Relationships Spring 2019

Trading her dream school for something better » 7

In death and in life one couple continues to point others to Christ » 13

2018 Alumni and Friends Awards » 19

Spring 2019 | Vol. 33 Issue 1

Where in the World is YOUNG LIFE?

CHECK IT OUT!

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Relationships on your MOBILE DEVICE

CONTENTS | SPRING 2019

16 AT THE INTERSECTION 5 WALKING LIFE TOGETHER 7 HOMETOWN HERO 11

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS YOUNG LIFE?

2 3 4 9 21 22

From the President #younglife Young Life Lite In It With Kids Passages Young Life Spoken Here

ABOUT THE COVER

13 CARRYING ON 19

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Young Life is grateful for our loving army of leaders made up of caring adults like Broney in Cambodia.

In over 100 countries across the globe, these leaders are reaching out to kids desperate for the Living Water. To see where the mission is currently, please check out pages 11-12.

2018 ALUMNI AND FRIENDS AWARDS

Cover photo by Brian Motz

is a publication of Young Life, a mission devoted to introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.

Relationships magazine is published three times a year (spring, fall and winter) by Young Life.

Publisher/President

Designers

Newt Crenshaw

Liz Knepper Autumn Komzik Diné Wiedey

Executive Editor Terry Swenson

Senior Editor Jeff Chesemore

Coordinator Donna McKenzie

Copy Editor If you’re receiving duplicate copies or would like to switch over to the electronic version, please contact the Young Life Mission Assistance team at 877-438-9572. We can also help you with the change of address or giving information.

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Jessica Williams

Art Director Isaac Watkins

App Developer Joann Oh

Contributing Photographers Melissa Gibbs Kelly Hassman Phil Hassman Kylie Houghton Kevin Maher Alejandro Maldonado Jane Searfoss Katie Williams

Young Life is a Charter Member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

younglife.org P.O. Box 520 Colorado Springs CO 80901 Support Young Life at giving.younglife.org/kids

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Preparing kids and Working Alongside Adults …

“

METHOD #6

Preparing kids for a lifelong relationship with Christ and a love for His Word, His mission and the local church.

METHOD #7

Working in community alongside like‑minded adults (volunteer leaders, committee members, donors and staff).

Have you ever heard of the “knowing-doing gap”? The basic premise is we know well what needs to be accomplished and how we should behave, but struggle to do these most important things. It seems the Apostle Paul was wrestling in his own life with this concept in Romans 7:15, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (ESV).

As I write about Young Life’s sixth and seventh historical methods, I believe this “knowing-doing gap” rears its head, begging us to close the gap.

Because our aim is for young people to become lifelong followers of Jesus Christ, we need to give them the right tools and connections to help make that happen. The most critical tool is God’s Word, which points us to Jesus (John 5:39-40), and is an unfailing light to our path (Psalm 119:105). We do a solid job in this area through Campaigners and individual discipleship, but we should have an insatiable appetite for God’s Word in our own lives, and the lives of those to whom we are ministering.

Read the Word. Meditate on the Word.

Memorize the Word. And allow it to shape your lives by the power of the Spirit to close that “knowing-doing gap”!

We also need to make important connections for young people — to missional service in God’s Kingdom, and the local church.

Young Life has a consistent influence by inviting kids to serve others through involvement in local ministry, through work crew and summer staff at our camps, even through Young Life Expeditions, where we serve others overseas.

Service to others is a great way of doing the things we know from God’s Word. Jesus’ life was a model of service to others (Mark 10:43-45), and we want to be just like Him. Connecting young people to the local church is an important aspect of lifelong discipleship.

Young Life is not a replacement for the local church, but a part of God’s called people who gather together to follow Jesus. We ourselves need to be connected to the local church, and to intentionally connect kids, so they have a diverse group of believers with whom they can worship, fellowship and serve alongside all their lives.

We seek to work with like-minded adults in our communities who are “on mission” to help young people meet Jesus and become lifelong followers of Him. These adults come from different faith traditions, but find agreement on the most important tenets of the Christian faith.

They serve in various capacities within Young Life; they are indispensable in our efforts to see kids’ lives transformed by the gospel — as well as families’ lives, and even the collective life of a school or a community.

While we know and understand this reality, sometimes we must admit it is easier to “just do it” ourselves. Our African colleagues have taught us the phrase: “If you want to go fast, go alone.

If you want to go far, go together!” “Pamoja!

Pamoja!” — they shout. Together! Together!

At our best in Young Life, we are beautiful and diverse examples of “Pamoja! Pamoja!” — going far as we make lifelong followers of Jesus!

But, in our more expedient or even lazy modes, we try to go fast by going alone.

As we seek to close the “knowing-doing gap,” let’s commit to being the Kingdom leaders God has called us to be. Let’s do the patient work of relationship building and disciple making in the lives of young people! And, let’s be the kind of Kingdom leaders who recognize we need a community of Jesus-followers “on mission” to see kids meet and serve Him. Let’s also obey Jesus by praying and connecting others to His mission. He tells each of us: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38, ESV).

Thank you for being in this mission with us!

Together! Together!

To see the complete set of Young Life’s Mission, Vision, Values and Methods, visit younglife.org/missionandvalues.

Newt Crenshaw Young Life President

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SOME OF OUR FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENTS

#YOUNGLIFE

@mikehamme: I have cheered at countless games for my high school and middle school friends in my ten years as a Young life Leader. This was the first time I had students cheer me on! Thankful for your friendship! @younglife: “College is really special because young people are more inclined to broaden their perspectives, find things they’re passionate about, and discover things to follow and lean on. We have an opportunity, as Young Life leaders on college campuses, to put Jesus in that mix. There are so many things pulling at kids’ hearts, and, if we can come on these campuses and show kids the love of Christ, I believe they’ll be drawn to that because Jesus is irresistible. Having an impact on young people while they’re in college can really shape their lives for years to come.â€? #humansofYL #exploreYL | đ&#x;“ˇ: @ivey_redding

Praying for every neighbourhood in Hong Kong: for kids, for families, for leaders who will bring the Gospel there. Shek Mun, we see you.

@kmontero07:

@arlingtoncapernaum:

Creciendo juntos, con JesĂşs de primero! (Growing together, with Jesus first!)

Repping @younglife during art class today @samhoustonhs So thankful for a school that lets us spend the day with our friends!

FOLLOW US

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@prayhongkong:

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Young Life

Young Life

YOUNG LIFE LITE

CIDER, SKEPTICS, PICKLES AND PENN

On an Ivy League campus, a Young Life College staffer invites skeptics to the table and into faith.

By Stacy Windahl Theron Huff and Catherine, a sophomore on the Exec Team, on Locust Walk in Philadelphia.

“

But let’s say the deity who allows people into this glorious eternity has a skewed idea of how to let people in and makes us eat 1,000 pickles a day in order to be accepted.”

