We’re overjoyed to once again welcome eleven new staff members to the WGLR Young Life team. These individuals are committed to the Lord and the work of building His Kingdom. Each one cares deeply about kids and seeing them come to know the Lord. Please help us give them a Read more…
Six years ago a dream to rebuild Kentwood Young Life was being rekindled by some key community leaders, including the Mayor of Kentwood. You may remember from a previously featured story how that dream became reality in 2016 when JR & Natalie Roberts moved to the area and joined the Read more…
When Vicki Wagonis-Bryers and her husband moved to Mackinaw City two years ago to enjoy their retirement, never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined doing what she is doing today—hanging out with teens and preteens in her small northern Michigan town. Before retirement, Vicki spent 37 years as Read more…
Today is the International Women’s Day. Around the globe today, people are celebrating women and their achievements. As in previous years, we have asked our staff around the region to nominate women they see making a difference in the lives of adolescents. These are everyday women—coaches, youth pastors, mothers, teachers, advocates, Read more…
A spark of interest for Sparta Young Life began with a simple invitation. It was the fall of 2017 when a woman named Amy took a chance by inviting her former neighbor, Kristin, to the Northwest Grand Rapids Young Life Fall Banquet. Kristin not only showed up at the banquet Read more…
In the Western Great Lakes Region, one of our core values is to work responsibly in relationship with the larger church of Jesus Christ and pursue partnerships with churches and other like-minded organizations. One of the ways we do that is through our Regional Church Partnership Program, a unique model of Read more…
On this last day of 2018, we are looking back over the year, over the many stories that were told, and how God has been weaving them together into his grand redemption story. In case you missed these popular stories earlier in the year, here are our TOP 5 blog posts of Read more…
The Western Great Lakes Region has been blessed with another round of new hires. We’d like to take a moment to introduce you to nine of the newest members of our the WGLR Young Life Staff. Let’s give a warm welcome to each one! Meet Anna Blauwkamp, the new Area Read more…
Reflections on Ten Years as Regional Director—Then, Now & Moving Forward Editor’s Note: Chris Theule-VanDam is celebrating ten years as Western Great Lakes Regional Director. We asked him to reflect on this significant milestone and where he’s seen God at work throughout the past ten years. Ten years ago. It Read more…
“When the music went out and we all came together and continued singing the song with just our voices, it was so powerful for us all to come together and just sing together and feel the presence of God” – Leadership Weekend Participant The presence of God was certainly felt Read more…