At 6 pm, they started rolling in.
“Thanks for having us!”
“Can we help you in any way?”
They had smiles, conversations filled the room, and laughter rang out as they joined their friends and surrounded our bar.
They wear loose jeans, loose tees, gazelle Adidas, clogged Birkenstocks, Lulu Lemons, Nike socks, and/or sweatpants and sweatshirts.
You may wonder, “Why are 13 high schoolers at my house?” Two words.
Young Life.
What is Young Life?
If you don’t know what Young Life is. It’s a Christian organization inviting kids to Young Life Club to play crazy, extravagant games or creative, season-themed activities. One of the leaders talks for 15 minutes about Jesus. They talk about what He did for them and that He loves every one of them, no matter their background. Young Life believes “every young person deserves the right to hear the good news of God’s love.”
We moved in the middle of my seventh-grade year. My mom and dad found out that our area had Young Life and talked to the Area Director randomly at Costco after my mom saw his “Young Life” sweatshirt. They made me go to my first Wyldlife club. Wyldlife is for middle schoolers, and Young Life is for high schoolers.
Like these high schoolers, I, too, wanted friends, to fit in, and to be known. Young Life provided a space for all these things to happen. Leaders ensure you are included and meet peers your age and from your school. The students grow together and feel safe with one another as they meet. They also build trust with their leaders, and hopefully, they can attend one of Young Life’s summer camps in the coming summer.
Not only did I find friends, but I also learned about Jesus and how to live a transformed life with Him. Growing up in a Christian home, Young Life became a glorified youth group where I felt comfortable inviting friends who wouldn’t feel comfortable attending church. They were able to have fun without religion being shoved in their faces. They ultimately get the choice (like all of us) to follow Jesus or not.
Why We Had Young Life Kids in Our Home
We had all these high schoolers over because Jordan was asked to get a video of them expressing in their own words what Young Life is, what it means to them, and why they think people in our community should donate. This video will play at our next fundraiser. This creative video showcases how much Young Life has impacted these kids and their friends. Because of Young Life, they see the world differently, have a better perspective, and sharing a tiny bit of their story helps potential donors see why Young Life is worth investing in.
Hearing snippets of these kids’ stories was amazing. It was Jordan, me, and one of their leaders. They all would sit in the chair with the lights, camera, and boom mic facing them. Some would audibly say, “I’m nervous.” Some girls asked me, “Do I look good?” as they would fix their hair. “You’re beautiful,” I would respond.
Every kid answered this question differently: “How would you describe Young Life in one word?” They came up with 13 other words to describe one thing. When asked why they chose the word they did, each kid responded differently than the others. Young Life’s goal is to be inclusive and welcoming and meet kids where they are.
I learned a lot from the hour and a half we spent asking those questions. I found myself nodding, laughing, and silently grieving for the pain they shared or alluded to. Knowing the background of some of these kids, I knew that at least one of them was suicidal before finding the community that Young Life offers and finding Jesus. They said, “Being invited to Young Life saved my life.”
What I Learned About What Teens Are Going Through
One of the questions Jordan asked was, “What is the average high schooler going through?” Here were some of the answers:
Loneliness
Not fitting in and not knowing who their friends are.
Anxiety
Bullying
Stress in school and/or home life.
There was one standard answer to almost every kid’s questions. That answer was that Young Life gave them a community—a community to lean on, adults they could talk to and trust, and meaningful and deep friendships. Not only are they happier since joining Young Life, but they are also learning about true joy through walking with Jesus Christ.
The BIG Things I Took Away
These teens are SO bright, think deeply, and are curious. They are willing to be vulnerable—they sat in a chair with lights on, a camera filming, a boom mic, and two people they had just met who asked them questions about their lives.
They are fun to hang out with, and watching them with their friends is filling. When a student was interviewing, the others were in our basement, “trying” to be quiet. But their laughter and voices continued to travel up the two flights of stairs.
The smiles they exhibit and the laughter you hear are amazing. Plus, they weren’t on their phones. Not enough for me to notice, anyway.
They are respectful, say please and thank you, and they are grateful for the gift of a good meal and people who care about them.
They are on fire for Jesus—ON FIRE, truly. Hearing these kids tell their stories in a few short answers to questions filled my soul with hope for the next generation. They want people to know Jesus as they learn more about him as they grow. They know they aren’t perfect, but they know that Jesus is, and that’s enough for them to share the Gospel with others.
Get to know Young Life more and find out if your area has Young Life!
