By Katelin Moquin
Copy Editor

In July 2025, 79-year-old Tom Couser served as the oldest volunteer at the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, La.

The triannual event draws thousands of teenaged Lutherans for five days of Bible study, worship, service, and fun. Couser described the experience as a “taste of heaven.”

“Having 20,000 teens and adults in one place for worship is awesome,” he added.

Couser’s involvement with large-scale youth gatherings dates back to 1976, when he participated in a pan-Lutheran event — also held in New Orleans. Over the 49 years between his first and most recent gatherings, he has served in numerous roles: youth leader for his congregation, director of the Texas District “Light Brigade” (coordinating 600–700 adult volunteers for the 1995 San Antonio Gathering), community life builder, and most recently, a care team volunteer in the adult leader rejuvenation center.

His participation last year was encouraged by his son, the Rev. Peter Couser, who led the care team.

“Dad, you’ve got to do this with me,” the Rev. Peter Couser said. “It was an incredible joy and experience to serve with him in New Orleans.”

“Tom is a great friend of the Gathering, and we’re so grateful for his many years of service to young people,” added Meredith Whitefield Smith, LCMS Youth Ministry communications specialist.

Volunteering at the Gathering is a small portion of Couser’s ministry work. He began his professional ministry in 1969 after graduating from Concordia Teacher’s College in Chicago as a Director of Christian Education (DCE)—a path supported by his home pastor from Detroit and Couser’s wife, Barbara, whom he married that same year.

As a DCE, Couser has been a researcher, storyteller, and advocate for connecting generations through the love of Jesus. His long-standing involvement with youth gatherings reflects a broader commitment to engaging young people in the faith.

Today, Couser continues to minister part-time at his church in Texas, leading senior adult ministry, as well as writing for Worship Anew’s devotional for seniors, Hope-Full Living.

From the outset, he made it clear to his congregation that his mission would be intergenerational. That mission is informed by his decades of experience as a DCE, raising three children and five grandchildren in the faith, authoring books and devotionals, and conducting research interviews.

Couser’s research focuses on millennial Christians — those born between 1981 and 1996 — who have remained active in their faith into adulthood. One consistent finding was that many of these individuals attended a formative, faith-based event in their youth, such as a youth gathering or mission trip.

“Based on that, I will always be supportive of National Youth Gatherings,” Couser said.

Another key insight from his research is the power of narratives in faith formation.

“I’m a storyteller,” Couser said. “What I found with talking to teenagers, it was hard to connect with them. If you preface it by saying, I remember the time (that I did this or that), immediately it became relevant. That’s how Jesus connected with the crowds. He told parables. He told stories.”

Couser believes storytelling builds relationships — and that mentor-style relationships are key for youth to remain engaged in the church.

“That’s why I invest in (youth),” he said. “Talking to young adult Christians, in terms of their faith, they talked about a parent who mentored them or somebody at their church who invested them.”

Under Couser’s leadership at his congregation, senior ministry projects include sending care packages to college students during Advent and final exams and pairing youth with senior prayer partners — initiatives designed to foster meaningful intergenerational connections.

Couser sees a clear path forward for older adults who want to support younger generations.

“It really begins with getting to know the young people in your worship community,” he said. “A lot of teenagers really value the relationship with older adults … and really respect them. What I tell older adults is don’t go in with the attitude that I’m going to help you, or you need to listen to what I have to say. Listen to them and their needs and understand their situation. Teenagers are pretty astute. They will catch on pretty quick to those that are authentic.”

While youth benefit from travel, storytelling, mentorship, and authentic care within their worship communities, Couser insists the rewards go both ways.

“Volunteering keeps me young,” he quipped.

He challenges his peers to stay active in service to the Lord.

“God wants us to stay engaged. It’s about passing on the heritage of faith to the next generation,” he said.

Tom Couser is a published author of numerous books, including “Relevant: The Church as it Relates to Millennials,” as well as a regular author for Hope-Full Living.

Above Photo Provided: Tom Couser enjoys having lunch during the Gathering with a group of Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs).