Hi! My name is Alexa, and I will be going into my third year of college. I am majoring in Biology and minoring in both Spanish and Studio Art. My favorite thing about Augsburg is that I have met so many incredible people and professors that continue to help and support me in any way they can. I am so excited to be a mentor this year once again because of the amazing experience I had last year during the AYTI week. I can’t wait to get to know more awesome young adults and help them have an awesome experience throughout the AYTI week!
Meet Mitchell-2018 AYTI Mentor
Hi! I’m Mitchell, and I’m from Saint Paul MN. I’m a Senior Theology and Public Leadership major. My favorite thing about Augsburg has been the people I’ve met and gotten to study alongside. As well as studying Theology with Mary Lowe–as hard as it might be. A future goal I have is to go to seminary within the next few years. Last year I had such a inspiring time being a mentor for AYTI, and I can’t wait to come back this year.
Meet O’Quba – AYTI Mentor
Greetings! My name is O’Quba Duressa, and I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I just finished my first year at Augsburg University, studying International Business with a minor in International Relations.
Personally, my favorite thing about Augsburg is the community and engagement it has. A few of my future career goals include running a small business of my own or perhaps working with youth from different backgrounds. As a mentor at the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute I am excited to see the oneness and fellowship we will be having!
Meet Fidelina – 2018 AYTI Mentor
Hi, My name is Fidelina Xinico. I am an international student from Guatemala. After this summer I will be a senior double majoring in international business and economics with a minor in management information system.
My favorite thing about Augsburg is that there are so many opportunities for you to get involved in what you are interested and passionate about. As an Augsburg student, I have participated in different student organizations and also have this amazing opportunity to be a mentor for the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute in 2017 and 2018. I have also been one of the AYTI Ambassadors for the academic year. These experiences have taught me that it is important to have a balance in your life. And AYTI has been helping me to do so by strengthening me mentally and spiritually.
I am excited about AYTI 2018; I will see you soon!
Meet Destyn- 2018 AYTI Mentor
Hi! I’m Destyn Land, and I’m from Saint Paul (Rondo/Frogtown Neighborhood). I’m currently a Junior here at Augsburg and I’m majoring in Communication Arts and Literature (Secondary Education Teaching Licensure). Augsburg is a place where everyone feels connected. It’s the kind of school where you will see your Dean of Students casually walking around campus, and sometimes even the President of the institution. Due to being at a smaller school, you get to build so many meaningful relationships with a diverse group of people. After graduating from Augsburg (2019), I hope to be a junior high or high school English teacher. After teaching for awhile I would like to go back to school and work with programs that are dear to my heart like Genesys Works, TRiO, Act Six, and College Possible. I’m so excited to learn, to be challenged, and to grow with you all as we explore our faith this summer!
Best,
Destyn
Meet Lidiya – 2018 AYTI Mentor
Hi! My name is Lidiya Ahmed, and I’m from Ethiopia. I am currently a sophomore double majoring in Space physics and Mathematics. Augsburg has given me the opportunity to learn more about vocation through multiple experiences. I couldn’t think of a place better than Augsburg to do my undergraduate degrees as I aspire to interact with people, work on community-based projects and learn about what’s outside of my research lab in order to impact people’s’ lives. I believe that scientists should serve their communities through science and service and I am glad that I get to do what I believe in as an Auggie. I will be pursuing my Ph.D. in space physics after graduation from Augsburg, and I see myself as a research scientist actively involved in community work while conducting research at national laboratories.
I’m excited to be a mentor for AYTI this year and to share with high school youth what I have learned about being a light in the world. I am hopeful that it will be a time for all of us at AYTI to be equipped in every dimension so that we can continue being change agents and light in the world!
Learn more about AYTI and this summer’s theme at http://www.augsburg.edu/ayti/
Meet Our ACYTI Ambassadors – Hannah
Meet Hannah- One of our 2016-17 Augsburg College Youth Theology Institute (ACYTI) Year-Round Ambassadors
My name is Hannah Schmit, and I am a senior at Augsburg College. I am double majoring in Sociology and Religion with a minor in Biology. I am originally from a small town in northern Wisconsin, so I like to take full advantage of all the things that life in the cities has to offer! In my free-time I enjoy making music, hiking, exploring, reading, and crafting. I am excited to be working with ACYTI because I believe in the program, and I cannot wait to share it with others!
More about the ACYTI Ambassadors
Peace and Hannah are working to share their experience and help connect youth and congregations with ACYTI. If you are interested in learning more about the Youth Theology Institute, or having our Ambassadors visit your congregation to share their experience, please contact us at acyti@augsburg.edu
Meet Our ACYTI Ambassadors – Peace
Meet Peace, one of our 2016-17 Augsburg College Youth Theology Institute (ACYTI) year-round Ambassadors.
Hello! My name is Peace Peter. I’m currently a second year here at Augsburg College. I’m a double major in communications and journalism. I am a member of the Pan-African Student Union and I work in the IT-department. I was born in Liberia and I lived in three different countries in Africa before I moved to the U.S. In my free time I love to watch 90’s sitcom especially Full House and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I’ve never eaten popcorn and my favorite American Food is Caesar salad. I am excited to work with the Augsburg College Youth Theology Institute because I am called to spread the word of God.
More about the ACYTI Ambassadors
Peace and Hannah are working to share their experience and help connect youth and congregations with ACYTI. If you are interested in learning more about the Youth Theology Institute, or having our Ambassadors visit your congregation to share their experience, please contact us at actyi@augsburg.edu
Highlight Video from 2015 Urban VBS
This June, forty middle school and high school youth spent time at Augsburg for the third annual Collaborative Urban Vacation Bible School. They explored faith, community, and vocation while learning more about college. Ian McConnell (Augsburg alum, current Luther seminary student, and youth ministry intern at Redeemer Lutheran Church in N Mpls.) created a video to share about the experience. Enjoy!
2015 Urban VBS
On June 9-10, over 40 middle school and high school youth from Lutheran congregations in Minneapolis will be at 
Augsburg to explore faith, community, and vocation. This Collaborative Urban Vacation Bible School also provides meaningful college exposure to the diverse group of students, and utilizes a leadership track for high school students.
Augsburg to explore faith, community, and vocation. This Collaborative Urban Vacation Bible School also provides meaningful college exposure to the diverse group of students, and utilizes a leadership track for high school students.
The theme for the 2015 Collaborative Urban VBS is “Walk the Neighborhood.” Drawing from both John 1 and Colossians 1 (texts below), we understand that God took on human form in Jesus and walked the neighborhood. As disciples of God, and out of abundant gratitude for God’s gifts of love, grace, and forgiveness, we also walk our neighborhoods. During this year’s VBS at Augsburg College, young people will walk the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, work to identify their roles as being the visible image of an invisible God, and have fun participating in interactive workshops, games, and worship experiences!
Two specific Bible passages will help guide the “Walk the Neighborhood” theme. The bolded passages are added for extra emphasis. Both passages are taken from “The Message” translation of the bible.
John 1: 1-2, 14
“The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one. The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own yes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.”
Colossians 1: 15-21
“We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes tot he church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. He was supreme in the beginning and— leading the resurrection parade— he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe— people and things, animals and atoms— get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured from the cross. You yourselves are a case study of what he does.”