Young Life

They set up a booth on the only road to exit our middle school, so it's busy at pickup!...and they bring donuts. Kids are darting in front of cars to get donuts. They are literally teaching it's ok to take candy from strangers. on a busy road. ...dangerous! AND they've been asked to stop this at another nearby school, so they should know better..but apparently it's a winning tactic. Some of the donuts are seriously the size of a frisbee. This is nutzo behaviour. It's luring and predatory. I've let the cops know, this is not acceptable.

I am a former "inner circle" campaigner, work crew/summer staffer, and volunteer leader- started one of Young Life college's first and biggest chapters. For a time I was considering going on staff. All in all I gave 8 years to the organization. I can wholly affirm all of the one star reviews on this site, and I can also validate many parts of the positive reviews. Being a first-timer at a YL camp or a "favorite" is an incredible experience--its why people stay. I left the org nearly a decade ago and am doing research on YL for a creative project. I'm interested in what you have to say about your experience with YL; if you're interested in sharing, my email is queerxyl@gmail.com .

Younglife has consistently been unprofessional and dark modus operandi. I have attended YL and volunteered as summer staff in the last decade for a few times, and have been disgusted by the way they treat volunteers and individuals. They have been manipulative and irresponsible- handing out responsibilities to popular people without much maturity in leadership and Christian value. They recently sentme an email asking me to accept or reject the summer staff position. After I have made a positive affirmation on the decision and bought the air ticket (cost me 1 k dollar), one of your leftist coordinator cut me off rudely with bogus non explanation, discriminate me based on my age and the way I responsed.

What on the earth is going on with your leadership? It is wholly unprofessional and disgusting. It is cult like.

This nonprofit is hurtful and manipulative. As someone connected to a member of the staff, I have witnessed this individual have their faith questioned by other staff members, unrightfully so. I have also witnessed them feel discouraged, shamed, guilted, and essentially scammed.

Best week of your life. I’m 23 talking about 4 different camps 4 different locations over five years ago. No one was creepy. They show you what love should look like and how to be brave. Call me brainwashed but we had a damn good timee & I’m not a model Christian obvi but I just can’t stand the slander. They are doing Gods work in the best modern way. These parents need to go to camp!! I mean just look at the landscape and feel the hole in your heart close UP!! or try to survive one club gathering without singing along or crying. I mean these people are so articulate!! Im not trying to spill the beans but they feed the kids so well and plan a sustainable schedule of fun. They literally carbo load these teens on the first night for an obstacle coarse that they’ll never forget. Good vibes their way && Sheesh thanks for reading my novel but just please finish knowing these camps save kids from themselves.

Im here to debunk these 1 star reviews about young life being a cult. I am currently part of Young Life Gregory Portland, and I used to believe that Young Life was pretty much what these reviews said they were, and then I decided to be a little open minded and try it out for myself. I was surprised. They were all really welcoming, and have helped on my faith journey. We have really deep discussion about God, and has helped me open up about problems. Other reviews are kind of false. They don't harass you to come back, I wasn't able to go for a few months because school and everything, and they asked me two months if i was doing alright. They did not manipulate my social groups, I have the same friends that I had before young life. (i have more friends now) One review says we are against catholics, but (I don't know about other groups) my group is actually majority catholic. The leader is not Catholic, but we have nothing against Catholics. The same review talks about how expensive the camps are, ($100 which is less than how much the camps actually are) The real price is around $400 which is extremely reasonable. Some camps are in the thousands so this is relatively cheap. From someone who was extremely suspicious of Young Life in the past, it's not a cult and I'm not brainwashed. They also mention how the leaders were often young college age adults. It's called young life for a reason. Young people are the leaders. It's in the name. If anything was iffy about the organization I would have stood up and left the building right away. God bless y'all.

This is not to comment on the mission of Young Life rather, their actions as stewards of the lands they manage. YL is attempting to secure a precedent setting permit to discharge treated wastewater into a pristine river in Texas. They have less damaging options that all other camps in the area utilize yet they persist in their efforts to get a pass on pollution. If they are true stewards of His creation they will do whatever it takes to protect the environment they benefit from. The entire community is against their efforts but YL seems unwilling to budge or communicate. The action of Young Life does not seem to align with Christian values.

I was a victim of the branch at Towson University. They preyed on me as a lost, vulnerable freshman. They draw you in, invite you to EVERYTHING “pressure-free,” but then continue to harass you to keep coming back, pressure you to lead (even when you aren’t ready) ship you off to camp, make you PAY $100 for camp (and retreat weekends), and waste your time. Very unprofessional, and might I add, BRAINWASHED. No one has grown up past the age of 16 and have no idea how to function in the real world. I’m sorry, but if your “sister in Christ” tells you that she’s depressed and wants to kill herself, that’s when you need to get her help (call her parents, take her to a counselor, etc) not simply tell her that you’ll pray for her and this is all part of His plan. Also, they told me that my Heavenly Father wants to marry and have sex with me???? Btw they hate Catholics, so they’re not as welcoming as they claim to be. I’d be lying if I said they weren’t a big part of the reason why I transferred colleges. I can’t believe I breathe the same air as these SOBs and Bs.

I lead younglife for the special needs, capernaum and did younglife in high school growing up and it is such a great organization that leads so many people to the Lord and should be recognized.

I am so sorry to read some of the comments posted here that bash this organization. So many angry comments made without one lick of support, many outright wrong. I've been around this outreach to teens for decades and can offer some corrections. For these and many more reasons, YoungLife has become one of the largest teen outreaches on the planet - active all throughout the U.S. and in over 110 foreign countries. It seems that many, many folks are thrilled with the organization and how they do business.

1. Many school districts welcome YoungLife leaders into their schools because of the incredibly positive influence those caring individuals have for teens. I have seen a letter from a local school principal lauding the presence of YL leaders in his lunchroom. The Area Director of the local outreach ALWAYS meets with the principal, gets the rules they are to follow (which always include no proselytizing on campus) and goes over those rules with all the leaders. They are a rule-following bunch. Believe me, those leaders are watched closely by administrators. But by far the majority of school districts do NOT allow YoungLife leaders or any other outside group into the schools. If leaders are seeing kids in the parking lot before or after school it is because the district has said that it is OK. They don't spend time trying to figure out ways around the rules.
2. YL is not trying to seduce teens into participating. There is never pressure to hang out with YL leaders or pressure to attend any YL event. In fact, most teens world-wide make their way to YoungLife events because they are invited by their friends who are loving their involvement in YL.
3. Every YL area has a staff person who is easily contacted and is ready and willing to meet and explain exactly what YL is about. Sadly some parents never take the time to check them out, especially those who write angrily about them
4. YL leaders don't specialize in telling teens how awful they are, rather they spend their time in the weekly meeting having tons of safe fun (no drugs, alcohol, or peer pressure to do those kinds of things) and do talk about the person of Jesus. It is their aim to make sure that every teen can make his/her own decision about Jesus based on good knowledge of what the Bible says about him. there is NEVER pressure for a kids to believe anything.
5. As a charity, YoungLife enjoys one of the highest ratings possible for their financial dealing (see Charity Navigator on the web).
6. Participation in YL has no bounds except that teens show respect for the leaders and other teens involved. That doesn't mean that they have to agree with the subject of Jesus, just that they respect others as valuable people.
7. For any camp attendance, the parents of every teen who attends is provided with a very complete form that asks permission to use their child's image in public advertising for YL only. The parents can say yes or no. As all organizations for teens, YL pays tremendous attention to every safety for the kids involved and always communicates with the parents.

This organization has been a positive life experience for my son. While some may have experienced the organization years ago (bday), I have not seen anything negative about the organization, the kids active with the organization or the leaders of the organization. In fact, my son's group has leaders consisting of a Dad, a Mom (another family) and a helper who are present at all activities. This is a great way for kids with good values (or are looking to have a positive influence in their life) find that group. It's a mix of all types of kids who wouldn't have had a chance to get to know each other due to the cliques in high school. This organization helped my son grow into the fine young man he is today. He heads off for college in the Fall and I can only hope there is a Young Life chapter on campus.

I don't understand the bad views? really I have never even heard of Young Life until college. At my LUTHERAN school, there is a Young Life for college kids and I sa a flyer and decided to go with my friend. No one was manipulative or tried to diobolically persuade us to join. We chose on our own. When we got there, everone was really nice and kind. None of them tried to tell us to "hate gays" or whatever some of these people are claiming... Most of the leaders were my age or a couple years older. The student were very involved and sometimes got to do there own service and talked about their own personal experiences with God. Every word said to me has encouraged love and positivity. The community is a kinf group of individuals who just want to get together, sing songs, and appreciate their religion. I don't know who these people are claiming it's "radical" and "hateful". Maybe their Young Life group just sucks. I have noticed though, that most people making the complaints are parents, not the actual teens/children/college students that experience it for themselves. I don't know. However, I can tell you for a fact that not all of the Young LIfe groups are as evil as some of the angry parents claim them to be. Please don't be too quick too judge a whole organization on a few negative perspectives. If, however, your religious group is encouraging hateful ideals and such, I would not blame you to remove yourself and your child from the environment- in fact I would encourage it. If you have read the Bible, Jesus said that the most important thing was to love your neighbors and he said that you should even love your enemy. Hate is the opposite of what Christians are supposed to represent. I am giving my experience with Young LIfe four stars, because it was a little awkward in the beginning trying to make new friends because both me and my friend are shy. Also, I think it would've been more fun if we played more games like my youth group in high school. I don't care if I'm a "legal adult" I want to play freeze tag and make friends. Overall though, I really felt a greater appreciation for the universe and a better connection to my religion, and whenever I am having a bad day, everyone is always so happy there, and it makes me happy to.

