Relationships Spring 2012

Relationships SPRING 2012

An up-close look at the Young Life Celebration. pg. 3 Jonah Werner: A voice of hope and help to kids and adults. pg. 11 The “anatomy” of a Young Life committee. pg. 15

CONTENTS LOVE AT WORK IN A LANDFILL Young Life Military kids provide (and receive) hope as they care for a hurting villiage.

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FEATURE

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FORGING BONDS IN BALTIMORE A Young Life leader’s call to connect “coaches” with “players.”

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YOUNG LIFE GAVE ME A VOICE An interview with singer/songwriter/speaker Jonah Werner.

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THE ANATOMY OF COMMITTEE The form and function of volunteer committees that support local ministry.

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RECLAIMING A LOST ART Young Life College at the University of Minnesota.

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WORTH THE WAIT One teen’s slow and simple journey to Christ, and the leader who showed the way.

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THE ASC2012 YOUNG LIFE CELEBRATION

A look at four joyous days spent commemorating what God is doing throughout the mission.

EVERY ISSUE

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From the President Young Life Lite In Your Own Words From the Grapevine Parting Shots

ABOUT THE COVER Joy flowed freely at the Young Life Celebration in Orlando, Fla. Mike “Ash” Ashburn, special assistant to the president, temporarily became special assistant to Michael Crofton, a Young Life Capernaum friend, who captured hearts through his story and humor. In perhaps the shortest club talk ever, Michael shared the Gospel in four poignant lines: “Jesus suffered. He died for you. On the third day, He arose. He wants to be in your heart.”

Photo by Kellie Warren-Underwood

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For more on the Celebration from Denny Rydberg and others, check out pages 2-5!

FROM THE PRESIDENT AMAZING!

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attendance. We invited some volunteers and committee people he best seats I ever had at a basketball game were during to represent the 35,000 volunteers in our mission. We invited 200 the years I coached middle-school kids. Courtside. Up close investors to represent the 175,000 people who give yearly to the to the action. But in February, I had seats almost as good. work. But the vast majority of the 4,000 were staff and spouses, A friend invited me to one of the great rivalries in college hoops: and we tried to give them the best four days of their lives. It Duke vs. North Carolina at the “Dean Dome” in Chapel Hill. He was “truly amazing” to have the halls and meeting rooms filled already had four good seats and he had been given four more with men and women who were committed to the same thing: great ones — courtside, just a few feet away from where Dick introducing kids to Jesus Christ Vitale and the rest of the ESPN and helping them grow in crew were sitting. Eight of us their faith. About 1,500 came went to the game. Four had the in a few days early to attend great seats for the first half; four one of our pre-conferences had those seats for the second.

(International, Urban and The outcome of the game, for Multicultural, Small Towns, any of you interested, was a oneYoung Life Capernaum, point win for Duke on literally a Young Life Military, Young last-second three-point shot by a Life College, and YoungLives). cool freshman guard over a 7-foot Then the rest arrived and the senior that left the home-team celebration began! On the first fans stunned. Amazing! morning, we kicked it off with I say “amazing” but it the presentation of the flags wouldn’t be amazing to you if of the nations. Seventy-seven you didn’t see the game from countries were represented my viewpoint. It might have where we are currently doing been “pretty amazing” if you had Young Life, plus another 13 watched on television. And it countries where we will soon could have been “semi-amazing” be reaching out to kids. So if you had listened to the 90 flags were marched to broadcast on the radio. It would the front and placed for the have been “somewhat amazing” if you had viewed the highlights a “It was ‘truly amazing’ to have the halls and duration of the conference by few minutes after the game and meeting rooms filled with men and women representatives from each of these countries. That in itself “slightly interesting” if you read who were committed to the same thing: was enough to take your breath the report the next morning in the paper or online. But you would introducing kids to Jesus Christ and helping away and bring tears to your eyes. As the days continued, we have had to be there to really them grow in their faith.” were inspired by two speakers understand how amazing it was. from outside the mission — Tim Keller and Francis Chan — and So now I’m going to do the impossible. I’m going to tell informed and inspired by fellow staffers. We listened to stories you about an amazing series of events that occurred in Florida of kids. We prayed together. We laughed uproariously (including a in January and most of you weren’t there. I’m hoping you might bit of stand-up comedy by a lover of Young Life, Jeff Foxworthy). catch my enthusiasm. It all began with a weeklong training We worshipped. We attended seminars. We played. We rested. event that involved three important classes taking place in St. We spent time meeting new and old friends and sharing what Augustine: New Staff Training, with 178 bright and enthusiastic God had been doing in our lives and in the lives of kids. And by the new recruits; Winter Training (222 strong), for those in their first time the four days were over and the 90 flags recessed, we were two years on staff studying in one of two seminary classes — ready to go forward, recommitted to pursue kids for Jesus’ sake Pastoral Counseling or Systematic Theology; and Area Director and passionate about our initiative to reach two million kids a School (101 men and women), for those who had finished two year by 2016. years on staff and were taking the next step in their Young Life I wish you could have been there. It was amazing. And a journeys. We value both training and seminary education highly in bunch of us had front-row seats! our mission and these staff members were seriously engaged in becoming better equipped to minister to adolescents.

When the training sessions were over, the action moved to Denny Rydberg Orlando for our “once every four years” Young Life Celebration (formerly known as the All Staff Conference), with nearly 4,000 in Young Life President 2 / SPRING 2012

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Left: Tony- and Grammyaward-winning artist, Heather Headley, brings the crowd to its feet with her rendition of “In Christ Alone.” Near right: lifting up requests in the prayer room; Far right: Francis Chan passionately shares on the importance of being in the Word; Below, center: the entire conference takes over SeaWorld for the evening.

“The Celebration profoundly inspired and challenged my wife, Melena, and me. We are so proud to be associated with the mission of Young Life and amazed by the ways God is reaching all kinds of kids from all over the world with the Good News.

Tim Keller’s statement that ‘all life-changing love is sacrificial’ has lingered in our minds. We left wanting more of Christ, more of His people and more of Denny’s dance moves with Team Tito!”

— Todd Madonna, area director, West Chester, Pennsylvania

YOUNG LIFE CELEBRATION

A CLOSER LOOK AT ASC2012

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“This was one of the most overwhelming, exciting events in my life. I was also overwhelmed by the sheer size of the Celebration. Worshipping the Lord in song with a group of people five times the size of my community’s population was a little taste of heaven. I felt the Word doing surgery on my heart as Francis Chan spoke and I was reminded that loving Jesus must be more important than ‘doing ministry.’ I loved meeting people from around the globe who share my passion for loving the lost, and seeing the flags of the nations entering the room brought tears of joy as I realized the breadth and depth of how the Lord is using Young Life worldwide.”

