Agenerous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
– Proverbs 11:25
The pictures, stories, prayer requests, and musings on these pages represent real people – young adults around the world –whose lives and futures have been changed because of the collective generosity of God’s people.
Thank you, Drew and Ellie, for setting the stage—literally—for your fans to hear the story of Young Life Developing Global Leaders. Thank you for inspiring them to follow your lead in generously supporting some of our best, high-potential, Jesusloving Young Life leaders around the globe. Most of these leaders are the first in their families to have the opportunity to go to college, and you and your fans have helped make that possible. Most importantly, these DGL students are walking alongside young people in their own communities and sharing the love of Jesus.
It’s a beautiful picture – God’s love in your lives being sung over your fans, igniting their hearts to join in the chorus of generosity that is bringing God’s Kingdom to life ... on earth as it is in Heaven.
Thank you, Drew and Ellie. We are grateful for you.
– The DGL Team, 2026
I said, "Hey (hey), no (no), never gonna let you go. You find gold,
29 Developing Global Leaders
Eternity changed. in 18 countries IMPACTED through full and partial sponsorships. you hold on. You find gold, you hold on. You find gold, you hold on
Never gonna let you go
AlisarIsayed
AlisarIsayed,YoungLife
DevelopingGlobalLeader
PalestinianTerritories
Major:ComputerScience
University:ArabAmericanUniversity
I chose to study Computer Science because it has always interested me, and my father encouraged me to pursue this field before he passed away. He believed that technology is a powerful tool that can create many opportunities and solve real-world problems.
This is my college behind me where I take most of my lectures and spend my school hours.
Bénit Uwizeye
Bénit Uwizeye, Young Life Developing Global Leader
Bujumbura, Burundi
Major: Engineering and Computer Science
University: Bujumbura Light University
I sincerely want to thank my sponsor from the bottom of my heart for their generous support. Because of them, I am able to continue my studies comfortably and focus on my education without being a burden to my family. Their kindness and commitment truly make a meaningful difference in my life, and I am deeply grateful for their support.
As a Developing Global Leader, my dream is to finish my university degree in Information Technology at Maseno University. I will be the first in my family to attend college.
Thanks to the DGL scholarship, I was able to buy my own school supplies for the first time and purchase my first computer which makes me very happy!
Alanís Pérez
AlanísPérez,YoungLife
DevelopingGlobalLeader
VillaAngela,Argentina
Major:SpecialEducation
University:VillaAngelaHigher EducationInstitute
Meandmyleadershipteam.
Please pray for my work team. Some things have changed and now I am the main leader of our contact group. Honestly, I don't feel capable, but I know that things happen for a reason. I know that God is with me and my team. I also ask for you to intercede so that this will be a year in which I can be even more intentional with my discipleship and my intimacy with God. Thank you for your concern. I hope that God will bless you as well, just as your prayers are a blessing in my life.
Chimwemwe Maluwa
Chimwemwe Maluwa, Young Life
Developing Global Leader
Blantyre, Malawi
KANSASCITYCONCERT•04.16.26
Major: Business Administration
University: Exploits University
One of my closest friends is Fanuel Kaguwa. We support each other and enjoy spending time together. For fun, we like to listen to music, compose our own songs, dance, watch movies, and explore new places. These are some of my favorite hobbies, along with reading books, and I enjoy them because they make me feel free, joyful, and help build my confidence.
I get excited when I’m with these people, Machinjiri Young Life��! People who give me high vibes always when I'm with them.
GreisiVjeshta
Greisi Vjeshta, Young Life
Developing Global Leader
Tirana, Albania
Major: Dentistry
University: Albanian University
Faculty of Medical Sciences
I’d love if I could be prayed over to be encouraged and bolder to reach more people. Finding balance between school, ministry and friends, I really want to see God working through the girls I am taking care of. Also, for the gifts of the Spirit to be highlighted more so I can use them wisely in ministry. Thank you!
This might be funny but I’ve actually considered how being a dentist can open opportunities because when working on a patient’s teeth, I have the chance to share my experience of faith and share the Gospel and they can’t talk back or stop you. But jokes aside, I recognize that as a dentist, I’ll have patients who come in very scared so being a doctor who is gentle and caring really can make an incredible impact on them.
