Relationships Fall 2015 by Young Life

A LOOK AT HOW KIDS IN CAPERNAUM ARE SERVING THE MISSION

Fall 2015 | Vol. 29 Issue 2

GENEROUS HELPINGS OF SOUL FOOD A DECADE OF YOUNG LIFE COLLEGE THE MINISTRY OF A

YOUTUBE PERSONALITY

contents 5 10 11 13 17 7 1

FALL 2015

SOUL FOOD

ABOUT THE COVER

A weekly pizza lunch in a renovated strip club is bringing Jesus to teenagers in Shoreline, Washington.

In Young Life we hold laughter in high esteem because we know it’s a sacred gift from the One who promises us “life to the full.” Throughout the year, kids like this one in Ethiopia experience the joy of Christ in club, where humor breaks down walls and lifts spirits. We believe this joy presents a beautiful picture of the very God who delights in them and invites them into a relationship with Himself.

YOUR LIFE, TOO

How a week at Rockbridge defied expectations and changed a destiny.

SWEET SERVANTS

A look at how kids in Capernaum are serving the mission.

Cover photo by Mike Knowles

THE LIFE & MINISTRY

of a YouTube personality … and Young Life leader!

HE CAN COME TOO

An impromptu invite affects one life, and then thousands.

2 3 4 15 19 20 21

IN EVERY ISSUE

FROM THE PRESIDENT IN YOUR OWN WORDS YOUNG LIFE LITE FROM THE GRAPEVINE PASSAGES YOUNG LIFE SPOKEN HERE PARTING SHOTS

10 YEARS OF COLLEGE! Celebrating Young Life College’s first decade of ministry.

fromthepresident EXPECTING AND ATTEMPTING: GOD AT WORK Do you believe in miracles? Think God is still doing miracles today? Have you seen any? I’ve asked myself the same questions and concluded I do believe in miracles, God is still at work and I’ve seen some of His results! They may not be quite the same as the parting of the Red Sea or when Jesus fed more than 5,000. But I can attest God is still doing miracles as He changes the lives of kids and us. Right now, I’m overwhelmed with what He’s doing in Young Life. Many of these miracles are occurring in the midst of a seven-year initiative we began six years ago called Reaching a World of Kids (RWOK). We sensed God calling us to take a huge step of faith and pursue kids with more intensity and a greater vision. We believed God was calling us, leading us and shaping what He’d like us to do. Before we began we shared this vision and invited people to join the team. We also set some concrete goals and shared them openly with staff, volunteers and friends of the mission.

We have experienced miracles. I’ve had the best seat in the house watching God at work.” — Denny Rydberg

We believed God wanted us to double the number of kids we were impacting each year. In 2009 that number was about one million kids a year. We’d know these kids by name; we’d be involved in their lives for Jesus’ sake. They would be prayed for and pursued. What had taken the mission 68 years (impacting one million kids a year), we wanted to do in just seven more. We believed God wanted us to more than double the number of volunteer leaders to 80,000. We wanted to get to 8,000 ministry locations. And we believed the Lord wanted us to encourage Young Life investors to give $260 million for starting new ministries, reaching more kids, camp scholarships and new camps, leadership development, etc. We believed these gifts would be in addition to the annual operating funds He would provide for us in local areas and regions. In the midst of RWOK, I came across a quote from William Carey, one of the great missionaries in the 1700s, who was rallying the church to take missions more seriously. His text was from Isaiah 54:2-3. His theme: “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” From the very beginning of RWOK we knew the goals were too great for us. But we believed we were called and empowered and we moved ahead. We’ve experienced miracles. With a year to go in the initiative, we’re already impacting 1.9 million kids per year. That means each year, 900,000 more kids have been given the opportunity to respond to Christ. Lord willing, we’ll hit our goal in 2016. We now have over 68,000 volunteer leaders and committee members. We’re in 7,000 ministry locations. The Lord has given us over $275 million toward our $260 million goal with a year to go. And miracles? Yes! We’ve seen the Lord open doors in closed cultures so kids can be reached. We now have ministry in 95 countries. We’ve seen tough kids soften as they meet Jesus. We’ve watched God give us the best staff and leaders in the world. Some, particularly in the international arena, never knew about Young Life. But they had “Young Life DNA” and seemed to be waiting for us to arrive. We have a year to go on RWOK. But we won’t stop when the seven years are over. There is a river of adolescents flowing through the world and we want to be in the water fishing for kids who are lost. Because as our founder Jim Rayburn said years ago, “The best Young Life work is yet to be done.”

Denny Rydberg Young Life President

inyourownwords OUR READERS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS

Meant for Me I have been in Young Life since my freshman year of high school. Young Life is something more than just a six-day camp to me. I see it as a gateway to open up into the person you want to be, or the person you already are but could not bring out on your own. My freshman year I used Young Life just to stay off the streets for a little while, doing fundraisers and camps just to ensure that I would be safe. Living in Chicago, there are not many days you feel safe, so when I found Young Life it was like a new breath of air. When I found out the true in-depth reason for Young Life, I knew it was meant for me. Just the feeling of getting to know God, helping others with their relationship with God, building friendships and helping in general is what I was made for. I promote Young Life everywhere I go because it is something that can help today’s youth in ways you can’t imagine. I have had some of the most eye-opening experiences with Young Life; one being going to Africa. For me, to go from joining Young Life to keep from dying to being committed to go across the world with them is amazing. I am Young Life and I do not see myself giving up on the mission it has for kids. I could have ended up God-knows-where, but I am just happy He sent me to Young Life South Side Chicago. I respect and love everything Young Life has done for me, from the camps to the strong presence of God I feel with me now. Thank you.

A Life More Amazing Because I was active in Young Life back in the 1960s, my interest in Young Life has been lifelong. Thanks to Jim Rayburn who introduced me to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, at Frontier Ranch during my first summer camp experience in 1960, my life has been more amazing than I could have ever imagined! During my high school years, I was able to return to Frontier again and later even served a month at Silver Cliff Ranch on their work crew. Since then I’ve been privileged to participate as a member of the prayer team for the White Bear Lake and Mahtomedi, Minnesota, Young Life club for many years. Thank you.

