LYO Synod Youth Gathering of WND
We Welcomed 400+ Youth and Adults at LYO this past October and can’t wait to do it again in 2024!! Save the Dates and Invite your 6th-12th Grade Youth to Join Us!!
LYO 2024 at the Grand Hotel in Minot:
- High School LYO: Thursday-Friday Afternoon, October 17-18
- Middle School LYO: Friday Evening-Saturday Afternoon, October 18-19
Click HERE for the 2023 Leaders Guide
The LYO Board is excited to host a fall faith formation experience for the High School AND Jr. High/Middle School youth of our Synod this October! We will bring together phenomenal speakers, informative break-out sessions, and of course: tons of fun! We hope the 6th-8th and 9th-12th Grade youth of your church will be able to join us in Minot Thursday-Friday and Friday-Saturday, October 17-19 2024.
Please contact the LYO Synod Liasion Pastor Brad Dokken (brad@wndsynod.org) with any Questions.
We are excited to announce that Agape* and Joe Davis will be our Main Speakers for LYO 2023!!
The well-known ELCA duo, Agape* and Joe Davis, actually met at a North Dakota LYO and have teamed up to share the great love of Jesus through hip-hop, spoken word and poetry. They have an unbelievable talent of getting kids involved, on their feet and excited to be a follower of Christ. This is an LYO you DO NOT want to miss!
Joe Davis is a nationally-touring artist, educator, and speaker based in Minneapolis, MN but grew up in Minot, ND! He employs poetry, music, theater, and dance to shape culture and is a rising leader in the ELCA.
Agape* (Dave Scherer) combines rapping, dancing, storytelling and his fluency in Spanish to connect with his listeners in a way that they really “get it”. His energy is contagious, and his stories of faith transcend differences. Even those who do not normally enjoy hip-hop, find themselves dancing to his music and captivated by his unique presentation of the Gospel. AGAPE* brings an authentic approach by translating the theological depth of his seminary training into simple songs and stories that can be understood by every listener. His passion is to bring together people of all backgrounds and let them know about God’s love for the whole world. This is “AGAPE*”!
Join the High School LYO Board to Help Plan the Event!
The 2024 Board will be accepting applications for the Vice President, Treasurer, East Missouri, Lonetree, Upper Missouri and Western Prairie Representatives. Applications are ONLY open to 9th, 10th, and 11th graders who are youth members of ELCA churches in the Western North Dakota Synod. Candidates must commit to attending four meetings per year for two years. Click Here to Review the Position Descriptions and Responsibilities. Applicants must submit a Recommendation Form from a trusted adult and send in a Video Application with three videos sharing information about their faith, LYO interest and life experiences.
9th-11th Grade Youth are invited to apply through an online LYO Board Application available here. Youth are also asked for an Adult to fill out a Recommendation Form, available here.
The LYO Board and Advisors
The LYO Board is selected through an application process and consists of 1 youth member from each of the 7 conferences of the synod and 4 officers. Each member serves a 2-year term. Adult advisors are asked to serve with youth representatives from their congregation or conference, and also serve a 2-year term. The LYO Board plans and promotes the annual gathering and seeks to support and encourage congregational youth ministry throughout our synod. Please pray for the LYO Board and Advisors as they meet mid-January, in the spring and summer to put work into this incredible gathering.