Young Life College at the University of Pennsylvania doesn’t look like Young Life on other college campuses. In part, that’s due to the nature of this Ivy League school where the business of preparing for the future doesn’t stop at the Wharton School. Here, they say, students don’t go anywhere without first putting on their Penn Face. (The term used for appearing selfassured regardless of any inner struggle. It’s such a common term that Penn Face is mentioned in freshman orientation skits.) Penn’s a serious place for the serious-minded.

So instead of attracting students with offers of laughter and fun, on Friday mornings, from 10:15 to noon, Young Life College staffer Theron Huff positions himself at a table on Locust Walk, “trying to look semi-normal” as he and one of his campus ministry colleagues offer free hot apple cider to all passersby. It’s a college version of contact work with Huff doing his best to be seen and earn the right to be heard. Huff said, “It takes longer to earn it with college students. As a mentor of mine put it: Middle schoolers ask, ‘What do you think of me?’ High schoolers ask, ‘What do I think of you?’ and college students ask, ‘What do you think … ?’”

Over the years, Huff has noticed that while the campus is home to some great Christian ministries, there are few places where skeptical students can ask questions or challenge the tenets of the Christian faith. Rarely do the students feel heard. So Huff started this table ministry and its companion, the Wednesday Skeptics Dinner.

As Huff says, “The idea behind the table is to be approachable, for students to tell us what they think, why they disagree and to invite us into that dialogue with them.”

One Friday, Huff met a freshman named Harrison who started their conversation stating,

“I’m a Jew by heritage.” Huff assured him, “So was Jesus.” Harrison followed with, “He was the King of the Jews, right?” Huff agreed, saying, “That’s actually what got him killed.” And then they were off.

The two talked about the meaning of life, the value of morality in the absence of a supreme deity and other light-hearted topics. “He stated his perspective wonderfully,” said Huff. “And when Harrison hadn’t considered something he would humbly say, ‘I’ll have to think about that.’

Harrison made the Christian’s point incredibly well when he said, ‘If eternity is promised to us, then it makes anything worth enduring to gain it.’” Spot on, thought Huff.

Harrison continued: “But let’s say the deity who allows people into this glorious eternity has a skewed idea of how to let people in and makes us eat 1,000 pickles a day in order to be accepted.”

They agreed that, though it would be worth it, the requirement would be both annoying and difficult. (And possibly a dill breaker.)

That’s when Huff posited a different thought.

The essence of Christianity, he said, is that “God took on flesh in Jesus to eat those 1,000 pickles a day for us. He didn’t have to, but He was willing to and now freely offers us eternity. That was the point of Him dying as ‘King of the Jews’ — to bring it full circle — so we might have eternity.”

Then Huff invited Harrison to continue their conversation — at the Skeptics Dinner or any other time. Giving Harrison his business card, Huff prayed he would reach out. Thirty minutes later, he did. The two have met eight times since as Huff continues the steady, quiet work of evangelism on a campus where even the brightest minds can’t figure a way out of the pickle we’re all in. Only Jesus could do that. Thank goodness He did.

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Big Mike grew up on the eastside of Indianapolis, a place the locals call “Naptown.” His dad was in jail; his mom struggled with addiction; he and his two siblings were constantly moving from one place to another.

“My whole life, I never had a safe place to go,” said Big Mike, who has been going by the moniker since middle school where things were just as tough. “I got picked on a lot because I was different.

I know now that it is perfectly OK to be different, but back then it was really hard to stick out. The only way I knew how to handle people hating on me was fighting back. Literally fighting. So I bounced around schools just trying to get by and fit in.”

Music was the one place where he could find peace. He could lose himself in the beats and the

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lone.

By Ned Erickson

When someone trains to be a Young Life leader, they’re inevitably going to learn this Bible verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:8, “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well” (NIV).

Phil and Kelly Hassman live in the middle of Indianapolis, and while training to be Young Life leaders back in 2008, they indeed learned 1 Thessalonians 2:8. More importantly, Phil and Kelly didn’t just learn it, they lived it.

But what happened in the process taught them an even bigger lesson: while sharing their lives with others, theirs were being changed as well.

NAPTOWN

no

ra longe

words. Writing down rhymes about his everyday struggles became an outlet.

“Through middle school to freshman year, I stopped trusting God. I learned I had to do things on my own. Like it or not, I already was. But all that changed one day on the bus. A friend told me about Young Life. He said there would be snacks. Aw man, I can’t pass up snacks.”

MOVING INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Phil and Kelly were on the same Young Life team.

“Kelly was on student staff; I didn’t make the cut,” Phil laughed. Eventually, the two became more than teammates and got married. They bought a house a block away from Herron High School where they served. “We figured, why not? After all, that was where the kids were that we loved.”

They met Big Mike in 2013. He made an immediate impression on Phil. “I was always looking for the guy who could bring others in. You could tell the moment you saw him that Mike was an inviter. He brings a purity and realness to who he is. That is what struck me at first.”

“Phil was literally the happiest guy I ever met,” Big Mike said. “His energy matched how I wanted to live my life. And Phil thought I was cool. Not weird, awkward and different, but actually cool.

He kept showing up in my life — when I missed the last bus for the night and needed a ride home at like 10 p.m., when I was performing my rhymes at school. Even though Phil and I come from totally different backgrounds, he understood my nerdy

side and seemed to genuinely care about me.”

Home life continued to be pretty raw. Mike’s siblings were in and out of foster care; his mom was in and out of rehab. “My coping mechanism was smoking weed. I started hanging out with people who weren’t really my friends, but Phil kept showing up.”

After Young Life, Phil often was the one to drive him home. It was almost always to a different place. It became a joke between them, a sad one. But, “some of the best conversations I ever had happened with Mike in the car,” reflected Phil.

That summer Big Mike went to Timber Wolf Lake (in Michigan) with Phil. “At camp, I heard about Jesus again, but for the first time I actually heard it,” said Mike. “I learned you don’t have to do life alone.”

WHO’S TEACHING WHOM?

“Mike was sort of the ‘president’ of Young Life his junior and senior years. We gave him responsibility, but he was never the guy with a plan. I would find myself getting frustrated by that. But then I realized that instead of focusing on the program, Mike’s focus was on the people, on just being there.

“It’s something I now try to bring into the work I do.” (Phil currently leads a team of scientists that does pharmaceutical analysis.)

“Whenever I tried to fix his problems, it never worked. But when I came instead with openness and humility, things got better,” said Phil. “Over time, I learned I didn’t need to question him.

What Mike needed most was to know I believed in him and was with him.”

Kelly adds: “What Phil does best is give Mike the tools, then love him into making his own decisions.”

Kelly and Mike became close last summer while she was on assignment and he was on summer staff. During camp, Big Mike shared his story during a program called “Real Life.”

“There is nothing more powerful than sharing your story,” said Big Mike. “It was eye-opening that God could use my story to help others relate.

Through that, I was able to let campers know there is hope.”

The experience affected Kelly deeply. “I didn’t truly know how difficult Mike’s home life was until we worked on his ‘Real Life’ story together.

