And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap,
if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

Welcome to Bethlehem Lutheran Youth League!

Utilizing our youth to set an example, we will represent God's love to our Congregation, Community, and the World!

As an active part of the ministry at Bethlehem, our youth combine fun, fellowship, and service. They meet often to uphold one another spiritually and support the congregation.

We meet the first Sunday of the month after church.
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What's Happening

Leadership

CURRENT OFFICERS ARE:
President -Giuliana Krieg
Vice President - Caleb Klussmann
Secretary - Maddison Molitor
Treasurer - Connor Gresham

Texas Confessional Lutherans Youth Retreat  2026

Why this Youth Retreat?

This summer, our high school youth are heading to the Texas Confessional Lutherans Youth Retreat in Galveston for three unforgettable days and two nights of faith, fellowship, and fun on the beach. Set along the Texas coast, the retreat offers the perfect balance of recreation and reflection.

Students will enjoy plenty of beach games and activities, a full day at Schlitterbahn, and a special dinner together on the historic Strand. These shared experiences give our youth time to build strong friendships with one another and with other Confessional Lutheran students from across Texas.

At the heart of the retreat is time in God’s Word. Each day includes breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics that speak directly to the questions, challenges, and joys of high school life, all grounded in the clear, Christ-centered teaching of our Confessional Lutheran faith.

This retreat is a chance for our youth to grow in faith, be refreshed by the Gospel, and return home encouraged and strengthened in Christ.

Who: Any student who has graduated 8th grade through and including any student who has graduated 12th grade by the time of the trip.
Date: Monday, June 29, 2026, through Thursday, July 2, 2026
Lodging: Beach Houses on Galveston Island
Where: Worship, Plenary Bible Study, and Break-Out Sessions at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Galveston, TX
Activities: Schlitterbahn Waterpark, walking the Strand, and plenty of beach fun!
Cost: Registration is covered through our Youth League fundraising efforts, but each kid needs to bring enough for one restaurant meal (other meals are provided) and any spending money for when we walk the Strand.

This four-day youth retreat contains worship and fun without blending the two. Confessional, liturgical worship will happen daily, as will sound teaching flowing from Scripture and our Confessions. Fun fellowship with other Lutheran young people is a given. Volunteer opportunities for parents are forthcoming, particularly regarding meals provided by members of the respective congregations. Currently, four great congregations are involved in this: Memorial-Houston, Our Savior-Houston, Bethlehem-William Penn, and Grace-Brenham.

We will have a parent meeting to discuss our plans and the trip on April 12, 2026, immediately after church. If you have any questions about the trip, please reach out to Pastor Krieg.

What Drives US

An important part of the Bethlehem congregation is its dedication to our youth. Bethlehem Lutheran is devoted to encouraging young people to become strong Christians and living out their faith in their homes, schools, and communities.  To put into simpler terms, our philosophy can be summed up in three words: encourage, equip, establish.

Encourage

We want to encourage the youth. Every day, young people deal with very serious issues. Whether it is sex, drugs, peer pressure, whatever, it is important for  adolescents to know that the church is the place they can turn to for help. We want to encourage them to take refuge in Christ and His church. Also, it is important to encourage the youth to know that they are part of the church right now and they do not have to wait until they are adults to serve. We see in 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 that we are a body made up of many different parts. It is crucial for teenagers to realize that they can worship and serve Christ right now. 

Equip

We want to equip the youth. We firmly believe that adolescents need to be equipped with the tools of a solid faith, a servant's heart, and a working knowledge of the Bible. These are the things that will serve them their entire lives. We develop a solid faith through devotionals, thought-provoking retreats, and regular worship. We develop a sense of being a servant by helping our neighbor and each other. Finally, we develop a working knowledge of the Bible by spending time in the Word. That is the only true way to know what God really says. 

Establish

We want to establish the youth. We want to establish the youth on the firm foundation given in faith by the Holy Spirit, to know that Christ is the solid rock on which they stand, all other ground is sinking sand. Because of the many snares and temptations that will be thrown at them by the devil, the world, and their own sinful flesh, it is essential that they have a sense of spiritual integrity founded only in Jesus Christ and grounded in His Word and Sacraments. This foundation comes from knowing the Bible, having spiritual role models, and maintaining an active worship life so as to receive God’s Means of Grace for the strengthening of their faith on a regular basis. 
Overall, we want to interweave the youth into the church while building a relationship with God and thus creating mature, knowledgeable Christians who, when ready, are able and eager to assume leadership roles in their church.

And perhaps most importantly, we believe it is important to support parents in raising their teenagers in Christ. The Youth League cannot compete with school, the many extracurricular activities, and other things that take up today's teenager's time. So, we strive to give both teens and parents the tools, the questions, and the answers that they need to grow in the Lord. All efforts we make, we make as a team toward the common goal: A faithful confessional Lutheran, who will continue their study of God’s Word presented in Holy Scripture and explained through the Small Catechism throughout their life.