December 9, 1945 – August 30, 2026
Certain families in Young Life date back to the mission’s earliest days. The Sheffers are one such family who not only exemplify generational longevity, but groundbreaking kid ministry. In 1942, George Sheffer Jr. joined staff and became one of the patriarchs of Young Life. Alongside his wife, Martie, he helped pioneer the mission’s urban (now “multiethnic”) work. George III was born during those early years, and inspired by his parents’ devotion to the Lord and kids, followed suit, albeit in his own trailblazing way.
He embodied the missional ethic of meeting kids where they were, and in the late 1960s and early 1970s, many teenagers were seeking adventure in the great outdoors. In response to this, Young Life soon began offering wilderness camping trips around the U.S. and in Canada. This is the first stop where George’s gifts and vision met the kids’ needs, as told in Made For This: The Young Life Story (MFT).
“The operation outside Saranac Village was named ‘La Vida’ (‘life’) and directed by George Sheffer III, son of Young Life pioneers George and Martie Sheffer. The young Sheffer could see the potential La Vida offered kids of that day. ‘Traditional Young Life camps were better for a proclamation approach; but wilderness and creative camping have a lot to offer kids who want to grow in their faith. La Vida was created more for discipleship.’”
Having helped establish this program to meet these kinds of kids, he then turned to another significantly growing population, in what became his life’s work …
“By 1973, it was (conservatively) estimated there were one million runaways in the United States alone, and many of these were as young as 11 or 12 years of age.
“Because Young Life had traditionally pursued kids in their neighborhoods and school activities, staff were at a loss with how to pursue runaways who, in many ways, were ‘off the grid.’ ‘In the late ’60s and early ’70s,’ George Sheffer III explained, ‘divorce rates were up, kids were dropping out of school, and running away from home. There was a large population the traditional Young Life work wasn’t coming into contact with — this whole ‘hippie, troubled youth, counterculture thing.’
“It was Sheffer’s family, in fact, who would become an answered prayer to these kids in crisis. George and Martie Sheffer instilled in George III the work ethic needed to care for troubled teenagers. ‘There was never any question of my parents’ commitment to the Lord,’ he said. ‘They dedicated their lives to serving others. In Chicago, I saw my dad come home after being mugged and realized this wasn’t a game to him. One thing that always influenced me was my parents would have a lot of urban kids in our home. I really became convinced of what a healthy and caring living situation could mean for kids.’
“Armed with this hospitality and concern for outcasts, George, Martie, and George III responded by establishing the Dale House Project in 1971. Located in Colorado Springs, the Dale House would provide ‘a home away from home’ for hurting kids.
“The Dale House also provided a second service: training young leaders to help with these problems. College graduates would come to live in the houses and learn on the job how to work with residents. For 15 months, they would be immersed in the fields of psychology, counseling, family systems, Bible, theology, and relational ministry. After this extensive training, graduates often went to other Young Life areas and replicated their experience, from establishing overnight and residential houses, to coordinating community services for kids with addictions.”
In the early days of the Dale House, George decided he would bloom where he was planted …
“Unlike his parents who, feeling called to pioneer new works never stayed in one place for too long, George Sheffer III would minister to kids through the Dale House for more than four decades. ‘I love it,’ he said. ‘You have the “Peters” who stay in Jerusalem and the “Pauls” who move around; maybe one of the reasons I stayed at the Dale House was because we did move around a lot when I was young and I felt like I wanted to put down some roots in the community and be there over the long haul. I’m just kind of made that way and the kids we’re working with need that kind of person.’”
By 2000 there were five members of the Sheffer family working at the Dale House: George III and wife, Jane; his brother, Jim, and wife, Karen; and George’s sister, Joni. The Dale House, still going strong today after five-plus decades, is the site of George’s lasting legacy in the lives of countless teenagers. His faithfulness to hurting kids and desire to point them to the Savior is the epitome of Young Life’s mission to reach every kid for Jesus.