I can honestly say that my decision to go to young life was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I had never been insanely religious or anything and it's helped me to grow as a person. I have learned more about God and all He does for us and it's just been an amazing experience. However, the main reason I am so happy with my decision to start going to young life is that I have met some of the most amazing people. The leaders are so caring and so dedicated to helping us whenever we need anything, whether we need to talk or whether we just want to hang out. They are the most caring group of people I have ever met and I thank them so much for everything they have done. I can't even explain how amazing the leaders are. I am blown away by their caring personalities and their true kindness towards everyone. They are so great and I am so thankful for the opportunity I was presented with and so happy with my decision to try it out.

Young Life is a life changing organization. It provides kids with meaningful relationships and the opportunity to ask questions/ learn more about their faith. The leaders do nothing but love on the kids. The camps provide a glimpse of heaven and help the kids dive deeper and deeper into their faith. It provides kids with the perfect "getaway" from the real world and is GUARANTEED to change their life - I know it changed mine back in the day!! I can honestly say that I would not be the person that I am today without the love and support of my Young Life leaders and my experiences at camp and campaigners. Thank you, Young Life!!

I DO NOT LIKE WYLDLIFE FOR MY CHILDREN. As a mother I tell you why I do not like Wyldlife or Young Life. First, the leaders are very MANIPULATIVE with teenagers. They act COOL and Young even though some of them are in their late forties. Second, parents are not encourage to attend any event or group. For example, my daughter attended some meetings about Wyldlife in my neighborhood but of course I was not invited to stay. My daughter at that time she did not say much about it, so I stay out of it since she appreciated the time she shared with her friends form her school. However, after some time my daughter mention me how cool it was to have a counselor and a mentor that she could trust and have fun with. As a mother I did not like that idea and I told my daughter that she could not have any counselor unless I give her permission to have one. Another aspect about WYLDLIFE I DO NOT LIKE is that they get them to excited about camp....once my daughter told me "that's going to be the best time of my life!"(Camp). CRAZY!!!! The leaders are not honest with parents because they do not tell about their religious influence on children. I think we need MOTHERHOOD for our children not random counselors playing to be cool with our kids to get them to like Christianity using their own theology without parents consent. THINK ABOUT IT. I DID. THANK YOU.

Young Life is an amazing group. Many people writing negative reviews do not understand the dynamics of the organization. Young Life is an amazing place to send your teenager. It keeps yhem level-headed and builds a strong relationship with God. The friendships created in YL last a lifetime. Young Life Club allpws teens to gather and rejoice with people who share a common interest with them. Young Life leaders are kind and create a no pressure environment. YL has many trips and leadera are great about assisting people who cannot afford the trips. Young Life is the best thing ever

Young Life has changed my life! Having a caring adult come alongside me during my adolescent years made all the difference for me. Young Life volunteers care genuinely about the lives of students and are role models of positive choices, good communication and living life for more than just the daily grind. I would highly suggest getting involved with your local Young Life club!

This organization finds it way into middle and high school and seeks out kids. School boards should forbid them from contact with minors. Please don't support this organization. Keep your kids away from this organization.

I cannot think of a better non-profit to give your money to that truly makes a lasting and even eternal difference in your community. As a donor for many years now I have always felt privileged to partner with such a great organization with equally as great people. Never mind the nay-sayers out there. The same way one may misinterpret the intentions of a person, the folks who dislike YL have merely misinterpreted the intentions of the organization. The entire organization strives everyday to emulate Jesus in what they do by being friends and mentors to teenagers and experiencing life along side of them, the same way Jesus did with his friends. All in all, I have loved giving both money and time to Young Life and will continue to do so.

Young Life is THE main reason I became a Christian in High School. Young Life is not always fully understood unless you have been personally involved or impacted by it. That is why I highly suggest na-sayers to learn more about YL or talk to those of us who have been involved with it before making up their mind. If it were not for Young Life it would have taken me many many years before I was obedient to God and his plans for my life. YL has taught me that you can be you and have flaws but still be striving to do God's will. Please give Young Life a chance and research it!

To potential donors, I love YL because we really make a difference in kids' lives. As leaders, we provide a substance-free party called "Club" for them every week, at the end of which we talk a little about Jesus. If kids want to know more, they can come to a Bible study called "Campaigners", in which they learn more. We also have camps in the winter and summer, which include a series of Clubs, lessons, really fun activities, and heart-to-heart talks. We also act as friends and mentors to teens. Leaders are people they can trust and rely on. All leaders have passed criminal background checks and live by a pretty strict moral code outlined by YL to ensure that we model good behavior. All that being said, I feel like I should write to dispel a lot untrue information being spread on this page. (If it is true for your local chapter, I would say that's a shame because YL does not work like that on the whole!) I became involved in Young Life as a leader last year. I am not evangelical by any stretch of imagination, but I do love working with kids. One of the best things about YL is that we don't cram Christianity down the kids' throats. Yes, coming to Club means that they hear a five-minute talk about Christ, usually a personal story about how my relationship with God has worked this specific way in my life or something similar. We don't tell kids they're horrible, going to hell, or anything else of that nature, and we certainly don't judge their lifestyles! Those are the things that usually turn us all off to Christianity, right? Kids can either listen or not listen, but they get to keep coming back to have fun and hang out even if they never buy into it. Another awesome part of being a leader is just being there for kids who are going through life struggles. Even if they're from the best homes imaginable, they still carry burdens they won't talk about with their families. We are good role models who listen and help them make good decisions. I've seen our care and kindness influence kids to stop partying, drinking, and doing drugs. YL leaders also engage with the parents of kids, keeping them in the communication loop and being very open and honest about Club, Campaigners, Camp, etc. We don't sneak attack your kids with Bibles, and the intention is never to turn a teen against his/her parents. I have yet to meet a parent who has had an issue with the organization, and most parents have gone out of their way to say what a difference we have made to their sons and daughters. We occasionally hang out with kids we know at school--meet them for lunch or attend a sporting event, and other kids will come sit down for a chat and wonder who we are. Of course we don't turn them away. And Club is clean, rowdy, substance-free fun, and those kid who regularly come to Club go tell more kids, and they start coming and tell more kids. Sometimes parents want their kids to go, and sometimes they don't, and we are respectful of the decision either way. We also get to know kids and what's important to them, often attending plays or football games just to show that we care, because we do! We want them to do well and know that we're not just out to convert, but that we actually care about them. I'm not a leader because I'm "creepy", racist, misguided, homophobic, or brainwashed. It's not some underhanded plot to indoctrinate anyone. It's just simply to be there for teens as the navigate this rocky age, and to share our own stories with them. Many of them choose to come to Christ, not because we pressured them, but because they see the way we live, care, and interact, and they see this promise of a God who is forgiving and full of love, who holds every child precious in His eyes and bears their burdens, and who gives them strength and guidance for every stage of life.

Young Life is a self-serving non-profit whose main goal at the end of the day is to peddle co-ed summer camp registrations and recruit new donors to perpetuate the Young Life camping network. They offer no physical charitable benefits to the community. They use college-aged kids to infiltrate the network of cliques at local high schools and use their seniority to recruit new members (in blatant disregard for separation of church and state).

Young life is a remarkable organization that reaches out to middle and high school teens and builds relationships . These friendships are characterized by adults(usually mature high schoolers working with the middle schoolers and post college volunteers working with high schoolers) who encourage, accept unconditionally and "walk the walk" of integrity and love for God. I've watched the impact of this organization for 33 years and seen not only teens but their families as well impacted for good.

I am writing to communicate my delight with this organization. Young Life is a non-denominational outreach to Jr and High School students with the message hope through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a mother of children who have been involved since Middle School, and continue now in High School I am grateful to the organization. It is wonderful to have volunteer leaders who spend time in my child's world engaging with them and their friends in a positive and encouraging way when my daughter or son have a victory or a challenge in their life, the Young Life leader is one of the first people they encounter to share with. As a Christian mom, it is wonderful to know there is another caring christian adult who would take time to love my children. Our Young Life community is supported by local businesses, Catholic and Protestant Churches, and individuals like myself. We enjoy going to fund raising events where parents can hear from students, volunteers and staff about Young Life and the impact it is having in my community. It is particularly special that many children have the opportunity to experience a spiritual journey in an environment that is not judgemental and does not emphasize what sacrament, or doctrine or theology separates the body of Christ. Rather, it emphasizes the child's ability to think, reason and conclude for himself or herself what her thoughts are about God. I would recommend to any parent the Young Life experience.

I was involved in YL during High School. I was part of the "in-group" of campaigners. I started questioning the virtues of evangelical proselytizing and the leaders stopped contacting me. I was dangerous I guess. I knew theology and the Bible all-too-well. I realized that I was only a pawn on the board. They needed me for they could convert kids. The organization is also blatantly homophobic and has tinges of racism. This organization finds its way into schools and seeks out kids. They try to draw them in by offering fun game, music, and food. I am a Christian, but I'm an open and critical-thinking one. Their theology is trash. They are out to tell your kids that they suck. They spent all of their theological lectures telling the kids how much they suck. Eventually they create enough theological depression to convert them by telling them that the only way to be whole is through belief in Jesus. They don't even emphasize Christian virtues, i.e. peace, love, justice, kindness. To all Christian and non-Christians out there - Don't support this organization.

Was a volunteer and then moved on to staff. I served for many years. YoungLife is a great organization but with some extreme holes for leadership. Also, coming from a donor perspective , many questions about honesty and stewardship came into play. Unfortunately, the negatives out weighed the positives when it came to this ministry. There are many shady men with in the ministry and YL does nothing to protect your children. Example: posting pictures of minors on facebook and for younglives, posting pictures of minors and their babies. They do nothing to protect their identities .

