The heartbeat of Young Life’s ministry pulses through its volunteer leaders. While undoubtedly staff play a huge role in our ministry, it’s the volunteer leaders who ultimately make Young Life happen. We literally could not do ministry without them and reach the millions of adolescents we’ve reached so far since 1941. These volunteers — whether…

As I sat down with my Asian brother to have a conversation about his life, his ministry, and his faith, worry, curiosity, and compassion fueled my questions. My friend, Jon*, does ministry in a part of the world where it is not safe to follow Christ. Religious persecution affects his ability to worship in song,…

s:ne(Young Life is simple, not easy) I want to be a Do-It-Yourself  (DIY) guy, but I’m not. I don’t think I have the gifts, and I am pretty sure I don’t have the patience. So when I do venture into the rough waters of taking on a project, I want it to be “as advertised.”…

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been comfortable most of your life calling God by names like Lord, Creator, or Father. And while these names are meaningful, have you ever stopped to wonder what God’s real name is? It’s not a requirement for faith to go beyond these titles. However, the deeper we seek to…

Have you ever noticed how different it feels when someone specifically invites you to join something, versus just seeing an open invitation? There’s something incredibly powerful about hearing the words: “We’d love to have you here,” or even a simple, “Want to sit with us?” These personal invitations can completely change how we experience opportunities…

“Prayer is more than talking to God. It’s also listening to God and learning from God. Prayer is a conversation with your heavenly Father.” — Young Life’s Discipleship Team What is prayer? Is it asking? Listening? Petitioning? Learning? A conversation with God? The answer is all of the above — and more. Prayer is so…

The passing of Tim Keller in 2023 moved many across the globe, but what some may not know is the profound influence that Young Life had on both Tim and Kathy Keller’s lives and ministry. While Tim’s legacy is widely recognized through Redeemer Church in New York City, the many books that he has authored…

Gen Z is maturing within an unprecedented culture of media saturation. The entire world, via the internet, is available to them at all times on their smartphones. And it’s not always a happy place, nor is it one that’s particularly easy to make sense of. As such, their relationship with media, with themselves — and…

In our rapidly changing world, connecting with Generation Z can often feel like navigating uncharted waters. These young adults, born between 1997 and 2012, are growing up in a unique socio-cultural landscape shaped by technology, social media, and unprecedented global events.  As a result, understanding their feelings and emotions requires a thoughtful and empathetic approach….

Perhaps one of the most eye-opening results of the Young Life research into Generation Z surrounds their concept of self. Older generations have often assumed this generation is self-absorbed because of the type of content they put out on social media.  But today’s young people might argue they possess a larger world view than they’re…

In a world that craves authenticity more than ever, today’s teens and young adults want genuine connections with the adults in their lives. The rapid technological advancements and widespread use of social media have shaped these younger generations far more than their predecessors. But they have come to value sincerity and transparency above all else….

Generation Z is the most diverse generation yet, and it shows with their fresh, confident perspective on celebrating disabilities and standing up for those that have them.  The RELATE Project had a focus group of kids who have a variety of disabilities and special needs who discussed their challenges in feeling like they belong. Their…