Tyra Dennis has been named Youth Ministry Coordinator and Organizer for the Southwest California Synod. This new position is a part-time position, supporting existing youth programs throughout the synod as well as organizing young people to influence synodical decisions and regional and national church programs and policies.
“Our church loves to say young people are our future,” Bishop Brenda Bos said, “But we know our young people are movers and shakers today, with real power to change the church. Tyra is well-positioned locally and nationally to bring young people into conversations with people in important places.”
Tyra is the Youth Ministry Associate at First Lutheran Church in Torrance, doing everything from leading middle and high school youth groups to teaching confirmation and religion classes to middle schoolers. She has and still serves as a music director and worship leader within the ELCA, where she has had the opportunity to lead the music for many events including but not limited to the Middle School Youth Gathering hosted by LRCC, the Extravaganza, Theoasis, Affirm (Southeastern Synod), Rebound, the Western States Youth Gathering, and the ELCA Youth Gathering. She also made history by becoming the first African American Woman to lead the house band (and the youngest to lead it as well).
Tyra believes she was called specifically to the ELCA to do the work God has designed her to do, being reminded to worship and lead from within. Her goal is in this role is to assist the SWCA Synod in revitalizing their youth ministry program, starting with the Western States Youth Gathering where she is one of two directors. In her spare time, she is constantly working towards creating a better tomorrow through various organized acts of activism and philanthropic efforts.