I am a parent and a participant. I attend a women's retreat at a Young Life facility once a year. I am impressed by the compassion and servant attitude that comes from these kids. This organization is trying to reach our youth for Christ. There is nothing wrong with that. Their passion for their faith is what drives them. Praise God that there is an organization promoting something positive and that teaches our youth values.

I went to Wyld Life camp the summer after my 6th grade year and it forever changed my life. For the first time it sunk in that I could have a personal relationship with God. I had an amazing week, and SO much fun that I will never forget. I will also never forget the love,joy, and concern that the leaders had for each and every camper. I stayed involved with YoungLife all through High School as well. YoungLife presents the gospel in a nonthreatening and non-forceful way in which every kid can understand. They just put the gospel out there in a clear way, and it's up to the kids to choose what they want to do with it. I am so thankful to God that he made YoungLife something that I had the opportunity to be a part of.

It’s Sunday afternoon and my step-daughter just returned from a young life weekend camp trip, and I’m not happy. First of all, I just assumed this organization was part of the school, because she brought home the information from school---I thought. There was some kind of permission slip I signed weeks ago, but those things get signed so fast in the morning, I can’t say I paid attention. So the trip was reintroduced on Thursday and I checked the website [lakechampion.younglife.org] in advanced of the trip on Thursday night. But obviously not closely enough. I just kind of did a cursory review of the location, the facilities, but didn’t read about them in depth, because I’m still assuming this is a school sanctioned trip. Because of the cursory nature of my review, I HAD NO IDEA this organization had anything to do with religion!!!. Now I freely admit, that’s my fault and I take responsibility for not reading the website closely.
 
My first real clue that religion was involved came when my step daughter called me today before the return trip to say how much fun she had and that at one point there was a discussion about “how God can change your life”. Antennas immediately went up now --- WHAT? Back to the website ---this time the parent organization website, not the lakechampion local site--, and now I’m paying attention. So the website says:
 

Young Life brings the good news of Jesus Christ into the lives of adolescents with an approach that is respectful of who kids are and hopeful about who they can be.  

Also this excerpt, from http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/february/1.13.html:
Following a November statement outlining the “Non-negotiables of Young Life’s Gospel Proclamation,” YL's eight-page Non-Negotiables statement requires a sequence for gospel presentations that closely resembles Campus Crusade for Christ's Four Spiritual Laws. Talks must begin with the person of Jesus Christ, "the overarching theme of all our talks." From there, evangelists should explain the reality and consequences of sin before presenting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his resurrection. Talks end with an invitation to believe, become a disciple of Jesus, and publicly proclaim one's faith.

Immediately I want to know, who are these YoungLife people and what is their history?? I notice they’re global and have been around since the 40s. That means there is some substantial money behind them. Where do they get their money? Who are the present and past characters on their board of directors and what are their individual histories? All these questions pop into my mind. So, now I’m aware I should have launched a research project behind this organization and I have neither the time or inclination to do this. My knowledge of the self-serving history of Christian proselytizing and it’s often damaging, global impact leaves me extremely uneasy. And if that weren’t enough, these contemporary Christian fundamentalists are a truly scary and dangerous bunch and I want no part of them.
 
I’m particularly outraged since this “batch” of students that attended the camp is mostly immigrant, mostly children of color and a significant percentage have Islamic background. Even though I didn’t complete my homework, I feel deceived. I probably would not feel so if there had been a direct one sentence, bold highlighted, large font declaration of younglife’s organizational intent on the form they sent home for signature. The young lady who was my step daughter’s contact for the organization said there was a brochure that accompanied the waiver, release, but I don’t remember it. In any case, this information was sent home some weeks in advance of the trip so there is that disconnect between the information delivery and the actual trip---enough time to forget. Bottom line, this entire experience leaves me extremely disturbed and wary. I’m especially distressed that they have manipulated the mentality of the young person so that now, when we parents have to come back with a sharp counter analysis, of course the adolescent only remembers how much fun she just had. This is insidious and underhanded. I will be following up with the school, as many of the other parents I can contact and if necessary we will launch an internet advisory warning other unsuspecting parents.
 
Finally, I notice all the reviews on this page are glowing with the exception of mine and another mother who submitted her evaluation a few days prior to mine. It’s obvious that you get all the kids to write in. We’ll see if we can get some more parents who have been equally blindsided to weigh in on the discussion.

Young Life is an evangelical fundamentalist Christian organization that seeks out children when they are out of their parent's view. They send college aged kids to your child's school, lure them with donuts before school in the parking lot, or lurk around after school while they are at sports practice. They tell the kids they are going to be in the gutter soon: drinking, druggin;, wanton sex OR they are going to find Jesus (via emotional manipulation and group dynamics). No other choice. YL realizes they are in violation of many Supreme Court rulings prohibiting religious proselytizing on public school grounds, so they clandestinely pull the parking lot/sports practice deal. Creepers. YL caused the biggest rift in our relationship with our teen we had ever experienced before or since.

My life is better for having been a part of Young Life, and I've seen it transform the lives of dozens of teenagers. Being a part of a teenager's life is has a lasting effect on communities as well as the individual kids, and society needs it more than we recognize (http://t.co/hihwxS4). Young Life trains leaders well to enter into the lives of kids and show them what life is really about.

Young Life is personal. Everything is done with excellence. It's fun to be apart of a high school friend's life. Know what is going on in their lives and care for them no matter what they do. Earning the right to be heard.

We have close, and first-hand experience with Young Life as former YL "kids," adult committee volunteers, parents of YL kids and as donors.



I have known Young Life personally for more than 34 years and in all that time, in so many encounters, Young Life never ceases to amaze me.



I am thoroughly impressed by the caliber of their people, the winsome ways of their relationship building, their professionalism in all business matters, the hospitality they extend to kids and adults alike, their investment in first-rate resort facilities to give kids the best week of their lives and the honest, relevant, and respectful way that they share the truth of God's love with words kids can understand and with actions that demonstrate what his love looks like.



I am convinced that my encounter with Young Life changed the trajectory and purpose of my life, my husband's life, and now, our children's lives. I remain ever grateful for the gift of Young Life and whole-heartedly endorse and commend its work in the U.S. and around the world.



Every teenager should hear the words that they are precious, and priceless to God with a purpose that only God can imagine. I love that YL takes seriously the charge to make certain that EVERY kid hears that message and brings the rest of us along to partner in that work.

My nieces are involved with Young Life and frankly, if they were my children i would forbid it. My problem with the group is that they sell themselves as non-denominational, yet they are brainwashing and converting those girls make no doubt about it. They are not a youth group - they are a Protestant bible study group. We are Catholic, we have a faith yet they like to go to YL because they have a very active youth group, they plan weekend trips, take them skiing and even to Disneyland (from Seattle!). Of course, the kids want to go! Example, I was asking my 16 yr old niece Hailey about YL, and at one point I said you are Catholic, and she snapped back, I'm a Christian! I said true, Catholics are Xtians. She shook her head and stormed off (she is a teenager after all). It upset me that these people are obviously telling her that Catholics are not Xtians, why such animosity against her own religion? Example2, They have YL on Weds night and a rotating movie night at various member homes on Saturday. Hailey's mom asked her to offer their home for movie night. Hailey said no, you cant. "Why?" You just can't you don't go to their church, they don't know you, they wont let you. Meanwhile, all her YL friends are always at the house after school, weekends, at non-YL times, when the parents don't mind. So why, if this is truly non-denominational, are non-Protestants parents not allowed to be involved in YL activities? I could site several examples that individually do not sound like such a big deal, but when viewed in totality, it paints a very clear picture. My Bro&Sis-in-law are complacent about it, figuring its better to associate with Protestants than thugs or stoners. Perhaps, but it is not harmless. They are pushing their Protestant agenda on impressionable kids. Overall, I think it is a great organization for Protestants. However, I do not approve of the way they market themselves as non-denominational when that is clearly not the case. if they want to evangelize they should be honest about it. But then, I am sure their membership would drop markedly as many religious families would not want their kids going to Protestant bible study. Be honest! What a great example of Xtianity, Charlatans in non-denominational clothing!

I have been a part of Young Life for about four years. In high school,I attended Club and Campaigners, and went on Fall Weekend Trips up to Young Life's Saranac Village. Now, in college, I am volunteering with Young Life Capernaum, which is Young Life for the mentally and physically disabled. This organization has helped me to see who I am in Christ, and helped me to be a better person! Thank you so much for giving me and all of the other students that have participated w/ YL, an amazing opportunity to be blessed and to bless others!

I recently voluntered at Timber Wolf Lake in Michigan. I was so blessed by the staff that worked there. I am looking forward to coming back and helping some more.

I have been involved with young lives for one year working with teen moms to see them mature and care for their babies and continue their education as well as accept Jesus Christ in their life and develop the relationship with God has been a Joy. I was not able to attend camp but the girls who have told me about it had many positive experiences.

Young Life is a nonprofit that produces the most change in teens life than any group I have ever had experience with. I have been involved with Young Life as a high school student, going to clubs & 3 camps. Then throughout college & grad school I was a leader & student staff. Being involved in young life has had a life changing effect on my life, and the lives of countless others. Camps are awesome and are 5 star resorts. Anyone involved in Young Life has an honest love for teens and for Jesus.

I have been fortunate to be involved with Young Life as a high school student, a leader, a staff member, and now a member of my local committee. Not only was I impacted signific?t it has greatly impacted my personal and spiritual growth throughout my years of leadership. I am so blessed to be a part of this organization and I don't think I could ever stop being involved. I am employed now with another non-profit, but I remain completely passionate about Young Life and the way God uses it to change lives!

