What is YL?

Out There In a World of Kids

Young Life doesn’t start with a program. It starts with adults concerned enough about kids to go to them, on their turf and in their culture, building bridges of authentic friendship. These relationships don’t happen overnight — they take time, patience, trust and consistency. 

So Young Life leaders log many hours with kids around the world — where they are, as they are. We listen to their stories and learn what’s important to them because we genuinely care about their joys, triumphs, heartaches and setbacks. 

We believe in the power of presence. Kids’ lives are dramatically impacted when caring adults come alongside them, sharing God’s love with them. Because their leader believes in them, they begin to see that their lives have great worth, meaning and purpose. 

This is the first step of a lifelong journey; the choices they make today, based upon God’s love for them, will impact future decisions … careers chosen, marriages formed and families raised. All ripples from the time when a Young Life leader reached out and entered their world. 


A Time-Tested Approach

Young Life began with a few simple ideas about sharing the truth of God’s love with adolescents. Those simple ideas have become time-tested methods for reaching out to middle school, high school and college students in friendship and hope. 

Caring for Kids — Contact Work 

Because kids don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care, Young Life leaders show they care by going where kids are, meeting them as they are, believing in who they can be. Within Young Life we call the persistent going out into the world of kids “contact work.” But kids just call it friendship. 

A Party with a Purpose — Club 

What is it about Young Life club that makes it the best night of the week for thousands of kids every week? We like to think of it as a party with a purpose. It’s controlled chaos that’s almost impossible to describe, but kids know it when they see it. And before the party ends, we share a simple message about God’s love for them. After all, that’s what the celebration is all about. 

The Best Week of Their Life — Camp 

Kids consistently tell us that Young Life camp is the best week of their life. That’s a rousing (and unsolicited) endorsement! But how else would you describe a week where deep relationships are forged in the midst of mind-boggling fun and where you experience and listen to what we believe is the greatest love story ever told? 

A Time to Question, Learn and Grow — Campaigners 

Campaigners is a weekly gathering for kids who wish to learn more or grow in their faith through study, service and leadership. We invite kids to actively follow Jesus Christ — and we’re with them for the long haul to help them take those steps of faith with unconditional love. Along the way, we encourage kids to celebrate their faith through participation in a local congregation. 

Adults Who Care — Committee/ LEAD and LIFE Teams

Young Life is making a difference in the lives of kids around the world because we are supported by adults who care about kids in their community. For every talented Young Life staff person there is a team of dedicated leaders who works directly with kids. In each community, the local “committee,” comprised of parents, Young Life alumni and civic leaders, provides a foundation of financial, administrative and moral support for the local Young Life team. 

Hole in the Roof

You may have heard or been to a hole in the wall, but YL is a hole in the roof.  One of my favorite passages in the Bible is:

Mark 2:1-12.  

2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. ² They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ³ Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. ⁴ Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

⁶ Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ⁷ “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
⁸ Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? ⁹ Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? ¹⁰ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, ¹¹ “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ¹² He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

I got to speak at Club this week and share with students this story.  You see the main characters of this story are:  4 friends, the paralyzed man, Jesus, and the teachers of the law- "the haters."

While doing some research, I was really impressed by these 4 friends.  You see they had a friend with a need that they knew they couldn't meet.  So what do they do?  They walked for 17 MILES carrying their friend who is stuck on mat to the only person who may be able to help- Jesus.  Then they arrive and there is no room.  Long story short, desperate to get their friend to Jesus, they go to the roof dig a hole and lower their paralyzed friend.  He heals their friend but in a way that no one expects He heals his heart and his legs.  

We want YL to be a place where people can bring their friends who are stuck on a mat, where people can come who have a need that no one can meet- that only Jesus can.  Where kids can come and find hope, healing, and life in Jesus.  And our biggest hope is that after encountering Jesus, the "haters," the friends, the paralyzed or stuck will all say...   “We have never seen anything like this!”

Thank you to those adults and leaders who have been digging a hole in the roof for students by supporting this ministry.  By your prayers, you encouragement, your donations, your meals, your leadership.  God is good.  

