2009 Rally Theme, Location, and Date Set
“Follow the Path, Lead the Way” has been selected as the 2009 WELS International Youth Rally theme. The theme is based on 1 Timothy 4:12, “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” The location will be Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa (www.iastate.edu) and the dates are Wednesday-Saturday, July 8-11.
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The theme, Bible passage, and location were largely the idea of the three teens who are members of the International Youth Rally Planning Committee: Tatum Gormley-Nettles (Henderson, NV), Nicole Livigne (Jupiter, FL), and CJ Fischer (Sartell, MN). All three wanted to focus rally participants and the wider WELS on the fact that teens today are important members of the Body of Christ with much to offer the church. Teens must faithfully follow the path of Jesus and then boldly lead the way for others via their example, witness, and service. Tatum, Nicole, and CJ also felt that having a rally on a college campus would be a good experience for those who would be wondering what life in college might be like.
Why Iowa? Iowa State University was the site for the 2001 WELS International Youth Rally (“Get Real!”) and was very well received by those who attended. This location also is a fresh change from the last three rallies which were held at more deluxe resort/hotel complexes in major cities (2003 Estes Park/Denver, 2005 Orlando, 2007 Dallas). The ISU campus was available and also addresses the desire of more congregations to have a rally in the Midwest again, closer to the largest concentration of WELS churches, where transportation costs would not be as high.
Registration will again be done completely online with the per person registration fee remaining $295.00. More details about the 2009 rally will be shared on the rally Web site as they develop: www.welsyouthrally.net.