It was the first night of the camp and these were my girls. Ema, Melina, Anja, Megi.
I hope to grow further as a leader, especially to lead young women showing them, they’re seen, valued, and deeply loved by God. My dream is to become a corporate lawyer while continuing to serve in ministry.
I'm beyond grateful for everything that you do for me, and I hope you know how much of a help this is to me. Not only me but the friends that I get to pour into on a weekly basis. Thank you so much!
Today was one of those days when I felt true joy because I spent my time with people who, beyond being my friends, belong to God. I am inspired by them through God alone. I am always thankful for every moment I spend with them, but especially today, because you can feel that both joyful and difficult times are shared with them, and in both situations you grow and become stronger.
Armine Harutyunyan
Armine Harutyunyan, Young Life Developing Global Leader
Eghvard, Armenia
Major: Public Relations
University: Yerevan State University
Paulina Durango
Paulina Laverde Durango, Young Life
Developing Global Leader
Medellín, Colombia
Major: International Business
University: Luis Amigo Catholic University
In this photo you can see me and the three girls we trained to help lead Young Lives club. It is very nice to see how God works in their lives and helps us with every step and decision.
Prayer request
I started this semester with some concerns because I have quite a heavy course load, so I was very scared, but I'm very happy that everything is falling into place and I did very well in the first week of midterms. Although I sometimes have many worries, God continues to show me His faithfulness at all times.
I ask for your prayers for Young Lives Medellín, that it may be a blessing to others and that we may reach more girls. We are very happy. How wonderful it is to be able to share Jesus with teenage mothers.
SANTABARBARA,CACONCERT•02.20.26
Davyd Kravchenko
DavydKravchenko,YoungLife
DevelopingGlobalLeader
Cherkasy,Ukraine
Major:AppliedPhysicsand Nanomaterials
University:CherkasyNationalUniversity
hadAttheYLcampintheCarpathians,theboysandI SherwoodtodressupascharactersfromRobinHoodand Forest.Interestingly,theboysforgotto thembringtheircostumesandprops.So,secretly,Imade wooden bows, a crossbow, two quivers (with arrows and bolts for the crossbow), and even amagicalstaffforourMerlin.Ialsohadmyown swordandshield.Itwasreallyfuntoseetheir reactionswhentheygottheprops!
I would like to ask for prayer for my growth as a captain. Please pray that God would guide me through His Word and through the people around me, helping me develop in my leadership and in my role as a captain, and that He would lead me as I work to build up our Wyldlife team and ministry.
Carlos Kanana
Carlos Kanana, Young Life Developing Global Leader
Polokwane, South Africa
Major: Environmental Science
University: University of Venda
I am the first in my family to go to university.
I was born into a family of 8 other siblings and with both parents not working, we experienced poverty. We lived in a shack with no electricity. We often ran out of food and I had to beg neighbors for maize meal, even though they were struggling too. My greatest life challenge was accepting the difficult situation at home when I was younger. I often felt angry and believed God did not love me because of the poverty my family experienced. I opened up to my sister about how I felt, and she helped me understand that some situations are beyond our control. She told me that in life you need to be like water – water does not oppose or fight against the bottle it is in, but it takes up the shape of the bottle. In life we need to learn how to live with what we can not change.
Catherine Calhoun
Catherine Calhoun, Young Life Developing
•ATLANTACONCERT•02.20.26
After my parents died, I lived with my foster mom, Gloria, who raised me. On weekends she would cook food and we would take it to the street kids. Seeing her volunteer her time and resources to helping people she didn’t even know taught me to always be willing to help others. She also took me with her when she volunteered on medical missions and that’s how my desire to study nursing began. When I learned about Capernaum ministry, I was taking a short course in caregiving. I felt like Capernaum gave me purpose and that’s when God confirmed my choice to pursue a medical career.
My name is Edna Yalew. I live in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, with my brothers and sisters. I lost my parents at a young age—my father and then my mother in different years—which was one of the biggest challenges of my life. I grew up in the SOS Children’s Village in Bahir Dar, where I learned resilience, hope, and the importance of community. Even as a child, I loved reading, praying, and learning new things.
