Written by Steve Winkle, Associate Regional Director for Young Life’s Western Great Lakes Region. Originally given as a high school chapel talk, adapted and shared with permission. It was the summer of 1979 as my senior year approached. I had trained like never before for my final cross country season. Read more…
Nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan, halfway between Muskegon and Ludington, is the small town of Shelby. Tucked within the town limits is one small high school. Each day, 390 students pass through the doorways of Shelby High School—students overwhelmed by the pressure of trying to fit in, students Read more…
Today we are shining the spotlight on nine staff members in the Western Great Lakes Region—some are familiar faces in the region while others are brand new. We are grateful for the Lord’s hand in leading them to these roles. Take a moment to get to know these nine incredible Read more…
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 Read more…
A guest post by Josiah Huisman, Middle School Youth Director & Young Life Church Partner at First Reformed Church in Zeeland, MI. Originally posted here and shared with permission. “O comfort my people, says your God, speak tenderly, that her penalty is paid… in the wilderness prepare the way.” (Isaiah 40) Read more…
2020 has been a challenging year. Like each of us, kids are dealing with wave after wave of disappointment and loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have felt isolated at home, discouraged about things being canceled, and anxious about the future. This is what makes the mission of Young Read more…
Written by Sara Webb, Young Life Capernaum Initiatives Coordinator for Discipleship and Training This past spring we created videos that helped us memorize Psalm 100 as a national Capernaum community. Each Monday our Capernaum friends and leaders and staff would get a video emailed to them with the verse and Read more…
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a hard and challenging time for many. The students we work with, their families, our volunteer leaders, our schools and communities have all experienced losses, unexpected changes, and stress to varying degrees. Young Life staff and leaders have felt it too. Over the past seven Read more…
Today we are welcoming five new Young Life team members to the Western Great Lakes Region. These five individuals are deeply committed Jesus-followers who are passionate about pouring into the lives of students and young adults in their communities, with the goal of introducing them to Jesus Christ and walking Read more…
As summer slowly fades into fall, we wanted to share some highlights from this very different yet unforgettable summer. When most of our initial summer plans were either canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Young Life staff and leaders stepped up their game and discovered new ways to Read more…