In 2015, the Virginia Synod Council launched the Forwarding Faith Campaign to provide permanent funding for faith formation ministry within the Virginia Synod. The goal was to establish a $2 million permanent endowment, to be designated for faith formation and youth ministry. Additionally $500,000 was designated to support youth and young adult ministry through the ELCA’s Always Being Made New campaign. We give thanks for your generous support which has allowed us to exceed our goal and to support faith formation ministry in the Synod.
The Forwarding Faith Endowment is currently providing substantial support to ensure that faith formation ministry in the Virginia Synod. From youth events to resourcing to staffing, the generous support for Forwarding Faith enabling ministry each year.
Forwarding Faith Into the Future
While the campaign reached its initial goal, the Virginia Synod will continue to receive gifts in hopes of expanding the endowment to provide even more support for these important ministries
If you would like assistance making and Estate Gift, Stock Gift, or a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA, please contact Pastor John Wertz, Jr., Assistant to the Bishop, at 540.389.1000 or at wertz@vasynod.org.
Thank You to everyone who has made and is making Forwarding Faith possible!
Learn about the History of Forwarding Faith
Faith formation has been an emphasis of the Virginia Synod for decades. When Dwayne Westermann joined the Synod staff in the 1970s, he understood that, to know what teenagers really need, you must ask them. He began gathering a group of young people before each youth event to plan not only the theme but also skits that illustrated the biblical message of the event. The small group model introduced by Pastor Westermann gave teens the space to talk about their faith with their peers in an intentional Christian community.
With the creation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Bishop Richard Bansemer was elected in 1988 to lead the new Virginia Synod. When he began, he faced the decision of hiring two new assistants to the bishop. “I had to be very careful who I picked and what we could accomplish, so I went after Pastor Jim Mauney to be our youth person,” said Bishop Bansemer. Pastor Mauney led the youth ministry program until he was elected Bishop in 1999, at which point he passed the torch to Pastor Chip Gunsten, and then later to Pastor Dave Delaney.
Our Virginia Synod continues to excel in youth ministry with six annual youth events and year-round leadership opportunities. Both the planning group process and the small group/large group model earn the Virginia Synod a reputation of having one of the best youth ministry programs in the ELCA.
While youth ministry is an important part of our Synod, Christian faith formation is vital in every phase of life. As our programs for adolescents have been strengthened over the years, so too have opportunities for adults. Power in the Spirit (PITS) was created in 1986 as a three-day summer event when leaders from across Virginia come together to learn and worship. This annual event, held at Roanoke College, is still popular today as a place to learn, worship, and grow spiritually in intentional community.
For those who want to dive deeper into Scripture and theological works, additional of Adult Faith Formation resources are created and shared each year.
No matter the age or season of life, faith formation is at the center of our lives in the Virginia Synod!
The synod youth events have strengthened my faith in Jesus and have given me a second family in Christ.
Maren Corliss
2015 Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) Board President
I like how close-knit the Virginia Synod is compared to others. I remember when we were at the Youth Gathering, saying hi to other kids we knew. It surprised kids from other synods to see how many people we know within our state. It’s because of youth events that we know each other, some folks don’t even know the people that attend the Lutheran church down the street! We as youth get to become so close and comfortable during youth events.
Kelsey Welch
Virginia Synod youth event participant
I can name a number of pastors in the Synod who went through the youth events. These pastors showed up when they were youth because the community was authentic and the gospel was being spoken to them.
Being a part of it for so long- it’s great to see it still continuing today. It’s the same kind of crazy still.
Paul Henrickson
Chaplain Emeritus of Roanoke College and former Virginia Synod Youth Ministry Coordinator
From an adult’s perspective, I think it’s great for the youth to have an opportunity to fully embrace and partake in the faith formation in a safe environment. It’s fascinating to see how the spirit moves through the younger generation.
Mark Schuetze
Virginia Synod youth event adult advisor
The events help you work through the problems you have in your life. Especially when you have people indoor life that support you.Folks are there for you, and they’re not gone after the weekend- they’re here for the rest of your life. Going to Kairos, and other youth events make you become a family, you get to know another and love one another.
The high school youth events have shaped my faith and helped me form friendships with people around the state. These events are really special because we’re all Lutheran, and we can relate tone another openly about that. I can’t talk to my other friend about the things I discuss at youth events, but being here helps me work out problems I otherwise would not have been able to solve on my own.
Erin Wachter
Virginia Synod youth event participant
We are doing this because of Jesus Christ, the Lord of this Church. He is the one who calls you here. He is the one who invites you here.
Dwayne Westermann
Former Assistant to the Bishop
Coming from a small church, for me being at youth events helps me see the church in a wider scope. I can talk about problems with friends in ways I could not otherwise.