— Michael McGuire, college freshman, Chicago, Illinois

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is a publication of Young Life, a mission devoted to introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. Relationships magazine is published three times a year (spring, fall and winter) by Young Life. If you’re receiving duplicate copies or would like to switch over to the electronic version, please contact the Young Life Mission Assistance team at (877) 438-9572. We can also help you with the change of address or giving information.

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Publisher/President Denny Rydberg

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HOLY GROUND

Anthony and Patrick (in headlock) today.

When Patrick Lundberg of Young Life Otter Tail County, Minnesota, challenged Anthony, a sophomore at the local high school, to a wrestling match, he felt confident he could take the 16-year-old. After all, Lundberg was in the prime of his life. He had studied the signature moves of Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon and Bam Bam Bigelow on TV and he, himself, had been a wrestler. In sixth grade. How hard could it be? A half-nelson, a single lower leg take-down and done. Anthony would sign up for camp. Finally. Lundberg had invited Anthony countless times and every time, Anthony refused. But with this challenge, Lundberg had found the way to pin him down. “Anthony, if I can beat you in a wrestling match, you’ll come to camp. Deal?” Anthony smiled and shook the area director’s hand. “You’ve got a deal.” Anthony would make good on this deal, Lundberg never doubted. A quick tussle on the Lundbergs’ lawn and just a few weeks later, Anthony would be boarding the bus to Frontier Ranch. No sweat. (And certainly no blood or tears.) Or so he thought. But Pat “The Lumbering” Lundberg had underestimated his 115-pound opponent. “This was an epic, big-time brawl. Anthony was scrappy. He just wouldn’t quit. I was nearly vomiting I was so torched at the end,” said Lundberg. “Our lawn suffered for weeks after.” The video another kid took was proof of the match and Lundberg’s hardfought victory. It was also what kept neighbors from calling the police. Nothing to see here, folks. Just another Young Life stunt. Anthony’s mom thought otherwise. The match that resulted in Anthony going to camp and hearing the truth about God’s love for him was indeed epic. “You weren’t just wrestling with Anthony that day,” she later told Lundberg, “you were wrestling with all the stuff that he’s been dealing with. When he came home, he was different. It’s like you wrestled all of the anxiety and darkness right out of him.” Anthony acknowledged his earlier struggles and the impact of a leader on his life — in high school and middle school also. “I don’t know where I would be without Pat and my WyldLife leader before him.” Anthony served on work crew at Lost Canyon and said when he thinks “back to when life was really, really good, it was at Lost Canyon.” Lundberg would say that Anthony’s path was not altogether straight after his camp experiences. Anthony agrees. The two fell out of touch when Anthony enlisted in the U.S. Army. It was just recently that they met up again and Lundberg learned that Anthony will enroll in North Dakota State University this fall to study criminal justice. He intends to enter law enforcement or law school after graduation. Anthony, now 20 years old and a more formidable wrestler at six-feet tall, and 185 pounds, also plans to get involved in Young Life leadership, because he knows firsthand what it can mean to have a leader in your life. One who cares enough to “go to the mat” with you — and for you.

Soul Food

BY LESLIE STRADER

A weekly pizza lunch in a renovated strip club is bringing Jesus to teenagers in Shoreline, Washington.

The best way to a kid’s heart is through his stomach. It’s a tweak on the old adage, but Young Life in Shoreline, Washington, is hoping it proves true. Every Monday at noon, Young Life volunteers gather at the One Cup Coffee Company to serve pizza to more than 200 teenagers from Shorewood High School. Since February, kids from all walks of life have made the two-block trek from their campus for what’s become known as “Pizza Lunch.” The line goes out the door and around the building, as 40 pies are devoured in an hour’s time. Kids are craving cheese with extra pepperoni, but the leaders know the real hunger is in their souls. And they are eager to introduce them to the One who can satisfy their every need.

A seat at the table.

SETTING THE TABLE Soon after Lily Jensen became the area director in Shoreline almost two years ago, she got a phone call. It was Scott Sund, a former Young Life staffer and current lead pastor at Bethany Community Church North, offering to collaborate for the sake of kids. “Scott said, ‘We’re doing this together. We’ll do anything it takes to support you,’” Jensen recalled.

Sund knew that support would be vital. Shorewood High School is located one block from Aurora Avenue, a highway that divides the city of Shoreline, and is home to casinos, low-income housing, prostitution and a methadone clinic. For years, believers in the area prayed God would shut down the strip club that seemed to anchor the darkness there, and use the space for His glory. Just before Christmas, their prayers were answered. Bethany North took over the building’s lease, and as walls became windows, redemption began. Now the One Cup Coffee Company resides where the strip club once was, shining a bright light in a dark place. Not only Pizza Lunch, but club and Campaigners meet here each week as well. “We wanted to transform this building for a number of reasons,” Sund said, “but a dream of mine was knowing its proximity to the high school — that we would be able to serve these kids and continue to tell the huge love story of Jesus Christ in their lives.” Pizza Lunch was born out of a shared desire to “love kids and see disciples made in Jesus’ name,” Sund said. “This is a transformation story that only could be available because of the power and purpose of the Holy Spirit,” he added. “We are humbled to participate with Young Life in such an audacious project.” Jensen said Pizza Lunch has grown just by “word of mouth and a few social media posts.” And it’s reaching kids they’ve never been able to connect with before. “The first week we had about 30 kids. Then 60. The next week it was 100, then 125. For the last two weeks there’ve been over 200 kids,” Jensen said. “This has been one of the most effective ways of reaching a diverse population of kids, ethnically and socio-economically. It’s a very welcoming platform to start relationships with the intention of sharing the Gospel for the long haul.” The pizza is donated each week by a local Dominos — owned by a former Young Life area director — and by Bethany North. And by people like Ernie, a businessman driving by one day who, when he saw teenagers and pizza, stopped to ask what was going on. When he heard what Young Life was doing, he gave all the money in his wallet to the cause. He came back the next week with a check for $1,000 for the pizza fund. “Not only are we reaching 200 kids every week with pizza,” Jensen said, “but the community-at-large gets

