Chandler Young Life — Gabriel Irons

Young Life Chandler

GABRIEL IRIONS

GABRIEL’S STORY

From a very young age, I can remember responding to the grace that Christ brought through the cross. Growing up in and surrounded by parents live a life of ministry really kept me in step with the Spirit of God. In those early years I can recall a very strong call to ministry. very seriously and had graciously kept me accountable to this calling growing up. In junior high and high school, I started to pursue drum much so, they had become idols in my life that I would later let go of. My junior year of high school I was asked to become a WyldLife Washington, Illinois. I started with a large group of sixth grade guys. In my senior year of high school, I was convicted of my sin and began with the Lord. Going into my freshman year of college, I was looking to find Christian community with my refreshed dedication to Jesus for my life. And by God’s will I walked right into Cru, a college ministry, at Illinois Central College. Shortly after getting involved, we went There the Lord reminded me of my call to ministry and pressed on me to act. Coming back from fall retreat I began to take Young Life had gotten more involved with my church. I began to pursue going on part-time sta with Young Life. In the midst of that process, I began Bible college in Mesa, Arizona. I moved out to Arizona and quickly got involved with Young Life in Chandler! In February of 2022, I came now pursuing full-time sta ! At the conclusion of my time in Bible college I moved to Chandler and became involved with a local church currently an active member at Antioch, serving in their kid’s ministry and leading the second grade small group and large group worship. in my journey so far and I am excited to continue to walk with Him as He guides my steps.

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

— Titus 2:6-8

AREA OVERVIEW

Young Life was brought to the Chandler area in the 1980s. As a suburb of Phoenix, the city of Chandler has a population of 280,000. 24.4% of the population is 18 years or younger. The Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) serves 44,000 students, making it the second largest school district in the state of Arizona. In the CUSD there are 32 elementary schools, nine junior high schools, six comprehensive high schools, four alternative schools, Arizona College Prep (junior high/high school) and five Chandler traditional academies. We currently have focus on four campuses, however our desire is to be on as many campuses as the Lord opens doors to. Chandler Young Life is in the process of starting East Valley Capernaum which will help to meet the needs of our special needs friends in the CUSD and other east valley schools. Through this process we are really working to make sure that we have a very inclusive environment in both WyldLife and Young Life, that our special needs friends feel not only welcomed but included. Chandler WyldLife had a very strong presence in chandler prior to COVID-19. During the pandemic, we were no longer able to meet on campus with students and the ministry had a hard time growing. With the restrictions of COVID-19 coming to a close, we relaunched WyldLife in February of 2022. Since then we have been growing steadily and consistently. We are currently on two campuses and plan to grow and expand into more in the very near future.

by the church and seeing my ministry. My parents had taken this drum corps and disc golf, so leader in my hometown of began to walk more closely Jesus and seeking his purpose went on a fall retreat with Cru. much more seriously and began to be led to go to a came on sta part time and am church called Antioch. I’m worship. I can see the Lord’s hand

1. Build and develop WyldLife teams by training and equipping them to lead junior high school students in their schools.

2. To continue to build new discipleship relationships with junior high guys.

3. Appoint and grow high school leaders to lead the WyldLife students.

4. Launch WyldLife ministry in three new schools in the next three years.

5. Grow and expand church partnerships to get students plugged into the multigenerational body of Christ.

Ways to Give

Give Online:

• Go to https://giving.younglife.org/gabrielirions

Personal Fundraising Goal

By Mail: Personal checks may be made out to Young Life, with "AZ162 — Gabriel Irions" on the memo line, and sent to:

Chandler Young Life

1731 W Linda Ln Chandler, AZ 85224

Young Life is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and has maintained that membership through a yearly review of its compliance with the ECFA’s standards.

Young Life was incorporated in 1941 by Jim Rayburn, a seminar y student and part-time youth minister in Gainesville, Texas, who wanted to reach out to kids disinterested in church. Rayburn went where kids were and found creative ways to share the love of God with them. His methods continue to transform lives today.