Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Youth Gathering.

"The gathering is about young people risking to be a certain way in the world together," the director of the gathering, Heidi Hagstrom, told ELCA news. "It is about following Jesus' lead and crossing boundaries that keep us alienated from each other and from God. It is about our need for each other and for God."

The meeting takes place in two back-to back events slated for July 5-9 and July 12-16, and will give young Lutherans the chance to serve communities, build relationships with international Christians, and to hear from more than a dozen keynote speakers on current events.

Speakers include the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA and president of the Lutheran World Federation; the Rev. Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners magazine and organizer of the Call to Renewal; and Dr. San Juana Mendoza Bruce, a medical charity doctor who provides comprehensive care for more than 8,000 patients each year in Mexico.

A strong emphasis will be placed on Latin America, following the theme: “Cruzando: Journey with Jesus.” Cruzando is a Spanish word for “crossing.”

At that light, participants will be encouraged to assemble health kits for 500 people living in poverty along the U.S. and Mexico border, and put together 5,000 school supply kits for children who live along the border.











Elaine Spencer
Christian Today Correspondent