It was humbling to learn my friendship meant something to him.”

A NEW HOME

After camp, when Big Mike again needed a place to stay, Phil and Kelly didn’t hesitate.

“It’s been a blessing,” said Mike, “but it’s nothing new. We have been walking life together a long time now. I see them as my big brother and sister.”

“It is fun to see how the relationship has evolved from going to basketball games, making music videos and winning the right to be heard, to a relationship that is firm and established,” said Kelly.

“In high school, Mike needed a male role model,” said Phil. “Now, I’m teaching him things like how to budget and interview and drive. It is no longer a leader to a kid relationship. He’s a friend I will have for life.”

“That’s what we have learned,” said Kelly.

“As much as we want to see their lives change, God wants to use them to change our lives as well.”

Phil adds: “That’s what I hope people can understand. At the end of the day it is not how good our events are, but how good our relationships become that really matters. Young Life gave Mike and me a chance to become friends. And that will last forever.”

From left to right: Phil, Kelly and Mike at home; getting kids hyped at camp; hanging with the Homecoming King; Mike soaks up Timber Wolf Lake.

First Dairy Queen trip together.

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By Leslie Strader

A volunteer leader trades her dream school for something better.

Natalie Carnazza was a strong student and faithful Young Life kid with a solid plan and bright future ahead of her. So it came as no surprise to anyone when, during her senior year of high school, Natalie was accepted to her dream college in Rhode Island. The surprise came just one year later, when Natalie gave it all up to walk a path she didn’t anticipate, to a place she never thought she’d go.

Called Back Natalie’s story is one of obedience, plain and simple; of doing the thing God says and trusting He will bless it. It’s a story of faith that’s bigger than fear, especially of other people’s opinions.”

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Natalie spent her freshman year at a small college in Rhode Island, eager to leave her hometown and enjoy college life. She had been active in Young Life since middle school in Ridgefield, Connecticut, where she grew up, but struggled to make the same connection when she moved away.

“The closest Young Life in Rhode Island was an hour away from me. I tried to get involved there, but it just didn’t happen,” Natalie said. “I went home Columbus Day weekend and talked to my area director, and she convinced me to apply for summer staff. I went to Castaway Club (in Minnesota) that summer, and it was there the Lord completely changed my heart. I felt the Lord calling me back to my hometown.”

Courtney Boulware, area administrator for Ridgefield Young Life and the Metro North regional administrator, was one of Natalie’s Young Life leaders in high school. She said Natalie’s selfless decision to love and lead others is a picture of 1 Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

“When Natalie served on summer staff, God gave her a passion like she’d never had before

for her former high school,” Boulware said. At the same time, the staff person in Ridgefield was stepping down and the area would likely not have a staff person for the coming school year.

Natalie quit her dream college, enrolled at Western Connecticut State University, and began leading in Ridgefield. Boulware continued, “It’s been unbelievable to see how God has used her obedience to bring people to Himself. She gave up a dream to obey God and is getting to see Him do miracles because of it.

It’s encouraging to see a young person sold out for Jesus and willing to sacrifice so much to serve Him.”

Making a Difference

At first, Natalie’s decision caught people off guard, explained Cathleen Bearse, who was also Natalie’s leader in high school. But following Jesus mattered more to Natalie than others’ opinions.

“Natalie had a lot of explaining to do to a lot of people in Ridgefield who didn’t get why she would leave a good school where she was happy, to live at home and hang out with high school kids,” Bearse said. “It didn’t make sense without God, so Natalie got to share that with every single person who asked about it!”

Natalie’s story is one of obedience, plain and simple; of doing the thing God says and trusting He will bless it. It’s a story of faith that’s bigger than fear, especially of other people’s opinions.

Bearse reflected, “I know Natalie’s story and ongoing ministry in Ridgefield will continue to encourage high schoolers and college kids and any follower of Christ to step out in faith where God is calling them and trust God always has the best plans for our good and His glory.”

Natalie and her Ridgefield club rocking "Tacky Prom."

Joe Paolella served as the interim regional director while Natalie has been a volunteer and said her example of sacrifice and serving is one worth following.

“I believe the mission of Young Life is built around volunteers, both leaders and committee, who are willing to serve regardless of the cost, because they love Jesus and want kids to know Him,” Paolella said. “Natalie is modeling for kids what it means to ‘seek first the Kingdom.’

She’s decided that listening to Jesus is way more important than success the way the culture has dictated. She is making a huge difference; the Holy Spirit is doing amazing things, and lots of kids are being reached and discipled.”

Better Than a Dream Come True

Natalie’s first contact with the Ridgefield kids, many of whom she knew from attending there herself — was in July 2017, when she took them to Lake Champion (in New York) for camp.

The ministry has grown ever since. More than 70 high schoolers show up to their monthly club. Campaigners is thriving, 85 kids attended Winter Weekend and Natalie said there aren’t enough spots for all the kids who want to go to camp this summer.

“Christianity in general is not huge in the Northeast,” she said. “But seeing the Lord use Young Life in a small town has been amazing.

He’s using this ministry in crazy ways.”

Now Natalie is a college junior, working two jobs and in her second year of leading at Ridgefield as a volunteer. She credits the strength of the area to the committee, her co-leader, Mike Rudnicki, and a group of student leaders who have caught the vision of what it means to love as Jesus loved. But the other “secret” is sincere simplicity.

“For a lot of college kids, doing Young Life looks like going to a big school and getting plugged in, but you don’t have to go that way to make a difference,” she said. “For kids to see Jesus in you, you don’t have to do amazing things — you just need to love them. That speaks louder than any words you could say.”

As it turns out, giving up her “dream” was no sacrifice at all. The loss was temporary, but the gains have been eternal.

“It’s so worth it,” she said. “I would do it a million times over in a heartbeat. I’m so happy my plans never work out. Jesus’ plans are always better. I’ve learned the best things happen when you step out of your comfort zone.”

Natalie loving her girls at Lake Champion.

EMBARK ON THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME!

Expeditions

Young Life Into Africa 2019

JUNE 15-28 / JULY 7-21 / JULY 21-AUGUST 4 You’re invited to join Young Life International and Drew Voyles on one of three epic trips to Africa this summer 2019.

Experience Young Life ministry in Tanzania, serve alongside local Africa staff and volunteers ... then climb Mount Kilimanjaro to the roof of Africa (19,340 feet) and/or enjoy a world-class Safari on the Serengeti!

Contact Drew Voyles for more information: drew.voyles@beyondadventures.co

Africa/Middle East

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IN IT WITH KIDS! Kids in Norway having the best night of their week at club.

Every Tuesday, 35 to 45 kids gather for club. Our club room is in our volunteer leader’s living room, and it’s placed right above the local sushi restaurant! So, at 8 p.m. the customers hear kids sing along to “Firework,” “Free Falling” or “Living on a Prayer,” followed by cheers for their friends trying to get that Oreo in their mouth.

