Young Life began with a few simple ideas about sharing the truth of God’s love with adolescents. Those simple ideas have become time-tested methods for reaching out to middle school, high school and college students in friendship and hope.
We Invite—We are inviting in all we do. Young Life is like one big “party with a purpose” where all are welcome and treated like honored guests. It may be club—the best night of a kid’s week; or camp—the best week of their life; or just the invitation to spend time with a leader who has become their friend. But before the party ends, we share a simple message about God’s love for them. After all, that’s what the celebration is all about.
We do Contact Work—Because kids don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care, Young Life leaders show they care by going where kids are, meeting them as they are, believing in who they can be. Within Young Life we call the persistent going out into the world of kids “contact work.” But kids just call it friendship.
We do Club—We like to think of club as a “party with a purpose.” It’s controlled chaos that’s almost impossible to describe, but kids know it when they see it. And before the party ends, we share a simple message about God’s love for them. After all, that’s what the celebration is all about.
We get kids to Camp—Kids consistently tell us that Young Life camp is the best week of their life. How else would you describe a week where deep relationships are forged in the midst of mind-boggling fun, and where you hear the greatest love story ever told?
We do Campaigners—Campaigners is a weekly gathering for kids who wish to learn more or grow in their faith through study, service and leadership. We’re with kids for the long haul to help them take the first steps of faith with unconditional love. Along the way we encourage kids to celebrate their faith through participation in a local congregation.
We Value Committee—Young Life is making a difference in the lives of kids because we are supported by adults who care about kids in their community. In each community, the local “committee,” comprised of parents, Young Life alumni and civic leaders, provides a foundation of financial, administrative and moral support for the local Young Life team.