Volunteers

ENDURE, the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering, will bring over 1,000 loving, energetic, flexible, and faithful volunteers to New Orleans, LA. Volunteers are a highly valued and deeply needed element of the Gathering experience and its overall success. Whether you are an adult looking to serve for the full length of the Gathering (Ambassador), a young adult ready to serve in orange (Young Adult Volunteer), or someone flexibly able to serve for a day or two (Team Flex), the Gathering is thankful for your service.    

Fun fact: The Gathering is not only the largest gathering of the youth of the LCMS, it’s the largest Gathering of Adults and Young Adults!

Gathering Ambassadors

Gathering Ambassadors (formerly known as Community Life Builders or CLBs) are adult volunteers ages 26 and older (at the time of the Gathering). These volunteers serve in many different capacities for the duration of the Gathering. They are servant leaders and trusted voices, helping participants have a safe and remarkable experience. The Ambassador team is filled with pastors, church workers, and lay people. Look for these volunteers in YELLOW at the Gathering.  

Ambassadors pay a volunteer registration fee of $400. The Gathering uses this fee to supplement expenses such as hotel costs, travel stipend, and some meals.  Ambassadors are housed in dedicated hotels with an assigned roommate. 

Ambassadors must commit to attending the Gathering and serving July 16–23, 2025. 

Gathering Ambassador applications are CLOSED. Selected individuals will receive communication by May 15, 2024.

Young Adult Volunteer

Identified by their bright orange shirts, Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs) are adults ages 19–25 who serve as role models and servant leaders throughout all corners of the Gathering. 

Within the Young Adult Volunteer Team there is also an opportunity to apply to be a Squad Leader and Captain, helping to lead fellow YAVs in being fun, friendly and flexible. 

Young Adult Volunteers commit to: 

  • Paying a $400 volunteer registration fee 

  • Staying in assigned Gathering hotel accommodations covered by the Gathering (with 4 or more same-gendered volunteers) 

  • Attending volunteer training July 17–19, 2025 in New Orleans 

  • Serving the Gathering July 19–23, 2025 in New Orleans 

YAVs pay a volunteer registration fee of $400. The Gathering uses this fee to supplement hotel costs.  Current plans are to house the YAVs at a hotel near the Morial Convention Center. YAVs are roomed by gender and 4 or more to a room. The Gathering covers all housing costs but YAVs pay for their own transportation and most meals.  

It’s a blessing for Young Adults to be encouraged to apply and also to have the financial support of local congregations as they prepare to pay for travel, registration fees, and meal expenses.  

The YAV application opens July 15, 2024 and will remain open through December 31, 2024.  YAVs must commit to attending the Gathering and serving July 17–23, 2025 (plan to arrive midday on July 17th to attend the first night’s training).  YAVs who arrive prior to July 17th or want to stay later than the 23rd will need to make their own arrangements.  

The Young Adult Volunteer Squad Leader application will be made available at a later date and will remain open through early 2024. If an applicant is not selected as a Squad Leader, they will automatically be considered for a Captain position unless they self-select not to continue.  If an applicant is not selected as a Captain, they will automatically be considered for Young Adult Volunteer position unless they self-select not to continue.   

 Please add your name to the Interest Form linked below to receive information about the YAV application when it opens. 

Team Flex volunteer positions are open to any adult ages 18+ who want to serve with a more flexible schedule. BLUE shirts identify these volunteers who have committed to serve anywhere from 4 hours for a single day or up to 8 hours a day for 5 days. 

This team is made up of Gathering alumni, LCMS Lutherans from across the country as well as Louisiana locals.  Team Flex members pay no registration fee and are responsible for the costs of their own meals, housing, and travel to and from the Gathering.  

The Team Flex application will open in January 15, 2025 and closes April 30, 2025.    

 Please add your name to the Interest Form linked below to receive information about Team Flex when the application opens. 

Team Flex

Music Opportunities

The LCMS Youth Gathering culminates in Worship at the concluding Divine Service with Holy Communion. Youth have the opportunity to be involved by sharing their artistic gifts and talents through participating in the Gathering Wind Symphony or Choir. Serving in the Wind Symphony or Choir does not conflict with other Gathering programming. 

Music opportunity audition materials will be available in Spring 2025.

Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions

Gathering Ambassadors

  • Gathering Ambassadors should plan to arrive in New Orleans on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, mid-day. We will begin training that evening. The Gathering will conclude on Wednesday, July 23 at noon. Most Gathering Ambassadors will finish their Gathering roles by 1 pm on the final day of the Gathering.