— Kim Kopp, administrative assistant, Galena, Alaska

Left to right: Leaders representing the 77 countries where we have Young Life, and the 13 countries where we soon will, proudly display their country flags in the opening procession; Ellie and Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors perform in concert; a Mears bus is revealed right before an entire convoy would transport all 3,945 attendees to SeaWorld; Daniel Sanders, Tim Toy and Shelley Sadler, a.k.a. “Team Tito,” dressed to the nines for their “off, off Broadway” number; the prayers of thousands eventually reveal a 32-foot-long prayer mosaic.

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“This was an amazing week of hearing from the Lord, great worship and speakers, and seeing a ton of friends! I left the Celebration with John 15:11 on my heart: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” I left feeling full ... overflowing. The worship was incredible! The presence of the Lord was so evident in our sessions! The speakers left people on fire for their communities and communities we aren’t even a part of yet! They left me challenged to live the Word! Seeing friends and hearing of the Lord’s work around the world was amazing! I left feeling a part of a mission that is bigger than I could have ever imagined. I loved seeing the leaders of this mission spirit-filled and laying out the vision for what the Lord is doing. If I could imagine what the kingdom of God will look like, it would be this week!”

— Thomas Hale, chef, Rockbridge

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“Thank you all for an excellent Young Life conference in Orlando.

I was blessed, encouraged, and strengthened by the messages and seminars. It was my first time to come to the USA and meet different people who do Young Life. This helped me so much and I thank the organizers and do thank God. Be blessed.”

— Patson Mpofu, Young Life Zimbabwe director

THE YOUNG LIFE CELEBRATION BY 1 mission THE NUMBERS! 4 days

3,945 participants 2 hotels 1,999 hotel rooms used 1 bus parked in the general session room 72,000 square feet in the general session room 160 bus trips to and from SeaWorld 2,000 tiles in the Prayer Mosaic 10,628 individual items sold at The Young Life Store 82,418 tweets on Twitter (and still counting!)

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Countless memories

“The Celebration is one of the best reunions I’ve ever been to. We’re just amazed and so honored to be included and get to be here with some of the people we respect most in the world. I think Drew said it incredibly well last night, ‘How different would the world be if these 4,000 people weren’t here?’“ SPRING 2012 / 5

— Ellie Holcomb, musician

Top: Dr. Timothy Keller, speaks on the transforming message of the Gospel; Jeff Foxworthy “brings the funny” at SeaWorld; divisional dinners on the last night provide even more magical memories to take home.

YOUNG LIFE LITE

By Stacy Windahl

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efore there was club or a pie tin filled with shaving they loved watching him laugh at his own story. To this cream — before there were leaders in white vinyl day, Mitchell’s not sure if Rayburn ever knew how much jumpsuits and wigs — even before there was an they laughed over Rayburn enjoying his own humor. organization called Young Life, there was laughter. And in But the humor that characterizes Young Life isn’t 1940, at Jim Rayburn’s tent meetings in Dallas, Texas, there only because of Rayburn. “Scripture is full of humor,” was laughter, much of it erupting from Rayburn himself.

Mitchell asserted. “Though Jesus was a man of sorrows Bob Mitchell, Young Life’s third president serving from 1977 and acquainted with grief, He wasn’t grim or grumpy. to 1986, attended those first meetings led by Young Life’s You know why we know that? Because kids wanted to founder and he remembers Rayburn’s humor as something be around Him.” that attracted him to the man and his message.

For more than 70 years of ministry, Young Life has “It was a very serious time,” Mitchell recalled. “The loved a good joke or a skit, because humor breaks through country was entering a the defenses that hide world war. Humor wasn’t kids’ hearts. Humor in part of the church — not Young Life is regarded part of the deal. Rayburn as a powerful tool introduced something commanding respect. quite unusual. As a Humor can heal or harm.

13-year-old kid, that Cutting, cynical humor has attracted me to Jim.” no place in the mission. At And so Mitchell and his its best, Young Life humor friends sat transfixed, is never at the expense nearly afraid to laugh, as of the kids we seek to Rayburn described the serve, but at the expense wedding at Cana. “Do of ourselves. you know how you make What explains wine?” Rayburn asked the willingness of grown the crowd of a thousand. men and women to wear “Of course, none of us lederhosen and wool kneehad a clue,” said Mitchell. highs or platform boots And Rayburn went on to and spandex? Really, what explain how Jesus turned self-respecting adult brackish, Texas well-water does that? Only someone into the finest wine people so certain of his Godhad ever tasted — without given dignity that he “Scripture is full of humor. Though Jesus was a a vine, a vineyard, a press would risk the derision of or even a grape. Rayburn kids just to share a few man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, He used humor and absurdity wasn’t grim or grumpy. You know why we know moments of hilarity with in biblical accounts to them. And sometimes that? Because kids wanted to be around Him.” introduce kids to the leaders crack themselves — Bob Mitchell, above right, former club kid, staff wonder of Jesus Christ. up in the process. But and president of Young Life Rayburn also loved it’s more likely they crack a good joke, and his humor, unlike the situational humor themselves open, laughing at their own foolishness with familiar in Young Life today, derived from them. He loved the hope that even one kid would glimpse the freedom his jokes so much he’d make himself laugh in the telling of Christ’s love, and experience the laughter that of them. Mitchell recalls people around Rayburn in fits of theologian Karl Barth described, “as the closest laughter, not because his joke was so funny, but because thing to the grace of God.”

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IN YOUR OWN WORDS Our readers share their thoughts MY GREATEST GIFT In December of 1955, I was brought to my first Young Life club at North Dallas High School. I was wearing a motorcycle jacket and boots, escorted by two football players sporting their North Dallas orange-and-white letter jackets. The room became silent as everyone turned to see who was coming in. I was very nervous and embarrassed. After the usual songs and club minutes, the leader stood up and said, “Christmas is just about here. Tonight I’m going to talk to you about the gift that comes with the giver.” I thought, “That’s crazy. If someone is going to give me a gift, why do I have to take him home as well?” As the leader continued, I discovered the gift was Eternal Life and the Giver was Jesus Christ. You can’t have one without the other. He is my greatest gift.

— Michael Escalante, North Dallas High, Class of 1958 (also area director for Young Life Campaign, Mexico City, Mexico 1965 – 1966)

STEPS OF FAITH I just read a newsletter about a woman who sat on her steps listening to club at her home, and then years later her son became involved with Young Life. I loved this story so much and wanted to share that it’s not just young people who sit on the stairs listening to club and learning to love the Lord. It’s also parents who are listening and come to Christ through the clubs, or older siblings in the household who think Young Life is not their thing. While I’ve considered myself a Christian for most of my life, I’ve sat on those steps or hovered near the door listening for years since my daughter Brooks West (now Davidson) started in high school, and now is interning in Kent Island, Md. I’ve learned through Young Life new meanings of what a Christian is and how to approach those who do not know Christ. Young Life is a Godsend to even those of us who sit on steps and listen.

