Concordia Nebraska hosts youth, adults at Higher Things “All Things New”

More than 1,000 youth, chaperones, pastors and others gathered at Concordia University, Nebraska for Higher Things “All Things New” July 8-11. The Seward conference is one of three that Higher Things presented for youth this summer. Numerous Concordia Nebraska faculty, staff, students and alumni participated in and supported the event. 

Higher Things conferences include multiple worship opportunities each day, engaging plenary speakers,  informative breakout sessions, the opportunity to learn from and visit with various vendors and exhibitors, and ample free time and recreation for youth and adults.  The conference is centered around each day’s multiple worship services, and the remainder of the time each day is intentionally scheduled with both Christ-centered learning opportunities, fellowship and fun. 

This year’s plenary speakers at the Seward conference included Rev. Elisha (Eli) Leitzau ‘04 and Rev. Dr. Todd Peperkorn ‘92. 

“One of the great things about Higher Things is that it attracts so many pastors who want to be with their youth. My hope with this is to give these men something about preaching that they can take home with them as well.”

“I love helping people see who they are in Christ, and how He is present with us right now, not just sometime in the future,” said Peperkorn. “One of the great things about Higher Things is that it attracts so many pastors who want to be with their youth. My hope with this is to give these men something about preaching that they can take home with them as well.” 

Paul Soulek ‘07 began working with Higher Things as one of their staff organists in 2015, and he continued playing for one or two conferences a year after that. Soulek serves Concordia Nebraska as adjunct professor of music. He is also cantor and director of music at St. John Lutheran Church and School in Seward. 

“The last few years I've served as cantor for the organization, which involves planning the music used for conferences and serving as a resource for other events,” he said. “This is the third time Higher Things has had a conference in Seward, and I love welcoming people to our church and campus!” 

A Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS), 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.  

For the last 25 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.