2026 Rally highlights
More than 2,200 people—1,700 teens and 500 adults—attended the 2026 WELS Youth Rally July 14-17 at Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio. The rally’s theme was “Christ through us: We are Christ’s ambassadors.” One of the rally songs was “The Call Goes On.”
Christ Through Ordinary You – Rev. Luke & Rachel Beilke
Keynote Description
God works through ordinary people in everyday life. Serving with Academia Cristo in Ecuador, Luke and Rachel have seen believers throughout Latin America share Christ’s love right where God has placed them—at home, at work, and in their communities. Connected to the rally theme, “Christ Through Us,” this session will explores how following Jesus isn’t just something that happens at church or on mission trips and sharing Christ isn’t limited to pastors or missionaries far away. God uniquely places each believer in families, friendships, schools, and communities where they are perfectly positioned to share his love. Through stories from the mission field and their own experiences as missionaries and parents, Luke and Rachel encourage you to see how God has uniquely positioned you to share his love and how Christ is already working through you in your everyday life.
Before You Were Ready – Rev. Jonathan Hein
Keynote Description
We say it all the time: “I’m not ready.” Not ready to shoulder the responsibility. Not ready to speak. Not ready to make a difference. But Jesus has never waited for people to feel ready. Throughout Scripture, God calls ordinary, uncertain, sometimes very young people. He then equips them for the work he gives them. Which means this: you may not feel ready, but in Christ, you already are.
The theme of this rally is “Christ through us.” The “us” doesn’t mean just pastors, teachers, and staff ministers. It doesn’t mean just adults. “Us” means all of us. Including you. Christ has plans to do things through you that will echo in eternity. This keynote challenges you to see yourself as someone God is already using—and someone he wants to use even more—to care about friends, to reach the lost, and—yes—to shape the future of the church. Not someday. Not after you “grow up.”
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WELS is excited to announce we have launched WELS Next Gen, an Instagram account designed for teens and young adults to help them stay connected to Christ. Follow welsnextgen on Instagram today to learn more and stay connected!
Join us for the National Online Teen Bible Study for the 2026–2027 school year! We will focus on four different topics: my self-worth, accepting change, resisting temptation, and finding peace.
Please direct your rally questions and concerns to the youth rally coordinator.
The rally exists to provide youth and youth leaders from across the synod a large-scale worship, education, fellowship, recreation, and service opportunity that deepens commitment to Christ and his church.
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