— Peggy West, Fredericksburg, Va.

T-SHIRTS AND TEACHINGS I recently attended Lake Champion, and learned so much through the program. I even got a T-shirt with the logo, that’s how much I love it. I learned about God’s love for us, and what He did for us on the cross. I have accepted Jesus as my personal savior, and seeing that change in other people’s lives was amazing. I was so happy people went there not knowing who God is, and left knowing His purpose. We learned God not only loves us, but He is powerful. Power and love are two great things to have. Without love, Jesus wouldn’t show us how much He cares for us, and without power, we would have no direction. I am so happy and thankful, and I will spread the word by wearing my T-shirt, and teaching others about God’s amazing purpose. Thank you, Young Life.

— Adele Good, 17, Litiz, Pa.

is a publication of Young Life, a mission devoted to introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. younglife.org P.O. Box 520 Colorado Springs, CO 80901

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If you’re receiving duplicate copies of Relationships 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.

Publisher/President Denny Rydberg Executive Editor Terry Swenson Lead Editor Jeff Chesemore Coordinator Donna McKenzie

Copy Editor Jessica Williams Lead Designer Jason O’Hara Illustrator Luke Flowers Contributing Photographer Kellie WarrenUnderwood

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

Love at Work in a Landfill

By Jeff Chesemore

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ast summer, high-school kids and leaders from Young Life’s Club Beyond ministry at the Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, joined 300 other kids from European military installations for a weeklong service project in Romania.

Dave Kanelos, community director for Young Life Military at Incirlik, said, “Our group worked in a very poor gypsy village called Pata Rat, built on a landfill where the gypsy (Roma) families make their living by picking recyclable materials from the landfill. Most of the families live in shacks surrounded by piles of garbage without running water or bathrooms inside.”

Amid these bleak surroundings, the team provided daily sports activities and Vacation Bible School for about 100 children. While language was a barrier, nothing could stop the students from sharing God’s love with the gypsy children. They connected with the children through songs and games, skits and food, laughs and hugs. The team also left the children with a physical symbol of the Lord’s love for them.

In the middle of the village, the team tore through the landfill to build the children a playground. “It was incredibly difficult to dig through the layers and layers of trash in order to pour cement foundations,” Kanelos said,

YOUNG LIFE MILITARY KIDS PROVIDE (AND RECEIVE) HOPE AS THEY CARE FOR A HURTING VILLAGE.

but watching the children swing and climb on the finished product made it all worth it. The playground became an oasis in the middle of this landfill-town.

The week in Romania was chock-full of teachable moments for the Incirlik kids. Realizing their own living conditions were something they took for granted, the teens’ hearts broke for the families living in Pata Rat. “This trip was a complete eye opener for me when I saw the conditions the people lived in,” Trevor, a 10th-grader said.

“And my trust in God was boosted when He constantly responded to our prayers for the playground.”

Briana agreed. “This trip brought me closer to God and it made me want to stop complaining about where I live. These kids lived in a dump and seeing their faces light up when they knew they had a new playground was incredible.”

The playground became a symbol of hope for everyone in the village that day. Quentin said, ”I could see all the little children’s eyes light up when a small diamond amongst the coal was built and they could play on a playground for the first time in their life.”

To learn more about Young Life’s ministry to military kids, go to younglife.org and click on Young Life Military.

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Forging Bonds in Baltimore

By Chris Lassiter

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A Young Life leader’s call to connect “coaches” with “players.”

rny Arnold doesn’t have a whistle, clipboard or even a pair of polyester shorts.

He does, however, have a game plan. And the term “coach” most certainly applies.

The area director for Young Life Baltimore Urban — whose father just happened to play for legendary UCLA hoops coach John Wooden — Arnold is teaching young men in Baltimore’s inner city how to win at the game of life.

It was actually Wooden, the Wizard of Westwood, who convinced Arnold’s father to enroll in seminary after his dad came to Christ in a Bible study led by Campus Crusade for Christ Founder Bill Bright.

Sure that he would never follow his father’s footsteps into the ministry, Arnold nonetheless ended up becoming a youth pastor. After a decade in Florida, he moved to serve in a ministry in the Sandtown community in Baltimore in 1997.

Arnold was an occasional Young Life club kid in high school. As a youth pastor, he had patterned his ministry after the Young Life model. Upon arriving in Baltimore, Arnold and his pastor, a former Young Life staff person, began looking for someone to start Young Life in their community.

“It was a two-year process,” said Arnold, who came on staff in 2005. “A couple of people fell through. I was wanting it more and more. Finally, the pastor said, ‘Arny, why don’t you do it?’ I didn’t really fit the profile I was looking for, but I was open to it. I already had relationships with all these kids and the vision of Arny Arnold, a man with a heart for teenagers in the hardest parts of Baltimore, leads kids through more than just the rapids seen here.

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what needed to happen.”

As Arnold began spending more time in the neighborhood, he realized the kids’ needs were as large as Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

“Kids didn’t have the support systems in their lives to do things like pass classes and get jobs; there were just so many things they needed in addition to the Gospel message,” Arnold said. “I just felt like every one of these kids needed their own Young Life leader.”

Over the next year, Arnold set out to make that thought a reality.

“I said, ‘What if I ask 10 men that I know to commit to an intensive, long-term relationship with 10 kids? We’d set up a breakfast that helps that relationship start and blossom over time. That’s really how it started. We weren’t doing it more than a few weeks before I felt like, ‘Man, we‘re really on to something.’”

The breakfast club

That original 10 Arnold was hoping for has turned into 70 coach-player tandems. Once a week, the “players” all meet up with their “coaches.” Arnold connected one such player, Josh — whose story of struggle and fatherlessness was an all-too-familiar tale — with a coach, a middle-aged successful businessman named George Santos.

The gathering usually takes place in the cafeteria of Morgan State University or Coppin State University, two of Baltimore’s famous historically black colleges.

Arnold (back row, third from left) hanging with his friends at camp.

George Santos and Josh bond through the breakfast club.

Arnold (center in red shirt) and the Baltimore kids enjoying their time at Lake Champion.

Arnold implemented three core principles that he tries problems that plague many of America’s inner cities. to accomplish in each weekly breakfast club meeting.

During the year Arnold was starting Urban Young Life The first is connecting. For the first 20 minutes, the in Baltimore, the city recorded more than 10,000 violent coach and the player exchange high points and low points of crimes and 6,000 automobile thefts. Only Detroit recorded the week over eggs and orange juice. more murders.

The second part of the weekly gathering is competition.

This was the community that Josh — 13 at the time he This portion brings the Young Life-club feel to each first met Arnold — was trying to navigate. The television meeting. Josh and his coach were always middle-of-thedrama The Wire — based on life in inner-city Baltimore — pack in the competitions. can’t begin to tell the But the contests were only “Kids didn’t have the support systems in full story. partly about winning. It “To be honest, it’s their lives to do things like pass classes and helped the two guys from really tough here,” said Josh, get jobs, there were just so many things now 17. “It’s worse than The completely different worlds forge a bond.

