Christ Academy–High School: An Event Like No Other

By Brian T. German

Spring is the time of the year to start planning for the summer. Vacations, reunions, and weddings quickly fill up the schedule for adults. In addition, youth have obligations and decisions to make. What are the options for them? Moreover, what are the options for youth involved in the church?

To be certain, there are many conferences and programs to consider. When it comes to events for the youth of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), one might notice several opportunities with which to enrich one’s life of faith. Some events meet briefly for a few days, while others form over a week or two. Some meet every few years, while others build a reputation on an annual basis. Some might even be thousands of miles away, while others are more centrally located.

There is one event that is unlike any other. It does not follow the trends of society. It does not seek simply to entertain. What is such an event? It takes place on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary and it is the annual and legendary Christ Academy–High School (C.A.–H.S.). This year it is June 17-30.

Students of C.A.–H.S. come to live in the dorms, to study theology under seminary professors, and to worship in Kramer Chapel for two weeks each June. It is a real taste of the seminary. Participants will study the true center of all Christian teaching–Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It is Christ who comes to us offering His gifts, and so it is fitting that the center of the Academy experience is found in worship. Students attend services daily to receive these God-given gifts of forgiveness and life and to give thanks for them. Outside of worship and class time, participants will also enjoy a wide range of extracurricular activities including basketball, capture the flag, a scavenger hunt, and a trip to Cedar Point Amusement Park.

The same professors who teach in the classroom are eager to visit one- on-one with the students for further theological discussion. The same lectures or material found in the seminary curriculum are often used or adapted for the teaching material during the Academy. One is quick to note the eagerness of the professors to teach and the participants to learn. Classrooms are active and lively in participation. There is nowhere else one can go for such a learning experience.

Every student is known on a first-name basis. Friendships form from similar interests in theology and connect students from all over the country. These relationships edify the youth of the church in affirming that they are not alone. The students’ unique bond with each other is enriching as well as long-lasting.

Looking for something unique and enriching? Indeed, Christ Academy is not your average agenda for high-school camps or retreats. This Academy offers sound Lutheran theology focusing on Jesus Christ and it continues to flourish. Whether you are considering the ministry or just want to learn more about our Savior who is present in Word and Sacrament, the Academy will provide one with clarity of vocational direction and a deeper understanding of God’s Word.

We invite you to become a part of the Christ Academy experience. For information concerning the Academy go to www.ctsfw.edu, click on Events, then select Christ Academy–H.S. in the left-hand column; phone 1-800-481-2155; or e-mail us at ChristAcademy@ctsfw.edu. Call us or e-mail us and engage us as you look to your future with new and unique ways to serve Christ who has given all to you.