GLOBAL CITIES
5M PEOPLE
A MONTH are moving to cities around the world. That is a city the size of metro Philadelphia coming online every month.
— Center Church by Tim Keller
Why Global Cities?
The Apostle Paul’s vision was to reach the great cities of the world such as Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, and Philippi. Much like in Paul’s day, modern-day cities are global influencers — hubs of diversity, commerce, politics, education, media, culture, fashion. We believe that if we reach the city, we reach the world.
“And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” — Jonah 4:11
I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.
— Romans 1:8
Our Vision:
To plant and grow Young Life in 25 of the largest and most influential cities in the world by 2025.
Launched in 2018, the Global Cities Initiative partners with cities based on:
1. Population: These cities are home to millions of people. Large and growing cities are where the kids are.
2. Diversity: Every tribe and nation is represented in these cities. We have the opportunity to preach the gospel to the whole world.
3. Influence: Impact those who are impacting others.
In summary, the Global Cities Initiative aims to bring TRAINING, RESOURCES, ACCOUNTABILITY, and CONNECTION to cities.
Global Cities Cohorts
North America
East Cohort
• Chicago
• NYC
• Philadelphia
• Toronto
• Washington, D.C.
Latin America
Cohort
• Bogotá
• Buenos Aires
• Lima
• Mexico City
Europe Cohort
• Amsterdam
• Berlin
• London
• Moscow
• Prague
Asia Cohort
• Hong Kong
• Seoul
• Tokyo
Africa Cohort
• Addis Ababa
• Dar es Salaam
• Harare
• Kinshasa
• Nairobi
NEW Ministries
Collaborated with leadership to launch NEW cities and staff:
• London – 8 staff
• Toronto – 2 staff
• Seoul – 2 staff
• Berlin – 1 staff
• Buenos Aires –1 staff
Training Cohorts
Five Cohorts Launched
• Impacting 22 cities
• Annual in-person cohort meetings
• Five since 2021
• 96 zoom calls since March 2021
• 163 hours of training
Global Cities by the Numbers
Numbers are based on data collected through the end of 2023
Developed Playbook
An online training resource that includes five modules with five to six sessions each:
• Vision and Strategic Planning
• Networking and Collaboration
• Leadership Development
• Resource Development
• Direct Ministry
NEW STAFF
COACHING CALLS
97 one-on-one coaching calls with 25 leaders
$3.1M
PLEDGED
Created Accelerator Fund, 2021
• Investment fund to provide seed funding to major cities
• All grants must be matched and ministry milestones met to release funds (based on GC phases of accountability)
• $3.1M pledged, $3.0M received, $1.3M disbursed
How We Measure Impact
Kids Known by Name
This number represents every kid a Young Life leader knows. Every kid in the world deserves to be loved and known.
Club
Teens who attend weekly events in their area where a Young Life leader shares the gospel. Club is known as “organized chaos,” full of music, laughter, games, and most importantly, a message about who Jesus is.
Camp
Teens who attend Young Life camp experience the tangible love of God through a camp that was created just for them. They share this experience with their Young Life leaders who then return back home with them as they continue in their journey of faith.
Campaigners
Teens who study the Bible in smaller groups and intentionally learn what it means to walk with Jesus.
Volunteers
Young adults who devote their time, energy, and resources to meet kids where they are. Volunteers are Christ’s love on full display.
Staff
People who have chosen to work either part time or full time in the ministry of Young Life. Young Life staff walk through life with kids, train their volunteers, are intentional with their donors, and love parents in their community well.
Europe Cohort
• AMSTERDAM
• BERLIN • LONDON
• MOSCOW • PRAGUE
Impact Numbers by Cohort
KKBN (Kids Known by Name) CLUB
CAMPAIGNERS
CAMP STAFF VOLUNTEERS
City Spotlight
London
2015
Adults in Westminster begin praying weekly for ministry to start at St. John’s Wood.
Fall 2016
Erik Brucker serves at Central London International Schools in St. John’s Wood, Westminster.
January 2018
Tate Johnson begins London Development in a part-time role.
Fall 2020
Three areas are now in development:
• Stratford, Newham
• Isle of Dogs, Tower Hamlets
• Brixton and Clapham, Lambeth
Fall 2022
Four new areas and two city-wide ministries set to launch!
• EXPAND! Peter Brown is working to launch ministry in Croydon
• NEW! Deptford, Greenwich; Hounslow; Camden and Islington
• REACH! Young Life London University (Young Life College)
• INNOVATE! Developing Global Leaders
33 Boroughs
Opportunities to begin ministry in other London boroughs have arisen due to the success of the ministry in St. John’s Wood.
300 Spoken Languages
1.5M
Young People
London was one of the first four cities of Young Life’s Global Cities Initiative because the youth there will be globally connected leaders for their generation and the next to come.
9 Staff
From left to right: Back row - Joseph, Tate, Tom, and Peter Front row - Maggie, Phebe, Bonté, Anya, and Lucas
Africa Cohort
• DAR ES SALAAM
Impact Numbers by Cohort
KKBN (Kids Known by Name) CLUB
CAMPAIGNERS
VOLUNTEERS
CITY SPOTLIGHT
Harare
Harare, the most industrialized and fastestgrowing city in Zimbabwe, has seen a significant influx of people and businesses from other cities, rural areas, and even countries like those in Asia. This growth has spurred the creation of new areas on the city’s edge. For the past nine years, Young Life has made a solid impact in Harare’s busiest and youngest neighborhoods, thanks to a dedicated, diverse team of leaders who are wellconnected and trusted by the community.
2021 2022 2023
60 Ministries There are more than 60 active ministries spanning the city of Harare with over 4,000 kids going to Young Life club weekly.
