wfn.org | ELCA Youth Told: "Dance with God"

[News News <news@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 30, 2000

ELCA YOUTH TOLD:  "DANCE WITH GOD"
00-YG04-MR

     ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- "God chooses to dance with you, so get
dancing with God," Mike Yaconelli told 22,000 high-school-age and
adult Lutherans gathered here for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America's (ELCA) Youth Gathering, "Dancing at the Cross Roads."
Yaconelli spoke at the gathering's opening celebration June 28 at the
Trans World Dome at America's Center.
     The ELCA Youth Gathering is meeting June 28-July 2 and July 5-
9.  The two events bring together some 40,000 Lutheran young people
and adults, who are engaging in worship, Bible study, community
service and fun.
     Yaconelli, Yreka, Calif., is co-founder and owner of Youth
Specialities, an international organization that trains and provides
resources for more than 100,000 youth workers worldwide.  Yaconelli,
is also a lay minister for Grace Community Church, a small church
"for those who don't like church much," he said.
     "To be a Christian means that Jesus Christ is going to ruin
your life, but what a glorious ruining it is," Yaconelli said.
     Jesus understood how to live and play, Yaconelli told the young
people.  In our society today, "we have lost the ability to play.
When you get old, you stop doing things like skipping, playing games
and building sand castles.  If you can't build a sand castle at age
five, when can you?
     "Everyone in this place is affected by society.  Our culture is
sucking the light out of the souls of men and women.   Why are so
many people dying, when half of the music still exists within them?"
he said.
     Yaconelli told participants, "Do not let [adults] keep you from
failing.  Don't be afraid to fail.  God understands that failure is
the way to learn," he said.
     The theme for day one of the ELCA Youth Gathering was "Getting
into the Dance."  Music was provided by Ken Medema and the group,
Lost and Found.
     Adam Timmerman, a football player for the St. Louis Rams,
welcomed the young people saying, "Your energy is being felt in St.
Louis."
     Timmerman wanted Lutheran young people to know "it's not enough
knowing about God educationally, but it's about understanding God's
love for you."
     The Rev. Charles H. Maahs, bishop of the ELCA Central States
Synod, Shawnee Mission, Kan., greeted participants on behalf of the
5.2 million members of the ELCA.  He said, "Be at peace, dance with
the Lord."
     Evening emcees were Christa Harrison, 17, Platteville, Wis.,
and John Eiselt, 20, Stillwater, Minn.  Harrison is a member of First
English Lutheran Church, Platteville, and a senior at Platteville
High School.  Eiselt attends the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

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