Then suddenly, they won’t hear a thing, because that’s when we give our club talk, and kids are leaning in to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and how He wants to be part of their life.

This is really the beauty of Young Life — the singing and having fun, combined with meeting Jesus, maybe for the first time! Every week new kids attend club. And why do they come?

Because they have a relationship with someone there, a leader or a friend, and every week they’ve been asked to come to club.

Isn’t that the best feeling? When someone you’ve wanted to come to club for so long, suddenly shows up! That is a blessing.

All over the world this is true. Let’s continue to pray that God will give us more kids!

— Kjartan Rob, area director, Stavanger, Norway Miller with Maddie and her invitation.

My niece, Miller, asked Maddie to be one of her bridesmaids recently. Miller has been Maddie’s Capernaum buddy for NINE years. They’ve experienced club, camp, dinners, movies, sleepovers, birthday parties, LIFE … together. Last fall they took their first Capernaum mission trip together in the Dominican Republic. I was really struck as I learned of this news — the photo of Maddie holding her invitation helps me begin to grasp the amazing love Jesus has for us.

The power of learning we’re included, invited, welcomed, valued and wanted.

— Chuck Scott, director of Development Initiatives

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Shannon (bottom left) and her high school friends.

She slumped in her chair the first day and eyed me suspiciously. Hands covered in gothic writing, earbuds still in her ears even after being asked to remove them. My first thought was, “This is going to be a tough one.” She lived up to my expectations ... talking over people, repeatedly being on her phone, telling the students how to mix Nyquil with Sprite to get high, eating in class ... pushing the limits, testing

me, all the while watching me with hardened eyes. This waif of a girl, a teen who looked like she had seen too much. She shared a little bit each class, each day I’d ask a question or two. When at school, I always tried to find her to say, “Hi” ... always her eyes and body language pushed back with mistrust.

Then one day, I don't know what changed. Honestly, I was tired. Walking into the awkwardness of the high school I prayed, “Jesus, I need to see you today.”

I was sitting at a desk during study hall looking at a yearbook to try to put faces with students’ names. I looked up and there she was, chair pulled up next to mine ... and she said, “Wanna see a picture of my ex-boyfriend?” and she began to talk, about the boy, the girl he’s with now, about her mom in Arizona, how her parents were never really “a thing.” She showed me pictures and a video of her little brother, pictures of her favorite goth rapper, told me all about her dad and stepmom and how she sneaks junk food because they are “ultra-healthy.” She talked past

the end-of-the-day bell, as if hungry to be known.

This girl, this precious lonely girl, the aching written all over her and literally all over her hands … she is why we keep pressing forward with Young Life. I just kept sitting there listening and thinking, “Jesus is so over-the-moon crazy for this girl, she is His masterpiece and I get to step into her life.”

That day, I got a front-row seat into the why of Young Life. My family just moved into a house right next to the high school so we could be closer for ministry ... surprisingly, she’s been our biggest cheerleader! She kept asking, “Have you moved yet?” She also keeps saying, “I really want to meet your family.” So ... since we are just starting up Young Life in Sisters we're doing it by following her lead and welcoming kids into our family and home.

— Shannon Miller, direct ministry, Sisters, Oregon

PLAY 1. We select students from developing countries with leadership potential.

2. You sponsor their college education and Christian leadership training.

3. They change their culture for Christ and start a Young Life club.

“Without DGL helping me w go to college I don't kno .” like be what my life would — Shane, Philippines DGL Student

code to Scan the QR story. s e' an hear Sh

“Eleven people giving $25 per month provides a college education, Young Life training and a chance to rewrite the story of both their family and their country.” Sponsor a student today at www.younglife.org/DGL 1-833-835-8572

info@ylgloballeaders.org

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EUROPE

NORTH AMERICA ESTABLISHED WORK Canada • United States

ESTABLISHED WORK Belgium • Bulgaria • Czech Republic • England • France Germany • Macedonia Netherlands • Northern Ireland Norway • Poland • Portugal Romania • Scotland • Spain Sweden • Switzerland • Wales DEVELOPING WORK Republic of Ireland • **Italy FUTURE WORK Albania • Austria • Croatia Denmark • Finland • Greece Hungary • Iceland Luxembourg • Slovakia **Currently YL Military International only

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS

YOUNG LIFE? God is faithfully raising up hundreds of leaders to reach young people in more than 100 countries with the good news.

ESTABLISHED WORK • Work has stood the test of time.

• Ministry has grown beyond the beachhead city to multiple locations.

• Ministry is mostly run by national staff.

DEVELOPING WORK • Ministry is only in a beachhead city.

• Has not stood the test of time.

• Staff are being recruited and trained.

FUTURE WORK • Places where we have significant contacts and significant opportunity.

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LATIN AMERICA/ CARIBBEAN ESTABLISHED WORK Argentina • Bahamas • Brazil Chile • Colombia • Costa Rica Dominican Republic • Ecuador Haiti • Honduras • Nicaragua Panama • Peru • Puerto Rico U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas) DEVELOPING WORK Belize • Bermuda • Bolivia • Cuba El Salvador • Guatemala Jamaica • Mexico Paraguay • Uruguay • Venezuela FUTURE WORK Cayman Islands • St. John Suriname

FORMER SOVIET UNION ESTABLISHED WORK Abkhazia • Armenia • Belarus Georgia • Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan • Latvia Lithuania • Moldova • Russia Ukraine • Uzbekistan DEVELOPING WORK Tajikistan FUTURE WORK Azerbaijan • Estonia Turkmenistan

SOUTH SUDAN

AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST ESTABLISHED WORK Burundi • Cote d’Ivoire • Djibouti D.R. Congo • Ethiopia • Ghana • Israel Kenya • Liberia • Malawi • Mali • Morocco Mozambique • Palestine • Rwanda Senegal • Sierra Leone • Somalia South Africa • Swaziland • Tanzania Uganda • Zambia • Zanzibar • Zimbabwe DEVELOPING WORK Nigeria FUTURE WORK Algeria • Angola • Benin • Burkina Faso Cameroon • Egypt • Guinea • Iran • Jordan Lebanon • Madagascar • Mauritius Namibia • Niger • South Sudan • Togo Tunisia • Turkey • United Arab Emirates

ASIA/PACIFIC ESTABLISHED WORK Australia • Bangladesh • Cambodia • China Hong Kong • India • Indonesia • Mongolia • Nepal New Zealand • Philippines • Singapore • Vietnam DEVELOPING WORK Japan • Malaysia • Taiwan • Thailand FUTURE WORK Bhutan • Fiji Islands • Laos • Myanmar (Burma) Pakistan • S. Korea • Sri Lanka

"And the Lord added to their number daily ... " — Acts 2:47 12

Carrying on In death and in life one couple continues to point others to Christ.

By Jeff Chesemore

On October 2, 2016, the world lost a treasure in Jenna Henderson. Having turned 30 only a few months earlier, Jenna succumbed to cancer after her fourth bout with the disease. Brave and selfless to the end, she embodied Paul’s declaration in Philippians 1:21 – “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (NIV). This is the story of how, while Jenna now enjoys “the gain,” her husband, Scott, perseveres in living.

