wfn.org | Beyond Imagination theme for the next National LCMS Youth Gathering

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
Board for Communication Services

LCMSNews -- No. 14
March 13, 2002

Planners choose theme
for 2004 Youth Gathering

3Beyond Imagination2 is the theme for the next National LCMS Youth 
Gathering, set for July 24-28, 2004, in Orlando, Fla.

The 28-member steering committee for the gathering chose the theme during 
its first meeting there Feb. 21-24.

Rev. Terry Dittmer, director of LCMS Youth Ministry, said that the theme 
plays off the idea that designers at Orlando fantasy-theme parks are known 
as 3imagineers.2

He said that the planners picked the theme 3after considerable reflection2 
on 1 Cor. 2:9-10 and Eph. 3:18-21.  Dittmer described those passages  as 
3the springboards for Bible study at the 2004 gathering.2

Dittmer said, 3Gathering participants will have an excellent opportunity to 
explore God9s real Gospel truth in a postmodern world that doesn9t 
recognize any absolute truth. God9s love in Jesus Christ, His generosity, 
power, authority, love, grace and mercy are beyond imagination and more 
than anything a human imagineer could ever think to come up with.2

Over the next six months, according to Dittmer, gathering planners will 
develop a theological prospectus for application to the gathering9s daily 
themes and program, and program teams will be recruited to begin detailed 
planning.

Registration for the 2004 gathering will begin in late fall 2003.

National LCMS Youth Gatherings, sponsored by the Board for District and 
Congregational ServicesYouth Ministry, are held every three years. The 
2001 gathering in New Orleans attracted almost 35,000 participants  the 
largest one-time regular youth gathering among all denominations. Synod 
gatherings have been held since 1980.

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