“Knockin’ on Heavin’s Door” will be much more fitting in a church setting this weekend than it usually is.

The youth at St. John’s Lutheran in Austin will host an 80s rock ‘n roll-themed dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday with hope of raising plenty of money to send several youth to the LCMS National Youth Gathering from July 1 to 5 in San Antonio, Texas.

“We were just kind of sitting there throwing ideas around,” said Sam Ogilvie, son of Pastor Thomas Ogilvie.

Last year the youth hosted a 50s diner dinner, and Sam said the youth will take any suggestions they can get from others to set the stage for next year’s event. Every three years, the youth at St. John’s attend the national gathering, which costs about $1,200 per attendee, Sam said, who attended the 2010 gathering in New Orleans, said it was a lifetime experience.

“Living in small-town Austin, I see the same few people at church every weekend, but to see the Superdome with all those kids all my age and common interest like that is really amazing,” said Sam, a junior in high school.

Every three years, the national gathering brings together thousands of LCMS youth and features big-name speakers, breakout sessions and plenty more to do.

Sam’s older sister, Sydney, also went to the 2010 event. But this year, Sam’s younger brother, Fred, an eighth-grader, will attend along with eight other area youth. For that reason, Sam, who may or may not attend the gathering, hopes for significant support.

“We’re really hoping to fill every seat and run out of food this year,” he said.

The dinner, as always, is held as free-will offering, and the menu will include burgers and hotdogs with plenty of sides.