Now as a DGL, I want to complete my degree in business, start and manage a successful company, and use my leadership to serve as an example of faith in both work and ministry. I hope to know Jesus more deeply and bring more people into His kingdom.
Edna Yalew
Edna
Yalew, Young Life Developing Global Leader
Gondar, Ethiopia
Binita PariyarST.PAUL,MNCONCERT•03.06.26
BinitaPariyar,YoungLifeDeveloping GlobalLeader
Pokhara,Nepal
Major:BusinessandAccounting
University:PadmaKanyaCampus
Prayerrequest
My Studies: Sometimes I am very focused on ministry and it can be difficult balancing studies and ministry responsibilities. Pray for wisdom, discipline, and a greater desire to study faithfully so that I can excel in both areas.
An adventure to the mountains forgivingmethechance wonderfulplace.IcouldfeelHislove,and Ifelttrulyblessed.
AnnaZabroska
Anna Zabrodska, Young Life
Developing Global Leader
Zhytomyr, Ukraine
Major: Secondary Education
University: Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University
I really love to read. I already have a small library where there are different books with different genres. I love to read because this is the time when I relax, I don't think about any problems or tasks, I immerse myself in history or new information. I can talk a lot about books, stories, how the book is written, about the authors themselves. I pay attention to who the author of the book is, because a person brings something certain to this world and what his views on life are are very important. Okay, I do have other hobbies but I can talk about books for a long time!
My phone gallery is full of photos and it's hard to choose just one because there are so many beautiful, cute, and funny photo memories. Here I am on a trip to the mountains with friends. I’m in a brown beanie. This photo is from the Carpathians. Right at the beginning of the year I managed to go to the mountains with my friends. I hadn't been there in the winter and it was a long-awaited trip. So many emotions, I'm very happy.
Mark Ovcharenko
Mark Ovcharenko, Young Life Developing Global Leader Kazakhstan
Major: Theology and Christian Ministry
University: CATI
Why did you select your major and/or your field of study? I don't see myself in anything other than serving God, so even when choosing a university, I was looking for a specialty not that would be fashionable, but one that would help me in serving and knowing God.
How do you hope that your university degree will impact your life? It will provide theoretical knowledge in setting up a church, structuring ministry, and how to best instruct people.
Tell us about your church background. I started serving as a musician in the worship team, then I ministered to teenagers, now I have taken responsibility for youth ministry, and I am also preparing for pastoral ministry.
Global Leader
SEATTLE,WACONCERT•04.24.26
Zainab Kamara
Bo City, Sierra Leone
Major: Nursing
University: Njala University
At age 10, I lost both of my parents in the same year—my mother first, followed by my father. Losing them at such a young age was heartbreaking. I worked for people just to get food and small tips, and eventually, I began buying and selling fruits like mangoes and oranges to support my education. Now as a DGL student, I will be the first in my family to attend college. I want to use my skills to bring healing, care, and compassion to others. Most importantly, I want to lead more people to Jesus so they can experience the same love and transformation that changed my life.
This is me leading club
This photo shows the day I was accepted at the Njala University.
OyunsuvdMunhbaatar
Oyunsuvd Munhbaatar, Young Life
Developing Global Leader
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Major: Marketing
University: University of the Humanities
When I was a child I was worried about my appearance a lot, even though my parents accepted me for who I am. I tried to connect with other kids and people, but they would mock me, which was very hard for me. When I was about 16 years old, my friend invited me to Young Life Club. Shortly after, I decided to attend the Young Life Summer Camp, and there I received Christ into my heart. Since then, I have realized my true identity: I am special and unique because God created me! I became more self-confident, focusing on who I am beyond my appearance.
I went hiking in the mountains with my friends. God’s creation is beautiful and wonderful.
girls I disciple just had their graduation celebration!
I got to know Young Life through Ani Failoc. She is a sign language interpreter because I am deaf. She always encouraged me and one day she invited me to a Young Life camp.
At that camp I understood that God loves me. Before that, I didn’t want anything to do with church, and even less with God. But when God allowed me to get to know Young Life through Ani, everything changed. When I received Jesus, it completely changed what I thought about people who believe in God.
