History of the Gathering
Held every 3 years since 1980, the LCMS Youth Gathering provides thousands of youth and adults the opportunity to come together as a community of God’s people to be encouraged in their walk with Jesus Christ and learn about the Christian faith and their Lutheran identity.
The Gathering is more than the five days of the event. The preparation process for the Gathering brings together young people and supportive adults to encourage each other in their baptismal identity. The Gathering provides young people a vision for the vastness of Christ’s Church and equips them for vocational service as they continue their walk with Jesus.
1980
Ft. Collins, CO
Main Theme: “Rejoice in His Presence”
Central Focus: Three Articles of the Apostles’ Creed
Sub-Themes (Daily): Earth, Fire, Water, Wind
1983
San Antonio, TX
Main Theme: “Amigos de Cristo”
Central Focus: Luther’s Explanation to the Third Article
1986
Washington, D.C.
Main Theme: “On Wings Like Eagles”
Central Scripture(s): Isaiah 40:28-31
Sub-Themes (Daily): Faith, Freedom, Justice, Mercy, Hope
1989
Denver, CO
Main Theme: “Blessed in the Journey”
Central Focus: Seasons of the Church Year
Sub-Themes (Daily): Beginning, Struggle/Sorrow, Victory, Faith/Becoming, Celebration
1992
New Orleans, LA
Main Theme: “Time for Joy”
Central Scripture(s): Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Sub-Themes: A Time to Gather, A Time to Be Born, A Time to Dance, A Time to Embrace, A Time to Scatter
1995
San Antonio, TX
Main Theme: “River of Light”
Central Scripture(s): Psalm 46:4
Sub-Themes (Daily): First Light, One Light, Points of Light, High Delight, River of Light
1998
Atlanta, GA
Main Theme: “Called to Be”
Central Scripture(s): Romans 1:6
Sub-Themes: Called to Behold, Called to Belong, Called to Be Me, Called to Be Free, Called to Be Servants
2001
New Orleans, LA
Main Theme: “Higher Ground”
Central Scripture(s): Colossians 3:1
Sub-Themes: Battle Ground, Victory Ground, Dangerous Ground, Holy Ground, Solid Ground, Common Ground, Higher Ground
2004
Orlando, FL
Main Theme: “Beyond Imagination”
Central Scripture(s): Ephesians 3:20-21
Sub-Themes: Power, Truth, Love, Praise, Live
2007
Orlando, FL
Main Theme: “Chosen”
Central Scripture(s): 1 Peter 2:9/Book of 1 Peter
Sub-Themes (Track System): CHOSEN in Christ, CHOSEN with Others, CHOSEN to the World
2010
New Orleans, LA
Main Theme: “We Believe”
Central Scripture(s): John 20:31
Sub-Themes (Track System): LOOK, LISTEN, LIVE
2013
San Antonio, TX
Main Theme: “Live Love(d)”
Central Scripture(s): 1 John 4:10
Sub-Themes: Beloved, De-loved, Love LIVED, Live LOVED, Live Love
2016
New Orleans, LA
Main Theme: “In Christ Alone”
Central Scripture(s): Book of Philippians
Sub-Themes (Track System): Identity, Community, Humility
Minneapolis, MN
Main Theme: “Real. Present. God.”
Central Scripture(s): Book of Psalms, Psalm 46
Sub-Themes (Track System): Real, Present, God
2019
2022
Houston, TX
Main Theme: “In All Things”
Central Scripture(s): Colossians 1:15-20
Sub-Themes (Track System): Christ creates, Christ reconciles, Christ reigns, Christ transforms, Christ returns
2025
New Orleans, LA
Main Theme: “ENDURE”
Central Scripture(s): Hebrews 12:1-3
Sub-Themes (Track System): ENDURE in Jesus, ENDURE as a People, ENDURE to the End