More than 400 nominations and 120 registrations have been received during the 11 weeks since registration opened for the second Exploring Church Careers Event (ECCE), a retreat designed to identify, inform and encourage high school youth with respect to a church career. The ECCE will take place Aug. 5-8, 2000 on the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis campus and will emphasize not only the pastoral ministry, but virtually all church careers. Since 120 participants is the maximum number possible, registration has been closed and a waiting list has been established.

On March 1, the nomination process was opened for ECCE 2000. "We are grateful that the response has been so overwhelming and we look forward to a very beneficial event for the 120 high school youth who will attend" commented Rev. Glen Thomas, vice president for seminary relations at Concordia Seminary. "At the same time, we regret that we must close registration at 120 youth and place any registrations received after this point on a waiting list. We simply are not able to handle more than 120 participants at this event."

The four-day ECCE includes 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 vocation," said Thomas. "We also want youth to hear of the inherent joys and challenges they will face as they serve in a church vocation."

A $40 registration fee is the only charge youth pay, in addition to travel costs, to attend the ECCE. All activities, meals during the event and on-campus lodging are provided at no cost to participants. Travel scholarships also exist to ensure that travel costs do not prevent youth from attending.

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 the Admissions Office, Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105; 314-505-7722; ECCEvent@aol.com.