“This year’s rally was meant to be more than just an event. It was a catalyst to seek deeper faith commitment.”
As memories from the 2026 WELS Youth Rally this past July begin to fade, Donn Dobberstein, director of WELS Discipleship and a member of the 2026 WELS Youth Rally planning committee, reminds teens and youth leaders that the lessons learned continue at the local congregational level.
“The youth rally was never intended to replace the local congregation or family. It’s designed to strengthen both,” he says. “For four days, teens experience something they rarely see—the incredible scope of Christ’s kingdom as they worship alongside thousands of fellow believers from across the synod. That experience often deepens their appreciation for their own congregation and encourages them to reconnect with the everyday means of grace through worship, Bible study, youth ministry, Christian friendships, and faithful parents and youth leaders. The rally serves as a spiritual catalyst that points teens back to those year-round relationships where discipleship actually happens.”
WELS also offers several resources to help teens stay connected—to one another and to their Savior.
- A WELS NextGen 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 young adults grow in their faith. Find the page at instagram.com/welsnextgen.
- 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, West Saint Paul, Minnesota, will focus on the topics of discovering self-worth, accepting change, resisting temptation, and finding peace. The first study is at 6:00 PM central, September 27. Register at wels.net/national-teen-bible-study.
- College students can sign up with WELS Campus Ministry at wels.net/college to get connected with a local campus pastor.
- 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. Available now on iOS and Android by searching “WELS Campus Ministry” in app stores.
- Transformed teen devotions offer weekly messages from God’s Word. Access the devotions at wels.net/teen-devotions or through the WELS app.
- The keynote presentations from this year’s youth rally are available for anyone to view at welsyouthrally.net/2026-resources.
“I pray that teens know that WELS as a whole is deeply invested in and cares deeply for them,” says Dobberstein. “I’m so grateful for the hundreds of pastors, teachers, parents, and volunteer youth leaders who invested countless hours to bring teens to Bowling Green. The rally is visible for four days, but after the buses all leave, they get to return home with models and mentors of faith—their pastors and teachers, lay leaders, and parents in congregations across our synod.”
LEADERSHIP RESOURCE INFORMATION
WELS NextGen promotional material
A digital display graphic to promote the new teen Instagram page to the youth in your congregation.
WELS Youth Night
Materials for running youth-focused events for the teens in your church and community. Additional resources are added as they become available.
Teen devotions facilitators’ guides
Ideas and prompts for leading group discussions based on the Transformed teen devotions.
Youth Ministry series
Bible studies to use in congregational youth ministry groups.
