We need 800 young adults, ages 20 to 25, to be Servant Companions at the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering, July 20-26, 2009, in New Orleans. Servant Companions will help lead 36,000 high school youth and adult leaders through a variety of experiences around the theme of Jesus + Justice + Jazz.

Each Servant Companion will welcome, lead, facilitate and care for groups of 45 youth and their adult leaders throughout the Youth Gathering experiences in New Orleans. This will include service projects, theological reflections and interactions with an area of justice.

If you are a person who...

• Senses a calling for youth ministry
• Is growing in your theology and practices of faith
• Is excited by being with high school youth
• Has an engaging and confident voice that can command and energize a group of 45
• Has a confident, welcoming, life-affirming personality
• Listens carefully to concerns and can help problem solve
• Can think on your feet
• Learns names quickly
• Has experience with small group facilitating skills
• Has an interest in justice issues
• Can be okay with not having all the answers
• Is able to listen and wonder with youth about ambiguous ideas of theology and sociological issues
• Is humble, dependable and above all flexible. –The Gumby Pledge!

Then we need you!

Apply today to join us as a Servant Companion by going to www.elca.org/gathering and clicking on the link that reads "Volunteering at the Gathering." All applications must be done online and it includes a manditory background check and reference check.

Training and orientation begins at 3 PM on Monday, July 20, 2009. Servant Companions complete their service on Sunday, July 26, following closing worship. Housing and meals will be provided throughout the time of service. Servant Companions must secure their own transportation to New Orleans. Materials will be provided to help applicants who will be soliciting the funding for transportation.

Servant Companions will be led by a team of 27 Coaches trained and coordinated by Lyle Griner, National Peer Ministry Director with The Youth & Family Institute in Bloomington, MN. For more information, send email to gathering@elca.org.