to see how God is attentive to teenagers through the abundance of pizza, pop and relationships with adults who care about them.” REMODELED AND REDEEMED Gretchen Gwaltney is the volunteer team leader for Shorecrest High School and lead volunteer for Pizza Lunch. Shorecrest is about seven minutes from the coffee shop; kids carpool from there every Monday to be a part of Pizza Lunch. She said the renovation of the building has been a picture of what Jesus, through the ministry of Young Life, wants to do in the lives of the teenagers. “There are lots of windows here — it’s bright and open,” she explained. “When it was a strip club, there were no windows. It was very dark inside. We tell the kids all the time that this used to be a strip club, and it’s been redeemed. It was something that was used for awful things — slavery and oppression — and now, it’s been reopened and given new life. Now, light is coming in. “The kids think that’s cool, that now it’s something good. It’s something they can go to, a safe place.” As the lunch crowd grew, serving that many pizzas to that many teenagers became overwhelming for the Young Life volunteers. So Gwaltney went to Bethany for help. “Now we use volunteers from the church to serve pizza so the leaders can initiate conversations with the kids,” Gwaltney said. “We’re able to easily invite them back for club that night and continue to build relationships. “We don’t ask anything of them. We don’t ask them to write their name down or give us their email. We want this to be, let us love you and give to you. Some kids say, ‘Who’s paying for this? What exactly is this?’ We say, ‘God has done this, and we want you to know.’” Bruce Hosford, who has served on the Young Life Board of Trustees since 1995, attends Bethany. Hosford heard about the Pizza Lunch from Jensen this spring. He jumped at the chance to help support what Young Life was doing there. “It’s so great to see work on the ground in contrast to 30,000 feet as a board member. I get to live vicariously,” Hosford said. “It’s the body of Christ, and I’m just the hands. This is a real easy opportunity to enable the staff to do what they do best, and that’s good for everybody.” Young Life 101 is “Go where kids are.” But in this case, the kids are coming to Young Life. So what draws them in? And what keeps them coming back? “Kids love coming because they get a free lunch, but also, kids love to go where they are loved and seen as God would see them,” Sund said. “We hope this is the beginning of more fruitful relationships with students where they see that the church and Young Life exist to love and encourage them and teach them about the radical love of Jesus Christ.” Gwaltney agrees food is key, but knows they have to offer more. She believes the recipe for life transformation is faithfulness, consistency and loving kids just as they are. “Feeding them lunch definitely meets some of their physical needs that might otherwise go unmet,” she said. “And that is how we earn the right to be heard, and when we can speak truth into their lives. Because ultimately, we want them to meet Jesus. “It’s been a life-giving opportunity to be able to love these kids. They can come and be who they are, and

receive love and respect in return. That’s what keeps them coming back. And they’re telling their friends, ‘Let’s go.’ It’s been amazing.”

A barista pours a latte at One Cup Coffee.

Young Life Trustee Bruce Hosford (center) and other adult volunteers serving at “Pizza Lunch.”

A group of Shorewood High School students gather for pizza and conversation.

Bethany Community Church North volunteers reach into the community by serving coffee and muffins.

Celebrating a decade of changed lives through the ministry of Young Life College. BY JEFF CHESEMORE

Someone once defined college as “the best six or seven years of your life!” Well Young Life has now officially spent a decade in college and shows no sign of “graduating” any time soon. In 2005 the mission’s leadership, recognizing the increasing need to minister to students after they had graduated from high school, launched Young Life College. That fall, ministry began on five new campuses, joining a small handful already thriving in their outreach ministries. Mike Gaffney, vice president of Young Life College, has been leading the movement from the beginning, a time marked by many questions from others in the mission. “A comment I heard on several occasions during those early days was, ‘I wonder how long before people are asking, “Whatever happened to ‘that college thing’?”’”

COMMUNITY, ADVENTURE AND SIGNIFICANCE

One initial skeptic was John Byard, an area director outside Arizona State University (ASU). Like many others, Byard wondered about the wisdom of expanding the mission’s reach into universities, places traditionally reserved for leader recruitment. But when a college student he worked with was not yet ready to be a Young Life leader, and the local area had nothing else to offer, “a light bulb went on” for Byard.

MSU-Mississippi State University students at Windy Gap.

“When I saw this girl’s involvement in the tremendous community happening at ASU [one of the schools with college outreach before the official launch of Young Life College], I understood the importance,” Byard explained. “I went from being a nonbeliever to fully on board — seeing college students as a group we need to come alongside, walk with, reach with the Gospel and help grow in their faith. “It was then I fell in love with college students, with their journey of faith, the depth of conversations you can have, the realness of life issues they’re going through.” Byard moved to San Diego in 2008 and started Young Life College at San Diego State University (SDSU). The work there spread to Point Loma Nazarene University, University of California–San Diego and the University of San Diego. All in response to the need of college students, Byard said. “College students desire community, adventure and significance, so at club we offer that. Students want to know and be known. If they can come to a place of real community, that can be life-giving. We want it to be fun and filled with humor. And we want to tell them about who Jesus is.” The message doesn’t stop there. “We tell college students about a relationship with Jesus,” Byard said, “but then help them figure out a way to give away their faith to their college peers, or to high school or middle school kids down the street.

John Byard (far left) and San Diego State University students.

There’s an immediate ‘put your faith in action’ component. Last year a student met Christ in Young Life College and six months later is a Capernaum leader giving his life away with kids with special needs. Now he’s on the Young Life College team at SDSU and wants to come on Young Life staff. This is a kid who was getting high his freshman year of college.”

“

When I went to Young Life in high school it was a great opportunity to learn more about Jesus, but it was in Young Life College where I went deeper.

