Photography

‘In All Things’

Some 20,000 Lutheran youth and adults flocked to Houston in July for the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering.

Photography by Erik M. Lunsford | Fall 2022

On a sunny morning in Houston, around 20,000 LCMS youth and adults heard God’s Word, confessed their sins, received absolution and the Lord’s Supper, and sang together during a Divine Service at Minute Maid Park.

This service was the culmination of the five days of the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering, held July 9–13 in Houston under the theme “In All Things,” based on Colossians 1:15–20. In a church body of around 1.8 million, Gathering attendees represented more than one out of every 100 LCMS Lutherans, as well as partner churches from 11 other countries.

The week was full of mass events, Bible studies, topical sessions and service projects. Youth groups donated blood, made recordings of books for Concordia Publishing House, and worked with LCMS Recognized Service Organizations like Lutheran Braille Workers and Orphan Grain Train. More than 4,500 participants were deployed to serve throughout the city, and many others built beds for the nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace that were then delivered to children in the Houston area.

“It’s a blessing to gather God’s people together in Houston,” said the Rev. Dr. Mark Kiessling, director of LCMS Youth Ministry. “We are thankful for the prayers and support of congregations, parents, pastors and church workers who made it possible for young people and adult leaders to be here.”

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Read more about the 2022 Youth Gathering

Learn more about LCMS Youth Ministry

Erik M. Lunsford

Managing photojournalist for LCMS Communications.