Wire. It’s hard growing up they needed in addition to the Gospel The final part of the message. I just felt like every one of these here. People don’t really meeting is contemplation. have much, and you’ve got kids needed their own Young Life leader.” to work to get yours.”

It’s the part of the meeting where the Gospel is shared At first, the — Arny Arnold through various means. relationship between “We try to do something every week that allows the Josh and Santos was a little awkward. With each passing coach and the player to interact with each other deeper, breakfast, however, the relationship has grown closer than beyond just fun and games,” Arnold said. “We want them to either guy ever thought possible. contemplate about life, about relationships, about God, and “Our relationship is great,” Josh said. “In the beginning, about who they are.” it was kind of weird, ‘cause I didn’t really know him. Now, Those Wednesday morning meetings quickly became a he’s like a father figure. He’s always there when I need him, highlight of Josh’s week. like a father would be.”

“It’s cool,” the Baltimore teen said. “We get together Santos said getting involved with Baltimore Young Life and talk about being leaders, what’s right and what’s Urban “was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made” and wrong, and we talk about Christ.” he’s not sure who benefits most from the relationship.

This unique approach is Young Life at its very core: “He’s spent the night numerous times, and my kids contact work, fun and proclamation. The “breakfast club” know him,” Santos said of Josh. “Right now, he’s family. He’s is an example of Young Life remaining true to its mission really trying to do what is right. He’s been a great example while engaging kids in relevant and creative ways. to me.”

Santos heard a quote from a friend that summed up Different worlds come together the work going on in Baltimore perfectly.

The Sandtown community in west Baltimore is often “If you change the trajectory of an ocean liner just two associated with former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood degrees, the landing point of that ship is radically different,” Marshall and jazz greats Cab Calloway and Billie Holiday.

Santos recalled. “I hope that by hanging out with Josh once Unfortunately, it’s now more associated with the a week I’m able to have a big impact on his life.”

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By Jeff Chesemore

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onah Werner is a thoughtful, joyful, transparent artist who brings these qualities to his music. A world traveler who often plays in theaters and churches, he spends most of his time playing for kids in Young Life. Since beginning his music career at Young Life’s Trail West in Colorado 15 years ago, he’s played 26 monthlong assignments (more than two years of his life) at Young Life camps, 25 work weeks and more than 150 weekend camps.

For his passion, commitment, and faithfulness, Jonah Werner was honored with the Camp Musician Award at the Young Life Celebration in January. There, I sat down with him to hear more about his story, his ministry to kids and how he’s helping areas with their fund-raising needs.

Share about some of your Young Life history …

In high school, I went to club at the Buena Vista (Colorado) roller rink, where we played old school Young Life games like “chubby bunny.” My heart was stirred, because this was the first time I equated Jesus with fun! Even though I grew up hearing this message, when my leader, Dave Gibson, told the story of Jesus, I would listen as if for the first time.

I went to Woodleaf as a freshman where Marty Caldwell was speaking and Kevin Delaney was playing music. When Kevin sang, it connected with my heart in a way nothing ever had, and as Marty spoke, the message of Jesus knocked me over like a ton of bricks and I wanted Jesus in my life for real! I also went to Frontier Ranch as much as I could. I think my friends and I probably hold the record for most weekend work crews at Young Life camp! We were there every weekend of high school. We wanted a different life than this world we were living in.

When I interned at Trail West (Young Life’s family camp in Colorado) in 1997, the camp musician got sick and I said, “I’ll do it!” Somehow, by God’s mercy and grace, they gave me a chance. So I can say, “Young Life gave me a voice.” I sang that week and the rest of the summer and SPRING 2012 / 11

it changed my life. Now I’m experiencing the good stuff of my family’s involvement in this beautiful thing. Young Life is now my wife Ruthie’s family as well. And to see my kids have Young Life people come alongside them is a dream come true. I still play ticketed shows and I tour after I release albums. I still play churches and I still lead worship, but ultimately I tell people my ministry and career is “playing music for high school kids.”

How do you earn the right to be heard with kids at camp unfamiliar with you or your music?

Musicians are placed upon pedestals, but also dissected and criticized. My strategy with kids is just like any Young Life leader: to break down walls. With guys, I try to impress them early on with my guitar skills. With girls, I try to speak about the heart. But, the goal is to be vulnerable and share myself. By the end of the week, I hope they no longer see the flashiness, but just a kid like them. Someone who’s been hurt but also redeemed, and hopefully they’ll want to know that redemption.

Are there certain songs that particularly resonate with them?

It’s always the songs that ask the deep questions and rarely songs that have the answers, because kids want to find the answers on their own. I have a song, “Rescue Me,” which basically says we’re all in need of rescue — is there anyone or anything out there that can rescue me? “All We Want is Love” resonates with kids and adults because that’s what we all want; when kids hear a song like that, it helps usher in the question, “Where can I find this love?”

Some other themes in your music are joy, searching, nature, playfulness. Why these themes?

Those are all bullet points of my story. I care as much about being a storyteller as a technical guitar player, singer or lyricist, because we connect in story. Those themes are the part of my story I think also represent others’ stories

and perhaps draw out Jesus. So for me, nature is a place where I see God and the evidence of God, which is why if you go to Malibu, all you have to do is sit there and you see God. It’s cool that you use the word “playfulness” because a lot of people don’t associate playfulness with God and the fact that Jesus wants me to be playful and have adventure.

That makes me want to follow and know Him. I’m a little boy at heart. I was made to play. I want kids to know it’s OK to be a kid.

What’s involved in your upcoming service project in Thessaloniki, Greece?

Students in international schools are required to volunteer for a week every year and Young Life engages these kids by offering a service project which meets the requirement. So, we take about 200 kids into a community that’s broken, usually war torn, often lifeless and hopeless. And we restore schools with bright yellow, red, green and blue paint, and we hold children and play soccer with them. We bring restoration to orphanages by taking the dingy floors out and putting in new ones. Ultimately, what students get to see is a glimmer of hope brought into hopeless lives. Then we ask the teens, “Where do you see hopelessness in your lives?” I love that it’s a twofold approach to ministry, where we can care for a community and then do Young Life club at night for the teens. Here we all see Jesus lived out every day and then we connect the dots at night. At first, many students go just to meet the requirement, but by the end, even these kids say it was the best week of their lives.

Werner embracing the role of “unnecessary villain” in the Young Life Celebration program.

Please share more about your availability to serve Young Life areas at their banquets and fundraisers.

