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"It's a one-of-a-kind experience that transforms your faith — it makes you want to spread the Word in speech and in deed," said Daniel Eisenberg, talking about being part of the
2003 Crossroads Event hosted by the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
(LTSG).
Eisenberg, a junior from Jim Thorpe, Pa., and a member of St. John, Jim Thorpe Heights, was one of 28 youth participants in the first-ever Crossroads Event, June 15 to June 21, hosted by TEY (Theological Education with Youth) at LTSG. For Daniel, the event was a quantum growth experience — "I've grown in leaps and bounds."
In this new TEY ministry, a select group of 28 rising high school juniors gathered for creative worship, lively community and theological explorations of vocation at LTSG, and "hit the road" in four immersions for experiential learning and vocational testimony in places where the gospel intersects and transforms the world.
At the heart of the week were day-long immersions held at Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg; at the Lutheran Center (home of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Lutheran Social Services in America, and Lutheran World Relief) in Baltimore, Md.; and at the Lutheran Retirement Village in Gettysburg. Two days were spent at Luther Place and N Street Village in Washington, D.C., with experiences ranging from an in-depth simulation of homelessness to meals of mutual hospitality with resident groups of N Street Village.
Courtney Richter, a junior from Wyomissing, Pa., and member of Atonement, Wyomissing, echoed the comments of many youth participants: "It will be difficult to describe Crossroads, because it was so amazing. I will try to describe the welcoming atmosphere, and the intense conversation and learning. I will describe its impact as life-changing."
You can read more about the 2003 Crossroads Event and view pictures of the event at the TEY Website, http://tey.easterncluster.org/crossroads_event.html.
The 2004 Crossroads Event will be held June 20-26, 2004, at LTSG. Participants are selected from nominations sent in by their pastor or other congregational staff person. Nomination forms will be available November
15, 2003.
Also attending from Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod were Julia Hunsberger and Nettie-Rose Reynolds (St. Paul, Easton), Andrew Rowe (Friedens, Oley), and Michael Stofflet (Jordan, Orefield).
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