Our volunteer leaders are the heartbeat of the mission of Young Life. They faithfully sacrifice their time, show up consistently, and invest deeply in the lives of students.

By building genuine relationships, our leaders help students feel known, loved, and valued. They meet kids where they are, walk alongside them through life’s highs and lows, and have the incredible privilege of sharing the hope of the Gospel.

Every student impacted has a leader who chose to say “yes.” We’re grateful for these faithful volunteers who continue to point young people to Jesus, one relationship at a time.

Jenny James (Grand Rapids City)

Jenny is pictured above (front left) with some students from Grand Rapids City at Timber Wolf Lake.

Jenny has faithfully served as a Young Life high school volunteer leader for the past three years at the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation (GRCCT), a community center in Grand Rapids that serves students from several local high schools. In her professional career, she works for Kent County, but she dedicates her personal time investing in the lives of teenagers. Jenny consistently balances her career with her commitment to ministry, demonstrating a deep passion for mentoring students and helping them grow in their faith.

Jenny is an exceptional leader who exemplifies faithfulness, consistency, and dependability. She is someone who always shows up with a positive attitude and a willing heart. She builds authentic relationships with students, making each one feel seen, valued, and genuinely loved. The teenagers trust her because they know she cares deeply about them, and her steady presence has created a safe space where they can grow, ask questions, and experience the love of Christ. Jenny leads by example, serving with humility and unwavering commitment.

Recently, Jenny served as a volunteer leader for our high school camp trip to Timber Wolf Lake. Although she volunteers her time throughout the year, what stood out most was her willingness to use an entire week of her paid time off (PTO) from work so she could attend camp and invest in students. This was a significant personal sacrifice that demonstrates her heart for ministry and her commitment to making a lasting impact on young people’s lives. Her presence at camp helped create meaningful experiences for students, and her dedication is an inspiring example of selfless service.

Scott Rhudy (Little Traverse Bay)

Scott is pictured above with his wife in the Dominican Republic during their trip with students.

For eight years, Scott has been a faithful volunteer leader who consistently shows us what it looks like to initiate, adapt, and show up. As a professional car engineer, Scott is someone who naturally thinks creatively, solves problems, and figures out how to make things happen—and he brings that same spirit to his leadership with students.

Scott goes above and beyond to welcome students into his family life. He is always willing to step up when there is a need, including going to camp when we don’t have another male leader available. He also said “yes” to joining his wife in leading a trip to the Dominican Republic, creating another opportunity to invest in students and share life with them.

One of Scott’s greatest gifts is his ability to create epic adventures. He dreams up creative trips and experiences that give students opportunities to try new things, have fun, build relationships, and grow. Scott reminds us that taking risks isn’t just part of an adventure—it’s part of growing our faith, courage, and resilience.

Whether he’s designing an unforgettable trip, stepping in at camp, welcoming students into his home, or simply showing up when he’s needed, Scott leads with generosity, creativity, and a willingness to say yes. We are incredibly grateful for eight years of his faithful investment in students.