What does the latest research from our Global RELATE project tell us about the lives, faith, and experiences of the kids we serve? In part 1 of this conversation, we sit down with Kimberly Nollan, Young Life’s director of Research and Evaluation, and Tiffani Hutton, Young Life’s research analyst, for what we’re calling The Science…

When wildfires forced evacuations and canceled the five remaining summer camp weeks between the two camps at Washington Family Ranch (WFR) in Central Oregon, Young Life leaders were faced with unexpected questions: The answer to all of the above was consistent with what Young Life leaders do every day ― We keep showing up because…

What’s a generation and why does it matter? “Boomers can’t use technology.” “Gen Xers are just cynical.” “Millennials are so entitled.” “Gen Zers have no attention span.” Maybe you’ve heard these generational stereotypes. Perhaps you’ve even said one or two of them yourself! Tellingly, these complaints are typically uttered by someone outside of that generation….

For nearly a decade, a remarkable thing has been happening across the country. Women gather, sometimes a dozen around a kitchen table, sometimes hundreds in a hotel ballroom, and they give. Not alone, not quietly, but together. They pool their resources, they hear the stories behind the need, and they watch their combined gifts multiply…

On any given Monday night, say, in the Midwest, the cars start arriving on the suburban street as the streetlamps turn on. Olivia Rodrigo belts out breakup lyrics from one car; Zach Bryan with his gritty country twang emanates from another. Teenagers pile out in ones and twos, sometimes a group of four, and do…

Ask most people what a “volunteer” does, and they’ll picture someone showing up occasionally, doing a task, and going home. That word doesn’t come close to describing what happens inside Young Life. A Young Life volunteer (more specifically, a Young Life leader) is an adult who intentionally builds real, lasting friendships with adolescents, without being…

James Cottrell had made up his mind. The high school graduate was going to Grand Canyon University in the fall! It was close to his home in the Phoenix metropolitan area, and GCU provided a familiar, and comfortable, community. The decision was made.  Or, was it? James’ parents opted to take him on one final…

Young Life has been a “leader-centered” ministry since 1941. It’s one of the marks of the mission and one of the elements that sets us apart from other organizations. Today, we’re in a culture where identifying faithful volunteer leadership is increasingly more difficult. That’s why we desire to elevate the role so we’re able to…

“It’s a sin to bore a kid with the gospel.” — Jim Rayburn, Young Life’s founder Of all his proclamations, this may be Jim Rayburn’s most famous. And when this becomes your rallying cry, you’ll do everything you can to ensure kids never experience a “lame” version of the good news. Why? Because Jesus was…

QUESTION: “What do you get when you mix several international flights, 60 mph headwinds, crowded vans, dirt roads, language barriers, and a dozen strangers?”  ANSWER: “An epic adventure to the Patagonia region of Argentina with several (soon to be) best friends!”  Recently, I returned from my first trip to the Patagonia region of Argentina —…

Did you know there are hundreds of discipleship resources created specifically with Young Life volunteers in mind — and they’re free and available for anyone to use?! If your answer is a surprised, “Wait, really?” — you’re in luck! The Young Life Discipleship team has been working intentionally to create a library of resources to…

An exciting new approach to starting Young Life areas. Fresno, California, is home to more than half a million people, and one of the fastest growing, most diverse communities in the state. But by fall 2018, Young Life had vanished from the city in the desert. Fast forward a mere eight years, and the work here…