Dear Saints of Zion,

The summer is upon us. One of the things I get very excited about come summer is Higher Things (HT). I've talked to many of you about HT before. HT is a recognized service organization of the LCMS. The mission of Higher Things is to assist parents, congregations, and pastors in cultivating, encouraging and promoting a distinctively Lutheran identity among their youth and young adults.

I've been involved with the organization for a number of years now at the Board of Directors level. It's been an encouragement toward my faith every summer to see over a thousand of our youth rejoicing in salvation by God's grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. These youth gather at conferences on college campuses around the country for Lutheran catechesis, worship and fellowship, all centered in Christ. And they have a great time with one another and with their pastors. I'd like to share a bit more about HT from the conference page on the website.

Why Higher Things Conferences?
We live in a culture of blurry religious distinctions and do-it-yourself spirituality. Youth, especially, need solid ground that will nurture lasting Christian faith. Rather than treating youth as an adolescent subculture and confusing them with experiences that cannot be replicated at home, Higher Things believes in challenging youth to learn the pure doctrine of the Christian faith. By teaching them the same message that they should be hearing at home, youth grow in the fullness of the Christian faith as they come to appreciate historic liturgical practice and its unique focus on God’s gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation for us delivered in Word and Sacrament.

What does the 2012 Conference Theme "Twelve" mean?
Twelve. The Lord does twelves. He had twelve tribes in Israel. He chose twelve men to be His disciples. Twelve is His Church’s number. His Church was created from His side – from the Blood and Water that flowed on Good Friday when He gave His life for His Bride, the Church. In the Blood and Water, in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, is born the Church. On the Last Day, when the Lord speaks about His Church, there is His Twelve once again – a thousand times over. Standing with the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world in the Book of Revelation are the baptized, His “old” Twelve and His “new” Twelve through all eternity. This makes 2012 the perfect year for the theme of Higher Things’ Conferences to be “Twelve,” centered upon His Church in the Last Days. Twelve is the Church’s number because it was the Lord’s number first.

Steven Becker and I will be attending the Higher Things conference in Maryville, Missouri from July 3-6. Stephen went last year and his parents told me that he couldn't wait to go again this year. Please pray for Steven and for me as we attend this summer. Please also pray for all of our youth here at Zion and for their parents. Throughout the next year we'll be raising funds to attend an HT conference in the summer of 2013. To God be the glory!

In Christ,

Pastor Fritsche