I am a senior in high school and have been a part of Young Life for two years, the BEST two years of my life might I add. I grew up in a Christian home, though my family wasn't very active, but Young Life helped me to take my relationship with Christ into my own hands. I now am a student leader, or "campaigner," in the group and attend weekly bible studies. My favorite part of Young Life isn't the fun games, great messages, or dedicated leaders. Although all these are fantastic, my favorite part of Young Life is watching high school students meet Christ and change their lives around. There are countless numbers of kids that have passed through my school who have gone from spending their Friday nights drinking and getting into trouble, to using their free time for volunteering, studying, and fun less-destructive activities. Another favorite part of Young Life is the acceptance of all people. The kids involved in YL are willing to cross social boundaries that most aren't willing to. It AMAZES me how loving and accepting the kids involved in Young Life are! My favorite story is of a girl whose parents are divorced, and whose mother has cancer. Her first years of high school were spent searching for some sort of comfort in her life. Young Life helped her to find Christ and comfort. Her life is now free of destructive activities and full of love and peace. What a gift this organization has been for students!

I went to YL in high school and later in college was a volunteer leader in North Carolina. I then went on to help start YL in Greenwood, S.C. and volunteered there as well. I later moved to Nth Carolina and went on staff for YL. I have personally seen YL save lives. I have seen kids lost in the craziness of their own lives learn to make better choices because a YL leader served as a positive role model for them. My one incredible story that stands out is when a kid at a pretty rough school was going to be arrested for starting a fight. The kid was suposed to go to a YL camp for the weekend. I personally went and asked if we could just have the kid for one weekend....to show him life....good clean fun....that kid came with us to a YL camp and was a different kid by Monday. He truly turned his life around! Young Life is about building relationships! Young Life is about good clean fun! Young Life is about people volunteering to give their lives away so that our youth might have a chance. Young Life does an incredible job in helping teenagers!

I was first introduced to Christ through Young Life nearly 20 years ago, and obviously - it ROCKED MY WORLD and CHANGED MY LIFE. Through the years I have done what I have been able to do to continue to give back and serve such a beautiful ministry that is so close to my heart for obvious reasons. Young Life reaches out to the farthest unreachable kid and let's them know they are loved by people here, and most importantly by a God who is just dying to spend time with them. Kids today -- SOOO need to hear that and feel that and KNOW that. The great thing about YL is that it speaks to kids in 'their language' so they can hear it too and if they don't get the whole 'Jesus thing' or choose not to listen, that's OK too - they are still loved and welcomed with the open arms of their leaders and Jesus who died on the cross for them. As a Young Life student - a camper at Woodleaf and Malibu - a work crew worker - a leader while in college and now a leader as I begin to watch my own family grow - I am filled with joy and I continue to grow spiritually each day by being a part of it all. God Bless the ministry and the volunteers and workers who have dedicated their hearts, homes, lives and prayers to reaching the unreachable teens out there!!!

Young Life helped me realized that Christianity was about a relationship with a living God, not something to do on Sunday

Young Life was one of the best experiences of my life. The people I met there have had a huge impact on my life, and I can thank Young Life for many of my best friends and closest mentors. Our group leaders are some of the best people on earth. They actually cared about us, and even now, 10 years after high school, they still keep in contact to make sure that we are living the kind of lives that will make us and our communities proud. I feel as though Young Life gave me a more fundamental understanding of the world, and a deeper understanding of myself at a time when many people feel lost. The YL camps and retreats that are offered are the best experience one could ever hope for. The bonding, and the self explorations that happen there could not be replaced for the world. I can only hope that YL will continue to grow as an organization and more youth will have the opportunity that we did to grow into wonderful, happy, successful, spiritual people. THANK YOU, YOUNG LIFE!!

In high school Young Life provided me with a community of trust and non judgement which was so hard to find other places. I learned about Christ and started a relationship with him in a setting that was not comprised of pressure or fear. I now am a leader myself, and it is the best thing that has happened to me. I would not be the happy, christ filled person I am today without Young Life, the support it has given me, and the rekindled trust in others.

It has helped to change my life for the better by finding christ, but having fun with my friends while doing it.

New to young life, I am loving the experience of being a leader. I have been blessed to get to know the high schoolers at club. It is truly an amazing ministry that reaches a lot of kids every year by their outreach.

Young Life is such a great mentoring program! My kids have had such positive experiences with house-building trips to Mexico, working camps and hanging out with older people who genuinely care about them. My kids love YL so much that they talk about it all the time and now their friends are enjoying the relationships and mentoring experience. My oldest son is now a leader and is giving back to the community.

I have been with YL since 1975 and I am honored to be involved with this organization. I have seen how the Lord has worked in the lives of kids all over the world and also in my life as well.

I have been a leader, a committee member, and a financial supporter for 25 years. YL is unsurpassed in its commitment to spending time with young people in their own environments, cultivating friendships between God-seeking volunteers and staff and teenagers who are looking for answers to the big questions in life. Seeing "Jesus with skin on" walking around the high schools and having high-energy, creative fun along with times of introspection and Biblical teaching leads many kids to a deeper walk with God and more intentional citizenship in the Kingdom of God and among their families, friends, and communities.

younglife isn't a nonprofit targeted toward one group of people. This ministry is one that gives to anyone in every stage of life. It doesn't help people find a better earthly life but helps them find an eternal life in Christ Jesus. A gift that can never be matched.

Young Life has been a part of my life for over 35 years. I have seen my children's lives changed through their involvement, my husband's life challenged to growth, and my own... just learning who I was and how I was gifted! They continue to have a huge impact on kids' lives through every stage of their lives. Now, at 76, my main involvement is financial and I will continue to support it until the day I die!!

Young Life is a world class organization that makes a difference in the lives of adolescents. I was a high school kid weary of anything religious, and I found a personal love for God through Young Life.

Young Life has been a HUGE part of my life since I was 12 years old. My cousin was a Young Life leader, so my family began going to Young Life fundraisers, and began welcoming Young Life leaders into their home regularly (who are college age, because we live in a college town.) I was then in Young Life in high school, and after years of being a "Christian", I heard for the first time that Jesus loved me for who I truly am, not the person that everyone else wanted me to be. Even though I told my Young Life leader at the time that I didn't "need" Jesus at that time, she loved me and stuck right by my side until I graduated, and we are close to this day. Young Life saved my life in college. I got into the wrong crowd, and began to party and get in too much trouble, and without Young Life, I don't know where I would be right now. My Area Director was so forgiving, and welcomed me as a leader with open arms. I had never felt so loved and at 20, heard that Jesus wanted a relationship with me. He loved me more than I had ever been loved my any boy. I have been a leader and on staff for four years. My girls are seniors and I am learning every day from them. I would not be the woman I am becoming today if Young Life had not helped me in the right direction through community, love, and full faith in Jesus Christ.

I went to a YL camp in 2004 there I met Christ. To this day I am a volunteer leader. This summer (2009) I worked as an intern at the same YL camp I met Christ at. I got to see first hand that Young Life is doing everything it can to reach kids. YL spends every penny and even second doing the work required to change the world through kids.

YL is a great organization that walks the talk. They don't just talk about Jesus' love, they live it by loving everyone regardless of how they respond. They are particularly good at making the awkward, the lonely, and the hurting feel a sense of belonging and discover a sense of meaning and purpose.

Young Life has inspired my children, has spent precious time and energy loving on the youth in our town, and made a positive impact on those who watch the volunteers serve. My husband and I have served on our local YL committee for the past 5 years and have loved every minute of helping the leaders. They are amazing!

Young life has changed my life from the first contact. Since 7 years ago being a student to now a leader. Without it i do not know where i would be.

Being apart of YoungLife is the MOST positive and fulfilling opprtunity that I've ever been given. It's ALL about serving others and being apart of something that is much bigger than yourself! YoungLife has evolved me!!

Young Life has forever impacted my faith. When I enter a middle school cafeteria and watch kids faces light up when you take the time to listen to their story my heart truly comes alive. I have grown immensely watching God transform the hardest of hearts. Young Life encourages me to believe God's love has NO bounds. I have grown in my relationship with God, I have grown as a person. The quality of excellence that is lived out by leaders, presented in club and displayed at YL camps shows the face of Jesus. I am daily reminded I am worth dying for because of the way Young Life incarnationally shows Jesus.

Young Life is the best christian outreach ever. We are able to go into the schools and befriend children that need an ear to listen or a little love. I'm speaking from a leaders prospective. I was also in Young Life when I was in high school and so was my mother. So Young Life has been a part of our family for a long time.

I first learned about YoungLife around 3 years ago. My wife on the other hand, has a long history with YoungLife. Up until about 1 year ago, I considered YoungLife as the enemy (I was kidding...mostly). YoungLife embodied all the crazy people who went to ridiculously awesome camps and were always out of control. YoungLife was the unknown, unstructured, and chaotic ministry that I had no room for in my life. Today, much has changed. I have been leading YoungLife for just over a year now in Prescott, and it has been one of the best parts of my life. My wife, Jessica,and the rest of my family convinced me to join the "dark side" and begin leading at Prescott High School in Arizona. I have spent the last year getting to know what a YoungLife leader is. In short, a YoungLife leader is a volunteer who is intentional about reaching into the lives of students in local schools. Our intentions include discipleship, friendship, fun, camp, and mostly just meeting students where they are in life. At first, the newness and unconventional elements of YoungLife were hard to get used to. Unfortunately I live inside of a box, from which God is constantly pulling me out from. YoungLife is full of loud "unchurchy" music, dancing, ridiculous games, food, football games, crazy camps, and late nights. These things always have seemed fun, but not what I used to put in the category of ministry. But YoungLife does not stop with the craziness. YoungLife is full of passionate Christ followers, deeper bible studies, genuine prayer, loving community, and focused discipleship. What I am finding through being in YoungLife, are lots of students who are crying on the inside for someone to relate with. Someone to care. Someone to understand. Someone to teach them about who Jesus really is without all the religious garbage. What I have found is a life that I think Jesus has asked us all to live. Now, it has been challenging to put aside my past views of ministry and teaching. Many people in my life would tell me that it would be unwise to surround yourself in worldly situations. What I am learning now is that worldly situations is exactly what Jesus put himself in the middle of. He came because the love of our father couldn't simply be written in law, but had to be shown through life. He lived among us. In the middle of our failures. In the midst of our mistakes. And he has shown us a better way to live. This to me is YoungLife. To reflect the life of the man who put himself in our shoes. Thanks to everyone who has helped bring YoungLife to thousands of young people throughout the world!

