Hodos is a movement committed to forming disciples, connecting young adults, and shaping the future of the Lutheran Church. We create clear, Jesus-centered Lutheran content and gather young adults nationally to grow, worship, and live on mission.
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What Hodos Is
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What’s Ahead
Influencers Gathering
June 23–26, 2026 (Invite Only)
One-Night LiveStream Fundraiser
National Lutheran
Young Adult Gathering
More info coming June 25 on our YouTube channel
Digital Discipleship Content
More info coming by Fall 2027
Why does the LCMS need a National Young Adult Gathering?
The simple answer is because these are some of the most important years of a person's life. Between 18 and 29, young adults choose careers, move away from home, build friendships, discover their calling, get married, start families, and make decisions that shape the rest of their lives. We have incredible youth ministry in the LCMS. We have incredible congregations, schools, and campus ministries. But nationally, there is very little specifically designed to gather, connect, encourage, and form young adults during these pivotal years. Hodos exists to help fill that gap and create a pathway that helps young adults stay connected to Jesus and His Church.
Why are you trying to raise $1 million?
Because we're building more than a gathering. We're building a movement. Our vision includes: • A National Young Adult Gathering • Scholarships for young adults as needed • Digital content and discipleship resources to help young adults • Support for local and regional young adult ministries • A national network of young adults connected around Jesus and His Church The gathering is the launch point. The bigger vision is helping young adults follow the way of Jesus and grow in a faith that lasts.
How will the money be used?
Our current vision is: $700,000 For the National Young Adult Gathering This includes venue expenses, production, speakers, worship, staffing, scholarships, marketing, hospitality, and creating an excellent experience for young adults. $300,000 For everything else which includes content creation, non-profit ministry expenses, etc. Our goal is not simply to host an event. Our goal is to support young adults throughout the year. To get a thorough good faith estimate, see the PDF below.
What happens if you don't raise $1 million?
We move forward. This ministry is not dependent on hitting one specific number. Every gift helps move the vision forward. The more funding we receive, the faster we can build. But regardless of tonight's outcome, we believe this mission matters and we're committed to serving as many young adults as possible for years to come.
What happens if you raise more than $1 million?
Then we get to dream even bigger. We can press fast-forward on creating digital content and providing resources and support for young adult ministries across the nation. Additional funding would allow us to: • Increase scholarships • Welcome more young adults • Expand the gathering • Create more resources • Support more churches • Build stronger year-round programming Our initial vision is 1,500 young adults. If God opens bigger doors, we'll gladly walk through them. If we raise more than 1.5 million dollars, we will keep the same dates and location, but look at a different venue to host more young adults.
How is Hodos connected to the LCMS?
Hodos is an independent nonprofit ministry created to serve Lutheran young adults. We love the LCMS. We are not a protest movement. We are not a breakaway movement. We have been already and are going to be as invitational and collaborative as we possibly can. We are not trying to replace congregations, districts, universities, campus ministries, or existing ministries. We're trying to strengthen the ecosystem by helping connect young adults, support leaders, and create opportunities that currently do not exist on a national scale. Our heart is to serve the Church and help shape the future of the next generation which we believe will shape the future of the LCMS.
What are the different ways I can give?
There are several ways to participate. You can make a one-time gift tonight. You can become a recurring monthly supporter. You can make a major gift toward the overall vision. You can explore donor-advised funds, stock gifts, business sponsorships, or legacy giving opportunities at the donate page. You can do all of that here. Insert giving link And if you're interested in a larger partnership, we'd love to have a conversation with you personally. If you’d like to send a check to Hodos, you can mail it to: Hodos, 2006 S. 214th Avenue, Elkhorn, NE 68022. Every gift matters because every gift helps build the road for the next generation.
Registration just opened. How does it work?
Tonight we're officially opening registration for the 2027 Lutheran Young Adult Gathering. Right now, registration is open for individual young adults ages 18 to 29. If you're a young adult and want to be there, you can register tonight. You can also register multiple individuals. Parents, grandparents, pastors, churches, and ministry leaders are welcome to help young adults secure their spots. In the coming months, we'll open registration for: • Church groups • Campus ministries • Young adult ministries • Volunteers • Other ministry partners Tonight is about giving young adults the opportunity to say: "I'm in." This is the first step on the road toward the 2027 Lutheran Young Adult Gathering, and we'd love for you to be part of it from the very beginning. One day, thousands of people may be part of this movement. Tonight, you have the opportunity to be among the very first.
What can I do tonight besides give?
Three things. Pray Pray that God would use Hodos to help young adults encounter Jesus and grow in a faith that lasts. If you’d like to join in on our national prayer team, email us at hello@hodosway.com and we’ll share more details about this by the end of September 2026. Share Tell others about the vision. Share the livestream. Invite friends, churches, pastors, parents, and grandparents to join us. They can watch after the fact and contribute to what God is doing! Connect Young Adults Encourage young adults you know to register for the Gathering and become part of what God is building. Giving is important. But prayer, relationships, and invitation are powerful too.
What would success look like five years from now?
Five years from now, success won't primarily be measured by attendance numbers or fundraising totals. Success will be measured by transformed lives. We envision five years from now more than 5000 young adults gathering annually around Jesus and His Word. We envision content, podcasts, worship initiatives, leadership development, and discipleship resources serving young adults every day of the year. We envision different Hodos church or regional ministries forming a nationwide network to support one another. Most importantly, we envision young adults following the way of Jesus and growing in a faith that lasts. If five years from now more young adults know Jesus, love His Church, and are actively serving in His Kingdom, then we will praise God and call that success.
Why the name Hodos?
Hodos is a Greek word meaning: Road. Way. Journey. In the Book of Acts, Christianity itself was often referred to as "The Way." Our mission is simple: To help young adults follow the way of Jesus and grow in a faith that lasts. We want to help pave the road for the next generation. A road toward Jesus. A road toward community. A road toward discipleship. A road toward purpose and calling. That's why we're called Hodos.