Learning from Youth in the Gathering Youth Poll

What does the LCMS Youth Ministry team learn from each Gathering's Youth Poll? The Rev. Mark Kiessling (director, LCMS Youth Ministry) and DCE Julianna Shults (program manager, LCMS Youth Ministry) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the history of the Youth Poll, how this poll helps inform those who care about young people, the topics usually covered in the poll, what we've learned from past polls, and interesting insights from this year's poll. Find the summary of the poll at youthesource.com/2026/01/2025-lutheran-youth-and-adult-leader-poll-executive-summary. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].