Young Life is what drew me into God’s bigger story for my life. My goal is to see people drawn into God’s bigger story for their lives and realize their calling. I love to speak and sing at Young Life banquets, because I love adults. While they may have their career and family, I’m certain many have not found their place in God’s bigger story for their life. So God’s given me a heart to unabashedly and unapologetically champion people into that. I love to see walls come down and people inspired. My motto is, “Get people to do something.” If you want something that is a little out of the box and changes up the feel of your banquet, I come in as a professional musician and speaker saved through Young Life and I share my story, talk about the needs of the area and weave music in throughout. The change can be a shot in the arm for an area and the feedback is usually, “Wow, that was refreshing.”

To learn more about Jonah Werner’s music or to book him for your next banquet or fundraiser, you can go to his website, jonahwerner.com or email him at jonahwerner@gmail.com.

Werner plays guitar while being accompanied on percussion by his younger brother, Aaron, area director in Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Jonah Werner is one of thousands of alumni still closely connected to Young Life. To visit the Alumni and Friends website, join, update your information and reconnect with your Young Life friends, go to alumniandfriends.younglife.org.

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FROM THE GRAPEVINE A fruitful selection of stories from the field

Calling Out for William

By Suzanne Williams

On the night of Oct. 1, a friend texted me to ask if after seeing/hearing Michael’s love for his friend and a boy named William was one of our Capernaum realizing that maybe tonight Michael would learn friends. I replied back with an excited “yes,” thinking he, too, is worth it; that if anything ever happened she’d met William or his family somewhere, but her to him people would canvas the streets because he follow-up text said, “Check Channel 4 news; he’s is loved that much. After five hours of searching, been missing for close to three hours.” I immediately William was found! There was joy and celebration logged on to the news, called his mom, and alerted in the streets of Nashville unlike I’ve ever seen. friends, family and Young Life leaders to be praying Surrounding William and his family, there were for William. But I was pastors, school principals, discontent. My husband, friends, family members, Christopher, was out of neighbors, college students, town, Hudson was sleeping Young Life leaders, and folks soundly in his crib and I who had never heard William’s wanted to be walking the name before 4:45 p.m. that streets of Nashville looking evening, coming off the for William. A couple streets to celebrate that he on the local committee had been found. called and asked if they I drove home beaming could come and stay with from ear to ear, continually Hudson so I could look — it thanking Jesus that William didn’t take long for me was safe and home. I couldn’t to answer. help but think this night was Within 30 minutes, I another beautiful picture joined the police, walking of the Gospel and what up and down streets, Young Life is all about. We around buildings, in hear about a kid in need, and out of restaurants, a kid who’s lost or a kid while exchanging texts who’s lonely, and we drop and phone calls with a everything to run and find handful of our leaders. that kid. We disregard cost, It wasn’t long before we efficiency, time, other things realized there were literally on our to-do lists, the allure of hundreds of others doing throwing on a pair of sweats the same thing ... all for a and watching a movie while 14-year-old boy with Down hoping someone else will find Syndrome who had been that kid … to run out, canvas William (left) and his loyal friend, Michael. lost in the dark streets the streets, walk mile after of the Vanderbilt area for mile, calling out their name close to four hours. to show kids they are loved and worth every We were coming around a building when I second of our time. heard the voice of another Capernaum friend, I’m thankful for those who continue to believe Michael, screaming from his mom’s car. As they rode in the mission of Young Life and cheer us to run around with their top down, Michael’s voice echoed after lost kids who need to hear the voice of the through the streets, “WIIIILLLLIAAMMMMMMM …

One calling out their name. I’m so grateful ... and WILLLLLLIIAAAMMMMM.” I couldn’t help but smile, so is William.

SPRING 2012 / 13

For Kids, By Kids

By Leslie Montgomery

Young Life was flourishing at Flower Mound High School, located just north of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, and after a momentous experience at Young Life’s Crooked Creek Ranch (in Colorado) over the summer, local staff and kids were excited about what the fall had in store. Which is why it was difficult to understand when their dedicated leader stepped down from his teacher staff position.

Metro Director Scott Davis heard of the decision, and thought, “This must not be the year for Flower Mound High School Young Life.” Kids heard and decided to take initiative. At an annual pep rally before the first day of school, students gathered from local high schools. And rally is exactly what they did.

Over the next few weeks, students began praying.

They asked local area staff to help them find leaders, on the condition that they (as students) would continue to bring more kids to club and generate enthusiasm. What began as a group of a few kids, blossomed into dozens.

Just a few days later, 50 kids from Flower Mound High School showed up for an all-area club. In what staff now credit to prayer, a string of miracles and the determination of high-school students, the Lord has worked powerfully.

Within one week, without any prompting, three adults

Flower Mound High School flag football teams show their pride.

called staff member Dave Livengood and committed to leading at Flower Mound.

“It’s clear the Lord wanted this to happen,” said Davis, “And he used kids to accomplish it.” Team coordinator Jenn McDonald agreed. “Our kids are amazing. They wanted club. They made it happen, and they continue to make it their own.” With 10 student leaders also helping lead at “Flo Mo,” club has continued to thrive throughout the past months.

Most exciting for McDonald and area staff is what lies in the future. “I’m so excited about the diversity in our club, and the way the kids are getting to know one another. This has truly been a movement of the Spirit and kids.”

Burnet, Texas June 3-9 OR June 9-15: Camp Buckner near Michigan ale, Hillsd June 24-30: Michindoh near lope, Oregon Ante near h Ranc ly Fami n ingto July 7-13: Wash na Arizo ams, Willi near July 15-21: Lost Canyon New York , Spey Glen near pion Cham Lake Aug. 4-10:

or helping in other ways, go to younglives.younglife.org.

14 / SPRING 2012

The

Anatomy of Young Life Committee

THE HEAD

By Stacy Windahl

THE HEART

Young Life is a complex organization that derives its vitality from a far-reaching network of committees supporting it at the local level. More than 11,000 adults around the world are organized in area committees. Each has a slightly different look, unique strengths — and a few quirks, but committees everywhere share a common purpose. There are many ways to describe Young Life committees and the work they do.

One helpful analogy is that of the body.

THE STOMACH

THE HANDS

THE KNEES

SPRING 2012 / 15

The form and function of volunteer

committees that support local ministry.

The head Strategies for growth develop here. Under the leadership of a committee chairperson, a group of adults collaborates with the local and regional staff to introduce or sustain Young Life locally. The head is employed after engaging the knees. (See right.) High-functioning committees organize around the gifts and interests of those called to serve so members are not depleted by their involvement, but instead, energized and renewed.

Michael “Moose” Valliere, one of Young Life’s missionwide committee trainers, believes in asking committee members to write down what they would like to do. Equally important is their notation of what they do not want to do. Some people love to meet with donors, or speak in public. Others prefer to care for leaders or serve through prayer. “And then,” said Valliere, “we ask members to think through what serving in their particular sweet spot would look like. People want to know what their role is. They will rise to the occasion if we invite them to serve in a role they helped design.”

