Youth Ministry
Get Involved. Grow in Faith.Give for Youth
The “Give for Youth” opportunity serves the purpose of allowing congregations and individuals to support the youth ministries of the LCMS Kansas District in a financial way, largely due to inflation. Not all households can afford to send a young person to District-sponsored events. This fund is being established to assist young people by reducing the cost of District-sponsored youth ministry events (Note: this does not include the LCMS Youth Gathering and Higher Things because they are national events.)
Congregations and/or individuals willing to assist can select where to direct their youth ministry gift. Gift designated options are listed below:
1. Support a specific Kansas District Youth Ministry Event
a. Kansas District Youth Gathering (KDYG) (high school)
b. Lutheran Valley Retreat (LVR) summer camp (high school)
c. Kansas District Event at the LCMS Youth Gathering (high school)
d. Confirmation Retreat (middle school)
e. Middle School Huddle (middle school)
2. Support all District Youth Events
Financial gifts can be sent to the LCMS Kansas District Office (Attn: Business Office, 1000 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604-1104). Please earmark “Give for Youth.”
These gifts can also be made electronically through the provided “Donate” red button below.
The Kansas District offers a variety of opportunities that support and encourage young Lutherans in their faith, including the recurring events listed here. Details and announcements about these events will be added as they become available. For the latest updates, check out our Youth Ministry group on Facebook.
Stay in the loop! The Kansas District Youth Ministry Committee has created a document listing upcoming youth events for the 2023-2024 year. Click on the button below to see the events taking place.
Middle School Huddle
The 2024 Middle School Huddle was held Friday, April 19 – Saturday, April 20, at Rock Springs 4-H Ranch south of Junction City. The theme was “Connected” based on John 15:1-5.
To see photos, visit the Middle School Events page!
Lutheran Valley Retreat Summer Camp
Every summer, the Kansas District sponsors Lutheran Valley Retreat (LVR) summer camp, a weeklong camp in Colorado for Lutheran youth. LVR encourages youth to stretch themselves by bonding with new friends and stepping out of their comfort zone by participating in physical challenges.
LVR 2024 will be June 2-7, 2024. For more information, visit the LVR page!
Kansas District Youth Gathering (KDYG)
The Kansas District Youth Gathering (KDYG) is an annual event where youth in grades 9-12 and their youth leaders can grow in faith, serve, worship, and meet new people. The 2023 KDYG theme was “Re:New, Re:Deem, Re:Store!” based on Isaiah 43:19.
The 2024 KDYG will be Nov. 15-17 at Rock Springs 4-H Ranch, located south of Junction City. Click on the Kansas District Youth Gathering link for more information!
Higher Things
The 2024 Higher Things Conference will be held at three locations; Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, WI (June 25-28, 2024), University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, AR (July 16-19, 2024), and Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR (July 23-26, 2024).
To learn more about Higher Things and its conferences, visit www.higherthings.org.
LCMS Youth Gathering
Every three years, the LCMS hosts the National Youth Gathering, bringing together thousands (and thousands!) of Lutherans from around the country for five days of Christ-centered worship and service. The 2025 Gathering will be held July 19-23, 2025, in New Orleans, LA. The theme is “Endure” based on Hebrews 12:1-3.
For more information, visit our Kansas District page!
YouthLead (formerly Lutheran Youth Representatives)
YouthLead offers Lutherans in grades 9 through 12 a chance to build connections, grow in faith, and develop leadership skills. Selected representatives participate in training, attend District events such as the Kansas District Youth Gathering (fall) and Teen Fellowship Retreat (spring), visit congregations, and apply what they’ve learned at their home churches.
You can find out more about the representatives and what they do on the YouthLead page. Interested in joining YouthLead? Submit an application! You can find more details and application materials on the YouthLead page.
For more information, contact our YouthLead Coordinator: DCE Brian Amey, bamey@hcwichita.net.
District Youth Protection Policy
Attention: Pastors and Youth Leaders of the Kansas District:
Too often we read of how the children entrusted to the care of adults have been let down and harmed by those who were meant to protect them. Such a thing grieves us all and in hindsight, we wish things were done to protect those children.
The Kansas District Youth Ministry Team is committed to being proactive in keeping the children with whom we come in contact as safe as we possibly can. To that end, the Kansas District Board of Directors has reviewed and updated our Youth Protection Policies. These policies, approved on May 5, 2023, are available below.
We ask for your cooperation in maintaining the appropriate background checks and documentation of all of the people in your ministry who are involved or come in contact with the children in your sphere of ministry. We strongly encourage each of you not only to cooperate with the policies but also to consider applying these same policies in your congregations in order to protect your adult volunteers who work with minors.
Because of the need for integrity, please understand that we’re following these policies as a best practice. We want to make sure that details are tended to properly so that none of our young people are excluded from our events.
If you have questions or need clarification, please feel free to contact the Department of Education & Youth at 785-357-4441, ext. 5001.
District Staff
Jim Bradshaw
Assistant to the President for Education and Youth
785-357-4441, ext. 5001
Fax: 785-357-5071
jbradshaw@kslcms.org
Tami Lierz
Administrative Assistant
tami@kslcms.org
785-357-4441 ext. 5001
Youth Ministry Coordinator
Miriam Wehling
miriam.ksdyouth@gmail.com
Click or tap the logo above to go to the LCMS Youth Ministry page, where you’ll find great resources for youth and youth leaders. For a quick overview, check out this information sheet.