16,000 ELCA Lutherans from across the globe journeyed to New Orleans for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, which gathered under the theme “Created to Be.” Out of the 16,000 present, a little over 250 were from the Northern Illinois Synod, including at least one who attended the Young Adult Gathering and 5 who attended MYLE (Multi-Cultural Youth Leadership Event). Everyone is already getting excited for the Youth Gathering in Minneapolis in 2027!
Check out some reflections from our youth below:
MYLE Reflections from St. John’s, Rock Island
St. John’s in Rock Island took three youth, one pastor, and an adult volunteer to the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE). Pastor Jennifer writes: MYLE took place in the days before the National Youth Gathering, which we also attended. Abraham said what we all felt: “the speakers were amazing.”
Matteo’s words captured the necessity and importance of MYLE for our youth of culture. He said, “I felt connected through struggle because even though I didn’t get to talk to a lot of kids, the kids I did talked to have gone through similar experiences as people of color. Like being asked to say a word in their language to prove that they are the race they claim to be. Or, that they didn’t feel claimed by their culture and its people because they were born in the U.S. I just felt comfortable knowing that so many kids might have had the same experiences as me and even have felt the same way. I also felt more connected with God as everything I heard at MYLE was reassuring. Everything I already guessed or believed—that God isn’t someone who discriminates based on sex, race, religion, status, appearance, education, or beliefs. God loves everyone as they are, and that really made me happy. Too often minorities are led to believe that God is someone who won’t accept you if you don’t meet the standards. MYLE passed along a different, nicer, more accepting image and view of God.”
As a pastor, MYLE was a beautiful experience of Church and what Church can be. As a mother who raised two beautiful sons of color before I entered the ministry, I spent some of my MYLE time mourning that I didn’t know about MYLE when my sons could have gone. The opportunity to experience the ELCA as being “not white” would have been compelling for them. My hope is that other NIS congregations will make MYLE a priority for their youth of color when we next meet. Even if, and especially if, a congregation has only a few youths of color. - St. John’s, Rock Island’s MYLE Crew: Abraham, Isaac, Matteo, Forrest Meyer, and Pastor Jennifer Ohman-Rodriguez
Created To Be Authentic: Accompaniment Day Reflections from Peace, New Lenox
The dictionary defines the word “authentic” as “genuine, original.” Based on what I have experienced at this gathering, Authentic is one of the only words I can think of to describe what I experienced here.
Wednesday was Peace Lutheran’s Interactive Learning day. We were so excited to get out and get involved with other churches and see what the ELCA was doing to help solve problems all over the world. Seeing how much good the community is doing for people in need, especially the activities about the LDR(Lutheran Disaster Response) and the Generation Zero-Hunger Seminar. I never knew these things existed in the ELCA, but now knowing, I know what I can do to help further in these programs.
Some of my group loved the community life activities. They loved getting to know people with games like nine in the sky, the inflatable obstacle course, gaga ball, and much more. We also like the opportunity to give away swaps and receive them too. One of our group members got a total of 30 new bracelets from different groups. We definitely have made some new friends and have met so many people who have helped make a change in a community of like-minded people.
I can definitely say that mass gathering was an experience like no other. No concert in the world that could be more energetic with teenagers than that one. I loved how the house band brought music styles in from modern day to Caribbean and made it something we all enjoyed. I especially loved their version of A Bar Song(Tipsy). I've never enjoyed a church song that much. I would love to hear some other covers of songs such as some of my favorites like Valerie by Amy Winehouse or Joy by Andy Grammar. I also loved the music by special guest artists like Blessing Offor. He really got everyone on their feet. It was fun to see and get to know people that have the same interests as us.
The speakers at this gathering were so great. They were just so inspirational, and their speeches were so motivating that I got emotional. Rebecca was such a visionary. If she wouldn’t have said anything about being a trans individual, I would have never known – neither would my group. She was easy to relate to because she was not very much older than us. She was so calm with how we were, and she was so impressed with how she was brought into the light of fame, even when she was only 9 years old. I can definitely say that if I could sit down and eat lunch with any celebrity, my answer would be two words: Rebbeca Bruesehoff. Jaqueline Busse was one of the best speakers I've heard in a while. She was so realistic with her situation. When she started to talk about using the phrase “Anyways” as a term to help us move into the future, it was so mind blowing; I was appalled, and my mindset was changed. Anyway, these two speakers are two that I hope will speak at the next gathering. (Wink Wink)
We all had so much fun this year at the National Youth Gathering. Although we all thought it was a lot of walking and it was hot, we had the time of our lives. We are so grateful that we were able to attend this year, and we thank all of the staff and members who helped put this together. We can’t wait to attend the next one in Minneapolis. –Abigail from Peace New Lenox
Created To Be Free: Accompaniment Day Reflections from Immanuel, Rock Falls
Thursday was our church’s accompaniment day. Waking up at 7 o’clock wasn’t awesome but getting to spend some time with some new people and my own church. I got to help Grace Lutheran Church. Me and two of my friends helped repaint the parking lot and dig out their sidewalk. Some people painted, built things, and there was some gardening. I really felt the love in their church as they continued to push through regardless of the disastrous state their church was in after the floodings. The mass gathering that night was full of different speakers that told us how they were free. And how we all are free in Christ! – Andrew from Immanuel in Rock Falls
Created To Be Disruptive: Regional Worship Day Reflections from Living Waters, Crystal Lake
We are all created to be disruptive in our own ways. Being disruptive doesn’t mean disturbing people around you, it means stepping out of your comfort zone and not being a part of the “norm”. On Friday night at the Gathering, we learned about all of the ways people have been disruptive in their lives. One of the speakers we heard from who is disruptive was Lori Fuller. Lori Fuller is a pastor who is deaf, and she created the first deaf church. While she was on stage, she taught us how to clap and say “you are not a mistake” in sign language. This moment really stuck with me because I felt like I was able to grow a connection with other deaf people. Everyone deserves to be reassured that they are not the mistake, and now I am able to communicate this message to a person that is deaf even if that’s the only sign language I know. – Sydney from Living Waters in Crystal Lake
Check out a video recap of the entire event put out by the ELCA Youth Gathering: Week in Review | "Created to Be"
