2009 WELS youth rally
Filed Under: CYD, rally, youth, Youth Discipleship
Online registration is approaching for the 2009 WELS International Youth Rally, to be held July 8-11 at Iowa State University in Ames. Approximately 2,600 spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis when registration opens Mar. 2. Dr. Joel Nelson, administrator of Youth Discipleship, is encouraging groups to plan ahead and register early. "Historically the rally has filled up," he says. "So if groups procrastinate, they run the risk of not getting in."
This summer's rally will welcome guests from around the globe. Teens of missionary families in Taiwan, Malawi, Zambia, and Brazil will be attending thanks to a partnership between WELS World Missions and Youth Discipleship. "In my e-mailing back and forth, the missionary parents and teens seem really excited to have this opportunity," says Nelson. Hannah Stellick, daughter of Missionary Kevin Stellick in Taiwan, writes, "Thanks for all your work on the youth rally, I can't wait! Thanks also for making it international. It will be cool to meet other missionary kids!"
Youth Discipleship is also working to get several service opportunities lined up for teens at the rally. "We're hoping to have some really meaningful service projects that will involve doing things in the community, at the university, and maybe traveling to WELS or Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) churches nearby," says Nelson. In addition to service opportunities, the 2009 rally will also include a "WELS Got Talent" competition and rally commercial contest.
Nelson says the overall goal of the rally is to help teens personalize the rally theme, "Follow the Path, Lead the Way," and with God's help, carry it out in their everyday lives. "We're emphasizing that teens need to follow Jesus and lead others to him," he says. "And as the rally Bible passage 1 Tim. 4:12 suggests, they should not feel that because they are young they are less qualified. Young people are a vital part of our church body, and of the Lord's work, and we don't want them to think otherwise."
For more information, visit the rally Web site: www.welsyouthrally.net
