Gianni Girtman, a junior at Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach, Fla., has a lot of friends of different races, ethnicities, and religions. “My friends are Catholics, Muslims, and non-denominational Christians,” he says. “But I never really hear, ‘I’m Lutheran.’ ”

While this gives him an opportunity to share his faith, it can be isolating. That’s why attending the 2009 WELS International Youth Rally was so life-changing for Gianni. “I realized that I’m not the only one who is a Lutheran,” he says. “It’s jaw dropping to see—when you go into one room—thousands of kids who think the same thing you do, who listen to the same stuff you do, and who act the same way you do. It’s kind of scary.” Scary, but cool. “It’s extremely cool to hear people just busting out the same songs, the same hymns, that you’re singing,” he says.

Gianni and his mom have been members at Hope, West Palm Beach, Fla., for about six years. They moved to the area from Miami after his dad died from cancer when Gianni was 10 years old. “At the time I was not in good standing with God. I was mad because I kept thinking that he took my father away,” says Gianni.

One of the things that attracted Gianni and his mom to the church was the active youth group. “We’re all really close to each other,” says Gianni. “It’s a very family kind of feel.”

Rev. Jon Enter, pastor at Hope, began helping Gianni to see his loving God even in difficult times. “He’s helped me realize that everything happens for a reason. So when my father died, it was meant to happen,” says Gianni. “And he’s at home with God now.”

The church continues to support Gianni and his mom, who is raising Gianni by herself while going back to school. She also is struggling with some significant health problems. “My church is our extended family. They help us so much,” says Gianni. “They’re always there for us, and I really appreciate that.”

Gianni also appreciates the church’s youth group and the friendships he has made with Lutherans around the world whom he met at the last youth rally. He’s planning to attend the 2012 WELS International Youth Rally in Tennessee. “I have to check on Facebook to see if my friends are coming,” he says.

And what does he hope to gain at this rally? He says, “I want to enhance my foundation with God and also make new friends who are in the same religion and have the same foundation I have.”