Breakout session 3

Despite being digitally connected more than any other generation, loneliness is a pervasive issue for many young people—and plenty of adults, too. Together, we’ll unmask some of the challenges we’re facing and why isolation has become a critical problem in our world. We’ll explore the causes and impacts of loneliness on relationships and well-being, sharing candid stories and research, as well as practical ideas on how to work through the awkwardness of making friends. Join us as we shine a light on this elusive yet serious issue, discussing ideas for meaningful connection and how we can create a supportive, engaging community for ourselves.

Cassie is an author, speaker, and leadership consultant with 15 years of experience in ministry to young people. She is the author of Faith Notes: A Christ-Centered Survival Kit for Young Women, Authentic Youth Ministry: Straight Talk about Working with Kids, Teens & In-Betweens, The Gallivanter Saga adventure series, and a contributing author for Connected for Life: Essential Guide to Youth Ministry and Words of Peace and Protection: Devotions for Women. She’s also the creator of the webinar series, From A to (Gen) Z: The Church and the Digital Generation with Concordia Publishing House. She has published over 80 articles on youth and culture in addition to freelance curriculum writing. She grew up in Illinois & Minnesota, earned her master’s degree in organizational leadership from the Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine, has worked on national & district youth gatherings, and enjoys speaking internationally. Moore currently consults and contracts out for non-profits, churches, schools, and local government organizations regarding youth engagement, understanding Gen Z and Gen Alpha, leadership, strategic planning, and mental health advocacy. She has a certificate in Franklin Covey’s The 4 Disciplines of Execution® and is a QPR Gatekeeper Trainer in suicide prevention, and serves on the board for a multi-site counseling center. She loves travel, hiking, & talking to strangers. She and her husband, Pastor Tyler, live in Hood River, Oregon and have two dogs. Connect with her at cassieahmoore.com.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced intense pressure to bow to a god made by human hands—but they stood firm in their identity as God’s people. Today, we face a similar pressure: to place our identity in our sexuality, to define ourselves by it, and to explore it on the world’s terms. In a culture that demands we bow, how do we stand? This presentation will encourage you to build your identity on Christ—an identity that is eternal, rooted in His promises, and secure in the hope of the resurrection.

Pastor Peter Knelson grew up in Saskatchewan, where youth gatherings played a pivotal role in shaping his faith and fostering friendships. Although he never had the chance to attend a National Youth Gathering as a youth, he’s making up for it now—serving as the MC for the 2025 NYG! His hope is that today’s youth will find this gathering just as impactful, inspiring, and fun as his own experiences. Pastor Peter serves St. John’s Lutheran Church in Warman and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bergheim, Saskatchewan. When he’s not pastoring, he’s helping his wife, Laurel, keep up with their two energetic kids. And when the house finally quiets down, you’ll often find him playing guitar and recording music. He can’t wait to stand alongside you in putting on the full armor of God!

Richard is CEO of Creation Ministries-Canada, and producer and co-host of the weekly, half-hour TV show Creation Magazine LIVE!. Richard has been speaking on the creation/evolution issue since 1994. The Canadian CMI office began as a room in his home in late 1998. As a speaker, he is known for his easy-to-understand scientific presentations. Richard grew up in a Christian home but by high school he had many unanswered questions about creation, Genesis and the accuracy of the Bible that greatly hindered his spiritual growth. This began to change in 1994 after hearing Dr Carl Wieland (from CMI-Australia) and subscribing to Creation magazine, and reading other resources on apologetics. Richard’s education and professional training is in electronics and he had the privilege of working on some of the most technologically advanced electronics for more than a decade before joining CMI. Richard is married and lives in Kitchener, Ontario with his wife and 5 children.

Jennifer Kerr is a mental and relational health counsellor from Regina, Saskatchewan. She has a husband named Rocky, a cat named Kirby, and a guitar named Bennett. Throughout her time working with kids, youth, and young adults in many different organizations, Jennifer knew she wanted to grow in her abilities to serve young people and families. That led her to complete her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and become a professional counsellor. Jennifer has been part of many LC-C youth gatherings as a musician, and spoke at Impact 2023 on mental health from a faith perspective, but this is her first time as a co-main speaker. She is pumped to attend Unbreakable in 2025! Find Jennifer online at www.throughtherapy.ca.

Rev. Robert Bugbee serves as a pastor at First Lutheran Church and Christian Academy in Windsor, Ontario, where he has been since 2018. From 2008 to 2018, he served as the Synod President of LCC. At the 2013 NYG in Winnipeg, Stand Firm, he served the gathering as the Bible study leader. Pastor Bugbee was born in Ohio, then studied at Wartburg College in Iowa and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, with semesters in Germany. Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, conferred on him the honourary degree Doctor of Divinity. He is married to Gail, and they have four children and ten grandchildren.