YIM : Youth in Mission, a ministry of LSTC

Welcome to Youth in Mission!

In 2003, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago inaugurated the Youth in Mission ministry to nurture the faith life of young people and to prepare them for ministry in the world. Through a generous grant of $1.67 million from the Lilly Endowment Inc., Youth in Mission developed two programs and created a Youth Center that is available for retreats and visits to Chicago.

The generosity has continued and Youth in Mission is currently funded by a matching grant between the Lilly Endowment Inc. and The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

For Youth:

The first program is called Serving Christ in the World. Approximately 20-25 youth who have completed their sophomore and junior year of high school by June of the current year spend over a week at LSTC, one week at the Lutheran Center in Mexico City, Mexico, and three days immersed in immigrant communities. During this time the youth explore, discover, and enhance the ways in which they are called to serve Christ in the world.

The second program is called Beyond Belief. This ministry opportunity is designed for high school youth groups to build relationships with Chicago communities. Youth groups come to Chicago for one week during their spring break, summer, or fall break. The teens have opportunities to do a variety of service projects. Through the relationships youth build, and through the understanding of service, youth can grow and explore their call to ministry.

Would you like to discover more about God and about yourself?
Would you like to learn from seminary faculty, seminarians, and other youth about serving God?
Would you like a chance to discover and celebrate your gifts for service?

If so, we invite you to participate in our programs designed to explore these questions and to grow in your understanding of how God is calling you to express your faith in your vocation and in your life.

For Youth Ministry Workers:

Seminary Courses. One week intensive "Urban Youth Ministry" courses are offered every January (J-Term) for seminarians, youth workers, and anyone interested in working with youth ministry in urban settings.

Conferences for Youth Ministry Workers. Our second annual conference for Youth Ministry workers will be held April 12-14, 2010 at LSTC. This year's topic, will be Sacred Stories: Youth Faith Formation in an Interfaith World.

More information about these programs is available throughout this website. In addition, please call us at 800.635.1116, ext 725 or email us at youthinmission@lstc.edu for additional information or with any questions.

Wishing you many blessings as you continue to grow and go with God!