Jenna and Scott leading at camp.

Jenna was always vivacious. Her love for life, however, seemed to find its true fulfillment when she turned 15. That summer she went to see her brother off at the bus as he prepared to go to Young Life camp. Fresh off her cancer treatments, Jenna stood in the parking lot and commented, “I wish I were going.” Some leaders overheard this comment, conferred for a moment, and told her mother, “If Jenna can get packed and back here in 20 minutes, she can go on the trip and we’ll pay for it!”

That week at Saranac Jenna fell in love with Jesus and joyfully began a relationship with Him. The decision changed Jenna’s life, and in a way no one could have foreseen, thousands of others.

It was during this same time, after her second bout with cancer, Jenna went into complete remission. Having been given “new life” twice over, the spirited teenager’s focus was clear. A living, breathing billboard for Christ, Jenna was a tenacious lover of people for the second half (literally) of her life. Through Young Life she cared for her high school peers, served on work crew at camp and became a volunteer leader in college, a role she embraced until her death.

She also modeled the love of Christ at work. Her career choice?

Pediatric nurse at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, where she provided care for children battling cancer — fulfilling her teenage dream.

At 28, after 13 years in remission, the cancer returned. For the next two years, she exhibited remarkable grace in the face of death. Quick to confess her doubts, struggles and fears, she nonetheless found strength in the One who would soon call her home.

Jenna’s story continues to change lives by pointing many in the city of Batesville, Indiana (and beyond), to her beloved Jesus. Her final two years have been captured in a book entitled Worth the Suffering. Along with Jenna’s thoughts, prayers and blog entries, Scott has also included tributes from friends and family. Today, he carries on the dream by sharing the book with others, while wrestling with life on his own.

Hard Questions

“When Jenna passed away, my life shattered,” Scott said. “Pieces of

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my life once whole and good were broken and uncertain.”

Seeing his darkest fears realized, Scott asked himself numerous questions: “What does life look like now that I’ve lost the person who meant the most to me? What do I do when life isn’t at all what I planned? Is life about getting everything I want? Is it about what Jenna and I had planned — do I still hold to that?”

Scott struggled with the idea of continuing on as a Young Life leader.

“That was hard. It’s the one thing Jenna and I thought we were going to do together forever.”

Seeing this uncertainty, Sean Boyce, the area director in Batesville, quickly stepped in.

Knowing Scott’s need for routine and ability to help coach basketball, Boyce invited him to help with the high school freshman team. “Sean said, ‘Hey, why don’t you start coming and we’ll go from there. You love basketball, just show up and help.’ I needed to do something to keep life going, because my plans were all gone.”

Scott soon sensed a connection with one particular player on the team. “God pushed me toward him. He was looking for more. I felt God was telling me to be consistent in his life.”

After the freshman accepted Scott’s invitation to Young Life camp, Scott envisioned a life-changing encounter, like the one Jenna experienced at Saranac. “I thought, he’s going to have an incredible week (which he did), and he’s going to hear about how Jesus came to die for him. He’s going to realize what he’s been looking for in life hasn’t been fulfilling, and ultimately Jesus is.

Everything’s going to be different.”

At camp, Scott and the young man talked about what the gospel means if we receive it. By week’s end, however, he decided not to follow Jesus.

“It broke my heart to the point where I came to realize what anguish felt like again, wanting someone to know Jesus so badly,” Scott said.

“What I love about Young Life, though, is there’s more to the relationship than a kid’s response to Jesus. If he says ‘yes,’ we celebrate, but if he says ‘no,’ we don’t stop loving him.

“Knowing how my heart was in anguish for this one kid made me realize Young Life is something I need to be doing.”

There is more to the relationship than a kid’s response to Jesus. If he says ‘yes,’ we celebrate, but if he says, ‘no,’ we don't stop loving him.”

another high school student, had been in a car accident and airlifted to Cincinnati for severe head trauma. Scott, by this time all too familiar with hospitals, felt the emotions rushing back.

“I didn’t know how to respond, but I had to do something. One thing I learned through Jenna’s cancer was how to love and serve someone in need. I could do that with Sam and his family. We didn’t know what the outcome was going to be; whether he’d fully recover or not. But along the way, I was by his side as he learned how to eat, walk and talk again.

“That’s what Young Life is: it’s showing up day after day, no matter what’s going on in the lives of kids. Whether it’s good or bad, it’s being consistent in their lives, and loving them in the situations they find themselves in. It’s the privilege we have as leaders.”

For the next two years, Scott lovingly walked alongside his friend. Sam is now fully recovered, attending Ball State as a freshman and ministering to other kids through his role as a Young Life leader.

Ultimate Healing

Scott continues to honor his wife’s memory through the Jenna Henderson Memorial Endowment Fund Scholarship, which he established to help financially disadvantaged kids attend a week at Young Life camp (as well as kids like Jenna who decide to go last minute and therefore haven’t fundraised). Scott gives every recipient a copy of Worth the Suffering. “I want to make sure they know the person behind the gift, and what this scholarship represents.”

As he teaches others about Jenna, Scott’s still learning about God’s heart in the midst of suffering.

Scott (right) in the hospital assisting Sam.

Serving Sam

That same year, Scott received a text that Sam,

Continued on the next page.

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Continued from the previous page.

Scott and Sam late in his recovery.

“After Jenna’s death I questioned, ‘How could God allow this to happen to someone who loved Him so much and wanted to further His Kingdom?’ I looked at every passage in the Bible where Jesus encountered someone crying out for help.

I couldn’t find one place where Jesus didn’t help them.”

But Scott also noticed something else. “As I looked at Lazarus and the others Jesus healed, I realized every one of them still died; this wasn’t the final healing.

Healing was secondary to Jesus, in my opinion.

What’s the main purpose when Jesus heals? It’s always the heart; and Jenna’s heart was already good in that regard. The greatest miracle is when someone’s heart changes. That idea probably took me a year to unpack.

“Jenna often prayed, ‘Jesus, I want to be healed, but if You and Your Kingdom get more glory if I’m not, then I want that instead.’”

Sometimes Scott wonders what a miracle would have meant to the many who love Jenna.

“I think of everyone at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Jenna’s friends and family, how great it would have been for them to see this miracle happen. And when it didn’t, I thought, ‘Well, how is this good?’ I’m still wrestling with this idea, but most people don’t get a miracle — that’s why it’s called a miracle! God’s glory shines through Jenna’s story, because it speaks to how God is still good when a miracle doesn’t happen. I think you see that in her faithfulness to Him and His to her. Jenna is healed, just not in the way we wanted.”

What's the main purpose when Jesus heals? It's always the heart.”

Far More Important Things

Today, Scott spends a lot of his time relating to kids and their suffering. “As a Young Life leader I can share about what it’s like to walk through a life that isn’t perfect, yet still be excited and

15

have this joy for the Lord.”

