Young Life

Today, we praise the Lord and proudly celebrate the 83rd birthday of Young Life! For over eight decades, we have been dedicated to empowering young people, helping them grow in their faith, and building authentic friendships. With a presence in 107 countries, our global network is stronger than ever. We are incredibly grateful to the countless youth, volunteers, staff, and supporters who have been part of this amazing journey. Together, we’ve made a lasting impact for the glory of Christ —and we’re just getting started! As we reflect on and celebrate the past, we’re even more excited for the future. The energy, creativity, and passion of the next generation will continue to shape the world in unimaginable ways. Here's to many more years of fun, adventure, friendship, and sharing the good news of God's love. Happy birthday, Young Life! 🎉 🎂

Thoughts from a Gen Zer: How would you describe belonging? “A place where you’re known *and* loved, not just one or the other. Someone could like you, but if they don’t know you, it can be superficial.” *This response was shared in a focus group while conducting research for The RELATE Project. Read what else Gen Z has to say here: https://lnkd.in/ew8tE4AY

Young Life officially began international ministry in 1953 when we sent our first overseas missionaries to France. Over the next 65 years, we witnessed our international work slowly grow, with various victories and setbacks along the way. Momentum gathered at the turn of the century and since 2018 we’ve been ministering to more kids outside the U.S. than inside! Currently, Young Life is present in 107 countries. If you’d like to support the work of Young Life International and feel led to donate to this ministry, you can find a link to give at the website below. Your gift, no matter the size, has the power to change lives. https://lnkd.in/e3uV2YEV

In a recent Dad Tired podcast episode, Newt Crenshaw encouraged adults to care for, listen to, and come alongside kids. “You’ve got to be present enough – quantity of time – for those quality of time moments. Or, as [my friend] called it, an ‘open window moment,’ when [kids] are going to open that window and let [an adult] in. You can’t just manufacture that. We want to be there, as dads, we want to be there.” Listen to the conversation between Newt and Jerrad Lopes at the Spotify link below, or anywhere else you find your podcasts. https://lnkd.in/eREpTbUh

Fall is *finally* here! 

Even though summer camps have ended, that doesn’t mean camp facilities aren’t being used! Many Young Life camps are still used from August through May for retreats and conference uses. Young Life's premier facilities, pristine settings, great food and excellent service combine to make an ideal venue for your weekend or mid-week group. Young Life camps host church groups, school groups, adult retreats, college ministries and more. Want to look into using a camp’s facility or activities for your event? Check out the list of them here: https://lnkd.in/dUnN-ySY

“One of the great aspects of Young Life’s RELATE Project is the practical steps and considerations it offers for adults, like all are worthy of love, connection gaps can lead to opportunity, and moms make a difference.” – LaTasha Nesbitt, Fuller Youth Institute Download the free research report here: https://lnkd.in/dM-hgmJn

Did you know? 💡 🧠 🗺

Thoughts from a Gen Zer: What dreams do you have? “Having a tight-knit family and community of people. If I have those then other stuff isn’t as important. I used to be success-oriented, wanting to make a lot of money and have a lot of stuff. But as I’ve gone through college, the value of that has decreased and the value of family has increased.” *This response was shared in a focus group while conducting research for The RELATE Project.

Want to learn more about The RELATE Project, the findings, and how it all came about? This video is for you!   https://lnkd.in/drp8_FEd