In Young Life, we enter into the lives of kids. We meet them where they are — both physically and emotionally. Jesus did this first in the incarnation, when he entered the world he created and lived among his people.
We, too, take an “incarnational” approach to ministry when we enter into the world of kids. We walk among them, try to understand their language and their customs, and meet them where they are to share the love of God with them.
But what do we do when we cannot physically meet with kids? How do we deepen relationships and continue to introduce them to the person of Jesus Christ and his Word?
We still meet kids where they are. And where they are is often on their phones.
Teenagers live much of their social lives on digital platforms—sharing conversations, deep and shallow, and experiences through music, memes and videos. Young Life leaders have always met teens where they are by showing up and learning their ways and their language, which is now largely digital. As a ministry, Young Life uses platforms like WhatsApp and YouVersion to build relationships and strengthen discipleship in personal and meaningful ways.
Connecting through WhatsApp in Africa
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Young Life leaders have been creatively using technology in their ministry. They’re learning to lead with intentionality—building real, deep friendships—even while online.
For Young Life Africa, like the rest of the world during the pandemic, leaders and students could not meet in person. That is when the ministry began utilizing technology to reach kids.
“Leaders would call teenagers to stay in touch, and for those who were in Young Life Campaigners® groups, they would create a WhatsApp group to function as a virtual Bible study,” says Diana Nkhoma, Communications Specialist for Young Life – Africa South. “This laid the foundation for using WhatsApp to reach teens.”
WhatsApp is a free messaging app that lets people text, call, and share photos and videos. It is the most popular communications app in the world and works on almost any smartphone, staying reliable even in areas with spotty cell service.
Even after the pandemic, Young Life in Africa continues to use WhatsApp to reach their high school friends during uncertain times. Some areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are currently experiencing conflict, limiting Young Life’s ability to host clubs and meetings as we usually would.
“Teens are out of school and are advised to stay home because they are a vulnerable target for militia groups,” says Diana. “Young Life leaders have been using WhatsApp once again to connect with teenagers, especially those who were already in a Campaigners group. They send a passage of scripture and Discovery Bible Study (DBS) questions that the group can read and respond to.”
Young Life’s ministry in the DRC is one of the fastest growing in our mission—we know nearly half a million kids by name! In a place where face-to-face connection isn’t always possible, technology has allowed us to meet kids in their isolation and spiritual need. The result has been remarkable growth for which we are so grateful.
Studying Scripture Together with YouVersion
WhatsApp is not the only online avenue Young Life is using to host Bible studies and discussions. Another is YouVersion—a free Bible app that offers access to hundreds of Bible translations, reading plans, devotionals, and tools for sharing and connection to help people engage with Scripture daily.
One of the challenges many Young Life leaders are familiar with is engaging with kids during the summer, especially after summer camp. With many kids traveling and without school events and regular clubs, summer can be a difficult time to maintain regular, meaningful connections. After relationally intensive experiences like camp, we want to ensure our teenage friends have ways to stay connected to us and to God’s word when they’re at home.
“We started looking for ways into the world of apps because it’s where kids are, and we wanted to provide resources for leaders to point to that they can feel confident about,” said Crystal Kirgiss, Vice President of Discipleship for Young Life, who championed the launch of Young Life’s YouVersion reading plans. “The main goal was to make discipleship resources publicly available.”
In 2019, Young Life launched its first reading plan in partnership with YouVersion. The plans, including an after-camp plan, are designed to be easily accessible and shareable, allowing people to read and comment in real time. Young Life’s plans provide a scripture passage, discussion questions, and the ability to see who in your group has read it that day, along with any comments or questions they’ve chosen to post publicly.
Digital Aids, Not Replacements
For the technologically hesitant, the use of apps like YouVersion might seem slightly impersonal. But Young Life leaders know something that kids echo—there’s no digital replacement for in-person, face-to-face interactions and experiences. WhatsApp has provided ways to connect when in-person gatherings are not possible, and the reading plans Young Life offers through YouVersion don’t replace weekly meetings like Campaigners but are meant to supplement and support these gatherings.
The app creates opportunities for ongoing engagement throughout the week—allowing Campaigners groups to reflect on Scripture, ask questions, and prepare for the upcoming week—so when they do meet face-to-face, conversations are deeper and more authentic. Kids come with a foundation of understanding of the passage, which opens the door for meaningful discussion and application.
A Resource for Everyone, Not Just Young Life
What began as a way to support post-camp communication with kids has grown exponentially into a means of serving people far beyond the borders of our ministry. Young Life’s YouVersion reading plans are intentionally created to be used by both the Young Life community and anyone who may be interested in our content, reflecting Young Life’s desire to be as generous with our content as YouVersion is with their platform. The Young Life YouVersion page now features 36 plans and over 850,000 subscribers.
“We know that not all of these subscribers are kids or leaders involved in our ministry. Our material is obviously hitting a felt need somewhere, both within and beyond Young Life,” adds Crystal. “We’re putting content in a place where there are lots of people browsing and looking. Kingdom work is collaborative, right?”
Making Young Life’s content digitally accessible and free gives others insight into our methods of reaching lost kids and helping them grow in their faith, as well as the unique language we use to discuss Jesus with young people. What a gift it is to share our good works with the broader community of believers!
At our heart, Young Life is about showing up in the lives of kids—wherever they are. In today’s world, that includes showing up on their screens with the same love, presence, and intentionality we bring in person.
Read with Young Life on YouVersion
Explore Young Life’s reading plans on YouVersion!