KNOWING SCRIPTURE AND KNOWING JESUS

Similar stories abound at the University of Texas (UT), another school whose outreach ministry predates the Young Life College launch. In 2003, Brett Rodgers was an area director in San Antonio, where he had spent the previous 13 years working with high school kids. It was during this time he sensed God leading him in a new direction. “I sat in the parking lot of the school where I had led Young Life for all those years. Ministry was going really well, but I knew it was over for me because I had two boys and thought, ‘Well I’m not going to get to do this anymore because I can’t be out four nights a week. I’m going to have to do something different.’” Friends of Rodgers living in Austin invited him to consider working with college leaders at UT. The ministry in the city of Austin was small, but full of promise because of all the potential leaders at the university. “They hired me to recruit and train leaders,” Rodgers said. He agreed — with the caveat that he could also care for kids who never become leaders. “I didn’t want to be boxed into just leader development; I also didn’t want to have an agenda with students, I wanted to just love on them.” Under Rodgers’ leadership, both outreach and recruitment exploded. Leadership has grown from 30 leaders when he arrived to 580 today, while more than 1,500 students are involved in small groups led by 130 adults from the local area, many of whom are Young Life College alumni. What helps the students flourish? “We start teaching the book of John to freshmen and I’ll go to my grave thinking that’s why it all turned. We teach them how to know Scripture and the person of Jesus.” This knowledge leads to Rodgers’ greatest joy. “I love to see students taking hold of the Word of God and becoming givers, not takers. Young Life has an incredible platform on the college campus because we give students a place where they grow by giving themselves away. It’s the perfect storm.”

pursuing opportunities to serve in summer staff and intern roles at Young Life camps. During her internship at Woodleaf, she met Missy Scudder, a Young Life College leader at Chico State University in California. Scudder befriended LaSalle, who moved to Chico and jumped into the college ministry. “When I went to Young Life in high school it was a great opportunity to learn more about Jesus, but it was in Young Life College where I went deeper. Before I went to Missy’s Bible studies, I would read the Bible, but I really learned from her a love for the Word.” LaSalle grew in her faith and started to recognize her mission field. “God was pulling on my heartstrings to work with college students. Missy once said, ‘80 percent of teens who

”

FROM RECEIVING TO GIVING

Sarah LaSalle is one who has moved into a season of service. The 25-year-old became involved in Young Life in high school, but at that point “didn’t have a serious relationship with Christ.” As she grew in her faith at college, she took a more active role,

follow Jesus in high school drop off in college.’ That really broke my heart. I wanted to do something about it. I don’t want anyone to miss out on living life with Jesus.” LaSalle sensed the Lord leading her to come on Young Life College staff, and left her familiar California surroundings this summer for a new adventure at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Her passion is unmistakable: “I think it’s so important to know Jesus in college. It’s such a huge growing time and you’re on your own; you don’t have the same structure you normally have. Continued on page 9

Continued from page 8

THE TIME IS NOW

Missy Scudder, back row left, and Sarah LaSalle, front row right, with friends from the Young Life College Bible study.

It’s so easy to lose yourself in what the world offers.” Someone thrilled with LaSalle’s arrival is John Evans, the Arklamiss (Arkansas/Louisiana/Mississippi) regional director. With eight Young Life College ministries in his region, the 37year staff veteran has seen firsthand how Young Life College blesses students, and they in turn, bless the mission. “To be honest, our region got into Young Life College to develop staff,” Evans said. “But in the process we learned some things and became convinced it was absolutely part of our commitment to adolescents. Relational outreach ministry to college folks is part of the Young Life DNA. I do believe some day it will produce staff, but that’s a secondary benefit. “Someday, those folks who get involved in places like Ole Miss, Mississippi State or the University of Arkansas will be going back home,” Evans said, “and they will be the pathway to starting Young Life in many small towns over the next 30 years.”

While no two Young Life College ministries are identical, there are similar threads that run throughout each campus. For one, Young Life College leaders recognize how critical the ministry is to incoming freshmen. “Here’s an amazing stat,” Evans said. “If a young person doesn’t get plugged into a ministry in the first 72 hours of their college career, it’s unlikely they ever will. We now plan our regional schedule around allowing our college staff to be fully present that first week when students are moving onto campus. It’s absolutely critical they’re available to connect with the kids who were involved in Young Life in high school and attract some of those new folks who didn’t have a Young Life background.” That’s an important reminder of a second thread: 60 percent of students involved in Young Life College were not involved in Young Life prior to college. This percentage holds true at SDSU, Byard said. “We have kids coming who have never heard of Young Life before, so it’s not because of name recognition. It’s because they’re being cared for and encouraged. Probably 50 percent of our club consists of nonbelievers. We certainly guard the fruit of Young Life kids who come into Young Life College, but we’re also throwing nets off the side of the boat and inviting new folks.” From a leadership perspective, Gaffney is thrilled to see what the last decade has brought and bullish on the future of Young Life College. “We’re happy to report that 10 years later, the ‘college thing’ is still around and has clearly moved from an initiative to an essential part of the Young Life family. The good news is that our Lord is leading the way, and as far as I can tell, the college thing is here to stay.”

Your Life, Too

BY BETHANY BRADSHER

How a week at Rockbridge defied expectations and changed a destiny. Alec Bowling was a teenager given to drama and deep thought — a young man who more than anything else wanted a life that meant something. So at 16, when Bowling’s desire to impact the world intersected with the Gospel, it was no surprise the Holy Spirit spoke to him in an unforgettably vivid way. Young Life had only been active at Batavia High School (outside Cincinnati, Ohio) for a year, and even though Bowling liked Young Life leader Zack Leopold, he was initially hesitant about attending club (he thought it was a support group for depressed teens) and signing up for the Rockbridge trip. He heard the term “summer camp” and was fairly sure he could find something better to do with his time. “In my view of summer camp, I pictured some big dude slopping spaghetti on your plate, doing arts and crafts in the woods,” he said. “So the idea of summer camp was not very alluring to me at all.” But his mom signed him up, and Bowling and a busload of his friends headed south to Virginia. Volunteer leader Tynan Kuck didn’t know Bowling too well when he boarded the bus with the group that summer, but he stood out as a demonstrative kid with a big personality, a musician who sang and played guitar in a scream band. The first day at Rockbridge quickly won Bowling over to the idea of summer camp. A few days later, after a one-on-one time with Kuck — during which he concluded he wasn’t ready to commit his life to Christ yet — Bowling walked through camp by himself, thunderstruck by God’s love for him and His calling on his life. At that moment he heard God say to him, “If I can be in all of these people’s lives, I can be in your life, too.”

