The Michigan District, LCMS Junior High Youth Gathering 2024 is all about the MESS! God’s mess?! It’s true! When we look at God’s plan for His people and their salvation—His Son being born as a regular human baby, touching the messy/untouchable, dying bloody on the cross—it all looks messy … that is, until we look at our own lives. We ARE certainly a MESS in our sin and shame. But God reached into that mess and showed us His great love and mercy, reconciling us to Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ.
We invite the middle school youth of our District to join us July 30–August 1 for MESSY MERCY. It is going to be three days of messy fun, messy friends (old & new), and messy lessons of God working in His creation and our lives.
When & Where
Frankenmuth
July 30 - August 1
Bavarian Inn Lodge1 Covered Bridge Lane
Frankenmuth, MI, 48734
Presenters
Keynote Speaker
Rev. Tyler Cronkright
Rev. Tyler Cronkright lives in Mt. Clemens with his wife Brandi and serves as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship at St. John, Rochester. He previously served for nearly 11 years at Family of God, Detroit. As a complement to teaching, preaching, and writing, he also co-hosts the Suffering Servants podcast. In his down time, he loves cycling, reading and learning, traveling up north, and cheering for the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, and Michigan Wolverines.
Music
Swenless
Meet Alex, John, Stephen, and Dean. These brothers in Christ can’t wait to lead high-energy worship and seek the Lord with you in Frankenmuth this summer. Each of these guys have spent years leading youth and families to know Jesus. Trivia: Get to know Swenless Band: Which one is a chiropractor? Who played for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Who has 2 garage cats that are brothers? Who has met 2 presidents?
Breakout Speaker
Mrs. Rose Ferguson
Rose Ferguson served as Minister of Family Life and Youth at St. Mark, Flint, for 12 years before her call changed to being full-time Mom to her three kids. She and her husband Steve live in constant states of chaos, confession, and contentment as they attempt to raise those kids to be Christ followers and decent human beings. Her favorite family activities include taking walks while playing Pokémon Go, visiting the park or children’s museum, and doing craft projects with her kids.
Breakout Speaker
Rev. Chris Jung
Rev. Christopher Jung went to Lutheran grade school, high school, and college. After earning a Master’s Degree in Hispanic Language and Culture from Wayne State University in 2011, Chris went on to Concordia Seminary St. Louis to earn a M.Div. and STM in Practical Theology. Chris thrives by studying languages and teaching Bible Studies. After extensive traveling, he recently accepted a call at St. Matthew, Lexington, Mich., where he lives with his wife and daughter. Chris’s life goal is to teach others the beauty and action of God’s Word in their daily lives.
Breakout Speaker
Mrs. Karen Kempin
Karen Kempin lives in Midland with her pastor husband Dan, and they have been blessed with four children. She has served as a D.C.E. and as a classroom teacher, and currently serves as St. John’s Director of Worship Music. Her family roots are in Chicago, so don’t expect her to root against the Cubs and the Bears, but she has lived in Michigan for twenty-five years and considers it her home. Karen is very excited to be a part of the Jr. High Gathering!
Breakout Speaker
Mrs. Ashley Paavola
Ashley Paavola is the Youth and Family Ministry Director at St. Mark, Battle Creek. She is passionate about helping people experience Jesus through racial reconciliation, trauma-informed care, and ministry with people of all abilities. She has served in every area of ministry to families, from infancy to college to parent support, and in a variety of ministry styles, from established suburban ministry to urban church planting. Ashley and her husband Chris have a multicultural family of seven built through adoption and foster care.
Registration
Church Group Pre-Order Registration is now closed.
Note: If you already created your Group Pre-Order - your congregations attendees will have until June 1 to complete their individual reservations. Please have them follow the Attendee How to Register Guide found in the Media Kit Section!
Program fee per person: $100 (includes t-shirt)
Cost per room at Bavarian Inn Lodge: $150 * per night (tax exempt) *4 people to a room
All payments/final substitutions will be due in full by July 1, 2024.
Media Kit
Attendee How To Register Guide – pdf (Note the parents/chaperones MUST use the link generated specifically for your church that the Youth Leader sends them – not the link here on this event page!)
Messy Mercy – png file
Announcement Slide for Powerpoints/Screen Projection – Standard Size (4:3)
Announcement Slide for Powerpoints/Screen Projection – Wide Screen (16:9)
Additional Information
Housing Information
Participants will be staying at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth. Please note: there is a program fee and a housing fee based on the number of rooms reserved. Rooms will be $150 per room per night ($161 if not tax-exempt).
Participants
A youth participant is any current 5th–8th grade student (those entering grades 6–9 in fall of 2024). All participants must register through an LCMS church.
Adult leaders must be age 21 or older and affiliated with an LCMS congregation. Pastoral verification is required of all adult leaders.
There is no minimum or maximum for the size of a church’s group, though it is suggested that there be one adult leader for every 6 youth. If a group is to have both male and female youth participants, there must also be at least one male and one female adult leader who will remain with the group for the entire gathering.
Sponsors
Oscar and Keturah Haab Foundation
Michigan District, LCMS