Several kids on the basketball team are struggling with the recent deaths of family members. Scott simply continues to walk with them. “One kid lost his mom, and a lot of people don’t know how to talk with him about it. So I just rebound his free throws and ask him, ‘Hey, how are you doing with the hurt?’ There’s not a lot I can say, but I can at least be in the mess with him as he’s processing.”

Another kid asked Scott if he had kids.

Scott said no and then shared his story. “He immediately started crying,” Scott said, “and we’re in the middle of watching a basketball game. I didn’t know if something was going on with his family or with cancer, but I don’t shy away from it. It gives me a way to jump into real conversations with kids.”

At times, though, Scott still finds himself in a fog.

“Honestly, there are days where I’m excited about what’s to come and others where I just want to go to bed and start a new day. It comes and goes in waves — the days of wanting to spend time with Jesus versus the days of waking up to a hard heart.

“What makes my heart joyful, though, are moments where you see the Lord moving in a kid’s life. There are far more important things than what our culture says to chase after. This reorients my focus on what’s important with the time I have left.”

You can read more about Jenna's journey home in Worth the Suffering, available at worththesuffering.com. A portion of the proceeds go to cancer research and the endowment fund.

AT THE

INTERSECTION

ILLINOIS

When kids in club reflect the diversity of the areas where they live.

Aside from the high ceilings, the two homes aren’t that much alike.

One is brick, still features the same radiators from 1922 and is furnished with mid-century modern furniture. The other was built in 1909, features an enclosed front porch, a back deck and an unfinished open second floor. Geographically, the two homes are more than 735 miles apart, with one bordering a Midwestern metropolis, the other in a small rural area in the south.

But here’s what the two homes do have in common.

Both owners are Young Life leaders, crazy about Jesus and kids. And, increasingly, the groups of kids who routinely pour into the two homes are growing as diverse as their schools’ populations.

Kevin Radzinski is on Young Life staff in Oak Park, Illinois, faithfully serving for 20 years the city that serves as Chicago’s western border.

Jonathan Bowman recently helped start Young Life ministry in Amelia County, less than an hour from Virginia’s capital city of Richmond.

Leading ministry in multiethnic schools, both leaders have wrestled — and continue to wrestle through — what it looks like to work with students from differing ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds.

“We’re learning,” said Radzinski about the ongoing process. “The kids are teaching us so much.”

OAK PARK

Nazareth will never forget the day he first met Radzinski, mostly because his Young Life leader opted for a joyous bear hug instead of a handshake.

Ironically, defenders haven’t had such luck getting their arms around Nazareth, Oak Park and River Forest High School’s speedy tailback with cut-on-a-dime ability. Nazareth’s

By Chris Lassiter

achievements on the gridiron have earned him several mentions in the Chicago Tribune.

Football games underneath the Friday night lights are a big deal at Oak Park, and the students come out in droves to cheer on their beloved Huskies.

But here’s what Radzinski noticed — the students all cheer, just not together.

One group — primarily, but not exclusively, white — sits on one side of the bleachers.

Another group — primarily, but not exclusively, black — sits on the other side.

The division seems to be based purely on comfort, not animosity. The kids basically sit where they want to sit, and this happens to break down by ethnic demographics.

It was after a particular Young Life training that Radzinski started to give deep thought to the two student sections, and the implications for Young Life ministry at the school.

“I’ve been aware of this since the first time I went to a game back in 2001,” Radzinski said.

“But I never thought about it until Young Life started talking about it.”

Radzinski’s own introduction to Young Life happened in high school. The woman he would one day marry was on the bus of his first Fall Weekend trip. He came on staff, and led ministry at a small school with little ethnic diversity in the student body.

Radzinski took that same model of ministry to the incredibly diverse community of Oak Park in 2001.

“I was content to swim in the popular stream,” said Radzinski, noting that most of the kids in his ministry “came from supportive families, had money and a trajectory to go to college. It was the kids with the school spirit; the ones always involved in whatever was going on in the school.”

As Radzinski developed deeper relationships with several of the black students — including Continued on the next page.

16

Continued from the previous page.

Nazareth — he started adjusting ministry to make sure it would be accessible to all the students at Oak Park. Simple changes like the location of club and post-club meals were scrutinized to make sure they would be accessible to all kids.

Instead of heading out for gyros after club — not an affordable option for everyone who came — they ordered pizza. Club moved out of a student’s home into the Radzinskis’ basement, and eventually to a strategically located church.

Change has been difficult at times, and Radzinski’s honesty is refreshing. Trying to integrate the two groups into one Young Life club hasn’t been easy. While the ministry has grown in diversity, the changes have alienated some of the kids who were previously involved.

Getting Young Life club to look different than the football student sections is no small task.

Radzinski, however, remains committed to the work of building a Young Life community where all kids feel welcome.

“I’m still driven by Young Life’s mandate to integrate black and white people together,” he said, “along with all the other races in the community.”

VIRGINIA

AMELIA

Two of Jonathan Bowman’s most life-defining moments happened within hours of each other.

On the same day he walked across the stage at James Madison University to receive his college diploma, he received a call from Young Life saying he’d been hired. He would pioneer ministry at Amelia County High School.

From left to right: Tjada, who leads at Oak Park, with area director, Kevin Radzinski.

Friends "Frost," area director Jonathan Bowman and Swae.

Amelia County HS guys relax in the Maury River during a work crew break.

Nazareth gives Radzinski a pick-me-up.

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“

I’m terrible at basketball. I’m pretty athletic, but basketball isn’t a sport I grew up playing.

And I hadn’t played in a long time. But I knew that’s where guys were, so I needed to go.”

Even as ministry began flourishing, Bowman noticed that Young Life was only actively engaging a certain segment of the school’s population: the segment that looked like him.

Bowman wanted Young Life in Amelia County High School to look different.

So he started making contact work look different.

Bowman’s home is literally a stone’s throw from the Amelia County Parks and Recreation gym. It’s where you can find the daily afterschool pick-up basketball games. The teens regularly running up and down the basketball courts also happened to be the kids Bowman knew he needed to befriend.

So, nervously, Bowman laced up the old basketball sneakers.

“I was intimidated,” Bowman laughed, “I’m terrible at basketball. I’m pretty athletic, but basketball isn’t a sport I grew up playing. And I hadn’t played in a long time. But I knew that’s where guys were, so I needed to go.”

At the Parks and Rec center, Bowman focused more on relationships than winning pick-up games. Knowing his limitations in basketball, he asked students to help him with his jump shot. As relationships formed — and his jump shot improved — ministry grew.

One more kid signing up for summer camp turned to two. Two more turned into a group of friends, and that group of friends turned into 20 more students. It happened so fast Bowman didn’t have time to charter a bus to camp, instead having Young Life committee members drive kids to camp in “a hodge podge of minivans.”

At Rockbridge, the phrase “Best Week of Your Life” was not hyperbole.

