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For 25 years, thousands of Lutheran youth have learned that serving others changes people at the core. LCMS Servant Events provide the means for youth to reach out and make a difference because Jesus is at work in their lives.
In 1981, Rick made a difference at the first LCMS Servant Event, which was held at Lutheran Valley Retreat (LVR) in the mountains above Colorado Springs. Quoted in a report from the event, Rick said, "I'll go home knowing that I made a bunch of new friends and that I have a harness from God." (taken from Matthew 11:28-30, the 1981 Servant Event Bible study text.)
Today Rick says his week serving in Colorado "...made a lasting impression
on my life. It was there I began to put my faith into action using the tools
I had learned in Lutheran grade school and confirmation." The time he spent
as a teenager putting faith into action continues for Rick
even now, as he
serves
God
through his vocation as a marketing director for a Christian publisher. Rick
knows the impact serving can have on youth, and recently served as one of the
adult leaders of a Servant Event, taking a group of inner city youth back to
LVR.
Greg is a Director of Christian Education and has been the Servant Event Project Coordinator for Fixin' Up the Thumb held in Michigan for the past ten years. Greg notes, "Taking youth to a Servant Event can be powerful. Hosting a project brings God to your front door. The number one reason our congregation sponsors the Fixin' Up the Thumb Servant Event is because of the spiritual growth that occurs in high school students. In my ministry, I'm not here to be a YMCA. I can't compete with MTV. Yet, the youth continue to come because they are getting something they can't get out there. We're providing a place for the faith to be engaged. I haven't found anything that encourages spiritual growth like a Servant Event."
Paulette, a youth servant says, "Serving comes in all sizes and shapes. It
makes me stretch who I am and where I am going." Her comment connects with
all the youth and adult servants who come from every state to serve across
the United States and in Mexico and Europe with LCMS churches, schools, camps,
colleges, and social service agencies. And as Andrew, another youth servant
adds, "We don't know at first how, when, or where the Lord may have us do His
work, but often in doing it, we get a better understanding of our discipleship
and the joy that comes with it."
LCMS Servant Events
Provide opportunities for Christian service to the Church and world.
Include personal Bible study, group building, and connection with other Lutheran
youth.
Give youth a chance to live what they believe by connecting acts of service
to daily life and sharing their love of Christ with the people of the world
Take youth out of their comfort zones to experience the reality of others.
Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians: "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God." (2 Corinthians 9:12)
Your gift will serve as an "expression of thanks to God" for the Servant Event hosts who provide their leadership for this important ministry and the youth who continue to make a difference through their service in the name of Christ. Its specific use will include support to
create the annual Servant Event Bible Study and Community Life materials
for youth.
provide resources to LCMS churches, schools, camps, colleges, social service
agencies, and other entities interested in hosting their first Servant Event.
assist with the housing and transportation costs associated with the annual
leadership training for Servant Event hosts.
Simply click on the "Give Now" button and make your gift. We appreciate your
support of this vital ministry of service.
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Help Support a Servant Event