  • Job assignments will be shared at least one month prior to the Gathering. Some roles require extra pre-Gathering training and those Ambassadors will be notified earlier than others. Gathering roles are always subject to change, even as late as when you arrive in New Orleans.

  • A Gathering Ambassador is “on call” all throughout the Gathering. There are many needs that pop up along the way throughout the Gathering. You may be asked to serve in small “extra” ways that are outside of your assigned roles to help ease some pressure points that may occur during the Gathering.

  • If you are unable to be present for the entire Gathering Ambassador pre-Gathering experiences and the entire Gathering, we request you withdraw as a prospective Gathering Ambassador. The Youth Gathering Office must approve early arrivals and late departures.

  • If you would like to arrive early or stay late at your own expense, you must make those arrangements through the Youth Gathering Office. This communication will occur through the Gathering Ambassador Registration process. If you are not able to commit to the full Ambassador time period, Team Flex may be a good volunteer option for you.

  • Yes, your spouse may register for $750. Please note, Gathering Ambassadors have a very full schedule—duties at your hotel, one or two shifts a day working at various jobs, and other Gathering Ambassador roles throughout the day. With the need for flexibility and the demands of service at the Gathering, it is not possible to plan “vacation-type” activities during your time of service. Your spouse may rarely see you and we cannot arrange a volunteer schedule to accommodate specific personal schedules.

  • Yes. Registering your spouse for $750 will enable them to receive a wristband and participate in all aspects of the Gathering. This fee is a reduced rate for the cost of the hotel and Gathering registration. We will plan for you to stay in the same room.

  • Your children are not allowed to accompany you to the Gathering. (We hope children aged 14 or older will register with your congregation to attend the event.) Please understand that the focus of the Gathering is designed for high school youth and is not necessarily child-friendly. We cannot promise a schedule that would allow you to provide your children the proper care and supervision they need. Nursing mothers are also unlikely to be able to arrange availability for a regular feeding schedule. As a Gathering Ambassador, your volunteer role requires an “on call” status, and should a family need arise, your ability to fulfill your responsibilities as a Gathering Ambassador would be impacted.

  • With payment of your $400 registration fee, the Gathering provides the following items for all Gathering Ambassadors:

    1. Gathering registration (includes registration items, the Gathering program, and secondary insurance).

    2. Hotel accommodations for seven nights (July 16–23) in your assigned Gathering hotel, double occupancy. Unless additional plans have been made, Ambassadors will check out of the hotel on the final day of the Gathering, July 23.

    3. A maximum $400 travel transportation credit to cover travel to and from the Gathering. The credit will be handled this way:

      1. If flying, the Youth Gathering Office will purchase your airline ticket. If your transportation costs exceed $400, you will be responsible for contributing to the remainder of the cost. We ask that Gathering Ambassadors do this in an effort to be good stewards of Gathering volunteer and participant registration fees.

      2. If driving, the Gathering reimburses the lowest of the following transportation costs (maximum of $400):

        1. 67 cents (or current LCMS rate) per mile for the round trip (Married couples who drive will be reimbursed mileage for only ONE person, or the maximum amount of $400.)

        2. The cost of the lowest 90-day advance purchase round-trip airfare available during the Gathering (airfare cost to be provided by the Youth Gathering Office).

    Note: The Gathering Ambassador Registration Form asks you to indicate how you plan to travel to and from the Gathering, i.e., drive or fly. If any information in your transportation plan changes, please contact the Youth Gathering Office (nygregistration@lcms.org) immediately.

  • Upon notification of your acceptance to serve as a Gathering Ambassador, instructions will be shared via email on how to pay your $400 registration fee.

  • To ensure that Gathering Ambassadors are able to arrive at the appropriate time and that Gathering dollars are used wisely, airfare is purchased as early as possible.

    1. The cost of your transportation to and from your home airport.

    2. The cost of parking at the airport.

    3. The cost of some meals.

  • The role of a Gathering Ambassador can be physically demanding (walking long distances, long hours on your feet, dealing with summer weather, working on fewer hours of sleep, etc.). Please consider removing yourself from serving as a Gathering Ambassador if you have concerns about whether you can handle the physical demands. Contact the Gathering Ambassador Leadership Team to set up a time to talk confidentially about any of your concerns.

  • Gathering Ambassadors are selected individually and not as teams or couples. They are placed in hotels based on the Gathering’s need to mix veterans and rookies, differing talents/skills, etc. To maximize the number of rooms available for youth, Gathering Ambassadors of the same gender are housed together. If your spouse is serving as a Gathering Ambassador you will be assigned to the same room. It is unlikely you will be given the same work shifts or assigned area. We cannot accommodate requests to serve together. This is a great opportunity to broaden your relationships with some exceptional new people. In order to serve the Gathering, a great deal of flexibility is needed.

