It goes without saying that 2020 was a year like no other. The pandemic has shifted our lives in many ways and we are still experiencing the ripple effects.
As we close out the calendar year, there is much to reflect on. Rather than dwell on what we couldn’t do this year, join us in giving thanks for what we could do this year by God’s grace!
1. CLUB continued to be a weekly highlight for kids and leaders, even when it was held virtually in the spring or outdoors and socially distant in the fall. Leaders worked hard to find COVID-safe games and mixers so that kids could still have fun, laugh together, and set the stage for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
2. CAMPAIGNERS: Young Life leaders were able to continue studying God’s Word with small groups of students. Many groups met outdoors when weather permitted or over Zoom & FaceTime.
3. CONTACT WORK: Leaders and staff got creative with how they connected with kids during a pandemic. Virtual lunch rooms, online video gaming, driveway/front porch visits, drive-by celebrations, and meet-ups in the park became our “new normal,” in addition to the ways we typically connect with kids through texting & social media.
4. CAMP looked a lot different this year, but we found COVID-safe ways to having meaningful camp-like experiences with kids this summer, like backpacking, rafting/kayaking adventures, sailing, day trips to Timber Wolf Lake, virtual camps, and camp-in-a-box experiences.
5. In lieu of large group events & fundraisers, many areas hosted COMMUNITY-BUILDING events like virtual 5Ks, drive-by graduation celebrations for seniors, socially distant golf outings, and online trivia nights—all which strengthened the bonds of community at a time when it was needed most.
We are humbled at how God continued to use and bless these efforts to reach kids during such an unusual year. We’ve witnessed kids’ lives being transformed this year. We’ve seen God’s light shine in the dark and felt Christ’s peace in the midst of uncertainty. We’ve shared that light, peace, and love with thousands of kids this year and pray we can reach even more in the New Year!
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