Both Young Life and Calvin College have very similar goals for young people: Introduce them to a life in Jesus Christ and help them to grow in that faith. For this reason we are in our 4th year of collaboration on behalf of kids and young adults. There are over 30 Calvin Alumni who are on Young Life staff in 10 states and 3 countries and over 100 volunteers mission wide. Amazing, right?
Young Life offers the services of Lyn Ten Brink, Young Life Capernaum Coordinator, to coordinate and support Christian leadership development, to assist in exposing high school students to the opportunities for and the benefits of Christian higher education, and to participate in research on the relationship of church and para-church organizations as well as ministry to persons affected by disability.
In return, Calvin College provides Young Life with access to facilities and services on the campus and opportunities for involvement in selected campus programs and events. Calvin has generously provided great opportunities for training and further church partnering opportunities for our Young Life staff and volunteers. In addition Calvin has scholarship funds available to Young Life applicants who have been involved in work crew or student leadership .
Just a few weeks ago Lyn ran into a Calvin student who is currently a sophomore and participated in YL leader training on campus his freshman year. After a few minutes of catching up the young man said he doesn’t know what he would do if he hadn’t been introduced to the Young Life community on campus. While he hasn’t become a YL leader due to his academic schedule he said he pursued relationships in the Young Life community and feels so connected and has met such great people he feels very much at home at Calvin with Young Life as his support system.
Yet, another reason Calvin College and Young Life feel like a great match! We are thrilled with what we are learning from each other.
If you have any questions or want to get further connected, feel free to contact lyn10brink (at) gmail (dot) com.
Lyn Ten Brink is the Midwest Capernaum Coordinator and the Calvin College YL Coordinator. Lyn attended her 1st YL club as a spy for her parents on behalf of her younger sister in 1985- the rest is history. YL has developed a real passion in Lyn for ministry to every kid and what we have to learn about the kingdom when we go there. Paul and Lyn have 3 kid’s – Dan (29) Laura (25) and Jon (23). At this stage of life anytime they can share a meal and conversation with their kids is holy. As a family they love traveling, tenting and hiking, reading and eating local. And yes, Lyn loves to knit:)
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