Valliere also stresses the importance of the committee chairperson. He says we too often choose that leader by default. Chairpersons should have passion, teachability and an understanding of the mission in order to encourage committees. “Young Life has been used by God to change the world. The vision I want them to have is this: In some small way God will use my gifts to impact someone who will one day impact their community and world.” Valliere said that helps members understand their piece of that puzzle.

The hands Organized with strategies for growth, committees apply themselves to the work of supporting the mission. Often, the hands are wrapped around fundamental tools of the trade. Some committee members keep a hand on spreadsheets and calculators, mindful of the area budget and the ebb and flow of donations, while others have their hands on cell phones and calendars; planning, inviting, and welcoming parents and other interested adults to banquets, golf outings and other Young Life events. Still others stretch their hands out to the community, introducing Young Life and speaking on its behalf to friends, neighbors, area churches and schools.

Though hands of Young Life committee are rarely still, committee members like Debbie Miller in eastern Loudoun County, Va., wouldn’t have it any other way. “I have been involved in committee for the past two years caring for leaders, working on the banquet committee, and praying for kids and staff. Because I was touched by Young Life in high school, I want my own children and their friends to have the same opportunity. It is the best investment of my time outside the home.”

The stomach The stomach is a vital organ to effective ministry. Young Life committees nourish the ministry by feeding its leaders.

Offering encouragement by way of notes or gas cards and, yes, a home-cooked meal, many groups form subcommittees centered on leader care. Milissa Spring, also of east Loudoun County, witnesses the labors of leaders in her area and is motivated to serve them in return. “Knowing how those leaders reach kids and show them what a life lived for Christ looks like, and how much they sacrifice for the privilege of doing that, makes my small contribution through service on committee a no-brainer.”

The knees If the knees are stiff and a little achy, it’s because the committee has been working out, exercising its greatest

privilege — prayer. Nothing is accomplished in Young Life ministry that isn’t first brought to the Lord in prayer. Kim Martin, committee member in Ohio’s Buckeye Region, believes the most effective way we can support our leaders is through prayer. “This is actually the request the leaders make the most. Young Life’s success is a reflection of God and the Holy Spirit working through others to bring the Gospel of our Lord Jesus to kids. Through prayer we are able to love and support our leaders in the best way possible.” Martin and a group of other women meet monthly to do the unseen work of effective committees.

The heart This is the engine of a Young Life committee. It functions in the same way the world over. And almost universally, it’s a shopworn part. It’s the heart of a committee that sees a kid shuffling through the school’s doors looking like the books in his backpack aren’t the only weight on his shoulders. And the heart remembers. It’s the heart of a committee that hears about an underage drinking party and understands the pressure to fit in, to be accepted at any cost. And the heart aches. It’s the heart of a committee that knows the uncertainty and loneliness of being a teenage kid — even in a crowd. And the heart breaks. But the heart is quickened by the hope of Christ that every committee member holds. And this heart resolves that as far as we are able, no teenage boy or girl will slip through the doors of adolescence into adulthood without knowing they’re created marvelously and loved extravagantly by a God whose heart beats for them.

If you are a member of committee — whether you’ve served for decades or a season of your life, please accept the grateful thanks of leaders and staff throughout the world. We stand because you stand beside us. And if you’ve ever wondered how you might support Young Life in your hometown as a committee member or friend, please contact your local Young Life office. There is a role for you to play that only you can fill.

YOUNG LIFE MINISTRY SUPPORT TEAM Like a double shot of espresso, the ministry support team provides a lift to committees, especially during busy seasons. Whether you call them ambassadors, boosters or friends, you can always call them invaluable sources of energy. Some friends serve in short-term commitments to organize a silent auction or provide a leader appreciation brunch. Others serve in loosely defined roles, as “advocates-at-large” endorsing Young Life in their spheres of influence.

The ministry support team doesn’t attend regular meetings, but most are willing to help with just a simple invitation. Even better is when they come up with an idea and bring it to life. Supporters Dan and Diane Rehor in Bay Village, Ohio, did just that when they organized the football-toss booth at the annual Bay Days celebration and designated Young Life as a recipient of its proceeds.

Their gift, which they downplay,

generated thousands of dollars for Young Life. “We don’t feel called

by God to give of our lives in daily ministry like Andy and Kristy (the staff couple in Bay Village, Ohio),” explained Diane Rehor. “But we see the difference Young Life has made in our son’s life. We believe in the difference Young Life can make in many teens’ lives. So we give a little of our time and our God-given gifts.”

Every committee knows there are no small gifts of time and energy.

16 / SPRING 2012

Reclaiming a Lost Art

To learn more about Young Life College, go to younglife.org and click on “Young Life College” in the drop-down menu.

Young Life College at the University of Minnesota.

By Travis Johnson and Jeff Chesemore

Editor’s Note: What follows is the third in a five-part series looking at the ministry of Young Life College at campuses across the United States and abroad.

“H

ospiltality is a lost art.” While many would agree with Tami Ostlund’s assessment on the health of hospitality, not many would go to the lengths she has to reclaim this art.

Ostlund serves as the Young Life College director at the University of Minnesota (U of M). Ostlund and her husband, Bill, live in St. Paul, one half of the Twin Cities, where Young Life College enjoys a solid presence on the campuses of the U of M, Bethel University, the University of St. Thomas, and Northwestern College.

The health of Young Life College at these schools is not an accident. In fact, the Ostlunds’ emphasis of welcoming college students into their lives is what attracts so many from the four different schools.

The Ostlunds have made it a point to embody a passage near and dear to their hearts, Romans 12:9-13 (NIV): “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need.

Practice hospitality.”

“When it says practice hospitality,” Ostlund said, “we’ve taken that very seriously.” So seriously, in fact, that the Ostlunds considered the purchase of a home a significant decision in helping to create a welcoming community. “We knew when we began ministry with college students that one of the ways we could most effectively build relationships with them was by inviting them into our home,” Ostlund said.

Tami Ostlund and Lauren Johnsen.

SPRING 2012 / 17

The renovated home, originally built as a school in 1914 by an Episcopal church, offers the Ostlunds an ideal refuge to care creatively for the many students involved in Young Life College.

Not only do they host club there every week, but they regularly serve dinner beforehand to the more than 100 students who come out. While it’s open for large groups coming in for club and other events, their home is also used as a daily sanctuary for weary students to come by and get refreshed. Centrally located in the community, one block away from the U of M and a 10-minute ride from the other area schools, the house also includes an apartment on the third floor, which the Ostlunds often rent out to local college students.

Having so many different facets of Young Life College in their home has fostered a family atmosphere. Students often drop in between classes to study, to nap, even share a meal. “To be in someone’s house with a home-cooked meal,” Ostlund said, “really gives them a picture of Christian community ... especially if they’re homesick. They miss their families. It’s an awesome way to break down walls and build relationships when we’re all sitting at the kitchen table with a big bowl of popcorn.”

