Investing in Young Adults
Roger Visknes teaching at one of the various teaching gatherings with young adults following the Exponential Conference.
As the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, we are committed to being a disciple-making movement. A vital part of that mission is developing and equipping the next generation to not only be part of the Church, but to take ownership within it.
A young adults retreat was organized by the CLB following the Exponential Conference in Orlando, Florida. It was a meaningful and encouraging step in that direction. Roger Viksnes, Jordan Spina, Troy Tysdal, and Dan Venberg spent time in intentional engagement with young adults from across our denomination. What took place was more than just teaching. It was discipleship, encouragement, and vision casting for what God may be doing in and through this generation.
Roger Viksnes helped lay a strong foundation by teaching on calling. He gave young adults a framework that was both simple and deeply biblical. We all share a macro calling and a micro calling.
Our macro calling is the same for every believer. We are called to be children of God, to love our enemies, to make disciples, and to live as followers of Jesus. Our micro calling is how that gets lived out in our specific vocations and everyday lives. Roger encouraged students to walk in step with the Holy Spirit through simple, daily questions:
Lord, what do you have in store for me today?
How can you use me today?
Who can I encourage, comfort, or witness to?
This was not just theoretical. It was practical, and many of our young adults expressed a desire to begin living this out daily. The takeaway was clear. You can live out your calling wherever God has placed you.
Jordan Spina built on this by walking through the B.L.E.S.S. principles from Dave Ferguson’s book by the same name. He challenged young adults to slow down and intentionally consider who God has placed in their lives to bless. In a world filled with busyness, such as jobs, school, and responsibilities, it’s easy to lose sight of the mission field right in front of us.
Jordan reminded us that reaching people is not complicated. It starts with awareness, intentional relationships, and a willingness to share both our lives and the good news of the gospel. He helped students identify people in their workplaces, neighborhoods, and campuses who need Jesus.
Troy Tysdal, then, led a session from God’s Word centered on spiritual gifts. He helped young adults reflect on how God has uniquely gifted each of them. It’s important for them to recognize those gifts, not just for their own benefit, but for the building up of the body of Christ. The reminder was both affirming and challenging. The Church needs these gifts. Young adults are not spectators. They are essential participants in God’s work!
Finally, Dan Venberg expanded our vision beyond ourselves by illustrating and sharing about missions. He opened our eyes to the reality that many people, both across the globe and right here in America, have never truly heard the gospel. He highlighted the heart of Lutheran Brethren International Mission, to reach unreached people groups, and reminded us of both the difficulty and the urgency of that mission.
Personally, I was deeply encouraged by this retreat. There is something powerful about young adults spending meaningful time with leaders of our denomination, being known, challenged, and called forward. These spaces help young adults not only grow in their faith but also become more connected to and invested in the life of our Church body.
My prayer is that this is not a one-time event but something that continues to grow. If we are serious about being a disciple-making movement, we must continue to invest in the next generation. The future of our denomination depends on it.
Josiah Militzer is the Youth & Young Adults Pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN.