This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9. (NIV)

If you are like me, when you are planning something that is not happening until next year, you may put things off. As a youth director, there are so many activities to plan and execute day-to-day, week-to-week and month-to-month. So even though bigger events need to be planned months or even a year or two in advance, it’s easy to place those on the back burner. That was my case in 2012 for the National Youth Gathering and maybe it was yours too. But, with the calendar turning to 2013, we are now in the Gathering year! So, it’s time to start seriously planning! Here are a few things that you may need to check as we are now into the Gathering year:
Registration
Maybe you have already registered, or maybe you have not. In either case, you still have time to get more and more youth and adults registered. The registration fee is $295 until March 1. Then, it increases to $345 until registration closes on May 1.
Transportation
If you have an approximate idea of how many people you are taking to the Gathering, it would be a good idea to start finalizing some transportation details, especially if you are flying. The longer you wait, the higher the price and the lesser availability you may have.
Pre-Gathering Meetings and Bible Studies
As the Gathering is now less than six months away, it would be a good idea for your group to start meeting. I suggest having a least one meeting a month for the next few months and as the date gets closer, meet a little more frequently. During these meetings, begin to share some details as well as your plan and vision for the trip. Also, the Gathering has provided many Biblical and devotional thoughts for you and your group to begin to prepare spiritually for the trip. You can check these out on the Gathering website at www.lcmsgathering.com/communitylife.
In less than six months, we will be in San Antonio! It will be here before we know it, so don’t put off your planning any longer!
Blessings to you as you travel the road to the Gathering!