“At the Bavarian Inn Lodge… We got 176 rooms to house you. And they were saying ‘Chuck, stop growing; we’re not going to have enough room!” said Chuck Anderson, Coordinator of the Jr. High Youth Gathering, during the final mass event this year.
Over 553 junior high youth and their chaperones from Lutheran churches throughout Michigan gathered in Frankenmuth from July 28–30, 2026 for this year’s Michigan District Jr. High Youth Gathering. Participants grew around the theme Alien Fellowship. Based on 1 Peter 3:15b, students rejoiced knowing that, although we’re aliens in this world, we’re not alone. The event consisted of mass gatherings, servant events, sectionals, and a special evening devotion at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church.
During mass gatherings, students sang, danced, and laughed to songs played by the Swenless band. They played games from 9 Square in the Air to Gaga Ball to Chess. A special video game was commissioned to be played by students.
A highlight of these mass gatherings were messages from the keynote speaker, Dean Swenson: “As Christians, we carry the name of Jesus. The word Christian means ‘someone who belongs to Christ.’ That your lives represent Him… How you live out your life and your conduct is important. Sometimes one of the clearest ways to represent Jesus is to say ‘God, I need your help. Show me how to live like you.’”
On Wednesday, students followed two different tracks. The youth in the first track
started their morning by participating in servant events at organizations local to Frankenmuth, Saginaw, and the surrounding areas. The second track group began with sectionals about sharing their faith, listening, disagreeing well, and living out their lives as Christ followers. After a delicious chicken dinner provided by the Bavarian Inn for lunch, the two tracks swapped.
The day ended with devotions at the historic St. Lorenz sanctuary. Kids were invited to be honest before God, praying to Him for all that they need.
In between these times of learning and service, students experienced Alien Fellowship tangibly. They hung out with their youth groups in hotel rooms, at the arcade, shopping in downtown Frankenmuth, and of course swimming in Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark—the Bavarian Inn Blast.
Participants describe this event as “SO MUCH FUN” but it’s more than that. It’s about reminding youth during an ever-changing time in their lives that they have a never-
changing God who loves them. It’s showing them they have a huge community of believers their own age standing with them as citizens of Heaven because of Jesus. At the end of the event, our prayer is that these middle schoolers would continue to grow in their knowledge of who they are in Christ and participate deeply in the life of the Church.
As for the Bavarian Inn’s request, Chuck said, “Well, guess what? They got 350 (rooms) and we’re going for it. To God be the glory.”
Thank you to all leaders who brought their youth to Frankenmuth for the days of fun, fellowship, and growth. A recap video is featured on our YouTube channel, @MichiganDistrictLCMS. Photos can be found on the “Youth Gatherings – Michigan District, LCMS” Facebook page.
Photos by Adele Werner/Michigan District, LCMS
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