I have been involved with Younglife for just over 2 years and it has been incredible. It's amazing to see the effects these leaders have on these students lives.

Best wholistic youth group! Helps kids from all backgrounds and develops a depth of character that other groups can't match.

I have been with this organization a few years now, and the Lord never ceases to amaze me with how he uses this ministry. I have seen lives literally turned around and also those who already knew Christ, but was able to be sharpened through Young Life. Glory to God in the highest!

This organization is making an incredible impact on youth worldwide! Kids are allowed safe places to have fun, grow in who they are and grow in the Lord. There is nothing like Young Life!

Young Life has changed by life. I started when I was very young (my family was involved so when even when I was too young to go to Wyld Life I was involved) and I have continued to this day and hopefully will keep doing Young Life for the rest of my life in some capacity. I Love the way they reach kids; "earning the right to be heard."

I have found Young Life to be an amazing organization for teens. I was involved in Young Life as a high school kid in Chicago. I have volunteered with Young Life in the Denver area for 20+ years. Year after year, I hear stories from kids whose lives have been changed from the adult leaders, summer camp experiences and weekly meetings. The adults show up at the kids' school events and develop a personal relationship with each teen. The time adults spend hanging out with the kids is lasting and meaningful. These adults go to where the kids hang out instead of expecting the kids to show up where they are. The kids realize that they have another adult in their lives that cares. I highly recommend Young Life.

Young Life is light in dark places. It is the excitement in a middle school kids voice who has no hope in anything else. It is Jesus' love lived out every day for kids all over the world. I have seen the impact of Young Life from all sides. I was a middle school student needing Jesus love in the midst of trying times, a high school student learning to share her faith, a leader of middle school students learning to disciple girls, an administrative assistant in our area, and now the wife of a person on staff. We believe in the work of Jesus through Young Life in all that we are. My husband and I spend our weeks building relationships with kids and leaders to better share Christ with our community.

I have been involved with Young Life since 2000. Young Life truly changed my life when I was a sophomore in high school and heard for the first time about a personal relationship I could have with Jesus! From there My leader loved me well and lived life with me. I did Work Crew at Frontier Ranch in 2002 where I met my best friends! Two of those girls and I all decided to go to College together at The University of Tennessee, where we all were volunteer Young Life leaders through out college! No I work full time for Young Life and truly love telling kids about Jesus and how he has changed my life and how he can change theirs! Both my brothers and my parents also became Christians through Young Life....our family is forever changed because of the impact Young Life had on each of us!

I became aware of Young Life while in college in the 1980's. I was invited to go on month long work crew to serve at a YL camp. There I worked along side kids who had come to know the Lord thru YL. I experienced the result of the ;ministry, not the how. I saw that however these folks are doing it, works! So I began to see how the took the Gospel to kids. Incarnational Evangelism, built on relationships. That's how Young Life reaches the furthest out kids.

I first became familiar with Young Life when, as a business owner, I was asked to sponsor a table at their upcoming fundraising banquet. I was curious about the organization so declined to sponsor, but accepted an invitation to attend the banquet. I was very moved by the testimonies of the kids that spoke about their experiences at camp, having the time of their lives, feeling loved and accepted, but mostly how they discovered that there was a God who created them, loved them and desired a personal relationship with them. After attending the banquet, I did some research on the organization and volunteered to help in the local ministry. A short time later I was asked to volunteer in the regional Young Life office with administrative tasks and I loved it. After selling my business I took on a part time position as the regional administrator and have served in that role as a volunteer and staff person for almost 10 years. I never cease to be humbled at the countless hours that staff and volunteers pour into the lives of kids, loving them, mentoring them, teaching them, and giving them the opportunity to learn about Jesus Christ and His plan for their lives.

Young Life is a great organization to work for b/c they are committed to training, supporting, and encouraging their staff. You never feel like a lone wolf. There is an extensive support network for administration, teaching, mentoring, training, etc.

Young Life has impacted our whole family. I became involved in high school, grew in my relationship w/Jesus b/c of the adults who reached out to me. Went on work crew, summer staff, volunteer leader and now committee. All of our 6 kids were involved w/WL and YL. They all did work crew and 2 worked on summer staff. My husband came to know that Lord when his leader invited him to club and then to summer camp.

I have been involved for 11 years now. Club kid to full time staff. It has taught me so much about life with Christ, community and my faith. I can never cheer enough for this organization!

I have been a Christian and a PK my whole life. Yet I have never seen a "non-church"organization bring so many kids to Christ, and have them stay there! YL teaches kids who Jesus is without being contrived. It leads kids to Jesus and then into deeper relationship with Him without a specific denomination's agenda. My adopted teen daughter got saved at WL camp, and all my kids are heavily involved in YL/WL!

Two teens started in Wyldlife then onto YL. They loved the fun and grew in their faith and leadership skills toward lives of significance. The role models of the YL staff and High School leaders was invaluable in shaping their world view.

My wife and I attended Lost Canyon camp this summer as observers. I went with high expectations but even those were exceeded. What struck me was the commitment from the volunteer staff of young people (high school and college age) that dedicate a month of their summer to serve (long hours 6-7 days/week) other high school students. I believe their only motivation is to provide other students the same great life changing experience they had when they attended camp.

Young Life is the greatest youth program with which I have ever been involved. By sharing in the lives of kids (contact work specifically), young life very successfully demonstrates to kids that they are loved just as they are. Regardless of whether they choose to accept Jesus as their savior, kids know that they have a safe place to go have fun with friends and have mentors in there life that will be there regardless of how they act or who they are. This is incredibly important at a young age. What a difference it makes in the lives of the kids and adults that young life has been involved with. They growth in maturity, the relationships and fellowship, and most importantly the news of Jesus Christ shared IN LOVE through RELATIONSHIPS is remarkable and carried out in a manner unlike any other organization I have ever been witness to.

My entire family has been involved with YoungLife for the past 12 years as either a student, volunteer or on staff. It has made a huge difference in each of our lives individually and as a family. YoungLife presents the Gospel in a loving non-judgmental way and builds genuine relationships that are often lifelong.

They get it. Jesus is life and they focus on Jesus which I think is the transformational figure in all of humanity.

As our family pulled into Trail West, Young Life family camp, the anticipation was great. The anticipation was exceeded by the caring staff, facilities and activities we experienced that week. It was a true vacation for Mom and the kids ask to go back yearly. Not only did we have fun as a family, but our family came closer in our faith as we enjoyed club nightly. Locally we watch as caring leaders reach out to kids and change our community one life at a time. It gives new meaning to "Go and make disciples of all men." Young Life changes lives. Thanks.

I love everything about Young Life. It is a life-giving ministry. Not just to kids, but also to those who are involved like myself. I have been involved in starting a Young Life and Young Lives area. It has taught me to be more like Jesus and what it means to love without a limit and extend and receive grace. I have found that all people truly want out of life is to be known and loved, and thats what YL leaders do- know and love kids.

I volunteered for Young Life in college at Texas A&M for 3 years and it truly gave me an experience I could of never dreamed of. The community, accountability, and love that was found amongst my team and the staff their is unmatched. While reaching kids in the Brazos Valley was our top focus their was so much more going on. This organization gave my wife and I a excellent place to grow in our walks, relationships with people, and leadership while at A&M. They really know how to take care of their volunteer leaders and give them a superior environment to grow in. I'm now on staff for Young Life in Oklahoma and the leadership of this organization continues to care for my family and I with great regard. This is a exceptional organization to be a part of and to continue to grow in.

I have been on Young Life Committee for 15 years and have seen our area clubs growing and reaching kids for Christ. The personal relationships that our leaders cultivate with kids really speak a true interest in their lives. Something that is so lacking in our fast paced, busy society. Getting down to the basics of true relationships mirror what Christ wants to have with us. Young Life is making a difference in kids lives today because they introduce a hurting world of kids to a loving caring saving Christ.

Young Life is the reason I am where I am today. I was a teenager who was heading on a downward spiral with no hope and they did not see me as a failure, a waste of time or judge me at all. My Young Life leader just took me as I was and walked along side me through the tough things going on in my life. I began to follow Christ and the way I lived my life drastically changed and I had hope! But that is not the end of the story, my Young Life leader still cares for me and still is there for me, it is a lifelong organization. I can still call her for anything. I am now a volunteer leader and have seen so many lives changed by Christ through this organization.

I was a church kid and didn't understand YL until I became a volunteer leader in college. Once I caught this mission's vision for reaching out to broken, hurting kids, I was hooked. YL models its ministry after the ministry of Jesus -- going into the world of kids, developing relationships with them, and sharing the love of Christ through sharing their lives. I'm on my fourth year on staff with YL now, and there is nothing in the world I'd rather be doing than loving junior high and high school kids and teaching our rockstar volunteers to do the same.