3X
Camping Growth
The number of kids attending Harare’s summer camps has tripled. Typically, camps include outreach, Campaigners, and leader training. Unique to Africa, many are day camps lasting two days, allowing more kids to experience lifechanging opportunities.
2,200 Campaigners
In 2023, over 2,200 kids joined Campaigner groups in Harare. Volunteers lead groups of at least four kids, meeting in various locations like homes or churches. They use a new believers curriculum, supply Bibles, and offer snacks.
481 Volunteers
Campaigners, and clubs, and providing essential resources for these activities.
Latin America Cohort
• BOGOTÁ • BUENOS AIRES
• LIMA • MEXICO CITY
Impact Numbers by Cohort
KKBN (Kids Known by Name) CLUB
CAMPAIGNERS
VOLUNTEERS
CAMP
CITY SPOTLIGHT
Bogotá
Bogotá is the capital city of Colombia and is the center for education, job opportunities, and economic development. It is home to almost 10 million people with the largest population of young people in the country. There is a unique opportunity for ministry growth in Colombia by increasing the influence of Young Life in its central city, Bogotá. Currently Bogotá has 16 clubs divided into four areas impacting over 1,200 teenagers weekly. Anchored by local churches, committed adults, and a growing number of volunteers, Young Life Bogotá is working toward 26 clubs by 2026. This vision will lead not only towards the transformation of Bogotá but for the entire country of Colombia.
VISION MAP
Established Developing Future
100
Local Donors
Life
By
1,200 Kids Known by Name
Kids known by name Is steadily increasing each year in Bogotá. In 2020, 468 kids were known by name and that number has now almost tripled in just three years! Also in 2023, 234 kids experienced the joy of Young Life camps in the city.
26 Clubs
Young Life Bogotá’s vision is to establish 26 consolidated clubs by 2026 and they are well on their way! There are 170 kids attending Young Life club weekly along with 88 kids in Bible studies across the area.
3 Action Teams
Action teams are adult volunteers who lead, plan, and execute the vision for Young Life in Bogotá. They donate, participate in activities and camps, and recruit others to join. Currently, Young Life Bogotá has three action teams and is expanding.
Young
Bogotá, as part of the Nehemiah Project, aims to recruit 360 new local donors in three years.
their second year, they already have 100 committed local donors as financial partners in ministry.
Asia Cohort
• HONG KONG • TOKYO • SEOUL
Impact Numbers by Cohort
KKBN (Kids Known by Name) CLUB
CAMPAIGNERS
CITY SPOTLIGHT
Hong Kong
Hong Kong, about 1.4 times the size of New York City, is buzzing with vibrant ministry activities, including contact work, clubs, Campaigners, and camps. Young Life in Hong Kong is wellsupported by a generous donor base and strong local partnerships with churches and nonprofits. The local team is passionate and connected, which helps them maintain a broad and impactful presence across the city. With a solid reputation and a well-integrated approach, the ministry thrives in Hong Kong’s dynamic environment.
2021 2022 2023
41 Campaigners
39 Decisions
There is an average of 41 students attending campaigners weekly with their Young Life leaders. Campaigners is a regular meeting for helping kids grow in their faith through Bible study, service, and leadership. 11
During Young Life summer camp, there is a time called “Say-So.” This is where campers have an opportunity to respond to the gospel and Hong Kong Young Life had 39 kids from various stages in their faith commit to making new decisions for Christ!
Churches
At Young Life, we focus on collaboration for the Kingdom. In Hong Kong, we partner with 11 churches, sharing youth needs, inviting volunteers, and seeking support and prayer to inspire and equip more workers for the harvest.
7 Schools
Young Life Hong Kong engages with seven schools city-wide, showcasing the dedication of its staff and leaders. Building strong, respectful relationships with school staff is a significant achievement, ensuring impactful presence in students’ lives.
North America East Cohort
• WASHINGTON, D.C.
• PHILADELPHIA
YORK CITY
Impact Numbers by Cohort
KKBN (Kids Known by Name) CLUB
CAMPAIGNERS
VOLUNTEERS
CAMP STAFF
CITY SPOTLIGHT
KKBN (Kids Known by Name)
New
York City
As the largest and most diverse city in America, New York City is a global center for finance, commerce, culture, technology, media, and fashion. With over 800 languages spoken in the five boroughs, New York City continues to embody the tagline, “The island where the whole world has come to live.” The opportunity there for Young Life is immense. With now over 42 full- and part-time staff reaching close to 7,600 young people, Young Life is poised to make both a local and a global impact, one kid and one neighborhood at a time. 70K People
Known by Name
and Committee
7 Ministry Types
Thank You!
Dear friends,
I just want to take a minute to say “thank you” for your support and prayers for this mission to reach teenagers in some of the largest and most influential cities in the world. It makes such a difference.
The Apostle Paul said to the Philippians, “I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” This is a team sport. We are doing this together. And you are on the team!
You are proclaimers with us. God has given us this amazing opportunity, to literally reach the nations and made it easy for us by putting a lot of them in the same place — the city.
So, whether you started with us many years ago, or this is the first you’ve heard of it, your name is on the list and we need you. Thank you for making so much of this possible. Teenagers around the world, most of whom you have never met, are grateful that you are here.
And now receive this blessing, that Paul writes to the believers in Rome, one of the first global cities,
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Thank you,
John Wagner
Global Cities Board
RICH TUCKER
ERM (retired) BOARD CHAIR
BECKY BRIGGS Retired Homemaker
ROB KNAUSS Warburg Pincus
JOHN HUMMEL AIS Capital Management
JEAN PARK Therapist and Coach
Executive Coach
AUBREY SIBANYONI Sakhiwe Capital Partners
DWIGHT JACOBSEN
jwagner@sc.younglife.org