In his song, “Gather,” on the album of the same name, singer/songwriter and Young Life alum, Christopher Williams sings,
To be known, to feel safe /
To be honest and unafraid /
To leave the past, run into hope /
To find together we are not alone /
I need you /
You need me /
This is why we gather /
This is why we gather /
To remember why we matter /
This is why we gather /
(You can listen to the entire song here.)
I was with Christopher just a few weeks ago, in September 2025, as we lived out the words of his song and spent a long weekend with many friends who served in some capacity at Young Life’s Malibu Club in the 1990’s. This gathering, the “Malibu 90’s Reunion Camp,” saw almost 100 Young Life alumni and friends gather to remember and reconnect – with each other, with God and with a very special place. Similar to the “Malibu 80’s Reunion Camp” in 2024, when 150 Young Life friends gathered, the 90’s camp included a speaker, program, music led by Christopher Williams and never-ending stories of adventure and lives transformed. Without any prompting, many guests commented on the opportunity to return being more of a homecoming than a property visit. In the words of Williams, it was an opportunity “to remember why we matter.”
“Gather,” according to Webster’s Online Dictionary’s number one definition, is “to bring together.” Among several goals, this is one of the highest priorities of the Young Life Community Network. Furthermore, in a world where people are more connected, yet lonelier and more isolated than ever before, bringing people together is an opportunity to reconnect and re-engage countless people; an opportunity we are privileged and excited to facilitate. Below are a few ways we’re seizing this opportunity and inviting you to consider.
Camps and Experiences
The camp reunions mentioned above are just two examples of the many ways people can be invited to gather, reconnect and reengage. Whether traveling to a bucket-list destination with Young Life, like Machu Picchu, Africa, or fishing in Alaska, or enjoying a weekend camp designed for adults at a Young Life property, we have found people long to gather, connect and grow in their understanding of the mission today. To this end, we encourage people to frequent our events page and consider the opportunity to go, see and engage.
High School Graduates
The opportunity to gather is also an opportunity to bridge the many life-transitions that people experience. One of the first significant transitions is that of high school completion and heading to either college, the military or the work force. To this end, in the context of our annual high school graduate campaign, there are two highly impactful gatherings that facilitate ongoing connection and service. First, many schools and areas are facilitating senior gatherings every spring; to celebrate graduates, encourage them in their faith and offer them practical ways (like Young Life College or summer staff) to stay connected to the mission. Second, every week of summer camp sees many graduated seniors as campers. Gathering these graduates for 30 minutes at camp goes a long ways in giving them a vision for how they might stay connected, introducing them to others in a similar place in life and, again, allowing them a moment to give necessary information via our “Stay Connected Form” to facilitate ongoing connection with the mission.
Young Professionals
For a new college graduate, or a person who has moved to a new city as they begin their career, the reality of being alone, not having a community and trying to figure out adult life can be overwhelming. In the midst of this challenging reality, many Young Life metro areas and regions have the opportunity to gather young professionals for regular meetings, fun experiences, mentoring and ongoing connection to the local mission. Whether in Chicago, New York, Phoenix or Colorado Springs, the opportunity to gather is the path to future engagement and living out the idea of being “friends for life.”
Former Young Life Staff
For more than three years, former Young Life staff in the Colorado Springs vicinity have been gathering every quarter, enjoying lunch together and praying for mission leaders. With almost 100 having attended this gathering cumulatively; 35 every quarter, the reconnection with old friends, and engagement with the mission today, is priceless. Similarly, as this concept has been adopted, former staff in Houston and Dallas are also gathering, reconnecting, and reengaging.
Milestone Events
Perhaps one of the greatest opportunities to gather friends of the mission presents itself in the midst of area, regional, and camp milestones or anniversaries. Just as the mission of Young Life turned 84 years old in 2025, many groups are finding themselves arriving at milestones that deserve celebration and offer an added opportunity to gather local alumni and friends. The opportunity to gather and honor people, give glory to God, and look to the future as a mission community is an opportunity you don’t want to miss! To this end, the office of the Young Life Community Network is poised to assist our staff and committees with their milestone preparations and needs.
Towards the end of Christopher Williams’ song, “Gather,” he sings,
When we help each other fight the fear, be present with one another
We will find that’s where the life of God is lived
To give courage, to hear it now
We are beloved this is holy ground
I need you
You need me
This is why we gather
How about you? Are you a friend of Young Life who would like to explore how you might take us up on one of the above opportunities to gather? Or, perhaps you’re a staff person or serve as a volunteer? Is one of the above gathering categories something you’d like to learn more about or grow in your local community? You can reach us at ylcommunity@sc.younglife.org. We’d love to hear from you!
