“Beloved – No Matter What” the theme for the ELCA Youth Leadership Summit at the Carol Joy Holling Camp in Ashland, Nebraska. Three youth from across the Grand Canyon Synod traveled with Pr. Jacqui Pagel to Nebraska to meet up with 100 other youth, young adults, and leaders to practice better ways to communicate God’s love to all in and out of our churches.

We practiced W.H.E.A.T, sung songs, had campfire with s’mores, and took extra care to remind each other that we are BELOVED of God. W.H.E.A.T is a practice of asking intentional questions, so that the asker and the askee can spend high quality time getting to know each other. W.H.E.A.T stands for Where, Hobbies, Experiences, Acquaintances, and Travel. The students all agreed that this was a highlight in their church lives.

Churchwide’s Youth Ministry Peer Ministry Network sponsors this event annually to recognizes the leadership our young people already provide in our church. Please contact Pr. Jacqui if you are a youth or have a youth that would like to represent the Grand Canyon Synod at The Summit, November 2 – 5, 2023, in New Orleans, LA.