Young Adults Are Gathering Across the ELCA: Creating communities of faith, fellowship, and radical welcome
Creating communities of faith, fellowship, and radical welcome
When Bryan Gamelin stepped off the plane in St. Louis this summer, he carried with him the hopes and energy of young adults throughout the Grand Canyon Synod. As co-leader of Gather Valley of the Sun and young adult leader at University Lutheran Church in Tempe, Bryan was heading to something special—the Justice & Joy: Ecumenical Campus and Young Adult Ministry Conference, where he would discover just how vibrant young adult ministry has become across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The Gather Movement
What Bryan represents locally is part of a much larger story unfolding throughout the ELCA. The Gather Network connects young adults in cities and regions across the church, creating intentional spaces for fellowship, worship, community, and the kind of deep discussions that don't shy away from life's biggest questions.
"Gather invites the group to ask challenging questions of ourselves, our faith, and our world," explains the network's mission. These aren't communities built around easy answers or surface-level programming. Instead, they lean into the beautiful complexity of faith, creating space where doubt and belief can coexist, where questions are as welcome as declarations.
Perhaps most importantly, Gather communities are designed to welcome young adults across every line that often divides us—race, disability, faith background, gender, sexuality, and perspective. The vision is both simple and revolutionary: spaces where everyone can truly "meet, to be, to gather."
From St. Louis to Phoenix: What Young Adults Are Learning
Bryan's experience at the July conference reveals the scope and energy of young adult ministry happening across denominational lines. From July 24-27, he joined the leadership ranks of progressive ministries from multiple traditions to workshop, fellowship, and imagine their collective future.
"It was life-giving," Bryan reflected about the experience of connecting with like-minded communities committed to both justice and joy in their ministry approach.
The conference connected Bryan directly with key ELCA leaders including Daniel Kirschbaum, Senior Director of Young Adult Communities; Kayla Zopfi, Young Adult Networks Coordinator; and Samantha Johnson, who chairs the Gather Network. More than networking, these connections offered mentorship and formation.
"It was edifying to be quickly integrated into leadership discussions and be poured into as an up-and-coming young adult leader," Bryan shared. This investment in emerging voices reflects the ELCA's commitment to empowering young adults not just as participants, but as leaders shaping the church's future.
Practical Resources and Bold Vision
The conference balanced practical help with visionary thinking. Gather Network breakout sessions covered everything from starting new ministries to promotional strategies and event planning. But participants didn't just receive resources—they shared their own success stories and innovations, creating rich exchanges of wisdom earned through real ministry experience.
Bryan was particularly drawn to sessions focused on queer-affirming and reconciling ministries across ELCA, Presbyterian, and Episcopal traditions. These discussions addressed both challenges and hopes for communities committed to radical welcome.
"We shared in our common experiences ministering to those deemed 'other' by non-affirming churches," Bryan explained. "We collectively renewed our determination to cultivate safe spaces where all persons are welcomed and cherished."
This commitment to inclusion isn't peripheral to the work—it's central to what makes these young adult communities authentic spaces for faith exploration and spiritual growth.
Building Community Beyond the Sessions
Faith formation happened not just in formal workshops but through the full experience of life together. The conference group shared worship, meals, and explorations of St. Louis, including tours of Gateway Arch National Park and a Cardinals baseball game. These experiences created friendships and mentorships that continue long after the formal programming ended.
This combination of serious learning and joyful fellowship reflects the Gather approach: ministry happens through the complete experience of Christian community, not just designated "spiritual" moments.
Coming Home with Purpose
Bryan returned to Arizona inspired. He and Casey Goslin, Director of West Valley Young Adults, have already begun to revamp their social media strategy for Gather Valley of the Sun. New plans and comprehensive fall programming are already under works as well. The two look forward to serving the growing young adult population across the Grand Canyon Synod.
What This Means for Our Congregations
The vitality Bryan witnessed and represents suggests that young adult ministry isn't about entertaining a demographic—it's about creating authentic Christian community that takes both faith and justice seriously. These young adults aren't leaving the church; they're actively reimagining what faithful community can look like in the 21st century.
For congregations wondering how to connect meaningfully with young adults, the Gather model offers important insights: create space for honest questions, practice radical welcome, connect faith with justice concerns, and trust young people to lead and shape their own communities.
Young adults across the ELCA are gathering, questioning, worshipping, and building the future of the church. Through ministries like Gather Valley of the Sun, that future is taking shape right here in our own synod, led by passionate young adults like Bryan who understand that the church's tomorrow depends on the authentic communities they're building today.
To learn more about Gather Valley of the Sun and connect with young adult ministry opportunities in the Grand Canyon Synod, contact Bryan Gamelin bryangamelin@yahoo.com.