Coming home

One grateful recipient of such warmth and generosity is Lauren Johnsen. Johnsen grew up in Bloomington, Minn., and when it came time to apply to college, she wanted to stay near her family. The U of M kept her close to home, and upon arriving on campus, she was excited to begin a new chapter of her life.

However, the growing workload and pressures of living on her

Lauren (far left) and Ostlund enjoying the deep friendships they share with others in their women’s small group.

Having fun in the Ostlunds’ home.

WHY YOUNG LIFE COLLEGE? •

Young Life College has produced more Young Life leaders in every area where it has been established. Therefore, Young Life College means a larger pool of college students from which to develop leaders for the mission of Young Life.

•

Young Life College extends Young Life’s outreach philosophy to a new group of students — those missed in middle school and high school.

•

Key ingredients within Young Life — friendship, adventure, fun and a sense of significance — are a natural draw for any college student, no matter where they are on their faith journey.

•

Young Life College provides new opportunities for staff and volunteers who are gifted and passionate about serving college-age individuals.

•

Young Life College creates well-trained graduates deployed into the life of the church and toward long-term contribution in the mission of Young Life.

SOUTHERN DIVISION ACTIVE MINISTRY

MIDWEST SOUTHERNDIVISION DIVISION

START UP MINISTRY — 2011-12 STARTUP TARGET SCHOOL

ACTIVE MINISTRY START UP MINISTRY — 2011-12 STARTUP SCHOOL own made her anxious and lonely. She lost sleep along with her TARGETexplain how it happened, but something clicked. It just felt right to appetite. “Things quickly took a different turn that I wasn’t ready me,” she said. for,” she said.

The following February, six months after first attending Young While adjusting to Johnsen’s new surroundings, new Life College, Johnsen’s grandmother passed away. The day after, roommates, and the energy and pressure of college life, Johnsen Johnsen found herself in her grandmother’s bedroom and realized learned her grandmother had been diagnosed with cancer. The her grandmother’s devotion to Christ was something she wanted news only pressed Johnsen into deeper sadness. “I didn’t really for herself. Ostlund received the news over a simple email from know where to turn,” she said.

Johnsen: “I started a relationship with Jesus.”

On a particularly low day, a friend invited Johnsen to have Today, Johnsen continues to thrive in the environment of lunch with her and some friends she had made at Young Life love and acceptance she found in Young Life College. “Lauren has College. Johnsen remembered friends in high school who had been the heart of a person who knows grace, knows the Lord, knows involved in Young Life, but she had never really had any interest forgiveness and is filled with joy,” said Ostlund. “She invites friends in it. “I didn’t want to hear about how I was sinning, or how I was to club and events and she’s a huge encourager.” living a bad life without God,” she said. “I didn’t want anyone In the year since giving her life to Christ, Johnsen has telling me I was living my life wrong, because I was living life the deepened her relationship with Jesus and her new family through way I wanted to.” High school, she remembered, was fraught with her involvement with her Wednesday night small group and cliques and judgmental peers. “I assumed any place I came to volunteering for work crew on several weekend trips at Castaway would be like [high school],” she said.

Club, Young Life’s camp in Minnesota.

What she found instead was a room full of open arms and “I can’t imagine being in school without Young Life College,” warm hearts. “It’s incredible how uplifting walking into a room of Johnsen said. “I’ve made such good friends. I know that whenever I kind people can be,” she said. One of the first people Johnsen met need anybody — to share excitement with, to share sadness with — was Ostlund. “She seemed ready for something else in her life,” those people are there for me.”

Ostlund remembered about Johnsen. “She was feeling pretty lost.”

As the school year progressed, Johnsen’s grandmother’s Open house … open homes health continued to deteriorate. Although Johnsen harbored many Not content to have the generosity just begin and end with her, negative feelings about Christianity, her grandmother was a Ostlund works hard to instill the vision and practice of hospitality woman of devout belief. “It was perplexing to me why she was so in the students who meet at her house every week for small group.

OK with dying,” Johnsen said.

“They are all there, every single week, and they love each other Johnsen took her questions to club and started emailing like crazy.”

Ostlund about issues of faith. “Lauren is a girl who, during the club One day these students, who “love each other like crazy” in talk, would actually take notes,” said Ostlund. “She would ask the the warmth of the Ostlunds’ home, might have homes of their toughest questions.” own. It will come as no surprise if these become sanctuaries open As Johnsen continued to attend Young Life College, she to others, as former Young Life College students continue in their found something in the talk each week she could relate to. “I can’t own way to reclaim a beautiful lost art.

18 / SPRING 2012

Worth the Wait

By Leslie Strader

One teen’s slow and simple journey to Christ, and the leader who showed the way.

W

ith the Lord, writes the apostle Peter, 1,000 years are like a day. For Young Life leader Jaimee Putich, the two years she watched and yearned and prayed for her high-school friend Janae Schallert felt like an eternity. And just as His patience brings us to Left: Janae Schallert at Woodleaf with her leader, Jaimee Putich; repentance, Putich hoped her consistent presence in Janae’s above, Janae becomes one with the mud at camp. life would draw her to the cross.

The story of this friendship shows once again how the every night. She would go on and on about how God sent love of Christ can capture any heart. Because today, one His only Son to save us and how He died for our sins. The faithful leader’s wait is over and one more teenager’s real first couple of nights I only barely listened.” life has begun.

The work crew displayed cardboard testimonies Putich and Janae first met when Janae was a — three- or four-word phrases written on cardboard sophomore at Canyon High School in Santa Clarita, Calif. that describes the person’s life before and after Christ Putich invited Janae, a standout athlete in softball and — for the campers at the end of the week. That deeply basketball, and her friend Sara to club. Putich could tell affected Janae. right away Janae was searching for something more.

“I felt like I was able to relate to every board,” she “Even when Sara couldn’t make it [to club], Janae said. “It was crazy to think that all the people who had would come,” Putich, an elementary school teacher, said. been helping around camp, who always had a smile on their “She was really hungry for something and needed stability, face, had all felt the same way I did. This is where it hit me. but it took her a long time to surrender.”

I wanted whatever it was to change my life just like the While Putich work crew kids. At had a read on her “It was crazy to think that all the people who had that moment, I knew high-school friend been helping around camp, who always had a smile there was something right away, it more out there.” on their face, had all felt the same way I did. This is took Janae a little Janae said, longer to figure where it hit me. I wanted whatever it was to change during her junior out why an adult my life just like the work crew kids. At that moment, year, she “felt like was hanging a whole new person.”

I knew there was something more out there.” out at the She longed to return softball field.

