We are so excited for the 2026 Michigan District High School Gathering!
The theme for the 2026 gathering, based on John 4:14, is MIGHTY WATERS: “But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Mackinac Island is the perfect location for this theme. Being surrounded by water on the island, we will be reminded of the peace that water can bring as well as the mighty power and strength of water. But the mighty water of the Straits of Mackinac pales in comparison to the power of water together with God’s Word, and the saving power that we receive through it.
We know this gathering is a commitment. Thank you for prioritizing this event in your ministry. Mission Point is under new ownership and costs are rising but, through many significant financial gifts and the hearts of gracious people, we are able to defray the cost of this year’s gathering and offer this event for $599 per person. This includes 4 days and 3 nights at Mission Point, a round-trip ferry ride, 7 meals, servant events, a gathering t-shirt, and all the faith-filled and fun programming.
The committee, along with the support of the District Office staff, has been working hard to make this gathering a possibility.
Because of Him –
The Executive Committee of the High School Youth Gathering
When & Where
Mackinac Island
June 28 - July 1
Mission Point ResortOne Lakeshore Drive
Mackinac Island, MI, 49757
Presenters
Speaker
Rev. Gabe Kasper
Gabe is Lead Pastor at University Lutheran Chapel at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Prior to his current role, he spent 5 years as a church planter in Austin, Texas. His passion for preaching and teaching has led him to speak across the country on a variety of theological, philosophical, and cultural topics. He is a graduate of Concordia Seminary St. Louis and has a M.Phil. from Eastern Michigan University. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys soccer, reading books, and listening to punk rock. He and his wife Melissa have 3 great kids.
Music
FLAME
FLAME is a GRAMMY® nominated and Stellar Award-winning hip-hop artist. He is a well-versed leader in the Christian hip-hop scene with a growing list of accolades. He was born and raised in the inner city of St. Louis, Mo. He has released 9 albums to date under his own imprint. For over a decade, FLAME has traveled throughout North America & the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and Asia performing music that has impacted the masses. In addition to touring, writing, recording, and co-producing his own projects, FLAME founded and helms Clear Sight Music, a boutique record label raising the bar in Christian hip-hop and beyond. He has a master’s degree in theology with a minor in counseling.
Speaker
Sarah Salzberg
Sarah Salzberg lives in Los Angeles, Calif. with her husband and two kids. When not hopped up on espresso, she teaches Old Testament at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange County. In addition, she has served as a planner and theological advisor for the LCMS Youth Gathering as well as a speaker for youth and women’s retreats around the country. [Any opportunity she gets, she loves to share how bananas it is that the God of the universe would choose to limit Himself to human language and the human experience!]
Speaker
Rev. Travis Hartjen
Pastor Hartjen is an LCMS church planter in the north Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Before that he was a DCE who served in Austin and Houston. He loves sharing his life and the great hope of Jesus with those inside and outside the church. He currently co-hosts a weekly podcast, KnownLegacy: By Dads for Dads, and is starting the next church plant in the Argyle, TX area with his wife, Tara, and their four kids.
Speaker
Olson Tanner
Tanner Olson is an author, poet, and speaker living in Nashville, Tenn. with his wife Sarah, their son Judah, and their dog, Pancake. The mission of Tanner’s writing is to spread hope and announce love. From classrooms to churches to coffee shops to conferences, Tanner has traveled the country performing poetry, delivering messages of hope, and sharing stories. You can find Tanner’s work at writtentospeak.com and @writtentospeak on Instagram.
Speaker
Bryan Osboune
Bryan Osborne is a dynamic speaker and apologetics expert with a passion for defending biblical authority and reaching the lost with the gospel. He is the author of Woke Injustice, Quick Answers to Tough Questions, and Quick Answers to Social Issues. With over 20 years of experience teaching and equipping youth and families, Bryan’s practical, engaging style equips believers of all ages with biblical truth, helping Christians defend their faith. An in-demand speaker, he speaks at conferences and in churches for Answers in Genesis around the world.