I got involved with Young Life fourteen years ago. I was a teen parent and had no where to turn. Young Life came to my high school and I went to a Young Life camp and it changed my life. I accepted Christ and began to live a better life for myself and my daughter. God healed my wounds so that I could forgive those who had hurt or abused me and move forward. I've recently become a Young Lives Leader and I really enjoy working with the teen parents. It's so important to give back and to volunteer in your community. By the grace of God I was able to take five teen parents to came and four of them accepted Christ. It's like a huge burden has been lifted from their shoulders and I am beginning to see them develop into wonderful young women and mothers.

I met Jesus when I was invited to attend a Young Life camp as a Sophomore in H.S. I had no idea they would be talking about Jesus...I am glad that's not the first thing my friend sold me on...it was hot girls and parasailing! The girls were there...the parasailing was there...but so was Jesus...waiting for me. What a great ministry as my leader came along side of me and loved me well. What a picture of the Gospel. Young Life does outreach the very best!

I am a parent with 3 children who have been positively impacted through Young Life. On the most basic level, they've made great, lifelong friendships. On a deeper level, they've become people who want to serve others. On the best level, they have strengthened their faith, and live with a hopeful, positive outlook on life. Young Life has provided service opportunities involving travel to developing countries, where teens can serve other communities in dire need of uplifting encouragement. It changes their perspective and changes their lives!

My involvement with Young Life has been as a volunteer leader, an Area Director and a committee member. YL itself does not change lives, yet it provides activities and places during which and at which relationships are built. Those relationships are what GOD is using to change lives. Studies show how important it is for kids to have a caring adult in their lives. I just attended the Indiana Dropout Prevention Leadership Summit on Friday, September 25 in Indianapolis. The keynote speaker was Bill Milliken, the founder of Communities in Schools. He started the speech by describing how his life was changed through his relationship with his Young Life leader (around 1959 or 1960, I believe). He said it is programs like this (YL) which offer the opportunity for relationships to be built. Because his YL leader reached out to him, he has gone on to impact thousands, if not millions, of lives through his work with Communities in Schools.

I have been blessed by observing the power of God move through Africa. Lives have been changed forever by the faith of just a few..but a faith that never wavered. Our YL AFRICA team is commited, prayful, supportive and flexible. God is in charge and the rst of us follow His call. What a privlige this has been.

I have been a leader now with Young Lives(the Teen Mom part of Young Life) for two years. It is a great 'fit' for me. My children are grown and gone so I have enjoyed going to Club with my new 'kids' and going to Camp with them too! They are finding friends in the same situation. They are getting 'loved on' by leaders(as best as we can). And the best thing of all, they are finding out about Jesus. They are responding to His love for them. Lives are being changed which will change then next generation also-their little children. I thank God for Young Life and it dedication to reaching kids for Christ. Gretchen Sanger Vancouver, Wa

I've seen soooo many kids impacted for eternity! Excellence is a hallmark of YL too, which I've appriciated as a volunteer, donor, and staff member.

Young Life simply loves teenagers with no strings attached. I've seen a lot of organizations around the world and Young LIfe is truly the only one I've ever experienced who really just love kids for who they are all while sharing some of the most challenging years of their lives together.

I met Christ as a sophomore in high school in 1975 . . . I've never been the same and volunteered or worked with Young Life ever since. I am grateful for those who have gone before and hopeful for those who will follow.

I have been a volunteer with Clark County YoungLives (teen Mom YoungLife Program) for 5 years and I look forwarded to the next 25 years! I am a wife, mother of three small children & I work part time for the Gov. and I still find time for this ministry, I'm actually Team Leading this year. My life can be a whirl wind at moments but the love of Jesus and the excellence that pours out of this wonderful ministry is something I can't imagine NOT being a part of. We took 27 teen moms and their babies on an AIR PLANE to camp last year at Wood leaf in CA and EVERYONE of the girls stated it was the best week of their LIFE! WITH YOUNGLIFE ITS ALWAYS ABOUT LOVE AND EXCELLENCE!

I met Christ through Young Life as a Sophomore in HS. I led Young Life for 4 years in college. It has been a crucial part of understanding a relationship with Jesus and growing in my faith.

This marks my sixth year as a Young Life volunteer in Galena, Alaska. I'm impressed with YL's passion for youth, professionalism and organization. The first time I went with our teens to a YL camp, I was floored! I'd NEVER seen a camp so pristine, comfortable, and organized. Our teens couldn't believe a camp so beautiful and fun was made just for them - they are used to run down campuses. YL camp's programming is the best camp programming I've witnessed, and everything done at camp shows campers they are loved - everything is top notch! Our kids report camp as being the best week of their lives. In addition, YL club is a great way for teens to get together in our Alaska native village. We had our first YL club of the year last week and every teen of the 36 in attendence was laughing and smiling, feeling free. It was a joy to see! Our teens come with lots of hard times in their pasts (abuse, addictions, suicides in family)- YL gives us a way to build relationships with teens so they feel loved, can open up about their pasts, heal, and hear about the greatest Love of all.

I have been involved with Young Life for over 25 years as both a volunteer and a donor. It is our favorite ministry because of its impact on reaching teenagers. They have the best and most systematic approach to presenting Jesus Christ to unchurched teens that I know of. And their ability to recruit and retain dozens of young volunteers is a testament to the effectiveness of this ministry. Young Life will continue to be our #1 recipient.

Young Life has had a huge impact on my life in the best of ways. It helped me through my struggles in high school and now lets me help broken teens in the same situations that i was in.

Young Life is an incredible organization that gave me hope, and now as a leader, I get the opportunity to give other kids that same hope.

YoungLife has changed my life and many lives of my friends and other youth in our community! Praise God for this organization!

My son is involved with Young Life at Everett High School and my daughter with WyldLife at North Middle School. Both have been tremendously impacted through the ministry. Their lives are different. They both look forward to Club and Campaigners every week. I'm thankful for Young Life in the life of our family.

Young Life has had a huge impact on my life. When I was in high school, my Young Life leaders had the greatest impact on my life outside of my parents. I volunteered with Young Life through college and it continued to impact me greatly.

Young Life is a great ministry that shares Christ with kids. I have had many great experiences with Young Life as a student a volunteer and now a staff person.

Young Life has taught me the value of God's intimate love and what a personal relationship with Him truly looks like.

I have the honor to volunteer at YL Phoenix. It seeks to help kids and share the Good News with students who think they have little hope due to their family, social, economic or personal circumstances. Rick, Ashley, Nate, Daniel, Elena, Mike, Sarah, and Red Bull are totally awesome

Young Life is unique in the way it ministers in the same way Jesus did. i am so thankful for this ministry in my life, not only do i see a positive effect on the lives of the students to whom we minister, but it has changed my life and the way i see the world. Also, Young Life camps are incredible places where we are brought face to face with God's beauty and His truth, and i have never met someone who wasn't changed by their experience at camp.

I didn't understand Young Life when I first came across the organization in 1985 as a high school kid. Why would a "Christian" organization attract kids who were so obviously non-Christian? Young Life reached out to sluts, druggies, punks, bullies--as well as other kids. Then I read about Jesus' life--and it dawned on me that he did the exact same thing. Young Life isn't about being religious, it's about reaching out to kids, right where they are. After 24 years, I still can't imagine a better organization. The impact on kids--real mentors sharing their lives and being there for kids--it's just staggering.

Not only did Young Life change my life in High School, it has provided a foundation for a growing relationship with Christ for me as an adult. YL offers many ways for adults to become directly involved. It gets people out of the pews and into the world of actively serving Christ and others.

Young Life is an amazing organization that puts loving caring adult role-models in the lives of middle and high school kids to gain their trust and earn a right to be heard. Leaders represent Jesus Christ and how life with Him will change kids lives. We are offering kids the greatest gift life has to offer...a relationship with Jesus!

Young Life changed my life! The folks that cared about me and took interest within the organization have had lasting impact. Young Life volunteers and staff care about kids right where they are.

I was involved in YL during high school almost 25 years ago. Now I am on Committee to make sure that it is there for my kids when they get to high school in 5 years! I have NEVER forgotten any of my experiences with Club, Campaigners or Camp!

Young Life is an organization full of both heart and strategy. I've been involved in a variety of ways over the last 15 years. I've watched 100s of kids lives and trajectories changed by the care they get from a Young Life leader and by the message of hope they hear. And, I've seen Young Life grow ever more strategic in being wise stewards of their resources, people and reputation.

In the town where I live Young Life started 5 years ago. I have seen both macro and micro transformation. Camdenton is a small town and needed a strong out reach program because most youth groups were small in the area when I moved here. One of the most encouraging things has been to see some kids go to college and become leaders. One of the transformations I have seen was the community between alternative kids and mainstream kids. The skater/hardcore music group, alternative kids, have always thought the mainstream kids hated them. There were definite stereotypes mainstream kids hold against alternative kids. Now the kids say Young Life feels like a community. They greet each other in the hallways right now and feel morelike a family. Finally, I have seen individual transformation as kids learn what it means to follow Christ. A lot of our leading is by example and discussion not just teaching. Therefore, we do Bible readings with kids and help give them the tools to become practical theologians not just tell them what the Bible says. It has changed the way I follow Christ and my views of people. I have seen the same in many people I am around as well.

