LAUNCH is an event for recent high school graduates led by Pastor Dave Delaney, and his summer intern, Emma Kessler. Held on the campus of Roanoke College in Salem from July 9-13, LAUNCH helps participants take stock of where their faith life has led them so far and provides opportunities to engage in discussion on matters of faith, life, and vocation that participants are likely to face as they transition into a new life stage.

Six high school graduates gathered for LAUNCH this year to learn and discuss with speakers from across the Synod matters of faith, lifestyle, and vocational challenges and choices. This year's speaker lineup featured current college students and recent college graduates who grew up through Synod Youth events, Pastor Drew Tucker of Christ Lutheran in Radford, and Chaplain Chris Bowen of Roanoke College among others who came to share their knowledge and experiences. 

There was tons of fun to be had at LAUNCH as the group attended a local baseball game, and watched a handful of favorite movies over the five-day event, but there was also plenty of time taken for quiet reflection as well. These chances for independent reflection and study were scattered throughout each day, and are a unique component of LAUNCH that isn't often a feature of other youth events. These opportunities allowed attendees to consider the big conversations and experiences they had together that made an impact on the major life transitions they'll be making this fall.

LAUNCH participants also had the opportunity this past week to reconnect with friends made at previous Synod youth events, as well as to take time for themselves for intentional evaluation on what they want their college experiences to be like. All LAUNCH participants were invited to stay through the weekend and attend Power in the Spirit, serving as another way to connect and make the transition of youth to adult in our synod.

The annual conference Power in the Spirit took off immediately following the conclusion of LAUNCH. The event was also held on the campus of Roanoke College from July 13-15. Together attendees from across the state gathered to explore God’s call to service through joyous worship, Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, and fellowship. This year’s theme- On Our Way Reforming commemorated the 500th anniversary of the start of the still ongoing Reformation.

This year The Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Wengert, a world-renowned Reformation scholar and professor emeritus of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, The Rev. Tracie L. Bartholomew, Bishop of the New Jersey Synod and former pastor of the Virginia Synod, and Voices of Praise, a Virginia Synod worship brand from Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Warrenton all joined in Power in the Spirit, guiding participants in keynote address, Bible study, and worship.

The Rev. Dr. Wengert’s keynote address shared with Power in the Spirit participants insights from Martin Luther’s 95 Theses and Freedom of a Christian, and how both of these texts call us to hear and speak to the gospel today. Bishop Bartholomew led the Power in the Spirit bible study, tracing the oft-recalculated route of Joseph in the Book of Genesis. 

Power in the Spirit is now an event for all ages, and this year’s kid participants got to join in special activities just for them, reading stories, making crafts, and having their own biblical focus during the event.

Children were also invited to several of the adult workshops, where they got to learn how to make bread to be served at communion, and created artwork and discussed the importance of art as a form of conscious mindful prayer. 

This year’s Power in the Spirit supported two services projects, Hope for the Homeless and Habitat 4 Humanity. Led by Pastor Harvey Atkinson of Mount Rogers Parish, Hope for the Homeless was supported by attendees of Power in the Spirit with donated items as well as monetary donations to purchase toiletry needs. These donations were then packed into bags to later be delivered to various shelters and ministries in the greater Roanoke area.

Whether or not Martin Luther really pounded any nails into the Wittenberg Church door is still up for debate, there was no question that hammers were pounded during Power in the Spirit at the Habitat 4 Humanity service project. Led by Pastor Paul Henrickson, the Habitat 4 Humanity service project took attendees on a work excursion to a Roanoke area Habitat build, to help construct a house!