President’s Message September-October 2013

Dear members and friends of our ELS:
A member of our synod sent me a picture. It was of gelatin, but the kind with much fruit in it. A little saying followed (you may have heard it before): “A young mind is like gelatin. The idea is to put in lots of good stuff before it sets.”
In a way, that is what our ELS Board for Youth Outreach has on its collective mind as it makes plans each year for its national convention. The more our youth are filled with the pure teachings of God’s holy Word and the more they absorb Christian influence and advice from peers, pastors, and counselors, the more pleasing will be the setting mold both now and for years to come.
The Lutheran Youth Association (LYA) gathered this year at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Devotions and Bible class presentations focused around the general theme, “You Are the Salt of the Earth.” Those words from our Lord Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:13) speak to the value of each Christian exerting a positive influence on the world around us. Only because of our dear Savior do any of us poor sinners have value. He has made us (worthless creatures by nature) pleasing in the sight of our heavenly Father, through His work of redemption and His bringing us into His family of believers through the activity of the Holy Spirit. Through the use of God’s Word and Sacrament, every Christian—including each baptized youth—is equipped by Christ to have a savory effect and a preserving impact on people around us.
What a joy it was for me to witness personally the energy, enthusiasm, and fellowship of so many faithful Lutheran young people from congregations all across our country. The 2013 ELS convention essay drew our attention to “Engaging Families with Jesus” (available at http://www.evangelicallutheransynod.org/download/2013_convention/SynodEssay_2013.pdf). We as parents, pastors, teachers, and youth counselors strive to have the “good stuff” go into young hearts and minds. But as we expend these efforts, may we give thanks to our Almighty God for what He is working in them. What a great blessing it is to observe our teens expressing sincere interest in engaging others with Jesus!
Next year, we hear the youth convention is planned for the state of Montana. Even a rodeo is envisioned. Can we rope even more of our youth into attending?
Thanks to all for your prayers on behalf of our LYA and on behalf of our Board for Youth Outreach.
Rev. John A. Moldstad, ELS President