Creating a Welcoming Space for Young Adults

Frankfurt, Germany — April 18, 2026 

Young adults, community members, and local leaders gathered in Frankfurt on Saturday to celebrate the opening and dedication of a new Institute of Religion, a space designed to bring young people together for learning, connection, and personal growth. 

The event began with an open house and guided tours, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the new facility and experience its welcoming atmosphere. The center is intended as a place where young adults, both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their friends, can meet, build friendships, and participate in classes focused on values, purpose, and faith.

“What really excites me about the new Frankfurt Institute of Religion is the opportunity to have a much larger space where more young adults can come together. Not just from our local congregations, but also friends from the wider community,” said Alea Mesterharm, a young adult from Friedrichsdorf. 

A formal program followed, led by local leaders and Elder Jack N. Gerard, a senior Church leader in Central Europe. The meeting included music, prayers, and short messages centered on community, hope, and the importance of creating spaces where young people feel they belong. 

Several young adults shared personal reflections, along with local leaders and educators, highlighting the importance of having a place to connect in today’s fast-paced world. 

Mesterharm added, “It feels special to invite people into a place that is so beautiful and welcoming. I think it’s important for us to have a space where we can meet, connect, and build meaningful relationships. I truly believe this new center will create that kind of environment.” 

The event also included a dedicatory prayer, a tradition in which Church leaders formally set apart a building for its intended purpose as a place of learning and gathering.

“Institutes of religion play a vital role in helping young adults anchor their lives in Jesus Christ, building their faith and giving them purpose as they serve one another. This new institute in Frankfurt will be a place where young people feel they belong, where they come not only to study the teachings of Jesus Christ, but to build friendships, strengthen character, and prepare to contribute meaningfully to their families, the Church, and the community around them. As lives are uplifted here, the influence of that goodness will naturally reach far beyond these walls,” said Elder Jack N. Gerard, a member of the Church’s Area Presidency in Europe Central who presided at the event and was responsible for the dedicatory prayer. 

Leaders expressed hope that the new Frankfurt Institute of Religion will become a hub for young adults across the Frankfurt area, offering a safe and welcoming environment to explore questions of faith, develop friendships, and find a sense of purpose. 

The Frankfurt Institute of Religion is part of a broader effort to support young adults by providing spaces where they can learn, grow, and connect in meaningful ways, regardless of their background or beliefs.