“Everything I believed and what I was living for changed in that moment, and nothing has been the same since,” he said. “It just crashed over me like a wave. The only thing that can explain that is the existence of a living God.” Bowling’s dynamic journey with Christ since that day is evident. With the help of Kuck and Leopold, he learned what it looked like to live as a disciple. Now 22 and a Young Life leader himself at Turpin High School in Cincinnati, Bowling says serving as a leader has been a key part of that growth process. His walk with Christ and involvement in the mission has also shaped his family — in February Bowling married Megan, a high school classmate and fellow Young Life leader. For Kuck, who spent a decade as a volunteer leader at two high schools in the Cincinnati area, the opportunity to witness Bowling’s transformation was one of the most meaningful snapshots of his time with Young Life. “It’s incredible to see how his life changed and went in a completely different direction than I or anyone else would have thought when he was a freshman,” Kuck said. “He has a legacy in Christ, through Young Life, at the school where he leads. Through Alec, I got to see how Christ changes people and how that completely changes everything.”

“EVERYTHING I BELIEVED AND WHAT I WAS LIVING FOR CHANGED IN THAT MOMENT ... ”

Clockwise from top: Megan and Alec on their wedding day, with Zack officiating. Zack, far left, and Alec, in black, sharing laughs at Rockbridge in 2008. Zack, front left, Tynan, front right and Alec, second row, third from right, on that same trip.

Kate Hemby

Sweet Servants

You may already know that Capernaum (pronounced kuh-PUR-nee-uhm) is Young Life’s ministry with kids with disabilities. But are you aware that many of these kids minister right back – in their local areas, at Young Life camps and so many other locations? In this issue of Relationships we’re honored to spotlight a few of these countless servants who are loving Jesus and people through their hard work, smiles, hugs and encouragement.

North Atlanta, Georgia

Summer staff at Carolina Point Capernaum leader

Madi Jones, a Capernaum buddy, with her friend, Kate.

More on Kate … “Describe Kate Hemby? Tenderhearted and joyful! Her constant smile is infectious! Kate has played a steadfast role in our growing local Capernaum ministry and has recently made the transition from club kid to leader. She happily serves her friends at club and continues to deepen her relationship with Jesus in Campaigners. Kate is all in!” — J A M I E TA I T , N O R T H AT L A N TA C A P E R N A U M L E A D E R

GR Smith Omaha, Nebraska

Work crew at Castaway Club Junior leader for Capernaum club On staff with Young Life Capernaum (2014-present)

Pam Harmon, vice president of Young Life Capernaum, and her friend, GR.

More FROM GR … “My name is GR Smith. I love the Lord. Young Life is giving me a chance to serve people. I think it’s a calling God has given me because of my big heart. I am very grateful to give back what I’ve been given. Thank you for Capernaum and all the joy I receive loving the Lord and His people.” Brady (third from left) praying with other leaders.

Brady King

Greenville, South Carolina Summer staff at Southwind In training to become a Capernaum leader in the fall of 2015

More on Brady … Brady comes to Young Life early each week to help set up tables and chairs for the meal. He has a wonderful smile, “Hello,” or hug for his new high school friends as they enter the room. For Brady, Jesus comes up in most conversations in the most natural ways. One day Brady insisted he ride in the Young Life van as we took folks home. He wanted to learn how to tie down the wheelchairs his friends ride in. Now we invite him every week to ride with us because he’s such a big help. — SKEETER POWELL, VOLUNTEER LEADER, GREENVILLE

Ryan Steele Greater Lafayette, Indiana

Summer staff at Castaway Club Area Director Assistant (2009-present)

More on Ryan … “Each Monday, Ryan attends one of the area clubs where he fills out an evaluation of each leader and event. He is wholly honest and also graciously encouraging. If a song (or mixer, game, or skit) doesn’t go well, Ryan says so. But he also gives sincere encouragement for “100 percent effort!” He helps commission new leaders, bids emotional farewells to graduating leaders, prays for others, and extends hospitality by greeting everyone and serving snacks. Without Ryan’s presence, Greater Lafayette Young Life and WyldLife ministries and leaders would be missing out on all the significant, unique, meaningful, and joyful realities only he can offer.” — M A R K K I R G I S S , A R E A D I R E C T O R , L A FAY E T T E

Ryan Steele and Mark Kirgiss

More FROM Ben … Before campers arrived, Ben posted this on Facebook: “Well the Summer Staff and I are getting things ready for the campers! And it’s taking a long time for the campers to get here. We got like 2 more days. So come on campers. Let’s get camp started so I can work!” — AT C A R O L I N A P O I N T , A Y O U N G L I F E C A M P

Rob (middle) with other Capernaum leaders.

Rob Sterken Holland, Michigan

Summer intern at Timber Wolf Lake for six years Capernaum leader

Ben Sumner Memphis, Tennessee

Summer staff at Carolina Point (2015)

More on Rob … “I remember one afternoon sneaking in the snack bar to secretly watch Rob reset the game room. I will never forget how much time he spent at each table resetting it perfectly. Every number on every pool ball was facing up on the table. Each foosball was placed perfectly in the center of each table. Every ping pong table and air hockey table was ‘Windexed’ with care. After he was done, I walked up to him to tell him how great everything looked. I asked him why he had faced all the pool balls with the numbers up. Rob told me that Jesus was excellent and his pool balls should be too. — B R I A N J O H N S O N , C A R O L I N A P O I N T, G U E S T S E R V I C E S C O O R D I N AT O R

More on Jacob … “Jacob has been invaluable when it comes to promoting Capernaum within our area. In order to serve our larger mission, Jacob has participated in meetings on a divisional level, participated in work week to prepare camp properties for the summer camping season and served on work crew.” — J A M I E TA I T , N O R T H AT L A N TA C A P E R N A U M L E A D E R

Ben awaits campers at Carolina Point.

Jacob Walker

North Atlanta, Georgia In charge of North Atlanta Capernaum’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram feeds Work crew at SharpTop Cove Jacob, front row, second from left with his friends. Front row: Sarah Brintnall, Jacob, Pam, Brian “Coop” Cooper, Michael Crofton. Second row: Courtney McGinnis, LauraLee Wright, Caitlin Guill, Becca Wilson, Katie Harbison, Kate, GR, Owen Apfel.