I have been a Young Life leader for over 6 years, working with junior high and high school students as well as being on staff in local areas and for their camping ministry, and I can't imagine my life without it! I have seen countless high school friends turn their lives over to Christ, and have had the privilege of discipling many girls. Recently I was reflecting on my relationship with one of my young life girls who I had the awesome priviliege of leading to Christ at camp 3 years ago. Her family members are not followers of Jesus and I have been blessed to be a part of her life, taking her out to lunch, going to her swim meets and simply being available to her through some difficult stages of her high school years. It's so amazing to be a part of her growth in God and look back at when she was a freshman, making this decision to follow Jesus, to now watching her step out on her own and choose to go to church and make a difference on her school campus as a senior. I know that the ministry is not perfect and has its weaknesses, but from all the organizations I've been a part of, Young Life is the one that God has used to stretch me out of the boundaries of comfort and shown up in amazing ways in my life and in the lives of the students I volunteer with.

I just became a leader and I am overwhelmed by the way Young Life reaches out to kids. These kids are excited to hear about Jesus and love having adults that accept them for who they are!

Came to the Lord through Young Life, great ministry. Young Life is a ministry that reaches kids on their terms, their leaders connect with them in ways churches and parents find difficult to do.

I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I agreed to be a volunteer leader for Young Life. The intentionality of each crazy moment and the vision to reach out to every kid through relationships and love has left me changed for life... and now on staff in Singapore! There is no better way to reach out to young people than through this relevant and passionate organization!

My son attended a YL camp for the first time this summer. He had outgrown the typical sunday school program at our church and this has opened a new door for him and his friends. I really feel it is important for him to have a strong circle of support as he becomes a young man and starts to make important life decisons. The experience we have had with YL Organization and it's volunteers is nothing but positive!

Young Life changed my life, pure and simple. I was a sixteen year-old on the way down with drugs and alcohol and a dysfunctional family. Young Life showed me that there was another way, a better way, and that I was somebody worthwhile.

Young Life is extraordinarily effective because staff and volunteers take the time to develop friendships with teenagers, which enables Young Life leaders to have significant impact as positive adult role models. Young Life programs and camps are well organized and fine tuned to meet the needs of adolescents. Young Life has over 60 years of experience in the U.S. and is now in more than 40 countries. I have been a volunteer leader, committee member, and committee chair person and now facilitate Vida Joven, a Young Life ministry for Hispanic teenagers. All 3 of my sons participated in Young Life and Wyldlife.

The best organization for reaching kids I have ever been a part of...relevant/timely and makes a difference in kids lives!!

As a volunteer leader this summer at camp, I expected to be supervising and playing a "watchdog" kind of role with our kids. What I found was something totally different. I actaully played with the kids, talked with them, laughed with them, encouraged and shared with them. I experienced camp with them, not around them. The Young Life gives and cares more than any other organization I have ever been a part of. The truly care individually about these kids. They want to BLOW their minds wide open to the Love of Christ. Each activity is designed with purpose, every detail thoroughly planned out and prayed for.

Young Life has been the root of significant changes in my life recently. This summer I served on Work Crew in August at Lake Champion. Escaping from society and serving for a month without a phone, computer or TV taught me a lot about priorities. I learned to value relationships and the needs of other people over myself and my own agenda. Young Life is an amazing, life changing organiaztion. It encourages teens in a positive way to live for something bigger than themselves.

Young Life had a much greater influence on my life than any other organization, activity, or commitment I have ever been a part of. Young Life leaders reached out to me during the chaotic time of adolescence. I went from a shy, scared 16 year-old with no purpose or hope in life to a stronger, fulfilled young person with a reason to live. They introduced me to a relationship with Jesus Christ, who has been my hope and joy for 10 years now. God's love and grace shown through my young life leaders has motivated me to show this same love to other teens. I work with my church youth group and we have teamed up with young life in our community, in order to reach all youth for Christ. We took about 20 youth from our town to Young Life camp this past summer, and I can genuinely say it was one of the best experiences any of them has ever had. Even the most hardened kids were smiling mid-way through the week; laughing and feeling safe for perhaps the first time ever. This organization is about true and lasting love, relationships, and loving others, and I can't say there is much better than that.

Young Life has been the most amazing impact in my life. I was in young life from my freshman year in high school and now lead in my second year of college. My life would not be in the place it is now without it. My parents and I are so greatful to young life

I went to Young Life camp two years ago an angry, bitter kid. I came from an abusive home, and all I knew was anger. When I got to camp, for the first time I saw people who were genuinely happy. Halfway through the week, a guy stood up and shared a story that was a lot like mine. I wanted to know what the difference was between us. Why he was so happy and loving and free. I wanted that. So I talked to him, and he helped me realize that God is the difference. He is the one that takes anger and turns it into forgiveness. When we got back, my leader supported me in reporting the abuse, and got me out of that dangerous situation. It gave me room to grow and change. So, without YL, I'd still be that angry kid, stuck in an abusive house. I couldn't say I genuinely love both my parents, like I can now. I am free, and it's because Young Life offered me the chance to see the peace that was there all along.

I started with Younglife in 6th grade, and now 5 years later I am still involved in Younglife. It has changed my life so much, and I have so many major memories in my life from Younglife or Younglife camp. Most of my friends are people that I met through Younglife. Working at a Younglife camp this summer for 3 weeks, I got to witness nearly 2000 kids have the best week of their lives, and it is incredible to see all the change that Younglife does.

I've been involved with Young Life since I was in 6th grade and it's now my 4th year as a volunteer leader. I have seen the impact that this organization has on the lives of kids and even more so on the impact and the changes that it has brought about in my own life. There really aren't enough words to say how amazing it is.

Both of my children joined Younglife while in High School and absolutely love it. The leaders are awesome and helped my children understand how god can be a bigger part of their life. They went to summer camp and had 'The best week of their life". The next summer my daughter volunteered a week of her summer for "Work Week" and my son volunteered 4 weeks as part of a "work crew". They both plan to do it again. My kids have accepted God into their life and have plans to stay involved in Younglife during college to help other kids find god.

I've seen Young Life make HUGE difference in kids lives as they experience community & love and adventure all wrapped-up in one. They have a huge variety of options for kids and know how to reach kids on their level and in their language. My life has been forever changed because of Young Life!

I found some of my closest friends through YoungLife. Young Life leaders are college students or adults who go out of their way to really get to know high school kids and show them that they are important.

Younglife really knows how to meet kids where they are at in their lives. I have seen kids grow and feel loved unconditionally by their leaders and friends at club, camp, at workcrew and summer staff. Some kids even become leaders themselves. Younglife is awesome!

Fantastic organization focused on giving teenagers a real option in the ocean of temptations on the school campus. Young Life provides leaders who build relationships with teens and earn the right to share what a relationship with Jesus Christ is all about. Many teens begin a growing relationship with Jesus Christ that will hopefully define how their lives impact the future as they enter adulthood. It fills the niche of being a high school mission organization that very few others seek to undertake.

I was a Young Life kid in the 80's. I'm now on Committee. Some of my dearest, closest friends are people I met through Young Life. Seeing their walk with the Lord and they way they've grown and perservered through trials, good and bad has been a model for me.

When I was in High School and my Young Life leaders were the parents I had never had. They pursued relationship with me when I had never had that with adults. They listened for 3 1/2 years before I game my life to Christ. They helped teach me what it meant to be a follower of Christ. They changed the direction and path of my life forever... for eternity. I will always be so thankful for them. They gave me a passion and heart for our young people and a hope that through the young generation we can change the world!

I am a high school student and currently active in young life. Actually, I am about to go to club (and drag my newbie boyfriend with me!) right now! I absolutely LOVE this organization. The leaders are awesome, the camps are a blast, and the whole experience is so stabilizing in mine and a lot of my friends lives. I've seen the tears of lives changed for the better because of this program and I fully support Young Life.

Young Life knows kids. Leaders walk along side high schoolers. They build relationships....they live out Christ in the high school community.

Absolutely the best organization out there at reaching teenagers and helping them get on the right path for their future. There is none better!

God uses the language of Young Life to speak to high school kids, and, boy, do they listen. I've seen so many lives changed through this organization: kids turned from the roads they were heading down, redirected from bad decisions, loved through hard times.

i love younglife! all the counselors are amazing, and so fun. i get so excited every time i get ready to go. its a place you can have fun and be carefree, and everybody needs some of that. in one word, its perfect.

I was a Young Life kid in high school for 4 years and I have been a volunteer Young Life leader at Indiana University for the past 3 years. I cannot begin to express how it has impacted my life for the better.

I have been involved in younglife for almost 4 years. I love everything about it, the messages given, the fun, and the new people I have met. I am now training to be a leader at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. I was made for this.

I've been a leader for 6 years and work 2 summers at a camp. Young Life has greatly impacted my own life, as well as, countless students and other leaders.

Until age 17 I didn't think I needed God. Life was good. I had a solid family, got good grades, was succeeding in sports and music. But then the roof caved in. Our family was racked by chemical dependency and divorce. I experienced a physical ailment that forced me out of sports and music and left me feeling ugly, alone and hopeless. Into that scence came Young Life. Leaders (and other kids involved) came alongside and loved me at a time when I felt unloveable. They invited me to Castaway, where I gave my life to Christ. That has changed everything. Young Life then gave me the opportunity to impact others as a volunteer leader. Then I went on staff where I've served for 32 two years. Young Life has helped me grow in Christ, been great for our family and positively impacted our spiritual life in Christ while providing a vehicle to share the good news of God's love for and commitment to kids with literally thousands.

Young Life has had a huge impact on me and a lot of my friends and it has changed all of our lives for the better!

I am on the local Young Life committee. Since becoming a part of Young Life I have been overwhelmed with the needs our pre-teens and teens have. They are so hungry to find a compass and better yet, a moral compass which is where Young Life excels. Locally, we have many young people who tell us we are their only hope. Of course, we give that credit to Jesus. It is truly blessed work and very fulfilling as a volunteer. A suicide in a local high school found the teens asking for their Young Life leaders. We have a strong team feeding these kids full time LOVE.

