Volunteers

ENDURE, the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering, will bring over 1,000 loving, energetic, flexible, and faithful volunteers to New Orleans, LA. Volunteers are a highly valued and deeply needed element of the Gathering experience and its overall success. Whether you are an adult looking to serve for the full length of the Gathering (Ambassador), a young adult ready to serve in orange (Young Adult Volunteer), or someone flexibly able to serve for a day or two (Team Flex), the Gathering is thankful for your service.    

Fun fact: The Gathering is not only the largest gathering of the youth of the LCMS, it’s the largest Gathering of Adults and Young Adults!  It’s not an event to be missed! 

Gathering Ambassadors

Gathering Ambassadors (formerly known as Community Life Builders or CLBs) are adult volunteers ages 26 and older (at the time of the Gathering). These volunteers serve in many different capacities for the duration of the Gathering. They are servant leaders and trusted voices, helping participants have a safe and remarkable experience. The Ambassador team is filled with pastors, church workers, and lay people. Look for these volunteers in YELLOW at the Gathering.  

Ambassadors pay a volunteer registration fee of $400.  The Gathering uses this fee to supplement expenses such as hotel costs, travel stipend, and some meals.  Ambassadors are housed in dedicated hotels with an assigned roommate. 

Ambassadors must commit to attending the Gathering and serving July 16–23, 2025.  (Ambassadors will need to arrive midday on the 16th for training.  Details will be available before travel arrangements are made.)  

Ambassadors commit to: 

  • Paying a $400 volunteer registration fee 

  • Staying in assigned Gathering hotel accommodations covered by the Gathering 

  • Attending volunteer training July 16–19, 2025 in New Orleans 

  • Serving the Gathering July 19–23, 2025 in New Orleans 

Gathering Ambassador applications are CLOSED

Young Adult Volunteer

Identified by their bright orange shirts, Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs) are adults ages 19–25 who serve as role models and servant leaders throughout all corners of the Gathering. 

Within the Young Adult Volunteer Team there is also an opportunity to apply to be a Squad Leader and Captain, helping to lead fellow YAVs in being fun, friendly and flexible. 

Young Adult Volunteers commit to: 

  • Paying a $400 volunteer registration fee 

  • Staying in assigned Gathering hotel accommodations covered by the Gathering (with 4 or more same-gendered volunteers) 

  • Attending volunteer training July 17–19, 2025 in New Orleans 

  • Serving the Gathering July 19–23, 2025 in New Orleans 

YAVs pay a volunteer registration fee of $400. The Gathering uses this fee to supplement hotel costs.  Current plans are to house the YAVs at a hotel near the Morial Convention Center. YAVs are roomed by gender and 4 or more to a room. The Gathering covers all housing costs but YAVs pay for their own transportation and most meals.  

It’s a blessing for Young Adults to be encouraged to apply and also to have the financial support of local congregations as they prepare to pay for travel, registration fees, and meal expenses.  

The YAV application opens July 15, 2024 and will remain open through December 31, 2024.  YAVs must commit to attending the Gathering and serving July 17–23, 2025 (plan to arrive midday on July 17th to attend the first night’s training).  YAVs who arrive prior to July 17th or want to stay later than the 23rd will need to make their own arrangements.  

The Young Adult Volunteer Squad Leader application will be made available at a later date and will remain open through early 2024. If an applicant is not selected as a Squad Leader, they will automatically be considered for a Captain position unless they self-select not to continue.  If an applicant is not selected as a Captain, they will automatically be considered for Young Adult Volunteer position unless they self-select not to continue.   

 Please add your name to the Interest Form linked below to receive information about the YAV application when it opens. 

Team Flex volunteer positions are open to any adult ages 18+ who want to serve with a more flexible schedule. BLUE shirts identify these volunteers who have committed to serve anywhere from 4 hours for a single day or up to 8 hours a day for 5 days. 

This team is made up of Gathering alumni, LCMS Lutherans from across the country as well as Louisiana locals.  Team Flex members pay no registration fee and are responsible for the costs of their own meals, housing, and travel to and from the Gathering.  

The Team Flex application will open in January 15, 2025 and closes April 30, 2025.    

 Please add your name to the Interest Form linked below to receive information about Team Flex when the application opens. 

Team Flex

Music Opportunities

The LCMS Youth Gathering culminates in Worship at the concluding Divine Service with Holy Communion. Youth have the opportunity to be involved by sharing their artistic gifts and talents through participating in the Gathering Wind Symphony or Choir. Serving in the Wind Symphony or Choir does not conflict with other Gathering programming. 

Music opportunity audition materials will be available in Spring 2025.