Prior to the 2023 NC Synod Assembly, the bishop announced an audacious goal: our synod would raise $200,000 to cover the registration fees for all of the youth from the synod who plan to attend the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering. Raising this money will lessen barriers for youth and alleviate some of the stress for parents and congregations hoping to send their youth—who are the church of today! At the beginning of Assembly, our synod’s ELCA Youth Gathering Champion, Deacon Beka Forst (Holy Comforter, Belmont), announced that we had already raised $111, 080! Could we get to the audacious goal before the end of our time together?

The Friday night worship offering was directed toward the goal, and on Saturday morning, new totals were announced. Deacon Beka shared asked for help from the assembly with a drumroll, and then shared that the amount raised from the worship offering was $19,167 (or 51 kids). The grand total raised was announced by Harrison Parrott (a St. John’s, Salisbury, young adult who attended two ELCA Youth Gatherings with Pastor Danielle DeNise): a whopping $130, 247 (or 347 youth). Before leaving the stage with her former youth group member—who is much, much taller now!—Pastor Danielle DeNise, urged continued giving so that we meet the $200,000 goal. “I want to remind you, it’s not just a dollar, it’s a face!”

Won’t you join this effort? Help us reach the audacious goal—help to cover the costs for NC Synod kids! Give today via our website or via PayPal.

As of the time of this web posting, the total amount raised is $131,152 (or almost 350 kids).