Thee& Lifistry Min ersonality … p e b u T u o Y a f o leader! and Young Life

BY NED ERICKSON

MOLT TEED OFF AND WATCHED HIS FRISBEE DISC SAIL OFF TO THE LEFT AND THEN BACK TO THE RIGHT BEFORE IT SETTLED IN A SUNNY PATCH OF GRASS. “LONDON WAS COOL — MAINLY SCHMOOZING WITH PEOPLE.” HE WAS TELLING ME ABOUT HIS RECENT TRIP TO ENGLAND. A GAMING COMPANY HAD FLOWN HIM OVER TO CHECK OUT THEIR NEW APP. I had driven to Charlotte, North Carolina, to interview Molt, the guy behind the YouTube channel, “GAMINGwithMOLT.” It’s his job. His hours were flexible. It’s why he could play disc golf in the middle of the week. “So what is a YouTuber?” I asked him while searching for my errant Frisbee. “I’m pretty much like a TV personality,” said Molt, “but instead of television, I’m on YouTube. Television shows have commercial breaks. We have mobile advertising.” He sank a 10-foot putt. “Kids always want to know how much I make.” I wanted to know, too, but I wasn’t planning to ask. “I just tell them it’s enough that I could quit my other job.” My tee shot hooked wide to the right and landed in poison ivy. Molt’s real name is Michael Holt. “Take off the ‘ichael’ and the ‘H’ and ‘Molt’ is what you get. A friend from college started calling me that, and it stuck.” While in school, he had planned to play baseball but, the summer before his freshman year, a freak injury involving a rope swing crushed that dream and nearly cost him his life. While in the air, his left arm became tangled in the rope. By the time he hit the water, the rope had severed his bicep and brachialis muscles and torn his tricep 75 percent of the way through. “If it were cut any more, the doctor said I would have bled to death.” Needless to say, he entered college a wounded man. “Losing so much strength in my arm was physically hard,

but what I really lost was my confidence.” It was a low point spiritually as well. RENEWED STRENGTH “I grew up in a Christian family, which is lucky, but sometimes it can fool you into thinking you are a Christian when you’re really not. I was always involved in church, but it wasn’t until high school when I started to understand

Michael Holt gaming with a friend after club.

the idea of having a relationship with the Creator. “In college, I started to drift away, but my dad was persistent in encouraging me to pursue Jesus.” Change didn’t happen overnight. But slowly, over the next two years, both his strength in his arm and his faith in God returned. He transferred to the University of South Carolina to study broadcast journalism. “I thought about being a news anchor or sports announcer, but I eventually switched over to majoring in visual communications.” In 2010, he moved to Charlotte to work in graphic design. Two years later, he posted his first video. “I can hardly listen to it. I sound like a nervous child. I was so quiet and reserved.” Not anymore. One thousand-plus videos later, he is MOLT, one of the most-watched mobilegamer YouTubers out there. “Most of my videos are about Clash of Clans. Some are of me playing. Some are tutorials. The cool thing is that I can use both my graphic design abilities and my commentating skills when I’m producing content.” He uploaded one that morning. “Three a.m. for my friends across the pond. Then, it will be there waiting for those on the East Coast when they wake up and three hours later when the Pacific Coasters get out of bed. There’s strategy to it.” Whatever it is, it’s working. GAMINGwithMOLT has over 400,000 subscribers and gains more than 1,000 a day. “I love that line ‘Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary use words.’ The way I think of it is that preachers have their pulpits, but God has given me a platform of a different kind. Not that I talk about Jesus all the time, but people know what I’m about, and I always try to stay positive. One time a mom wrote a comment thanking me for being a role model in her son’s life and not shying away from my faith. Things like that are so encouraging. “It’s really true that you can build a community [online]. One of my best friends is a YouTuber. We’ve only met in person three times, but we talk to each other almost every day.” FEELS LIKE A RELATIONSHIP Molt is aware that not everything on YouTube is uplifting. “Some guys are really immature. And to be honest, I could make a lot more money in the short term by being vulgar. But I’ve learned that in the long run, being positive and true really pays off.” To him, getting involved in Young Life was natural. “I have always felt a connection with high school guys. From freshman year to senior year, I went through all the phases myself. From the quiet, short introverted guy to the popular, super confident one — I can really understand what they’re going through. To me, Young Life doesn’t feel like a ministry. It feels like a relationship.” I asked him if being a YouTuber gives him cool points with the guys he spends time with. He replied with a smile. “It’s fun. Last summer when I was at Young Life camp, kids from other parts of the country would recognize me. I’m sure the same thing will happen this year. But that’s To learn more about Michael Holt or his channel on YouTube, find him at GAMINGwithMOLT, or on Twitter @molt_CoC.

nothing compared to the joy I get out of watching these high school guys grow in their faith. I’ll never forget when one of them stood up at Say-So. Everyone has fears about what others think about them, but he stood up in front of all his friends. I had never seen so much joy.” Molt and I finished Hole 18. We made our way to the edge of the empty parking lot. I could tell Molt wouldn’t mind playing another round, but I needed to be heading back home. It was quiet between us as I figured out how to tell him that my life didn’t allow me to play two rounds of disc golf. He answered as if reading my mind. “All of this is a dream. The fact that I get to make videos and hang out with guys for a living is amazing. I’m so grateful. So thankful.” Molt recently celebrated his second anniversary on YouTube with a post to his fans. “I can’t believe this is where I am ... I am so blessed.” Molt plans to continue to post videos for years to come. He is already branching out from Clash of Clans to other mobile apps. He remains committed to Young Life as well.

Molt with friends at camp.

EVERY MOTHER’S DREAM

BY CHRIS LASSITER

Ciara, far left, Brenda, second from left and the rest of the Valley (Virginia) YoungLives group.

