Concordia Youth Ministry Celebrates 25 Years of Service

Concordia Youth Ministry (CYM) serves youth in the church and local communities throughout the school year. Small groups of student leaders facilitate weekend lock-ins or other youth events for middle school, junior high and high school students. The mission of CYM is to serve God and others – taking God’s Word into the world through leadership at youth events – and using these opportunities to help connect young people to their faith in Christ.

“CYM is a great opportunity for Concordia students to help area Lutheran churches in providing youth events that nurture faith and grow community in Christ,” said Julie Johnston Hermann, CYM sponsor. “Many of our students came from congregations that cared for them and encouraged their faith walk as middle school, junior high, and high school students – now they get to help in that process – and gain leadership experience as they move from Concordia out into the church and world.” 

When Eric Gerken ‘98 was a freshman at Concordia, he and fellow freshman and DCE student, Dave Cheatham ‘98 were asked to stop by Chaplin Greg Mech's office after chapel. He told the two that there was a program at Concordia Chicago that had begun helping out area churches with youth ministry while also giving young DCE students experience in planning youth events such as lock-ins. Chaplin Mech wondered if Cheatham and Gerken would be interested in trying something like that at Seward. The two agreed. 

“We put up fliers around campus and found a small team to put together one lock-in in the spring of 1993,” said Gerken. “The following year, we grew, took on some more events, printed t-shirts and developed a ‘curriculum’ for the events. We soon had multiple teams. I remained involved until I went on my DCE Internship.”

Each year 12-15 congregations take advantage of this service provided by Concordia students. The students plan events that work to build fellowship among youth through devotions, games, and team building activities while focusing on a theme Bible verse.

“Being a part of CYM has been one of the highlights of my three years at Concordia, so far,” said Jayme Lowe, senior from Atchison, Kansas. “I’ve gotten to serve as an officer for two years and it has been so amazing to be a part of this wonderful group. I have loved getting to know the other members and grow in our faith together. Our meetings always give us a chance to grow in friendships, in relationship with Christ, and in our knowledge to work on lock-ins. And really, it’s all about the kids at the events. We’re only with them for a few short hours, but it is so wonderful to see them find joy in fellowship and studying God’s Word.”

While Jayme won’t be a part of the leadership team in the upcoming year, she looks forward to seeing what exciting activities are in store.

“I think CYM has been a tremendous service to congregations. Some of the smaller churches do not have the volunteers and resources to put on lock-ins with the wide variety of games and music that CYM provides. Additionally, it is great to have college students come in and model that young people are passionately pursuing a Christian lifestyle and dedicate themselves to Jesus. It is also such a blessing to Concordia students to get to minister in such a fun and creative way and build relationships with other students. I still retain many strong friendships that had their beginning in CYM,” said Gerken. 

For more information on CYM or to request help with an event, visit cune.edu/cym