Speaker
Bob Lenz
Bob Lenz has a humorous, down-to-earth style combined with genuine concern. A storyteller at heart, Bob combines his personal experience with in-depth biblical knowledge, awakening understanding and inspiring others to embrace faith in Christ and take the next step closer to God. Bob is known for his highly sought-after school assembly programs on anti-bullying and suicide prevention.
Speaker
Rev. Bill Yonker
When he’s not enjoying his family or pastoring his congregation in East Dundee, Ill., Rev. Bill Yonker loves to travel around the country talking to people about the Lord Jesus. You can also find Pastor Yonker reading or writing, which are his other passions.
Speaker
Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson
Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson serves as Senior Development and Church Relations Officer at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn. (CSP). Before CSP, he served at Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor for 11 years. He has degrees from Concordia University Wisconsin (B.A.), Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (M.Div.), and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (D.Min.). Peterson loves serving in Lutheran higher education and also loved serving as an Associate Pastor in Ellisville, Mo. He is a regular speaker, Bible study leader, and preacher at youth gatherings and other churchwide events.
Speaker
Emily Geiger
Emily Geiger is Director of Education & Outreach at Equal Rights Institute (ERI). She is the former Co-President of Oles for Life at St. Olaf College, where she worked to transform campus culture using ERI’s apologetics to foster respectful and productive dialogues about abortion. Emily is particularly passionate about reaching the youth of the pro-life movement. As a recent college student, she understands what it feels like to walk unprepared into a culture that is overwhelmingly pro-choice.
Music
Swen & Dean
Swen and Dean are brothers originally from Northfield, Minnesota. They love to sing, interact, hang out, and have fun. With their songs and stories, Swen and Dean blend spiritual depth with spirited fun. “We do what we do because of what God has done for us. Singing and sharing are ways of giving thanks.”
Music
Swenless
Meet Swenless…
Stephen Tietjen is a doctor of Chiropractic from Ft. Worth, Texas. He has owned more guitars and attended more proms than you and your friends combined.
Paul is from Minneapolis, Minn. and is a graphic designer. His current kickball stats have him at 88 career home runs.
Ted hails from Maple Grove, Minn. and is a huge Minnesota Vikings fan. He has been a Youth Director, Event Ministry Director, actor, and currently is a radio producer.
Dean is Swen’s brother and partner in ministry. He loves Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups the most. He’s a Marriage and Family Pastor at his church but can’t figure skate. He can’t wait to be with you, again, in Michigan.
Speaker/Compassion Ministry
Deb Ellinger
This year we are supporting Elli’s House—a ministry founded in 2017 by Deb Ellinger, a native Detroiter and former police officer is the founder of Elli’s House. Deb is a graduate of Ferris State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
Registration
Congregation Enrollment is now open!
You must register your congregation in order to receive your specialized congregation link.
Deadline is April 15, but we suggest you enroll your congregation ASAP!
Youth Leader How To Guide - pdf file.
Cost will include 4 days and 3 nights lodging, Shepler's ferry service, Gathering T-shirt, 7 meals, Luggage transfer, Registration/Activities
Early Bird Individual Attendee Enrollment Cost: $599/person - deadline is March 31, 2026
Late Registration Individual Attendee Enrollment Cost: $649/person - April 1-31, 2026
Deadline for final congregation payments will be June 1, 2026.
Congregation Enrollment
$599/person
This is congregation enrollment only! Individual Attendees will register through a special congregational link that will be sent to the Primary Adult Leader.
Media Kit
Mighty Waters Logo – png file
Announcement Slide for Powerpoints/Screen Projection – Standard Size (4:3)
Announcement Slide for Powerpoints/Screen Projection – Wide Screen (16:9)
Parent/Youth Information Sheet – pdf file
Additional Information
Housing Information
Participants will be staying at Mission Point Resort or in nearby hotels. Youth will be housed together with their adult leaders. In most instances, four persons will share a room. In the event that a group does not have an even number of participants, they may be assigned to share a room with participants from another congregation in order to make use of the available bed space. Notification will be provided if this is to be the case.
Participants
A youth participant is any current (2025-2026) 8th – 12th grade student. All participants must register through an LCMS church.
Adult leaders must be age 21 or older and affiliated with an LCMS congregation.
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 six 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.