Winter Blast 2026: CHOSEN
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Winter Blast 26, held January 9–11, was a powerful and encouraging winter retreat for high school students that brought together youth from seven Lutheran churches and more than 60 attendees from across Southern California. Centered on the theme Chosen, based on 1 Peter 2:9, the weekend reminded students that they are claimed, valued, and called by God for a purpose. From start to finish, the retreat was a strong example of what is possible when congregations work together with shared vision and support.
The planning and execution of Winter Blast was a truly cooperative effort. Youth leaders and DCEs from multiple churches collaborated for months to design a spiritually meaningful, well-organized, and engaging retreat for students. Responsibilities were shared across churches, allowing each team to contribute their strengths—from worship planning and teaching to logistics, recreation, and campsite coordination. This cooperative approach not only strengthened the event but also deepened relationships among leaders and ministries within the Pacific Southwest District.
We are especially grateful for the financial support from the PSD, which played a key role in Winter Blast's success. PSD funding helped offset critical costs and allowed the planning team to focus on creating a high-quality experience without placing an undue financial burden on individual churches or families. This support made the retreat more accessible to students and communicated a clear message: the PSD values and believes in collaborative youth ministry.
The PSD’s innovation grant funded CUI DCE fieldwork students and adult volunteers to attend. This made it easier for the churches to recruit adults to help out. It was also used to purchase retreat-themed hoodies for all the participants. The sweatshirts turned out wonderful, and the teenagers really liked them (no small feat!). The grant was also used to buy supplies for S’mores and games.
Throughout the weekend, students engaged in worship, teaching, small groups, and fellowship-building activities that reinforced the message of being God’s chosen people. Many students experienced meaningful conversations, new friendships, and moments of spiritual growth. Leaders observed strong engagement, openness, and enthusiasm, along with a growing sense of unity among students from different congregations.
Winter Blast stands as an encouraging example of how shared ministry can amplify impact. By pooling their resources, energy, and leadership, the participating churches created an experience no one could have accomplished alone. We hope this retreat serves as inspiration for continued collaboration across the Pacific Southwest District and as a reminder of the fruit that comes from working together to invest in the faith lives of our young people.
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