Concordia Nebraska faculty, staff, alumni and students support Higher Things summer youth conferences

Each summer since 2000, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod youth from across the country have gathered to worship, study God’s word and fellowship with other young Lutherans at Higher Things conferences. Several of Concordia University, Nebraska’s faculty, alumni and students help to make this event happen each year. 

Paul Soulek ‘07 serves Concordia Nebraska as an adjunct music faculty member and the director of university’s Male Chorus. He has served Higher Things since 2015. He began working with the conference as an organist when the event was held on Concordia Nebraska’s campus in 2015. In 2022, he became the cantor, or chief musician, for Higher Things.  

His role as cantor is year-round. He works on worship and service planning with the conference’s lead pastor, collaborates with the Higher Things staff on scheduling and space needs, helps proofread the conference’s worship book, reviews instrumentalist auditions, arranges music for choirs and instruments and directs and plays for the conferences.  

“Serving at Higher Things has been a tremendous gift to me over the years,” he said. “It has enabled me to see my own calling and vocation in a new light and inspires me to sing and speak boldly of the hope we have in Christ Jesus.” 

Rev. Matthias Wollberg ‘15 served as a College Conference Volunteer (CCV) at four different Higher Things conferences in college. This year, he taught his first session at the conference. Wollberg’s presentation, entitled “Okay Boomers: Honoring Your Elders,” examined the Fourth Commandment from the perspective of today’s culture. 

“In my presentation, we delved into the Fourth Commandment from the perspective of a culture where attention is constantly being drawn to generational divisions and differences,” Wollberg said. “On the one hand, these divisions have always existed, and we even see this play out in various families throughout the Bible. We want to acknowledge this and the sins that come along with these divisions. I intend to highlight the great unity that we, in all generations, have in Christ and His Word and the order that His Word brings the lives we live together in the Holy Christian Church.” 

“My faith is strengthened at these conferences because the Gospel is faithfully confessed at these gatherings. Furthermore, I am encouraged by my brothers and sisters in Christ singing and confessing the Christian faith alongside me.” 

As someone who has experienced the Higher Things conference from a variety of perspectives, first as a student attendee, then as a CCV and now as a teacher, Wollberg believes the conference truly strengthens his faith and that of those around him because of the fellowship and learning opportunities. 

“I was encouraged by my time at Higher Things as a high school student, I was encouraged during my involvement with the conference in my college years, and I was encouraged the one time I have taken youth as a pastor. My faith is strengthened at these conferences because the Gospel is faithfully confessed at these gatherings. Furthermore, I am encouraged by my brothers and sisters in Christ singing and confessing the Christian faith alongside me.” 

Junior Elizabeth Salo of West Ely, Missouri worked as a CCV for the second time at Higher Things this summer. As a CCV, Salo works to set up and pack up the conference and assists full-time staff during the event. She chose to volunteer because she believes in the work of Higher Things to help young adult Christians to learn more about and grow in their faith. It also allows her to do the same for her own faith. 

“Worship and connection are a big part of Higher Things, and they help remind participants, including myself, that they are not alone in their faith; there are so many others that believe and think like you do,” she said. “Additionally, the breakaways, panels and plenaries help answer big, faith-related questions facing young people in the church today.” 

Salo encourages others who are looking to grow their faith and serve the church to volunteer as a CCV. 

“For those who attended Higher Things in high school and want to continue attending, or if you are looking for something to do during the summer that will help you grow your faith and serve the church, I highly recommend serving as a CCV. It is a lot of work, but it is worth every minute of it.” 

Other Concordia Nebraska alumni, faculty and students who served in this year’s Higher Things conferences included Rev. Paul Warneke '83, Mrs. Michelle Bauman ‘98, Rev. Jeff Hemmer '03, Rev. Joel Fritsche '96, junior Emily Castens of New Haven, Indiana, Grace Donelly '26 of Three Forks, Montana, junior Richard Peperkorn of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and sophomore Eden Perling of Saint Robert, Missouri. 

The mission of Higher Things is to make the Gifts of Christ Jesus known to youth and young adults. Higher Things offers a variety of resources such as conferences, retreats, camps, mission events, videos, devotions, podcasts and books. Higher Things is a Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Throughout the last 26 years, Higher Things has supported the congregations, universities and seminaries of the LCMS by helping to create a distinctly Lutheran identity in our youth and young adults.