WELS youth groups from across the US and Canada traveled to Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, for the 2026 WELS Youth Rally July 14–17. About 2,200 people—1,700 teens and 500 adults—participated in worship, large-scale keynote addresses, and workshops, all emphasizing the theme “Christ through us: We are Christ’s ambassadors.”

“This year’s rally was meant to be more than just an event. It was a catalyst to seek deeper faith commitment,” says Donn Dobberstein, director of WELS Discipleship and part of the youth rally planning committee. “Both keynotes encouraged teens to live out their lives as ambassadors of Christ.”

That message resonated with high school freshman Oliver Boentges, part of the youth group from Faith, Antioch, Ill. “One lesson I’d like to bring home from the rally is that God called us to be his ambassadors through Christ before we were ready. It is our job for people to see Christ through us.”

During the day, attendees participated in worship, workshops, plus other fun group activities. Each evening congregational groups met separately to reflect on the day’s spiritual theme.

While the reflection time brought small groups closer together, teens also were able to meet, talk to, and worship with hundreds of other young people.

“One thing that encouraged me was when a speaker asked us to raise our hands for certain struggles we have in life, people in the room raised their hands with me,” says high school senior Johann Boentges from Faith, Antioch. “I saw I wasn’t alone and people can relate to my struggles. We can all go to God together.”

Dobberstein says a hunger for God’s Word was evident. “What encouraged me most was watching them engage,” he says. “They sang boldly, asked thoughtful questions during workshops, prayed together, and sought out meaningful conversations with speakers and youth leaders.

“God has already equipped them with everything they need to be ready to live for and share Christ—right now. I pray they understand God’s desire to use ordinary teens in extraordinary ways in order to shape God’s church.”

Watch(opens in new tab) a wrap-up video(opens in new tab) and the rally’s keynote addresses.

Volume 113, Number 09
Issue: September 2026

Continuing the connection

After the rally is over, how can teens stay connected to one another and to their Savior? Here are three places to direct the young adults in your life:

A new WELS NEXT GEN INSTAGRAM PAGE has recently been released with content created specifically for teens and young adults. Videos and photos on this social media platform will connect users to one another as well as tackle some of the hard-hitting questions that teens and young adults face, all with the goal of helping them grow in their faith. Find the page at instagram.com/welsnextgen(opens in new tab).

THE WELS NATIONAL ONLINE TEEN BIBLE STUDY provides teens an opportunity to dig deeper into God’s Word and connect with other WELS teens living across the country. A new series of four studies, led by Jon Enter, campus pastor at St. Croix Lutheran Academy in West Saint Paul, Minn., starts on Sept. 27. Register here(opens in new tab).

A FREE WELS CAMPUS MINISTRY APP gives college-aged WELS members access to Bible studies, devotions, ministry resources, connections to other WELS students, and more, all in one place. Search “WELS Campus Ministry” in app stores.