Brenda Rankin’s own story was what softened her heart toward the ministry of YoungLives. She was never a teen mom, but in her early 20s, Rankin gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Ciara. A volunteer YoungLives leader in central Virginia, Rankin understands the struggle of being a single mother. “When the girls talk about wanting to be able to provide for your child on your own, I feel those same feelings coming back,” Rankin said. “I understand some of the things they go through as a single mom.” Rankin’s life is further proof God can rewrite a story: She now has a healthy marriage and a wonderful family. Her daughter, Ciara, recently received her master’s degree from Virginia Tech, is also happily married and is now a first-grade teacher in northern Virginia. One of the coolest chapters in Rankin and Ciara’s story involves YoungLives camp. Last summer, the mother and daughter served side by side at Rockbridge Alum Springs. While Rankin was leading girls in a cabin, Ciara volunteered as a childcare worker. “It was really special to see how God brought our story full circle, and how He used both of us in serving young moms together,” Rankin said. “I think it gave girls hope when they saw my grown daughter there with me, and the relationship we have with each other and Jesus.” Professionally, Rankin is a successful hairstylist. Ciara knew her mom was completely invested when she allowed her hair to get messed up on several occasions.

“When I saw that, I knew she was passionate about these girls,” Ciara said. “Every time I saw her with one of the girls, I couldn’t have been more proud. She humbled herself that week many times in order that girls would feel the love of Jesus. From late-night conversations to taking care of babies to participating in a mud fight … she let Jesus love them through her selflessness.” Being together made each of their first experiences at YoungLives camp unforgettable. “It was awesome,” Rankin said. “It was tiring and really stretching for me at times, but I loved getting to know the girls better in a different setting, seeing their faces light up during the special activities we did, and just giving them a fun experience as a teenager. That was really cool for me.” Because her mom was leading at camp, Ciara had the additional privilege of getting to know one cabin of girls a little more closely. She even did the ropes course with one of the campers. Ciara came to camp with the intent of helping young moms have the best week of their life. It proved to be one of the best weeks of her life as well. “It was such an honor to care for their children while they heard about how much Jesus cares for them,” said Ciara, who helps organize childcare for YoungLives in the Fairfax area. “They trusted us with their children, and in turn, some trusted Jesus with their own life. It was a rewarding and humbling experience to love the moms in such a practical way.”

HOPE FOR HAITI BY CHRIS LASSITER

It was literally love at first “site.” That’s how Art Edras “Darsen” Bon Ari describes his first experience walking into the Young Life office in Portau-Prince. Like many high school graduates, Darsen had left his hometown of Saint Louis du Nord to head for the city to continue his education. For many reasons, the transition to a new environment wasn’t an easy one. In fact, an invitation to attend a Young Life club could not have come at a better time. “I never have been to paradise, but my first club felt like paradise,” said Darsen, reflecting back to his introduction to Young Life in 2003. The site for club was actually the Young Life office. “We had fun like crazy. Even if it’s your first time, you feel like you have known them a long time. It felt like I had found a new family.” For Darsen, that feeling was irresistible. “I knew I could not miss another Monday,” he said. The impact Young Life had on Darsen went far beyond fun. Thirteen years later, he can still remember the story about a boy looking for his lost boat at sea, and how the Young Life speaker made a correlation between that boy and the boat and how Jesus came to save the lost. “Young Life is the best thing I’ve ever had in my life,” Darsen said. “It’s the best thing, because today I can be closer to Jesus because of Young Life. You can’t give what you don’t have. If I need to share the Gospel with kids, I need to know my Bible and how to be friends with them, so I think this is the best thing in my life.” From his first experience, Darsen had a feeling Young Life would be something he’d be involved with for a long time. He asked Chedreus Caneus, the national director of Young Life Haiti at that time, how to get Young Life started in his hometown.

Picking out a tune.

“I wanted the people in my hometown to enjoy the benefits of Young Life,” said Darsen, a linguist who speaks French, English, Spanish and Creole. He’s now seen the dream of Young Life in his hometown become a reality. Saint Louis du Nord now has two Young Life clubs. Darsen is pleased, but he still wants to see Young Life impact more kids in Haiti. It’s easy for kids in Haiti to be drawn toward a negative path, but he hopes Young Life can be part of the solution. “My dream is to see more kids know Christ,” Darsen said. “I would like to see Young Life in every city in Haiti one day. We are now in eight areas, and we have two more that need Young Life. We want to see a generation of kids know Jesus. Young Life is like a bridge to kids from the society to the church, which helps them grow in the faith.”

Darsen gets a little lift from friends.

“He Can Come Too” BY STEVE McNITT

It was not exactly the nicest, smoothest or most flattering invitation, but it worked. There wasn’t Young Life at John Wesley North High School my freshman year. Nobie Hill, the area director, was gathering some kids whom he thought would be helpers, inviters, leaders and core kids to get a club started. The meeting was to inform them about the mission of Young Life as well as inspire them to get involved and maybe go to Woodleaf (a Young Life camp in California) that summer. My brother, Mike, was smart, funny, popular and a good athlete. No wonder he was invited to a meeting of movers, shakers and club starters. Me? I was a shy, insecure freshman living in the shadows of my four older brothers and sisters. I was a newbie to high school who was often asked, “Are you more like Mike or John [our oldest brother]?” I was a decent student, an average athlete and unsure of my place on campus or in the world. One school night there was a knock on our front door. I could be assured it was not for me. A tall, thin man clad in a polo shirt, old jeans and faded white tennis shoes came into our house. Unbeknownst to me, Mike had been waiting for a ride to go to the meeting. Before they could scurry out the door, the tall man introduced himself to all of us in an awkward display of social graces, “I’m Nobie.” As they made their way to the door, in what I am sure was not nearly fast enough for my brother, Nobie turned, looked at me and gave one of the least inspiring invitations to anything: “He can come too.” It was an awkward invitation from a Young Life leader who knew the adventure I could have if I would just respond. I looked at my brother with eyes that were desperate to go anywhere cool, balanced with “Am I going to get punched for this later?” Mike nodded and I was out the door and into the orange VW bug as fast as I could get there. The thing I remember most about the meeting was the star-studded

circle of cool kids and the movie about Woodleaf camp. I had never done anything that cool before in my life and I wanted to go to camp so badly. I knew our family could not afford it, but I hoped I could find a way. I also remember Nobie wanted to start taking us to the Young Life club that met at our rival school, the one with the prettiest girls in town. He didn’t have to ask me twice! It was another year and a half before I made it to Woodleaf. I went with my two best friends, a couple of other guys and Mike. I had the best week of my life, just as advertised. I sailed, rode jet skis and trekked up a mountain stream to a place where we jumped off cliffs into a pristine pool of crystal clear water. My enthusiasm for the female campers grew, but to be honest I had the most fun at the nightly Young Life clubs. The songs were great, the skits were hilarious and the messages made sense to me. They were spoken in plain language bundled between the funniest stories I had ever heard. One night I was told about the cross and Jesus’ choice to pay the price for my sins. It was clear and it was personal. I was given 15 minutes to go out, be quiet and ponder God’s love

