Bishop Dave deFreese
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:1-8)
Having returned from the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, my heart is filled with gratitude! Thankful to be a part of an event that was saturated with purpose and hope. Thirty-seven thousand youth and adult sponsors attended the five-day event which focused on our Christ, on our response to His gracious love, and on service. Eleven hundred seventy-three youth and their sponsors, plus about 30 other volunteers and workers came from Nebraska. The days were full, from early morning worship and launching to work sites, to Superdome events and devotions at the end of the day. Crowds were everywhere and good spirits were expressed as people waited in lines and enjoyed conversations.
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