University:Pontificia
UniversidadCatólicad elPerú
Thebestpartofmy childhoodwaswhen myfathertaughtme tofightformy dreams and never giveup.
Here at the university where I study, they gave me a space to talk about sign language, and together with my friend who also does YL, we were able to teach some university students how to say their names in Peruvian sign language.
ATLANTA CONCERT • 02.20.26
Meron Bikam
Meron Bikam, Young Life Developing Global Leader
Jimma, Ethiopia
Major: Business Management
•ST.LOUIS,MOCONCERT•03.08.26
University: Rift Valley University
MY DGL SCHOLARSHIP WILL HELP ME BUILD A BETTER FUTURE, SERVE MY FAMILY, AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN MY CHURCH AND COMMUNITY.
This photo was taken during a recent program where we learned about loyalty and staying committed in our faith.
Oleksandr Pylypenko ST.PAUL,MNCONCERT•03.06.26
OleksandrPylypenko,YoungLife
DevelopingGlobalLeader
Kamianets-Podilskyi,Ukraine
Major:ComputerScience
University:IvanOhiienkoNational University
I want to say a huge thank you for your generous support. Because of you, I have the wonderful opportunity to study at the university and do the Capernaum ministry that I love. Over the last few months, we have seen amazing growth at our clubs and sports trainings. Many teenagers with disabilities who used to stay home are now active, joyful, and making real friends. It is beautiful to see how they change, become more confident, and learn about God's love in a safe place. Your help makes all of these life moments possible for them and for our team.
I am so grateful that I can grow as a leader and serve my community during such a difficult time in Ukraine. Thank you for believing in me and for praying for our Capernaum family.
Mitchell Atieno
Mitchell Atieno, Young Life Developing Global Leader
Simphiwe Gift Mpila, Young Life Developing Global Leader
Manzini, Eswatini
Major: Accounting and Economics
University: University of Eswatini
Here I started a small business so I can sustain a living no matter the situation.
Although I had heard about God growing up, it wasn’t until a specific moment during a youth service that I fully surrendered my life to Him. I realized that a relationship with Jesus was not about religion or routine, but about knowing Him personally and allowing Him to lead every part of my life. From that point on, I experienced a new sense of peace, purpose, and joy. My faith journey started with that single decision to follow Him, and it has continued to grow through prayer, worship, service, and community.
SalomeBuadu
SalomeBuadu,YoungLifeDeveloping GlobalLeader
GreaterAccra,Ghana
Major:Nursing
University:KAAFUniversity
A message to my sponsor
Your investment in my education is not just helping me pursue my dreams, it's empowering me to become someone who can make a meaningful difference in the world. I promise to make the most of this opportunity. I hope to one day give back by supporting others, just as you have supported me. God richly bless you.
This is me with my group at an outreach camp.
Nabonita Mondal
Nabonita Mondal, Young Life Developing Global Leader
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Major: Manufacturing Management
University: Shanto Mariam University of Creative
PRAYER REQUESTS
PLEASE PRAY FOR MY SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND THAT I CONTINUE TO BUILD A STRONGER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. PRAY FOR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE IN MY LIFE DECISIONS. ALSO, PRAY THAT GOD GIVES ME STRENGTH TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES AND HELPS ME BECOME A LIGHT TO OTHERS THROUGH MY WORDS AND ACTIONS.
This day I spent time with some new friends through contact work. We had a really good time talking, sharing our thoughts, and getting to know each other better. It was a meaningful time that helped us build stronger connections and friendship.
Toader Vesa
ToaderVesa,YoungLifeDeveloping
GlobalLeader
Feldru,Romania
Major:SecurityStudies
University:Babeș-BolyaiUniversity
One of the challenges of the last three months has been the stress of college and academic responsibilities. There have been times when deadlines, exams, and the workload have made me feel overwhelmed. However, I have learned to rely more on God in these moments and have been encouraged by the support of my friends and the community I am part of.
You can see in the picture the beautiful atmosphere for our time together. Guitar, songs, and good cheer in such a beautiful activity. Glory to God for everything!
“Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.”
