Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, has announced a new program designed to provide a sense of Seminary life for young men in high school. The program, "Exploring the Pastoral Ministry" (EPM), will take place Aug. 6-9, 2002 on the Seminary campus. Participants will study theology with Seminary professors, worship with the Seminary community, hear pastors discuss the joys and challenges of the pastoral ministry, take part in a Servant Event and attend a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game.

A $60 registration fee is the only charge for youth to attend, and all meals and lodging at the event are provided free of charge. Participants must be nominated to attend, and nomination forms will be sent on Feb. 15 to all LCMS pastors, youth directors, directors of Christian education, high school principals and high school teachers.

"We are excited about the chance to offer this experience for young men who are starting to feel the desire to serve our Lord in the pastoral ministry," commented Rev. Glen Thomas, vice president for seminary relations at Concordia Seminary. "Many young men we encounter in recruitment travel throughout the United States have said they would really enjoy the chance to experience Seminary life for a few days, and we want to encourage them to do so."

The EPM will take place immediately following the fourth annual Exploring Church Careers Event (ECCE). The ECCE emphasizes all church work vocations and is open to young men and women in high school. A $50 registration fee is the only charge youth pay for the ECCE and, like the EPM, all meals and lodging are provided free of charge on the Seminary campus. Travel scholarships are available to assist with travel costs. ECCE information also will be mailed on Feb. 15 to the groups mentioned above.

"Some of the young men who attend the ECCE may want to stay for the EPM," commented Thomas. "We also want to let young men know that they are welcome to attend the EPM on an annual basis since there will be different emphases and activities each year."

For more information, contact the Admissions Office, Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105; 314.505.7722; ECCE@csl.edu. Additional information and nomination forms are available on the Seminary's Web site (www.csl.edu).