In July, one of the most unforgettable events in recent history for the Indiana District, 838 youth, adult leaders, and volunteers gathered in New Orleans for an experience centered on faith, friendship, and endurance. It marked the highest attendance at a district-wide event in years, setting a joyful, powerful tone for the rest of 2025.
Themed around endurance, inspired by Hebrews 12:1-3, this special gathering wove together prayer, service, worship, and New Orleans-style celebration in an unforgettable way. Students from 57 different Indiana district church communities across the Indiana District arrived already spiritually linked through prayer triads—small groups that had been praying for one another in the weeks leading up to the event. These triads continued to deepen throughout the week, creating bonds that extended far beyond just shared meals and group activities.
Living out the theme of endurance, participants engaged in meaningful acts of service that brought hope and encouragement to others. Hundreds of participants signed cards created for specific individuals currently going through difficult seasons in life in three of our parishes —each one a personal reminder that they are not alone and in Christ, we endure together! They were then sent home with a youth group representative.
Youth also made ENDURE-themed friendship bracelets to give to locals as simple but powerful acts of kindness. In another creative outreach effort, thanks to the generosity of TJ Mattick and the Lutheran Extension Fund, every attendee received a $5 Café du Monde gift card—not for themselves, but to be given away as a random act of kindness. The ripple effect of these gestures continues to spread beyond New Orleans.
The gathering wasn’t just about service—it was a full celebration of faith and community. Together, participants prayed, sang, laughed, and even celebrated birthdays. They were treated to the sights and sounds of New Orleans-style jazz and shared delicious meals that reflected the warmth and hospitality of the region.
Later in the week, students took us up on the call to represent our district at the Indiana District Table, where all 20,000 participants could learn about where we are headed as a district in the amazing field of youth ministry!
One exciting development during the week was the launch of a new Indiana District youth Instagram account, designed to serve as an ongoing space for students to share encouragement, learn from one another through the reading of scripture, and stay connected as they journey through high school together.
A huge thanks goes to the dedicated Indiana District Youth Gathering Task Force, whose tireless work made this event possible: Josh Gerkin, Tawyna Hornsby, Brian Pike, Michael Hartley, Grace Conrad, MacKenzie Jean-Marcoux, Amy Burian, Sharon Raney and Brandon Grelle (District Coordinator). Not only did this team plan and organize every detail, but many of them also rolled up their sleeves and joined students in the service projects, embracing the event’s spirit of shared mission and ministry.
We also extend heartfelt thanks to LCEF and Thrivent for their generous support of this event. Their contributions helped create moments of connection, generosity, and spiritual growth that will continue to resonate in the lives of our youth for years to come.