The North Carolina Synod is blessed in many ways, including youth leaders, who, as they grow in faith and years, often become leaders in the church. That all has to start someplace, and for a lot of kids, Youthquake is a first step. In October, seventy 3rd- through 5th-graders from Lutheran congregations across North Carolina came together at Mt. Pisgah, Hickory, for fun, fellowship, learning, and a chance to see what the church is all about.

The event has taken place annually for “a long time,” according to Kai Thurow, Outreach & Youth Ministries Coordinator at St. Philip, Raleigh, one of this year’s planners. Youthquake brings kids together.

“They connect over fun, games, creative hands-on activities, and lots of pizza, to build relationships within their own youth groups, but also outside those circles,” says Pastor Cassie Overcash, an assistant to the bishop who oversees the synod’s ministry to youth, children, and families.

“Youthquake offers kids an opportunity to talk with peers about their home congregations. It broadens their view of the church, how things work, how things are done,” Thurow explains. “They connect by seeing that there are other people who have the same kinds of traditions as their home church, who pray the same prayers, sing the same hymns, follow the same liturgy.”

For planners, seeing those connections in the making is the most rewarding aspect of Youthquake. “Some kids come back every year that they are able to, and those kids often move into their congregation’s LYO groups and even into leadership positions in the statewide organization,” Overcash explains. “This year members of our state Lutheran Youth Organization Board (LYO) were volunteers for Youthquake, and it was so great to see them interacting with the kids. One of the board members had with her a Bible that she was given at Youthquake, sharing it with the kids.” Overcash says this year groups from Raleigh traveled to Hickory after their own area event was canceled, and a group from Hendersonville came on the heels of Hurricane Helene’s devastation, “so it means something to the kids to be there.”

Youthquake is more than fun and games. The learning component focuses on faith formation by teaching different faith practices. This year the focus was on invitation, prayer, and worship. “They practiced ways to invite people to church, which is even hard for adults sometimes,” says Overcash. “They talked about how to make church feel welcoming to strangers.”

Thurow has been part of planning Youthquake for the past two years, and became involved as a youth leader, taking kids to the event in 2011. “For me,” he says, “the coolest part of this is seeing the kids excited to make new friends with other Lutherans from across the state as they experience their faith in a fun, hands-on way.”

Thanks be to God for the work of synod leaders, Kai Thurow and Pastor Cassie Overcash, assistant to the bishop—and so many others over the years!—who faithfully prepare and lead this important event in the life of our synod. Thanks also to you, Mission Support givers across this synod, as your faithful giving allows these events to continue. Kids’ lives of faith are being formed and you helped with that!