Come to the 2026 Missouri District Youth Gathering!
Cross Pointe Retreat Center – Rocky Mount, Lake of the Ozarks | April 17-19, 2026 | Grades 6-12 | Joplin Youth Sign Up Now Through March 15
RAISED UP – John 6:40
The weekend-long Youth Gathering Trip is open to all active students in grades 6-12 at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Martin Luther School in Joplin!
Join us as we gather our junior high and high school youth with other Lutheran congregations from around the state to worship and pray, celebrate and play — experiencing the living Word of God and the love of Christ together — April 17-19, 2026 at Cross Pointe Retreat Center in Rocky Mount, MO. Specific Interest Center presenters and other information will be available soon.
Accommodations
Cross Pointe Retreat Center features hotel-style lodging (most rooms feature 2 Queen beds to house up to 4 youth per room). NOTE: The hotel rooms are GETTING FULL! We will be staying in their bunk bed dorms this year. We’ll need to bring sleeping bags and pillows and towels too! During the District Youth Gathering we will make use of the large worship center for our general sessions, break-out rooms in several of the retreat center’s buildings, and large indoor recreation center. Age-specific programming for younger and older youth will also happen each day.
Those attending the MO District Gathering from Immanuel-Joplin will only pay $80 of the full registration cost. Our youth ministry will cover the rest… By the way, those helping to make and sell Super Subs on Super Bowl weekend will receive a discount. Other financial aid is also available. Just ask our youth minister, Jason Glaskey.
“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I WILL RAISE HIM UP on the last day.”
John 6:40
Main Presenter: A.J. Vega
AJ Vega is a husband, father, speaker, and writer based in Denver, Colorado. As the director of discipleship and outreach at St. John’s and Renewal Church, he equips everyday people to live missionally and encounter Jesus in real life. When AJ is not working, he enjoys craft coffee, working out, and finding ways to be on SNL. Once, on a mission trip in high school, he ate 37 chicken wings.
Featured Band: Remedy Drive
A powerful force in Christian music, Remedy Drive brings high-energy performances and a mission-driven message. As LCMS Youth Gathering veterans (2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2022), they are passionate about combating human trafficking through their music and outreach.
Their trilogy of albums focused on anti-trafficking efforts has helped: Rescue 2,800+ survivors, lead to the arrest of 1,700+ traffickers, and fund rehabilitation through merch sourced from survivor-centered organizations
Experience their passion and purpose as they lead us in worship throughout the weekend!
Tentative Schedule
Friday, April 17
- 4:00 PM — Load cars in the Youth Parking Lot and leave for camp. (Send cash for supper along the way.)
- 6:00 PM — Registration/Fireside Hangout/Rec
- 8:30 PM — Welcome/Community Building/Leader Meeting
- 9:30 PM — Devotion/Band
- 10:30 PM — Church Group Devotions
- 11:30 PM — Lights Out/Quiet Time
Saturday, April 18
- 8:00 AM — Breakfast
- 8:45 AM — Band/Announcements
- 9:00 AM — Session 1
- 10:30 AM — Community Building/Breakout 1
- 11:00 AM — Rec
- 12:00 PM — Lunch 1
- 1:15 PM — Band/Announcements
- 1:30 PM — Service Project/Breakout 2
- 2:30 PM — Service Project/Talent Show Preview
- 3:00 AM — Rec/Talent Show Preview
- 4:30 PM — Rec/Talent Show Preview/SR High Leadership
- 5:30 PM — Dinner
- 7:00 PM — Session 2
- 8:00 PM — Talent Show
- 9:00 PM — Rec/Bonfire
- 10:30 PM — Church Group Devotions
- 11:30 PM — Lights Out/Quiet Time
Sunday, April 19
- 7:30 AM — Breakfast 1
8:30 AM — Pack & Clean
9:00 AM — Final Session & Worship
10:30 AM — Wrap Up & Photos
11:00 AM — Head for Home (Send cas for lunch along the way. - 3:00 PM or so — Arrive at the Immanuel Parking Lot. (Youth will call parents from the road with specific arrival time, so they can be waiting for our arrival.)