A delegation of youth and adults from St. John Lutheran recently traveled to New Orleans.

According to a release from the church, the group attended the Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran

Church in America from July 22-26. They participated in over 150 community service projects in a city still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

Carly Proud, 14, a student at Lamar County Comprehensive High School, was one of the youth who made the trip.

“It was really cool,” she said. “The nightly worship was very interesting.”

She said it was held in the New Orleans Superdome with 38,000 other people and was amazing.

“All those people are there for one specific reason, all at the same time,” she said.

Alex Sturm, 15, a student at Spalding High School, also went.

“It was really cool and fun,” he said. “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

He focused on how many people were there and how the St. John delegation helped out during the worship services.

Ben Ogle, 14, a student at Lamar County Comprehensive High School, described the event as “rocking.”

“I liked it a lot,” he said.

He said he enjoyed walking around New Orleans, looking at the street art and at the shops. He also liked the worship.

“It’s hard to explain in words,” said J. Paul Proud, 15, also a student at Lamar County Comprehensive High School.

He made new friends and met people from as far away as Alaska, and said he enjoyed being “immersed” in the “rich culture” of New Orleans.

“I thought it was very colorful, especially worship,” said Molly Hurst, 14, a student at Pike County High School.

She said the music at worship was excellent and made her want to move her feet.

Laura Miller, whose three sons, Zachary, Adam and Ethan went on the trip, was one of the adult chaperones.

“The kids had a great time,” she said. “It was an awesome experience for them.”

She said it was wonderful to spend time with 36,000 Lutherans, since there are not many Lutherans in the South. She described how the youth participated in worship services and workshops, with a couple of them giving blood for the first time. The youth even participated in a “servant school” where they learned how to do justice and be servants of God in the community.

The Rev. Katherine Pasch, pastor of St. John Lutheran, said as she understands it, the gathering was the largest convention in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. She said the city mayor came to thank them for coming to the city, while ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson read a letter from President Barack Obama thanking them as well.

“I think for all the youth and adults who went, it was quite a experience,” Pasch said.

She said they were able to touch the lives of the many people still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.