Posts by Young Life Leader
A Taste of the Kingdom by Jim Branch
Today I had the privilege of going to one of my favorite places in the world—Windy Gap. And guess who I saw there? I saw you, Young Life leader! O, maybe not you literally (or maybe so), but I saw you. I saw you, who prayed so hard for months (or even years) that your friends would…
Read MoreActual Questions Written by High Schoolers at Camp
Below are actual questions written down by high schoolers during the Questions Seminar at camp. Some of your middle, high school, and college friends are likely asking similar questions. Spend some time wrestling with these, listening to the Lord, and seeking wisdom from spiritually mature folks who can help you navigate these difficult conversations with…
Read MoreWhen It Doesn’t Feel Like “The Best Week of Your Life”
Written by Caitlin Stowe, YL staff in Portland, OR. I would describe our camp week as one that felt like Hell, but was really just what it looks like when Heaven comes to Earth. Pictured here are many of the beautiful faces we had the honor to take to camp this summer with Portland Central. I have come…
Read MoreWas Jimmy Buffet Right?
Written by Chad Conant, Area Director in Littleton, CO. Jimmy Buffet was on to something. He once sang “Changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes, Nothing remains quite the same.” There really is something to our surroundings having a big impact on us. When we go on vacation, the change in our surroundings changes our mood.…
Read MoreGet a Free Slurpee Tomorrow!
Celebrate an American tradition with your Young Life friends tomorrow! Every July 11th (7/11), 7-Eleven gas stations offer free 7.11 ounce Slurpees at any of their locations. Easy, fun, free contact work. Find a 7-Eleven near youhere. If you go with your Young Life friends, email us a pic and we’ll share it on social…
Read MoreFree Chick-fil-A Tomorrow: Cow Appreciation Day
Grab your middle, high school, and college friends and head to Chick-fil-A tomorrow, Tuesday, July 10th, for Chick-fil-A’s annual Cow Appreciation Day. If you partially dress like a cow, you get a free entree. If you go with your Young Life friends, email us a pic and we’ll share it on social media! Some ideas…
Read More“How ‘Bout I Take You To Him?”
Written by Alex Holroyde, Young Life Area Director in Northeast Columbia, SC. Ryan had been praying for Sam since the beginning of the school year. He so badly wanted Sam to know Jesus’ reckless love for him. Each week, Ryan invited Sam to club, picked him up and drove him home. A few months ago Ryan…
Read MoreFun Ideas To Send To Work Crew & Summer Staff
Do you have any friends doing work crew or summer staff this summer? They would love to get a letter or package in the mail! You can find all the camp addresses right here. Make sure to mail it in time so they get it before they leave. Below are a few things you can write…
Read MoreWyldLife Wednesday: Making The Most Of Free Time At Camp
Free time at WyldLife camp can be the most difficult time of the day. After all, middle school kids need structure and don’t always know how to use several hours with no planned activities. So what’s the best way to make use of this time? First, remember free time is an opportunity to continue building…
Read MoreAs You Head To Camp- by Jim Branch
This post was written by Jim Branch as an encouragement to Young Life leaders taking kids to camp this summer. Jim was on staff with YL staff for almost twenty years and now directs a ministry of spiritual nurture in Knoxville, TN. Many of you have been blessed by his devotional,“The Blue Book.“ Camp time…
Read MoreA Letter To Leaders Who Helped Your Friends Raise Money For Camp
Dear Young Life leader who helped me fundraise for camp, Thank you! More than you’ll ever know. I know you have better things to do than to sell coupon books door to door with me. I know you’re tired of washing cars and waking up at 4am for yard sales. I know you’re probably tired…
Read More50 Questions To Take You Deeper
A friend recently asked me to send him some good questions. He wanted to go deeper with a group of guys he regularly meets with. Below is the list I sent him. I thought it might be helpful to use with your Campaigners group, College Bible Study or maybe to just toss around on a Saturday night…
Read MoreWorth Holding Onto: A Brand New Song from Mark Wagner and Brandon Heath
Check out this brand new music video from Mark Wagner and Brandon Heath. Make sure to watch it all the way through- as all Young Life leaders will enjoy the video’s end! WORTH HOLDING ONTO (Mark Wagner, featuring Brandon Heath) And here’s a video message from Mark and Brandon to Young Life leaders everywhere. Written…
Read MoreA Summer Reading List for Young Life Leaders
Last week on social media we asked you what was on your summer reading list. We got tons of responses and they are listed below. We have obviously not read all of these books and are not necessarily endorsing them, just sharing recs from other Young Life leaders around the world. Enjoy! If you have any…
Read MoreHow To Prepare High Schoolers To Be WyldLife Leaders At Summer Camp
You’re headed to WyldLife camp and you’re taking some ofyour high school friends as WyldLife leaders. It’s a “win” for your middle school friends because they get to spend time with people just a few years older than them who are excited about following Jesus. It’s a “win” for your high school friends because they…
Read MoreFlip out with Trick-Tac-Toe!
