Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the link to see the answer to the question. Be sure to read our history.
- What is TEC?
- Who can attend a TEC?
- When is TEC held?
- Where is TEC held?
- How much does it cost to attend TEC?
- How can I support TEC?
The History of TEC
The Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) program has been around for quite some time. TEC is not an exclusively Lutheran movement, there are Catholic TEC’s, Baptist TEC’s, Methodist TEC’s, etc. While they all may be a little bit different, the main goal is the same--helping youth and adults interact with Jesus Christ on an intimate and personal basis and to share the love Christ has for us with each other.
The Northwaters Lutheran TEC movement was established in 1993. Prior to this time, area youth and adults attended the Metro TEC movement in the Twin Cities. In 1993, three groups came together and through their hard work and dedication Northwaters Lutheran TEC emerged.
Several members of the Metro TEC movement played a pivotal role in the establishment of Northwaters TEC. The Metro TEC folks helped plant the seed in this area not only through their generous financial support but also through the invaluable support of their time, talents and energy. In fact, the first few Northwaters TEC weekends were only possible because people involved in the Metro TEC movement came to work our TEC weekends and provide the experience for others. It was only through this type of support that we were able to develop a large enough group of experienced people to finally branch off as our own successful TEC program.
Our initial small group of devoted servants of Christ was also critical to helping the TEC seed grow and develop in to the wonderful life giving gift it is now. Some of the names you may recognize from this group, others you may not: Pastor John and Judy Lundberg, Les and Mary Jo Flemming, Pastor Dennis Morreim, Ron Reierson, Pastor Terry Stratton, Pastor Tim Martinson, Lucy Carlson, George and Stancy Walters, Tami Maki, Cory Maki, Pastors Paul and Lil Johnston.
Finally, it was through the gracious support of local churches, who volunteered their buildings and resources to host TEC weekends, that the program was able to be fully planted in our area. Some of the first churches to hold TEC weekends included Our Savior’s Lutheran Churches in Cloquet, Virginia and Duluth, and Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Virginia. Without these churches allowing our vision to have a place to grow, the program would have merely remained an unachieved hope of the two groups mentioned above.
Our first Northwaters TEC weekend was held October 23rd-25th, 1993, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Cloquet. The first official Northwaters TEC council meeting was held November 21st, 1993, where we held our first election to establish a TEC council. Since that time, the Northwaters Lutheran TEC movement has continued to grow by leaps and bounds. Some of our more memorable events:
- 1. Our first Wisconsin TEC was at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Superior, Wisconsin in November of 1996.
- 2. Our first East Central Minnesota TEC was held at Faith Lutheran Church in Isle, Minnesota, in April of 1999.
- 3. In October of 2006 we held our first TEC weekend in Aitkin, Minnesota, the furthest west we have ever gone.
- 4. We held our first TEC weekend in Moose Lake, Minnesota, in June of 2007.
- 5. In 2004, we invited anyone who has ever been involved with Northwaters TEC to our first all TEC reunion.
- 6. In 2009, we will hold our 40th TEC weekend!
Through the past several years, Northwaters Lutheran TEC has been able to touch numerous lives with the word of Christ, some in very visible ways and others in less obvious, but still very personal ways. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of local volunteers and churches, nor without our Savior Jesus Christ, through whom all things are possible and for whom all the glory is given!
Have other questions?
If you have any other questions please contact one of the TEC Council Members
