A Group of high school juniors and seniors from Austin-East and take a mission trip to the city of Chicago during the summer.  During this time, they serve the hurting in the city.  They work at daycare facilities, homeless shelters, experience different cultures and their foods, learn how to take public transportation and learn that their relationship with Jesus is not about them but always about serving others. Their eyes are open in seeing how God is everywhere and loves everyone regardless of socio-economics, race or sex. 

In 1946, the Superintendent of Knoxville Schools, Tom Prince met Jim Rayburn, founder of Young Life, in Memphis.  Prince was impressed by the changed lives of some Memphis Tech High School students who became Chrisitans after being involved in Rayburn's Young Life Campaign ministry.  Prince Urged Rayburn to get Young Life started in Knoxville.  During this year, Dick Langford showed up at Knoxville High and started doing contact work.  Wanda Mercer joined Dick in 1949. In 1951, they had their first Bearden Young Life club and the rest is history.  We are grateful for those people who have paved the way for so many high school students to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.