In this episode, Bishop Craig is joined by several adult leaders from across the synod who led groups of youth, young adults, and adult leaders to the recent National Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They share the joys and challenges of leading a group to a gathering like this that brings together thousands of people from across the church. They also share their hopes for how this experience might have a lasting and positive impact on the ministry and mission God is calling them into in their local congregations and communities.

The National Youth Gathering is held every three years. More information on the gathering can be found at - https://www.elca.church/gathering-live

More information on the WND Synod's annual LYO Gathering can be found at - https://www.wndsynod.org/lyo-synod-youth-gathering-of-wnd

Bishop Craig is joined in this episode by...

Pr. Derek Harkins, Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck
Pr. Martha HarriSon, Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck
Gracia Johnson, Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck
Pr. Colin Neuharth, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Wis
Kortni Plorin, Zion Lutheran Church, Minot
Melissa Ramshead, First Lutheran Church, Minot

Bishop was invited to be part of a group to travel to the Holy Land in June 2024. He offers this reflection as he continues to process all he experienced during the pilgrimage visit to our companion church, the Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.

Bishop Craig also wrote a blog about this reflection. You can find that here - https://bishopcraig.net/2024/07/30/holy-land-2024-a-post-pilgrimage-reflection/

Pr. Russ' story begins in Tennessee and wanders around Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas before bringing him to the prairies of North Dakota. In this episode, Pr. Russ shares a bit of his story and his gratitude for his unexpected encounters with the people and places of the Western North Dakota Synod.

Trinity Lutheran Church, Turtle Lake, ND