  • We cannot arrange to place you at the same hotel as your youth group. Your time commitment as a Gathering Ambassador would not allow time to assist them. Plan to visit with them in your off time. You cannot serve as a church group adult leader while serving as a Gathering Ambassador.  

  • Yes, you are able to pay for a single room. The rate for a single room for the duration of the Gathering is $750.

  • If your YAV arrives early with you, and you have paid for a single room, then the YAV may stay with you only on non-Gathering nights. YAVs are required to stay in YAV housing during the days of the Gathering.

Still have questions? Please contact YGVolunteer@lcms.org.

Young Adult Volunteers

  • Young Adult Volunteers are 19-25 year olds and:

    • Are Christ-following, grace-filled, SERVANT LEADERS: setting a great example and influencing those around them.

    • SELFLESSLY CONTRIBUTE to many areas of the Gathering including: interactive learning areas, sessions, Bible studies, service areas, mass events, hotel life, throughout the convention center, on social media, information booths, and along city streets. Due to this, there is no guarantee that volunteers will be able to participate in all facets of the Gathering programming.

    • Serve PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, and SPIRITUALLY: Gathering Volunteer roles often require lots of walking, standing, smiling, grace, patience, humility, communicating and praying.

    • Are TEAM PLAYERS: nearly all Gathering volunteer roles are set in community and require a willingness to be led as well as lead.

    Are FUN, FRIENDLY, and FLEXIBLE.

  • Arriving: Young Adult Volunteers should plan to be at the YAV Hotel in New Orleans on July 17 by 5:00 pm. If you are flying, your flight should land no later than 4:00 pm.

  • You can fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). We encourage you to get your plane tickets early (once you have registered) to save money. We also encourage you to get a refundable ticket. We will send you a travel form to fill out once you have registered to communicate your travel info.

  • More details will be provided closer to the Gathering.

  • More details will be provided closer to the Gathering.

  • Young Adult Volunteers pay the registration fee of $400 and receive housing, typically breakfast at hotels, and t-shirts.

  • A comprehensive list will be updated closer to the Gathering:

    • An open mind and a servant heart.

    • Clothes appropriate for the outdoor hot and humid climate and cool air conditioned temperatures inside buildings. Keep in mind you are working with high school participants. Remember comfortable, but modest clothing and dress in layers. You will receive two orange t-shirts, one should be worn when you are at your service area.

    • Closed-toed shoes for working.

    • Comfortable clothes for time spent off hours.

    • Orange flair (You will receive some, but you are welcome to bring your own as well).

    • Personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.).

    • Sun Screen.

    • Special dietary items, if needed.

    • Photo ID.

    • Money for food and souvenirs.

    • Cash for Café Du Monde.

    • Power bank or bolt charger to recharge phone (not going to be many places to charge as you serve).

    • An attitude to be fun, friendly, and flexible.

  • We anticipate breakfast being available at the YAV hotel. YAVs will be responsible for most of their other meals.

  • Young Adult Volunteers are expected to room with other YAVs during the duration of the Gathering in order to cultivate community and accountability.

  • During your off time, you are welcome to connect with your church, friends, or hang with other YAVs. Because you won’t know your job assignment until later, thus what time you will be volunteering, you won’t be able to plan for paid events like a district event.

  • Young Adults will be staying at a hotel(s) in downtown New Orleans. Housing is covered in your registration fee.

  • Young Adults will be housed with 4 in a room for a double room.

  • Young Adults that are married are not permitted to stay in the same room as their spouse.

  • The Gathering is not accepting roommate requests. Part of the YAV experience allows you to meet and room with new people. Young Adults will be housed based on gender and team/job assignment.

  • Young Adult Volunteers will walk almost everywhere during the Gathering. Program activities during the day are held in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, which is a mile long building. Additionally, Mass Events will be held in Superdome, which is approximately a one mile walk from the convention center. Plan to walk 8-10 miles everyday. Your typical hours of service may be limited to 8 hours to allow time for you to participate in the Gathering and also explore the city.

  • Every YAV will serve in a specific service area(s). Some of the serving areas include Interactive Center, Recreation, Large Group Ushering, and Guide (Bible Study, Stadium Events), Crowd Engagement, Introductions (Sessions and Concerts), Gathering Support- Traffic/Safety/Information, Servant Events, and Media.

  • Job assignments will be shared at least one month prior to the Gathering. Gathering roles are always subject to change, even as late as when you arrive in New Orleans.

  • Yes, you are welcome to arrive early or stay late at your own expense.

Still have questions? Please contact YGVolunteer@lcms.org.