wfn.org | [LCMS] Gathering attracts 35,000 from 29 countries

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	August 2, 2004 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 62

	Orlando youth gathering attracts
	35,000 people from 29 countries

	ORLANDO, Fla.  The sight was almost beyond imagination  35,000
people from 29 countries  groups forming waves of orange backpacks as
they moved through 1.6 million square feet of the Orange County
Convention Center and around this city for the 2004 National LCMS Youth
Gathering July 24-28.

	Beyond Imagination was the gathering theme, drawn from Eph.
3:20-21.

	The attendance figure was a record for nine Synod youth
gatherings held since 1980.

	Before the gathering, 400 came for a three-day Diversity
Emphasis Leadership Institute where they picked up skills for witnessing
to others here and back home.

	Participants gathered in the convention center every morning for
Bible study and for mass events at night, their view aided by 16 big
video screens. Synod President Gerald Kieschnick delivered the sermon
for the Tuesday night worship service, during which actors portrayed the
events of Holy Week and Easter.

	They waved, stomped and sang along with Christian bands, sat on
the edges of their seats for a serial drama, flashed cameras as a
spotlighted artist painted images of Jesus face and cheered speakers.
Each days focus was a subtheme  power, truth, love, praise and live.

	They heard speakers and bands at mega sites and interest
centers, browsed exhibits and played on indoor athletic fields. Hammers
pounded as youth built enough window frames for 50 Habitat for Humanity
homes and others assembled school kits for underprivileged children.

	About 9.000 young people and adults fanned out through the
Orlando community for servant events at more than 80 sites.

	The next Synod youth gathering is being planned for New Orleans
in 2007.

	***************************************

	If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release,
contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or (314) 996-1231,
or Paula Schlueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314) 996-1230.

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