A time of praising the Lord, serving the community and learning. Two days of good, Christian fun! That's what this year's WELS Western Wisconsin district youth rally in Wisconsin Dells was.

God Rocks Our World

G.R.O.W., "God Rocks Our World," was the theme of the rally. It was a take-off on the rock formations in Wisconsin Dells. The Kalahari Resort and Water Park was the place where it happened on July 25-27. Not only did over 500 WELS youth get together there, but everything went smoothly!

Rally-ers met hundreds of other WELS teens from across the Midwest and beyond. They participated in group activities, worship, service projects and workshops. Youth participant, Chris Jacobson, said, "I thought it was cool to have so many teenagers of the same faith together in one place."

Music

Music was a major part of the rally. Two very talented, Christian bands participated in worship time: Corban Creek and Deo.

Besides the bands, many rally-goers participated in the choir. The choir practiced several times to be ready for the closing worship service. Marilyn Storandt stated, "I loved listening to the choir while they practiced. It is wonderful to hear so many voices praising the Lord together!"

Service

When it came time for service projects, participants eagerly braved the July heat to serve the community. Many went to prisons to share Jesus, others did clean-up work outside, and others helped with the planning of the 2003 WELS International Youth Rally in Estes Park, CO.

Of course, what would a rally be without workshops? Teens and chaperones had a variety of topics to choose from. Workshop topics ranged from dating and relationships to rock music. One teen's mother commented, "He hasn't stopped talking about how great the workshops were since he got back from the rally!"

Next time

Having the event in a resort with a convention center and both an indoor and outdoor water park was ideal. Teens and youth leaders alike enjoyed all the options there were for them at the Kalahari.

Plans are to have a rally in the same location again in 2004. If you didn't attend this year, make sure to watch for details in the future so you're sure not to miss out on the experience again. As for those of you who did make it this year, we hope to see you again in two years!

This year's rally was hosted by St. Paul. Lutheran Church in Mauston, Wisconsin. Pastor Paul Steinberg, rally administrator, said, "Attending a rally like this is a very uplifting and unique experience for these teens. It really does help them to grow and to realize that God really does rock our world!"

Kathy Blanchette served as the communications director for the G.R.O.W. rally.