— Janae Schallert to camp and got “I thought her chance the next this Young Life thing was pretty cool, but I didn’t want to summer when she served on work crew at Lost Canyon admit it,” Janae said. “I wasn’t doing too great. My mom (Young Life’s camp in Arizona). There, she decided it was had cancer and I was very depressed. This leader kept time to make her heart’s decision public. coming to my softball games and I was confused. Why “I spent so many hours praying for Janae, sitting with would this person who I barely know want to come support her, grieving and not knowing what to say, taking her to me?” (Now, four years later, Janae said her mom “is in camp and wishing with all my heart that it would stick, but remission and doing great!”) over and over realizing that it was something I could never That summer, Putich took Janae and five of her force,” Putich said. basketball teammates to Woodleaf (a Young Life camp in “Her life taught me about surrender to the Lord.

California). Janae calls it “the place that changed my life.”

He’s faithful; you show up and He does the work. There “A woman talked to us about God and Jesus and how is so much beauty in the struggle of it. Her testimony precious we were to Him,” Janae recalled. “This happened is a confirmation of my faith.”

SPRING 2012 / 19

PASSAGES Honoring those who have served the mission

Troy Gray

Bob Reeverts

Sept. 8, 1982 - Dec. 12, 2011

April 25, 1935 Oct. 28, 2011

By Erika Jay

Troy Gray, area director in Tempe, Ariz., passed into the presence of his Savior at the age of 29. For months, Gray bravely battled Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, while serving as an inspiration to so many. He was an incredible man of God, wonderful husband to Kelly and father to Garrison (5) and Aven (1), and an admired, top-notch area director.

Gray met the Lord through Young Life at Arcadia High School in Arizona. After graduating from ASU, he went through the Young Life training program and became area director of Tempe in 2006.

Marty Caldwell, senior vice president of the International South Division said, “In both life and death, Troy Gray and Kelly Gray have shown us the Way of Hope. The sadness is deep and painful. The hope is barely enough, but this family has shown this Hope is truly true. Our job now? Carry this Hope in Christ as a legacy.”

Guy Gresham April 5, 1961 - Dec. 31, 2011

By Erika Jay

Guy Gresham went to be with Jesus on Dec. 31, 2011. Raised in Denver, Gresham met his wife of 24 years, Carole, in Durango, Colo.

For more than 25 years, Gresham shared Jesus with kids through Young Life. As an area director in the small Colorado towns of Durango, Rangeley, and Sterling, he impacted more lives than we can know.

In 2006, Gresham and Carole transitioned to Woodleaf camp staff in Challenge, Calif., with their four children: Rachel, Hanna, Tamara and Canaan. In the last 18 months, the Greshams also assumed legal guardianship of their foster son, Nate.

“Faithfulness and consistency are two marks of Young Life and Guy Gresham.

As minister, father and friend, he served and loved in a way that left a significant and lasting impression on those he touched. I am one of those people. He will be missed,” said Ken Tankersley, regional director, Young Life Front Range Region.

By Erika Jay

Bob Reeverts was introduced to Young Life while in high school in Knoxville, Tenn. It had a profound impact on his faith journey and left a lasting impression.

After graduating from the University of Tennessee and Fuller Theological Seminary, Reeverts joined Young Life staff in 1961.

Throughout his 50 years of involvement with Young Life, Reeverts served in many roles within the mission.

His most recognized role of leadership was leading Young Life’s international ministry, where he humbly followed the Lord’s leading in expanding Young Life globally, reaching more kids with the good and saving news of Jesus.

Reeverts’ mark on others was not limited to Young Life. Bob Lonac, former Young Life staff and current president and CEO of CRISTA Ministries remarked, “He was a relentless and loving warrior for Jesus every day of his life. I never knew a man who was more consistent in the character traits that reflect Jesus Christ, than Bob Reeverts.”

Doug Kuhn March 15, 1965 - Dec. 2, 2011 Doug Kuhn passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Dec. 2 into the arms of Jesus. Passionate about using his civil engineering skills for building Christ’s kingdom, Kuhn treasured the part he played on staff at Washington Family Ranch. He was part of the team that built the original camp at Washington Family Ranch and also helped with the expansion, completed in 2011. Kuhn, along with his wife, Dana, has volunteered for many years in the Yakima, Wash., area.

Mark Poindexter, director of construction, Young Life Camping said, “Doug’s life was filled with love for family, spending time with his boys, and being committed to friends. Doug’s incredible drive for perfection in the Creekside project was a reflection of his amazing faith, love for Jesus Christ, and desire to share the Gospel with kids.”

Bob Reeverts as Chief Wa Wa Tanango at Frontier Ranch in the ‘60’s.

20 / SPRING 2012

SNOW CREEK CHALET NOW AVAI LAB LE !

Friends of Young Life have recently given the mission Snow Creek Chalet, a beautiful mountain retreat located next to our camp, Crooked Creek Ranch, in Fraser, Colo. The chalet sleeps up to 10 people, and with pricing 50-70% less than comparable chalets/lodges in this Winter Park ski area, it may be the perfect spot for your Colorado getaway.

GREAT FOR:

• Small church retreats

• Leadership retreats

(staff, committee, etc.)

• Small Campaigner or college ski trips • Staff sabbatical or vacation (discounts given for stays more than 10 days) • Auction offering at Young Life fund-raising events

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Call (719) 381-1913 or email snowcreekchalet@sc.younglife.org.

SPRING 2012 / 21

PARTING SHOTS A collection of photos from the field

3

2

1

1. Young Life Mozambique ministry to the blind.

2. Kristen and Will enjoy the paddleboats during YoungLives week at Michindoh in Hillsdale, Mich.

3. Trevor from Northern Gwinnett, Ga., serves as a Capernaum buddy to Jacob at Young Life’s Southwind (in Florida).

Now featuring Mountainsmith bags!

Eco Cinch Pack

GREAT GIFTS

Just $8!

FOR THE

GR AD! iPad case

22 / SPRING 2012

NONPROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE

PAID

YOUNG LIFE

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

At Trail West Family Camp, we provide programming and activities for all ages and every member of your family, in a Christ-centered environment. Our goal is that every family will draw closer to Jesus and closer to each other during their stay with us. See why so many mited. pace is li to S families say, Call now eek!

“That was the our w reserve y 5-2477 best week of 3 (719) 9 our lives!”

Drawing Families Closer Together.

Closer to God.

Local campership programs are always the highest priority. If you’re able to give an extra gift to support kids in areas where resources are scarce, please consider: Multicultural/Urban Campership Fund – vital for Young Life ministry in under-resourced communities throughout the United States.

Young Life Capernaum Camper/Buddy Campership – ensures that campers with disabilities will have a “buddy” at their side all week supporting and encouraging them.

Young Life Africa/“Climb for Change” – support a team of climbers headed up Mt. Kilimanjaro on the “Climb for Change.”

Young Life Former Soviet Union/Katie’s Kids Campership Fund – support a camper in the Former Soviet Union in memory of Katie Parsons May.