The Rooted Gap Year program is off and running and I couldn’t be more thankful for the way things have started. We have eight incredible young adults from all over the country who have come to be discipled, to live in community, and to serve the Lord.

John 1:14 describes “The Word” (Jesus) as dwelling among us “full of grace and truth.” As a pastor, I hope that I regularly dwell with others as Jesus did, in the fullness of his grace and truth, but I don’t.

For five days we watched our young people take in God’s Word, praise his name together in worship, and join each other in prayer. They experienced fellowship through afternoon activities, games with emcees, climbing mountains, and more! Hundreds of students are growing in Christ!

It is noon on a Monday, time for The Clothing Closet to open. About a dozen people are waiting to enter the building. Some early arrivals find their way to the food pantry and quickly load up on fresh vegetables and fruit, dry goods, and ready-to-eat meals; others disperse through the racks of clothes and household goods, hoping to find what they need.

I don’t know if the church gets much more divided than during an election year. 2024 is shaping up to be no different. How should we, the body of Christ, think and behave in this divisive climate?

My story of being involved in Lutheran Brethren Youth Ministries is only one note in the song that is the beautiful history—the awesome legacy—of the Lutheran Brethren’s investment and concern for the generations that would follow them.