“When we pulled up to camp, their jaws just dropped,” Bowman said. “They wouldn’t go to

FOR EVERY KID

Included in that Campaigners group was “Swae,” the multi-sport standout at Amelia County. Not only did Swae get involved in Young Life, he and three friends spent a portion of his summer doing work crew.

“Young Life is such a beneficial program,” Swae said. “It teaches us that we’re never by ourselves and Jesus Himself loves us for who we are, not who we were. Jonathan is the best leader I could ask for, and I’m so glad he came to Amelia.”

Up in Oak Park, Nazareth and Radzinski share a similar bond. What started as a bear hug has grown into a deep friendship.

The two seem to genuinely enjoy learning from one another. With the relationship now firmly established, the Young Life leader and

have “ Ifbuildyoua bigger

the football star can now have meaningful conversations, which sometimes happen in comical fashion.

Like the time at Fall Weekend when Radzinski asked Nazareth why black kids came to Young Life.

“Because black kids like pizza,” Nazareth said, causing an eruption of laughter in the cabin.

But then Nazareth got serious.

He went on to tell Radzinski, “As black kids, we feel like wherever we are, we’re not where we’re supposed to be. But when we come to Young Life, we know the white people there love us.”

Then, quickly lightening the mood, Nazareth added, “And we love pizza.”

For Nazareth, Young Life feels like an escape.

The Oak Park junior knows that every Wednesday he can count on being in an environment where all his friends are smiling, temporarily free from all other cares.

“I kept coming to Young Life because of the way I was treated,” Nazareth said. “Kevin’s positive energy, what he brings to the table, is just great. I’m thankful for a person like Kevin in my life. He just always listens. And he’s always there to help. And not just Kevin, but the other adult leaders, too. And they help me grow closer to Jesus; not just me, but all the people around me, and that’s the best feeling.”

MORE THAN YOU NEED,

table.

“

bed. They stayed up as late as they could and got up as soon as it was light outside. They were in total disbelief.”

It was a ministry-defining week of camp for Amelia County’s Young Life leaders. Kids encountered Christ, relationships deepened and it reshaped the look of Campaigners in Bowman’s home.

“It was just this amazing, exciting, crazy catalyst summer,” Bowman said. “Campaigners after that was packed. The Tuesday after camp we had 25 to 30 kids. There was just an attraction to it.”

Get In volved

Join the 39-year missional community of Young Life Amicus.

Become a host family or mentor for an international high school student during the 2019-2020 school year.

Learn More amicus.younglife.org

18

ALUMNI AWARDS

Young Life

Alumni Awards James "mark" Pogue 2018 Young Life posthumous alumni achievement award

By Jonathan Schultz In the words of Young Life Chief Operating Officer Steve Thompson, “Part of Mark Pogue’s legacy will always be connected to his passion, talent and commitment to provide life-changing experiences to kids who attend Young Life camps. Mark’s service on camp assignments, his time spent taking kids to camp and his time volunteering at work weeks were all primary examples of how much he enjoyed and excelled at using Young Life camp to help proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.”

Mark Pogue passed away on September 5, 2018, at the age of 57. Mark is survived by his wife, Jami, and two daughters, Paige and Reilly. “Mark was brave and others-focused even in his last days on earth,” Jami said. “We were able to take a miracle trip and be the adult guest hosts with our Lincoln area at Castaway just one month before he died. Seeing our two daughters as leaders at camp was one of the greatest joys of our 25 years together! God was so generous in granting us this last trip together as a family.”

Mark came on Young Life staff in 1987 in Kansas City, later serving as area director for Lincoln, Nebraska, from 1994 to 2000. “Mark’s love for Christ and desire to make a difference in the lives of young people were ignited through being involved in the mission of Young Life,” Jami said. “He was drawn to the level of excellence, the laughter, the good clean fun and humor embedded throughout everything. He was captivated by the love, acceptance and the diversity of kids from all walks of life that the ministry drew. His creative gifts found a home with developing characters for walk-ons, giving compelling club talks, taking kids on amazing trips, and always creating and fostering life-changing experiences.”

Mark loved doing program, and a few of his

19

Jami and Mark. program bits have become enduring legends in the mission, including the Mr. Christmas Tree Pageant. In the words of Mark’s brother, Matt, who is Young Life’s Midwestern and Northwestern divisional Camping coordinator, “My brother had a passion to help kids know who Jesus is and how to have a personal relationship with Him. His ability to make people laugh and engage them with the gospel were a gift to all of us. One of my most treasured times was working at Frontier when he would do program. Listening to he and Brian Summerall banter during games were some of the best times ever!”

“Young Life is woven into the tapestry of our entire lives,” Jami said. “As donors, staff, volunteer leaders and committee, being involved with Young Life has been one of God’s greatest gifts to us. Mark embodied exceptional and unselfish dedication to Young Life, using his gifts to serve, equip and fortify the mission with his talents and financially as donors for over 30 years.”

David and bonnie weekley

Dale and beverly willman

2018 distinguished Young life alumnus award

2018 alumni service to Young Life award

By Jonathan Schultz

In 1969, David and Bonnie were sophomores at Memorial High School in Houston, Texas. High school sweethearts, the two attended Young Life club, Campaigners and even shared a “mountain-top” faith experience as campers at Star Ranch.

“Young Life was not only fun, but it deepened my faith and took me from being a cultural to a committed follower of Christ,” Bonnie said.

However, it wasn’t until they were in their 40s that the Weekleys joined the regional board, helping to fundraise and donate to the mission themselves. David remembers that God used Young Life to “get me back into my responsibility of being a committed Christian and putting faith into action.”

During these years David served as the initial chairman of the Greater Houston Young Life Board, and helped start the Every Kid Fund, which has reached multiethnic kids within the city since 1997. Bonnie was also on the urban board and has fond memories of helping with gala events, and taking bus rides to pray around the various Houston schools.

“David and Bonnie live out the essence of Young Life,” said Young Life’s Chief Development Officer Eric Scofield. “They are people who love with the love of God. I remember moving to Houston in 2001, and the first people to greet me and lend me a hand were the Weekleys. Nearly 20 years later, nothing has changed. David and Bonnie live, love and pour out to so many. Today, David and Bonnie have their fingerprints all over the entire mission across this globe and serve at the highest level on the Executive Campaign Committee for Young Life Forward.”

The Weekleys are very excited for the mission’s future.

“Young Life is as vital today as it has ever been,” said David.

“Solid business acumen in a large ministry is important, and I believe Young Life has incredible leadership, accountability and performance in leading kids to Christ.”

Today the Weekleys are the founders and David is chairman of the largest privately held homebuilding business in America, “David Weekley Homes.” The website states: “Our purpose is to build dreams and enhance lives.” David and Bonnie have been tremendous stewards of the success they’ve been granted.

