Eight youth and three adults from Grace Lutheran Church in Becker attended the LCMS (Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod)  National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis from July 11-15.  

The National Youth Gathering is held once every three years and this year’s theme was REAL.PRESENT.GOD. The theme is based on Psalm 46.  

The National Youth Gathering provides thousands of high school youth and adults the opportunity to come together as a community of God’s people and learn more about Jesus Christ, the Christian faith and their Lutheran identity.  

Approximately 25,000 youth and adults attended from across the U.S. and from other countries such as Japan, Canada and Hong Kong. Each day was jam-packed with activities and began with Bible study at the Minneapolis Convention Center and then the afternoons were spent attending speakers on timely topics affecting teens today, Christian comedians, Christian bands, a recreation center and interactive center.

Each night ended with a mass gathering of everyone coming together in U.S. Bank Stadium, where the positive energy and feeling of community could blow the roof off!  

Each evening was filled with inspirational speakers sharing how God is real and present in our lives. Toby Mac and I Am They gave concerts and everyone enjoyed The Skit Guys and 3-2-1 Improv. 

Planning began the summer of 2018 - the youth worked fundraisers and others also got together frequently for devotions and fun group bonding activities in preparation for the trip.  

The next National Youth Gathering will be held in 2022 in Houston, TX.