The Aug. 7-10 retreat on the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, campus designed to inform and encourage high school youth with respect to church work careers remains filled to capacity.

“I am happy to report that the maximum capacity of 120 participants was reached three weeks ago, and we have started a waiting list” said Rev. Glen Thomas, Vice President for Seminary Relations at Concordia Seminary. “Of the 120 registered youth, 37 will be high school seniors next year, 35 will be juniors, 32 will be sophomores and 16 will be freshmen. In addition, 78 are male and 42 are female, and they also are coming from all parts of the nation—Massachusetts, Florida, California, Texas, Minnesota, etc.”

“I am also pleased to report that 8 of the 10 Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod colleges/universities will be sending an admissions representative to participate in the event, as will Valparaiso University,” said Thomas.

The four-day ECCE will include Bible study, presentations by recognized leaders in youth ministry and on-site visitation opportunities featuring a wide variety of church career professionals. “We want youth who attend the ECCE to see the many ways God can use the gifts He has given them to serve Him in a church work career,” said Thomas. “We also want youth to hear of the inherent joys and challenges they will face as they serve in a church work career.”

The ECCE is made possible by a $150,000 grant Concordia Seminary received to assist in the process of identifying, informing and encouraging high school youth toward service in church work careers. The grant is from Lilly Endowment Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind.

For more information, contact Admissions Office, Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105; or by e-mail (ECCEvent@aol.com); or by calling 314-505-7722.