Marvin is a motivated young man from Matagalpa, Nicaragua, with a heart devoted to both his faith and his future. Living with his parents and two younger brothers, Marvin has been involved with Young Life for over five years and has served as a leader for two of those years where he has helped it grow into a stable, thriving club. Marvin’s passion is clear: “I want to reach as many young people as I can, to help them discover the love and presence of Jesus that changed my life.”
In 2020, Marvin faced an incredibly difficult loss when his grandmother passed away. The pain of losing someone so close to him was overwhelming. Yet, it was at a camp that year where Marvin experienced the profound presence of God. “At camp, I felt that I was not alone. It was God helping me to overcome that stage of my life,” Marvin recalls. This experience marked a turning point, strengthening his faith and clarifying his calling to mentor others.
Now a Developing Global Leader, he is a clinical bioanalysis student at National Autonomous University of Nicaragua. Marvin aspires to open his own laboratory one day. “I want to help people in the health field and raise awareness about important health issues,” he says. Alongside his academic pursuits, Marvin continues to reach out to the young people in his community as a Young Life leader. He is determined to be a light to those who are lost and to teach the transformative love of Jesus to all he encounters. “I’ve seen how God changes lives, and I want to keep sharing that message with others.”
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; - Colossians 1:9
My name is Mihret, and I live in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, with my mother, father and brother. I have always been deeply rooted in my Christian faith due to my upbringing in a Christian family. Joining the Young Life programs felt like a natural step for me, and it has been an incredible journey over the past four years. I initially started in the discipleship program, and from there, I gradually became involved in the clubs. What struck me the most was the overwhelming sense of acceptance and belonging I found within the Young Life community. This motivated me to take on a leadership role, which I have proudly held for the past two years. Being able to serve in Young Life has been incredibly fulfilling for me. It's a wonderful opportunity to positively influence and impact the lives of others by embodying the teachings of Jesus through my actions.
Looking ahead, my goal is to establish as many clubs as possible and to reach out to as many young individuals as I can. The timing of the Developing Global Leaders program feels like a divine opportunity for me to further my service and bear even more fruit in this mission. I believe that this program will not only equip me with valuable knowledge and skills in the field of pharmacy at Albright University, but also introduce me to new perspectives and people that will broaden my horizons.
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; - Colossians 1:9
My name is Maray and family has always been a central part of my life, providing me with immense support, especially during challenging times. When I was eleven, I faced a rough period after entering high school a year early, which made me feel incredibly lonely. My mother was a great help during this time, guiding me through those difficult moments. My life took a further turn when problems arose between my parents, eventually leading to their divorce.
I attended church since a very young age and accepted Jesus when I was five years old. When I was eleven, I got baptized which marked a significant turning point in my faith. It was then that I truly began to understand the gravity of sin and experienced Jesus' forgiveness and unconditional love. A few years ago, I attended one of Young Life's summer camps here in Spain, which was particularly meaningful as my parents had been part of the staff years ago. This experience deepened my connection with Young Life and further solidified my faith.
Now, as part of the Developing Global Leaders program, I want to pursue a career in medicine. God has given me a sense of peace with the choice of studying medicine with a goal to help others, both through my work as a doctor and by sharing the message of Jesus. I am excited to see how God will use me to make a difference in the lives of others.
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; - Colossians 1:9
Noella is from Bukavu, a town in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the second largest country in Africa, DRC has a diverse population of more than two hundred ethnic groups and languages. She is one of eighteen children and shares, “I am not recognized in the family because I was born at the age where my mother should no longer get pregnant.” The majority of her family rejected her and her father refused to provide for her or her education. During her early adolescence, Noella found that her “only desire was to leave this world.” She felt both burdensome and unwanted.
Gratefully, she had others step into her life. With the aid of an older brother and her local Young Life area director, Noella was cared for and encouraged to finish her final years of high school. In that season of life, she was introduced and began a relationship with Jesus. She now serves as a women’s advocacy representative and volunteers with her local Young Life. “I saw the presence of God through my area director, and that's when I told myself that God has a plan for me. I decided to remain faithful to Jesus and follow his steps.”
As a Developing Global Leader, Noella will be the first to achieve a college degree in her family. She will earn her medical degree from the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques. Her mission is to advocate for those who are sick and to share the good news of Jesus with others.
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; - Colossians 1:9
I’m Angelica, and I live in Manila, Philippines with my parents and nine siblings who have their own families. Growing up, I felt I wasn't physically attractive. All through primary school I was bullied by classmates who made fun of my skin color, background, and looks. I didn't know how to stand-up for myself and often wondered why I had to go through that.
When I attended Young Life camp, my faith was weak, and I had many doubts and questions. It was hard for me to accept that God was my Savior. But as I began to accept God, I realized many important things. I met amazing people who saw my potential and supported me. God surrounded me with positive influences that boosted my confidence. Life felt lighter, more enjoyable, and manageable. My faith grew stronger, and I now turn to God first, both in good times and bad.
After the pandemic, our team leader called to discuss our commitment. When asked if I could fully commit to Bigkis Young Life, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. It was the best decision I ever made. It rekindled my faith in God and has been a meaningful way to serve the youth while recognizing my own past as one of them. I want to help the youth in our community participate in these events so that they can experience the amazing love and grace of God. I will also reach out to the youth and help build them into young leaders, sharing the word of God with them. While in the Developing Global Leaders program, I am attending Our Lady of Fatima University and studying medical laboratory sciences to become a doctor. I am eager to become the first in my family to graduate from university.
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; - Colossians 1:9
Thanks to your generosity, these DGL students are able to serve as Young Life leaders in their local communities while pursuing a university education – an opportunity most never thought possible.