By Shannon Harrell

Dale and Beverly Willman both met Jesus through Young Life under the nurturing leadership of Cleveland Area Director Pete Weaver. After seeing invitations for club in the halls of Bay High School in 1970, Dale showed up to the first Cleveland area club. Even though he was a new guitar player, he stepped into leading club songs like the classic, “If I Had a Hammer.” Within weeks, Dale and Beverly were both signed up to go to camp at Frontier Ranch.

In 1973, Dale moved to Boise, Idaho, and Beverly joined him a year later. They faithfully served as volunteer leaders as the Young Life work was just beginning in the early ’70s.

In addition to being volunteer leaders, Dale and Beverly have served Young Life as committee members, donors, fundraiser hosts and advocates of the mission. Dale and Beverly’s two children, Mindy and David, have also served as leaders.

In 1981, the Willmans served on the support team that brought Gary and Jeanne Parsons to Boise. This began a decadelong friendship, based on the love of spreading the gospel and raising their own kids together.

As the Parsons began ministry in the Former Soviet Union (FSU), the Willmans joined right in, nurturing and guiding staff and volunteers, and serving on the FSU committee since 1992. Over the years, they’ve visited Russia, Ukraine, Latvia and Armenia to encourage local staff and volunteers in their ministries. Their love for all of the U.S.-based FSU staff is evident through their integral and generous giving of time, talent and treasure. The couple has also helped with the effort to launch Young Life ministry in the Baltics.

Dale has also worked with Young Life’s development team to evaluate the complicated process of funding international countries and help with expatriate tax issues for staff serving overseas. Dale has specifically assisted in the search for camp properties in several of the Former Soviet states and in the development of Pioneer, Young Life’s new camp in Armenia.

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PASSAGES

J.D. Gibbs

By Jeff Chesemore

february 21, 1969 – January 11, 2019 The mission has lost a dear friend with the passing of J.D. Gibbs. A member of Young Life’s Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2016, J.D. entered his Savior’s presence on January 11, 2019, after a courageous battle with a degenerative neurological disease.

J.D. was involved with Young Life since the late ’80s; he was active in club while growing up in northern Virginia.

At Young Life he learned what it meant to walk in a relationship with Jesus.

After college, he and his wife, Melissa, were volunteer leaders at Myers Park High School in Charlotte from 1992 to 1996. He was a faithful committee member, donor and, most recently, committee chair for Young Life Greater Lake Norman in North Carolina.

His commitment to Young Life, not to mention his church and other organizations, is even more remarkable when considering his professional demands. After attending The College of William and Mary, J.D. joined his father, Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Joe Gibbs, to help launch the NASCAR team of Joe Gibbs Racing in 1992. He became president of JGR in 1997, and eventually the co-chairman.

Moose Valliere, Young Life’s national committee trainer and J.D.’s best friend, paid him this tribute:

“I met J.D. when I was 13, playing Babe Ruth baseball. He was a pitcher, I was the catcher.

We struck up a solid friendship that continued on through high school, college and all the way to the day he passed away. J.D. was the first kid I ever met who had a relationship with Jesus, and it was obvious. Though I was not a believer at the time, J.D. always loved and reached out to me. He’s the number one reason I ended up giving my life to Jesus as a high school junior. His example and friendship made it so easy for me to believe that God could love me. J.D. was not just my best friend, but my brother. While I’m heartbroken he has passed, my heart is filled to overflowing knowing he is with our Savior — the same Savior we prayed to time and again throughout life. God bless you, dear friend, and enjoy heaven. See you someday soon, brother."

J.D. is survived by his wife, Melissa, their four boys, Jackson, Miller, Jason and Taylor; his parents, Joe and Pat Gibbs; and his brother, Coy, and family. More details about his Legacy Fund, which provides support for 1) every kid to hear the gospel, and 2) a capital campaign for Windy Gap, can be found at jdgibbslegacy.com.

Bob broyles

By Marty McCarty

December 6, 1935 – January 3, 2019 Bob Broyles, known as the founder of Military Community Youth Ministries (MCYM)/Club Beyond, passed away in January at the age of 83. He was a man who exuded Jesus with his smile and the way he authentically lived life.

Broyles joined Young Life staff in 1967, opening up the Monterey, California Peninsula where he met Jim and Barbara Meredith, who initially helped him begin the work there. After going to Salzburg, Austria, in the early ’70s with Young Life International, in 1978-79 he was approached by chaplains he had met years prior at Fort Ord in California, and asked to provide youth ministry to U.S. military teens.

In July 1980, Broyles invited the leaders of Young Life and Youth for Christ to discuss the idea of a joint ministry to

21

military youth. The meeting formed the groundwork for MCYM, and Broyles was over the moon: “It was a history-making event for it was the first instance in which these two global ministries agreed to work together, in partnership, on a national and international scale ... All present felt the movement of the Holy Spirit as we stood at the conclusion of the meeting, hand in hand, praying for God’s blessing upon this new, dramatic undertaking.”

Bob Broyles loved Jesus, family, friends and teenagers. He knew the importance of introducing all teenagers, and specifically military teens, to Jesus, the One “beyond” the uncertainties all teens face.

YOUNG LIFE SPOKEN HERE

YOUNG LIFE’S MISSION IN

COLOMBIA

EST. 2008

Colombia offers a beautiful landscape of rainforests, the Andes Mountains and numerous coffee plantations. For years the country was in a constant state of turmoil caused by drug trade and violence. Yet during this time, in 1981, a teenager became involved with Young Life in neighboring Peru. This teenager eventually became a pastor in Bogotá, Colombia, and spent years sharing his vision of Young Life. In 2008 this vision captured the heart of Alejandro Maldonado, his wife, Andrea, and seven other leaders. Today Maldonado is the Young Life country director in Colombia.

Bogotá

Currently, Young Life Colombia is in five cities and has ministries to kids through YoungLives and Capernaum as well. Kids who for years were recruited by violent guerrilla groups are now learning about their invitation into a personal relationship with Jesus. Young Life Colombia is hoping to turn the tide of the nation with the love of God. “We dream that these kids will stop being the ‘unreached’ and become the Christian leaders of a new Colombia; one that will lead others to talk less about our country’s drug trafficking and more about who Jesus is and the miracle of His grace for youth,” says Maldonado.

BY THE NUMBERS

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Volunteers Alejandro Maldonado and his wife, Andrea.

330

Kids in club weekly

5,910

Kids reached in Colombia this past year 22

NONPROFIT ORG. PRSRT STD POSTAGE & FEES

PAID

PERMIT #209 COLO. SPGS., CO

P.O. Box 520 Colorado Springs, CO 80901 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

While John is serving overseas, his teenagers navigate the challenges of fear for their dad, making new friends and figuring out who they are in their ever-changing world.

Knowing caring adults invest in his kids while he is away, John gives sacrificially to Club Beyond.

Young Life Military

Hero Fund

Now you can double John's gift by investing in the Hero Fund. The Hero Fund will match every dollar an active-duty service member contributes to Club Beyond.

TO DOUBLE YOUR GIFT, GO TO ... https://giving.younglife.org/herofund For more information, email info@military.younglife.org