Praise be to God for that glorious experience!  I know so many lives were positively changed because of their attendance at the National Gathering in Atlanta .  What a wonderful city full of culture.  I am thankful I was able to experience the people and the spirit that is alive and well in that beautiful city. 

At the first mass gathering in the Georgia Dome, I looked around and took notice of the faces of the youth from all over the country.   Those youth representing the ELCA mostly reflected a similar ethnic background.  What a blessing it was to be gathered in a city in which we did not easily blend into the common ethnicity.  Sometimes people get so used to living in groups where all the people have the same values, the same beliefs, and come from the same places.  Although we may travel to various places and meet different people from time to time, how often do we really venture out of our comfort zones and embrace the differences of others?  I see this alive and well among Christians today.  We talk about welcoming those who come from different places and who may have a different view on life into God's family, but we are often scared to actually go out and do it.  I was lucky enough to be an adult leader for this trip.  It was my first time attending a national gathering in my entire life and my first time attending any youth function as an adult chaperone.  I was so impressed with the behavior and the love of Jesus that was showing through in our nation's youth!  I am proud to say that the Love of Christ is alive and well among our youth today and is being reflected in their actions.  Not only is Christ showing through these young people, but I was witness to their full acceptance and willingness to embrace those different from themselves. I saw many youth from my church stepping outside their comfort zones to talk to and get to know the people of Atlanta ; people of whom they would probably never see again, but the willingness and dedication were there.  Because of their willingness to Do Life and accept those not like themselves, I saw nothing but acceptance and kindness returned to them.  As long as our nation's youth keep Christ as their center and keep an open mind and a heart full of Christ's love, the message of the cross will reach to the ends of the earth!!

April Schumacher

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