Our Hole in the Roof

 

The Hangover

Last night we had our first YL Club of the semester.  I am currently nursing what I call a "YL Club hangover," and I wouldn't have it any other way.  You see it feels good to go all in- and give 110%.  I love that my YL Club leader team goes BIG, loves well, has crazy energy and huge smiles, includes all, isn't afraid to sing loud, dance crazy, or dress up in weird outfits.  I love that Wednesday my leader team and I are still smiling, tired with bags under our eyes and mild headaches, but joy overflowing.  It is good to be a part of what GOD is doing in LS.  We are overflowing with joy because we got to see 156 high school students run through our club doors, dance, sing, feel accepted, laugh, and listen to truth of who Jesus is.  We are often amazed at the love God has for us to let us be a part of something so beautiful.  So club hangover day is here and we are grateful. 

First Club

Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
Psalm 115:1

For more info:
http://lsyl.weebly.com/ 

Muckfest 2014

Muckfest 2014

Over 200 students @ Muckfest 2014

MVP's here- the Muckiest

LSN Broncos representing

Having a blast. 

We did it again.  Over 200 students and our volunteers came out to get mucky.  Thanks to all our parents, Lead team, and YL leaders for making this event epic.  The goal was accomplished...to have fun!  Kids made memories and bonded over oatmeal, slime, flour, whipped cream, and games.  We just want to let kids know that YL is a safe place to come as you are, be a kid, have fun, make memories, and hear truth about who Jesus is.  The only downside to Muckfest is I don't think any of us will be eating oatmeal anytime soon.  :)

Join us at CLUB.  See our calendar of events:
http://lsyl.weebly.com/

You Know What's Cool?

I was laying in bed trying to wind down and I thought man... "You know what is cool?"  And I began to name thing after thing about what God is doing. 

1. The Bronco's won their HC game this weekend. 
2.  7 YL leaders were there cheering on students, meeting students celebrating beside students.
3.  The HC court was introduced as they walked across the field and student after student share YL as one of the things they are involved in.  
4.  Did I say the Broncos WON??!!!

HC Game

5.  We had 4 weeks of Coed Campaigners (small groups) and it was amazing. 

6.  We are launching a new thing called CREW for our high school senior girls to serve.  

http://lsylcrew.weebly.com/

7.  We are starting our first ever YL Mom's Bible Study.  What?!!  I love when God directs us and we think, wow- how have we never thought of this?  It is for any Mom... Mom's of YL alumni, current YL kids, or even just interested ladies who are looking for more.  See picture below. 

 

 

YL Mom's Study- All women are welcome.... Mom's, grandmas, Aunts, friends.

8.  Our prayer team is inviting more students in to receive prayer by having a "prayer box" at Club where the can write their prayer request with name and number or anonymously.  And the prayer team will pray for them that week and an encouraging text. 
9.  Our LEAD team and LIFE team are growing and giving back! 
http://supportlsyl.weebly.com/
10.  Our LS YL leader team is also growing and going all in with Jesus and students! 

Coming Home

Wow.  What an amazing week at Lost Canyon Ranch.  Check out the camp video- July 27-Aug 3rd.  http://scrapbook.younglife.org/pages/lost-canyon

20 students said YES to following Jesus and John 10:10 life.  We are so thrilled as YL leaders to walk beside them as they journey with Jesus.  Many of our other students committed to walking deeper with Jesus and being "all in." 

Our trip ended with one big finale... a surprise detour to the Grand Canyon.  To surprise students with one of the wonders of the world was incredible.  Memories were made and unforgettable times were had.  God is good! 

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." (Psalm 19:1)

Grand Canyon

72 Surprised students! 

Bailey and Hannah taking it all in. 

What's next?  YL is not just about camp.  It is about sharing life with students all year long.  See our weebly for updated campaingers/small groups and club dates. Mark your calendar for Tuesdays... YL events each week! 

http://lsyl.weebly.com/

Day 6/ Day 7

Day 6
Quick update for today our last full day at camp.
Each leader met with each camper for one on ones.  Campers
Enjoyed free time, club, cabin time, hearing more from our work crew and had a huge banquet feast.
A full day of fun and great conversation.  Many prayers answered today.  God is good.

 Day 7
Today is our last half day at camp.  We will eat breakfast and lunch here, enjoy one last epic club and head home!  Wait.... A surprise for campers is coming.  We are only 60min from one of the wonders of the world that is too close to pass up.  We will be surprising students and having a quick detour at the Grand Canyon on our ride home!  We are excited to let kids see God's beauty and spend some time connecting with him there and making memories.  Students will have their phones about 5pm our time- and 7pm LS time.  Our eta for LS at this time will be 5pm, Sunday night.  I will be emailing you with more updates.  Sorry no pictures- busy enjoying our last few moments!