I sat in silence, looked at the stars and I realized that the God who so magnificently made all of those also made me.

side Nobie Hill and Steve McNitt at a River

Young Life reunion.

for me. I wandered in silence to a wooden bench on the pleasure of being a monthly financial donor for the front porch of Woodleaf Town. most of those 40 years. I gazed into the bazillion tiny stars splashed Mostly, I am grateful to the God of those many across the sky and was in awe for the first time in stars who spoke His love into my heart. As a leader my life. I sat in silence, looked at the stars and I I’ve often had the joy of going back to Woodleaf realized the God who so magnificently made all of with kids. On every one of those trips I’ve taken those also made me. The God who created me also our area’s kids to the front of Woodleaf, pointed loved me enough to look past my sins, and there out where that bench was and told them the story were many, and want a personal relationship. God of how I came to Christ. I marked that 40th-year wanted to be my friend, and I needed a friend. anniversary this summer by doing the same thing On that bench, I answered an invitation from with a whole new crop of kids. May God continue the God of the Universe to join Him in a lifelong to use Woodleaf, Young Life and me to reach lost adventure. I dedicated my life to following Christ. kids with the life-changing message of a God who I have been imperfect in my part of that promise, loves them. One day, I look forward to standing in He has held up His part. I have continued on the front of my Maker, the God of the Universe who adventure for 40 years, and I would not change painted the stars across the sky. That day, after I it for anything. That week and that invitation am done leading club and inviting kids to camp, changed my life forever. I grew closer to Him I will meet Him face to face. He will point at me, through my teen years. I made Him the leader of look at the angels at heaven’s gate and say: “He my life in my 20s; He walked with me as I raised can come too.” my kids; He taught me love and grace in my marriage; and He held me when my son got Leukemia. Jesus has guided my life, career and ministry choices; all of this because of an invitation from my lifelong friend, Nobie Hill. For four decades I’ve given invitations. I’m currently a Young Life leader at age 56. I’ve spent more than 25 years as a volunteer leader sharing the life-changing Gospel message in living rooms in the 1980s, in garages in the ’90s and at a winery in my son’s Young Life years. I continue to do the mixers, go to camps, and speak the truth in love and funny stories. I get to invest in the lives of our Young Life staff members. My wife and I host 20 to 30 Campaigner kids Steve and his son, Caleb, on Thursday nights. And I’ve had a current WyldLife leader.

passages

LOUIE PAUL RUDIN APRIL 8, 1952 - JUNE 7, 2015 BY JEFF CHESEMORE

Longtime staff person Louie Rudin went home to be with his beloved Savior on June 7. Living in Ithaca, New York, Louie was the area director of Tompkins County at the time of his passing. He had been involved with the mission since attending Cornell University and came on Young Life staff the summer of 1978, serving as an area director for nearly 37 years. Louie loved Jesus and everyone around him, and in return was a dearly loved man, as can be witnessed in hundreds of posts on social media like the following: “Louie was able to walk into our lives in such a kind and authentic way. Just like Jesus. I have known Louie Rudin since high school and we reconnected when I moved to Rochester in 1992. Since then we spoke nearly every week. He was better at ministry than he ever realized or would take credit for because for Louie, it was always about loving Christ and loving people. And he did that so well. What a wake of eternal impact this man has left behind him! I smile, laugh and cry at the thought of his passing. I will really, really miss him. I laugh the most, shaking my head thinking, ‘You rascal, Louie! You did it! You lived life to the fullest! Enjoy, my friend, enjoy.’” — Rick Rogan, senior regional director, Greater Northeast Region

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younglifespokenhere YOUNG LIFE’S MISSION IN

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Liberia is Africa’s first republic, established in 1822 by Americans to settle freed American slaves in Africa. The population is approximately four million with 86 percent Christian, 12 percent Muslim and 2 percent holding indigenous beliefs. From 1989 to 2003, Liberia was ravaged by a civil war in which more than 300,000 were killed and three million displaced. James Davis, Agnes Tali, Rancy Barsaye, Paul Kangar, Marvalous Richards and their team of volunteers began Young Life in the capital city of Monrovia in 2004. In addition to traditional work in schools, they began ministries in neighborhoods, to homeless teens and even in former child soldier re-entry camps (where young boys and girls who fought in the war — ages nine to 19 — were brought for months of counseling and job training). More recently, Liberian Young Life staff trained leaders in the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone, Mali and Cote d’Ivoire, and reached out to kids and families battling the Ebola virus during the crisis that hit West Africa last fall. James Davis and his team provided vision and leadership in rebuilding communities after Ebola and Young Life has been applauded for its work by government officials and visiting doctors. Recently, the United Nations Global Ebola Response jet flew Liberian Young Life leaders to Sierra Leone to assist with two Ebola Survivors camps. Over 800 Ebola survivors experienced healing, restoration, joy and forgiveness through the love of Jesus and Young Life leaders at camp. Young Life Liberia’s response in the Ebola crisis has multiplied ministry; hundreds of young people who were desperate for hope have been hopeful again and are experiencing Jesus in an unimaginable way.

26,640 Kids Reached:

Ebola Survivors Camp.

James Davis, regional director.

13 Staff:

Volunteer Leaders:

262

Massa Kpenkei, an Ebola survivor who is now a Young Life volunteer leader.

Developing Global Leaders

Ebola Survivors camps

Ministries

partingshots Latin America staff proudly display their country’s colors. Young Life is currently in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela with plans to establish work in Belize, Bolivia and Uruguay by 2016.

1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, kids and their leaders after the students performed in an orchestra concert at the Kimmel Center. 2. Armenia Young Life leaders in traditional dress. 3. Vail Valley (Colorado) Young Lifers on their annual Fourth of July parade float. 4. Chiapas, Mexico, WyldLife kids having a ball at Timber Wolf Lake, Young Life’s camp in Michigan.

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