I was a YL kid in the 1980's, volunteer leader, donor and staff. My husband and I will ALWAYS donate to YoungLife because it works! It is the best youth organization out there because YoungLife leaders care about kids more than numbers or programs.

YoungLife leaders seek out kids who don't have positive role models in their lives. I have seen kids lives totally changed by their leaders taking time to get to know them and pour into their lives. At camp this summer, I saw many kids, but two specifically, who's lives were so changed by the experience that they have come home and made serious life changes. Their respective leaders continue to walk along side of them!

I had the opportunity to volunteer with YL in Nicaragua. What an amazing time! YL is a great organization that provides so many resources to ensure that kids all over the world have a chance to see, hear, and learn about Jesus.

Young Life has a huge role and impact in my life. Young Life introduced me to Jesus in middle school, and has continued to help me grow in my faith.

Young Life has changed my life not only with my walk with Christ but with my career path and now get to experience teenagers in Bozeman realize what a huge impact Young Life has on them.

I went to my first Young Life camp after eighth-grade (with my family) and have been closely involved ever since.

As a high schooler in N.C. my view of God and of myself was forever changed by a Young Life leader coming to my school everyday. He pursued a relationship with me for the pure sake of pursuing a relationship with me. Not to get me to come to a meeting. Not to get me to give money or time. Just because He loved me. Naturally I wanted to be cared for like that and it wasn't long before I wanted to know everything that he knew and wanted to be like him. I have been involved with Young Life since then as a leader. It has been 9 years since I met him and my life changed. The work of Young Life has had an unbelievably long lasting effect on me.

Young Life is a first class organization that builds relationships with teens and breaks down barriers to turn their lives around to seeing Christ live in them by seeing the lives of YL leaders. Having been on committee, attended meetings, gone to camps, and served at camps I can vouch for the effectiveness of this organization to relate to youth and provide a more meaningful life for them than what the culture at large has to offer. It turns kids lives around every day!

I've been involved with Young Life in some capacity for about 13 years and can not say enough good things. Every time I am at an event or program I grow and am inspired to do more. The organazation as a whole has to me one of the most efficient ministries in the world stretching every dollor for greater impact. Thank you YL for all you do, all you've done, and all you have yet to do...each and every time with a smile, in love, and with everything you have.

Young Life reached out to me 42 years ago while I was a jr in H.S. Very significant infleunce at a critical time of my life. My continued involvement as a volunteer leader and committee member has only further oursuaded me of it's quality and effectiveness with young people.

Young Life changed my life in high school, providing me with laughter, friends and a great hope for the future. Now as a college student, I serve as a volunteer leader knowing that through Young Life their lives could be changed as well. Young Life is an amazing organization that starts at the base, pouring into high school kids, loving their friends and family, and trickles up into all generations. It is the best!

I have been on our committee for 6 years and am now a volunteer coordinator for YoungLives- YoungLife's ministry for teen moms. What a blessing I have received and have seen in our community. Our community has grown YL from one high school to Wylife, Younglives in two highschools and the tradition YoungLife in our largest high school. God is Good.

Young Life has made a difference in the lives of our own children and so many children in our community. We believe so much in this organization that we joined the Adult Ministry Team and make monthly donations. Two of our children are high school leaders while attending colleges in VA and NC.

Amazing ... I love everything about this ministry. Students respond well to this ministry and lives are changed! My favorite part of this ministry is the contact work. What other youth program goes to the kids... instead of the kids going to the program? The camps are amazing too!

I could not dream up a better organization to be a part of. The leadership of the staff and the hearts of the leaders are beyond superb. It is amazing to see how much this organization is able to do.

Not only has Young Life helped my children become closer to the Lord it has helped me as well. I wasn't very involved right away but started to see the impact it was making in my childrens' lives. I wanted to meet the people that were spending so much time with my middle school and high school children. These young adults were amazing!!!! Building relationships with others is one of the main focuses of Young Life and bringing Jesus with you.

Since I've been involved with Young Life (15 years), I have not only been challenged and grown immensely in my own life, but I have seen countless teenagers, college students, adults and family's lives changed. It's all about relationships and investing the time with people to have real relationships and talk about the things in life that really matter, like each other and Jesus and love.

YoungLife has made a huge impact on my life since the first day I became a leader. It is truly an amazing community with great goals and motivation. That community easily overflows into the kids YL works with and they are so much more receptive to the message because they see the impact and love in the leaders. It's changed my life.

I love it so much I'm hoping to work full time. I've volunteered for the past 12 years and have seen the effectiveness of Christ through the YoungLife model.....why, because it so similarly follows Jesus work....going where hurting people are and loving them no matter what.

YL transformed me when I was in high school by being a platform for me to hear about having a personal relationship with God. It absolutely was crucial for me during my high school years. My YL leader was a friend, mentor, spiritual leader, and parent to me during some tough years in high school! I know work full time for this organization and fully support the leadership!

I have work with youth for years and when I got introduced to young life, I was able to see a great organization that was really reaching youth for christ. I love young life and think it is the best out reach for youth today.

I wouldn't be who I am today without Young Life! It has rocked my socks off. I know God better and can love others better because of it. I was entrenched in alcohol and drugs and living only for myself until Young Life shared the Truth of who God is! They are very effective and loving and caring.

I was a YL kid in high school and participated in campaigners. I attended summer camp once in high school and fall weekend camp twice. For senior trip after graduation I went on workcrew at Frontier while the rest of my friends went to Cancun....I don't regret it. I was a volunteer leader in college and now a donor. Young Life has changed my life. My most fondest memories growing up are of club, camps, YL leaders, and the Jesus I met there. My life has been changed by Young Life and it will always be a part of me.

I was a YL kid, then a volunteer leader working with high school kids for 12 years. I served on Work Crew and Summer Staff at Castaway Club, a YL camp in Minnesota. Now, I'm a Committee Chair of a YL area in southwest Idaho. Young Life has been the strongest influence in my life in mentoring and discipling me to become a community member who gives back. It has been family for me, when family wasn't.

I married a Young Life leader 51 years ago. We are still deeply committed to reaching all teens everywhere. What joy is ours as we see Young Life staying true to its mission to clearly live and share the "Greatest Love Story of All Times"---that Jesus loves us so much that He'd rather die than live without us, so He did. The Lord has abundantly blessed us as we've continued to be actively involved in Young Life. We praise, honor and bless His great name. Peggy Powell

Great! They really know how to strech a dollar and get alot out of a little. They have the best camps in the US and one of the biggest Youth Ministrys, reaching 1 million kids a year.

I have been a YL leader at a local high school for the past 4 years. Recently, we experienced the deaths of two students within a 5 month period. It was such a great experience to have our 'high school friends' who attend YL come to us for comfort, but what was even greater was to see our non-YL 'high school friends' do the same thing. Young Life gives students a 'safe place' that many of them don't get anywhere else.

I have served as a leader with the local Young Life area, entering into the lives of high school kids, and building lasting relationships that they might be loved, encouraged, and accepted. I have served on volunteer summer staff three times. I attended summer camp as a teenager. I have gone on retreats during the year at camp properties. The love, care, and service shines through every level of this organization - from the adults who volunteer to the staff on camp properties.

Young Life is a youth organization but I know of adults including myself who grew and were blessed by this relational ministry. I know of so many of our youth from all walks of life who felt loved and encouraged to live a meaningful life.

I have seen lives changed by Young Life. The dedication of staff and leaders to reach kids and to share Christ with them is wonderful. The results are awesome!

I have been involved with Young Life for 11 years in various roles. As a teenager I was impacted through Young Life and have had the privilege of watching it impact many adolescents. It tends to have a 'ripple effect' not only teenagers but families as well.

Im volunteering as a leader for 4 years and how amazing it is to watch kids evolve from hanging out with bad apples into beautiful people. They have been heeding our advices and responding to our love. One girl graduated who didnt show any interests in Young Life but as soon as she graduated, she contacted me wanting my supports. It is amazing!

Young Life leaders built a relationship with me while I was in high school, loving me in a Christlike way and encouraging me to pursue my dreams and reach my goals as a Christian and as a citizen. I became a volunteer leader, and am now on staff.

I became a Christian through Young Life in 1994. I have been closely walking with Christ since. I spent 6 summers volunteering at a camp and have been on staff for the last 8 years. Young Life has become a part of my life and I am very proud to be apart of reaching kids for eternity.

I met Jesus through the care of a young life volunteer, as a high school student in Greenbelt, MD in 1978. I have been walking with Christ ever since and have continued to be a part of this simple but effective vehicle for bringing Christ to kids!

I am a Young Life student turned Young Life volunteer leader, with the goal of one day being on staff. I've seen the impact of Young Life from both sides of the spectrum and know that it is a great program founded on truth and love. From resort style camping to 20 teenagers crowded in a living room for bible study, Young Life has offered teens (preteens, teen moms, disabled kids, and college kids...all other divisions of Young Life) a place to go and friend who are going to shower them with love and tell them about Love.

I have been involved with Young Life for the last 10 years. And God has used this organization in unbelievable ways. It has changed me and my family forever. I started a personal relationship with Christ through this organization. Through being a volunteer leader, I've learned what it means to be unselfish, caring, relational, and patient. I have seen so many people positively change their lives through Young Life. I have witnessed one girl who was dealing with depression and contemplating suicide turn her life around for God through Young Life. She is now living a fruitful life.

Younglife has taught me what it means to be patient. It has taught me what it means to earn the right to be heard. But most importantly it has showed me what a personal relationship looks like with Jesus Christ. A person who shows up and loves me no matter what i have done or what has happened to me.