Two years after the bottle flipping craze of 2016, kids are still flipping bottles. A member of our Young Life community has invented a game to play with kids using the bottle flip called Trick-Tac-Toe. Practicing neurosurgeon and Young Life supporter, Dr. John Cowan is the founder of a toy company called Cortex Toys. Looks like a…
Read MoreThortillia Game
Written by Rob Schreiber, area director in San Diego, California. This can work for a Superhero or Avenger themed club. Buy 9 hula hoops at your local dollar store. Make three lines – one for each grade. Each line has three hula hoops and set them in a straight line. Place the picture of Thor…
Read MoreJoin the Launch Team
Dear Young Life friends, Almost twenty-seven years ago, as an 8th grader at camp, God called me to do youth ministry for the rest of my life. Almost twenty years ago, as a college senior, God called me to go on staff with Young Life. Almost two years ago, as a 38-year-old with a slew…
Read MoreOlder or Younger Game
I turned 40 a few weeks ago and we played a game where the kids had to guess who was older, me or the famous person pictured on the slide. It’s an easy game to duplicate. Just use this website to find out a celebrities age, pick a leader who looks older or younger than…
Read MoreThe Message of Young Life by Matt Margaron
Shared by Matt Margaron, Metro Director for Young Life Naperville & Aurora, IL, at their area’s 50th-anniversary celebration. A dream. A vision. A mission. A movement. An invitation. And a prayer. That every teen in our community would have access to experiencing God’s love. Regardless of race Of socioeconomic status Of ability Or popularity Every…
Read MoreWhy I Didn’t Wear Chacos: God in the Details
Our 3-year-old nail painter, Macy Heart. I can’t wait to tell you this story. — Two weeks ago, my three-year-old daughter went Picasso on my toe-nails. She chose the color black and painted nine of the ten. She got distracted before finishing the pinky toe on my left foot. It’s been beautiful outside, but I’ve…
Read MoreSummer Movies 2018: Dates and Trailers
With the release of “Avengers: Infinity War” tomorrow, the summer movie season is already beginning. Our job as Young Life leaders is to lead our middle and high school friends into the adventure of following Christ. Part of that means helping them discover different ways to use their time than just settling for the big screen.…
Read MoreNeed a Fun, Easy Mixer for Club? Play “Secret Agent”
Written by Robb Schreiber, area director in San Diego, California. Secret Agent We typically play 3 to 4 rounds. It feels too long if you play beyond 4. We pick a leader or a kid to be the “secret agent” of each round. We tell the club there is a secret agent in our midst…
Read MoreTomorrow, April 21, is a Missionwide Day of Prayer
Tomorrow, Saturday, April 21, is a mission-wide day of prayer. Read what our president, Newt Crenshaw, wrote about it below. In Luke 24 we find two friends walking together along a seven-mile stretch of road between Jerusalem and Emmaus. They were downcast and discouraged. Jesus had been crucified, and now his body had gone missing…
Read More