Youth Ministries

Youth ministry events and activities in the Michigan District are centered in Jesus Christ. They seek to provide opportunities for youth to be equipped to utilize their God-given gifts as faithful disciples, as well as support and resource the congregations of the District in their ministry to, with, through and for youth.

Michigan District

Junior High Youth Gathering
July 29-31, 2011 at Concordia University Ann Arbor

Dear Congregations, Pastors, and Youth Workers:

We would like to invite your Jr. High Youth to a valuable event this summer. The Annual Michigan District Junior High Youth Gathering will take place July 29-31 at Concordia University in Ann Arbor and is for all students entering grades 7-9 in the fall of 2011. Hide & Seek will be the theme based on Genesis 3:9: “The LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

2011 Junior High Gathering Event Page

Senior High Youth Gathering

June 26-29, 2011 on Mackinac Island

The 2011 Michigan District Senior High Youth Gathering, The Bridge took place on June 26-29, 2011 on beautiful Mackinac Island. 

2011 Senior High Gathering Event Page

Concordia University Ann Arbor - New Crew Youth Ministries

 “In a constantly changing world, New Crew is dedicated to proclaiming the message of our Savior, Jesus Christ, whose love for us does not change. By equipping its members with tools for sharing this message with youth, relationships are built that draw us closer to our Lord and to each other.”

New Crew Youth Ministries is a student run organization that allows college student’s to share their faith and help Junior and Senior High students grow closer to their Heavenly Father through youth retreats and lock-ins.

Tool Time: A weekend away at Concordia University Ann Arbor! Students are invited to campus to grow in and live out their faith through skits, games, speakers, small group time, music and so much more. This year’s theme is Bonvoyage! as together we see that through the journey of life Christ continues to be our guide who challenges us and pushes us to grow in our faith in Him, even if that means walking on water.

Lock-Ins: Groups of trained Concordia Student’s travel to churches throughout Michigan to lead Junior High and Senior High youth groups in devotions, games, and fellowship. Weekends fill up fast so be sure to schedule yours today!

For more information email New Crew at newcrew@cuaa.edu or check out our website at http://www.cuaa.edu/Spiritual-Life/youth-ministry

Youth Alliance: A Youth and Family Network

Have you ever wanted to be part of a “bigger picture” in church work ministry? Do you sometimes feel like you are on an island all by yourself? Have you noticed that the pastor of your church meets with fellow pastors in the circuit, but you don’t have any network like that for yourself? 

Wait no longer! The Youth Alliance, Michigan District has begun forming a cohort of fellow church workers that are on the same island. This island of Youth and Family Ministry includes a wide range of ministries that helps strengthen you and others in what God has called us to be (servants). 

In this Alliance, we will have an environment for open discussion among fellow church workers and their friends. In this group, we can share what we are discovering, what we are having troubles with, and how we are receiving the joys the ministry brings. This is also a great place to share helpful resources that we have run across from games to books to video illustrations. We will put up discussion topics, to share our faith in the best way we know how.  Ultimately, the goal of YAMD (Youth Alliance, Michigan District) is to be a sounding board of Christ’s love for all who participate.

Please consider joining this awesome group of believers on Facebook and feel free to share it with your like-minded friends.  +To God be the glory+

Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod

The 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering took place July 17-21, 2010 in New Orleans. The Gathering website still hosts a number of photos and videos from the gathering. Check it out at 2010.lcmsgathering.com

LYF - Lutheran Youth Fellowship

Our District Contact is Jim Huesman from Our Savior - Gladwin. His phone number is 989.426.9689; email: dceslim@yahoo.com.

Ongoing Ambassadors For Christ

OAFC is an "ongoing" witnessing movement for youth and adults of the LCMS. It is nationwide, making its ministry available to all LCMS congregations. OAFC has ONE GOAL, to be used of God to emphasize the saving Gospel -- Jesus suffered, died and rose in victory for all sins so that all people can be certain of going to heaven.

Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ will celebrate its 40th anniversary in June of 2010 with its annual Summer Training and an alumni reunion. A recognized service organization of the LCMS, OAFC has touched the lives of over 36,000 youth and adults who have learned to share Jesus in a simple way during its 40 year history. Many have become pastors, teachers, DCEs and committed lay members of our local congregations because of their experiences in OAFC. Now we need to find you! OAFC alumni are encouraged to register on the Alumni page at www.oafc.org. Alumni interested in helping to plan the 2010 reunion may contact OAFC staff member Dan Barz and alumnae Tammy Granner Mackie at alumni@oafc.org or call Dan at 269.429.7521.

For more information, contact Dan Barz at 269.429.7521 or dbarz.oafc@juno.com.