The church can be really hard to grasp- it’s so focused towards adults. But Youth Events are geared towards us and how we think, and for me, it’s helped me connect to the church. I want to be more active and to be present in the church like I’m present at Youth Events.
Hannah Girard
Virginia Synod youth event participant
After our first ACTS course, my husband and I talked about our faith more than we had in our entire married life.
Janet Gomez
ACTS and Power in the Spirit participant
Coming to the events, I didn’t know what to expect and so I came with a closed mind. But that didn’t matter in the end because these events have helped open my mind. The love that I have felt, and that continues outside of the events as well, it’s so moving. Youth Events are a feeling and have become a community like no other. There’s so much acceptance. You learn things about yourself through others and it’s all around an enjoyable experience, every part of it. It’s a very special time and I wish it could last forever.
Karl Zimbauer
Virginia Synod youth event participant
The Synod’s faith formation events take seriously that we have different seasons in our faith lives.
Richard Bansemer
Bishop Emeritus of the Virginia Synod
I think it’s really Important to be with people of the same faith- It’s nice to be around one another. this is a cool environment, to learn and hear from other’s experiences puts my own faith journey into perspective!
Madelyn Cunningham
Virginia Synod youth event participant
I like seeing the community come together. By the end of the weekend, I know my small group has my back, and I have theirs.
Alex Josephson
Virginia Synod youth event participant
As a former youth participant and now coming back as an adult leader Youth ministry holds a dear place in my heart. I have been coming to these events since 2009 and what always brings me back is the community that has been built and passed down through the years. The friendships that I have created at these events are what I believe have help to strengthen my faith and now coming back as a leader I get to share my experiences and help the next generation grown in their faith, and spread God’s Love!
Matt Leonard
Virginia Synod youth event adult advisor
I’ve been coming to these events since my first 7th day, and when I went, I got hooked. I had so much fun, and I knew that I wanted to go to all the events. I’ve kept coming back because of all the friendships that are made, all the closeness, and all the singing and joy. I will always come to these events and make sure to be one of the small group leaders.
Max Kelly
Virginia Synod youth event participant
It’s so great to feel the presence of God and know that while you are growing in your faith, you are also helping others to grow in their faith.
Rachel Robinson
Virginia Synod youth event participant
I’ve only been going to these events for 4 years now and everytime it gets better and better. I feel so close to everyone because they’re all so nice and just let you chill. I have so many friends here and absolutely hate leaving these events because most of my friends here live so far away. I also love it because we get to walk around with friends, there is really good food, we get to make new friends, and of course my favorite thing is the singing and games. There are so many fun games and it’s just an awesome environment.
Emileigh Smith
Virginia Synod youth event participant
I’ve been going to all of these events for four years now and every time I go I have so much fun. I love being able to get closer God, making so many new friends, and having a great time in small group and large group. Every time I come and leave I always know that I have grown in my faith. Coming here is always a highlight of my year and I will never forget any of the times I came here.
Emma Stanley
Virginia Synod youth event participant
I actually believe in God now. Junior year of Kairos really opened my mind to the world of God.
Eric Malarkey
Virginia Synod youth event participant
Just because my children will no longer be of the age to attend the synod events as participants it doesn’t mean my time being here for the youth that are not my own has to come to an end. Being a part of these events has been a big part of my family’s life for so long, and I love that they will always have this community to come home to as adults.
Nicole “Mama Nikki” Smith
Virginia Synod youth event adult advisor
These events are important to me because this community is one you can thrive off of. This is a great place to get a break from the real world- I want to keep coming back because you never ever have a bad time. You learn so much from each other! Honestly, I could come back just for the songs alone.
Callie Hammer
Virginia Synod youth event participant
Faith formation events provide a new perspective on the scripture we listen to each Sunday. I never thought I’d be this excited to worship.
Connor Speidell
Virginia Synod youth event participant
These events are a great opportunity to grow and make friends. I’ve met so many people I want in my life always.
Matt Boyle
Virginia Synod youth event participant
The main thing is knowing that there are others out there who are experiencing the same as you. There’s more than the negative day to day. It all puts things into perspective about all the positives and blessings in my life.
Thomas Garrett
Virginia Synod youth event participant
My experience at youth events has prepared me to be a better ambassador for Christ by teaching me how to share my faith and show joy to everyone around me. I’ve truly been blessed to be part of such a phenomenal events.
Anna Derrick
Virginia Synod youth event participant
It’s always a learning experience, the multiple perspectives you hear help you grow in your lifetime attempt to read biblically. Hearing from so many great skeapers ACTS has become a primary resource for me.
Eugene McClurken
ACTS participant