Young Life of Lubbock

SOME ANSWERS FOR PARENTS

WHAT'S YOUNG LIFE'S RELATIONSHIP TO THE CHURCH?

Young Life is a non-denominational organization (a para-church ministry). Young Life has been called "an arm of the church" that is in the business of "outreach ministry." A large majority of the teenagers that we work with do not have a church home. Many are spiritually disinterested and could care less about God. Our great hope is that as teenagers come to know Christ, that we would get them plugged into a church home. But whether or not a teenager responds in faith to Christ's life, death and resurrection, Young Life's leaders will continue to pursue that kid with quality friendship and respect. Like every other YL area around the country, we are partners here in Lubbock with many churches, representing many denominations.

HOW LONG HAS YOUNG LIFE BEEN AROUND?

Young Life was founded by a man named Jim Rayburn and began in Gainesville, Texas in 1941. Since that time it has grown to every state in the country and over 50 countries around the world. The Young Life ministry began in Lubbock somewhere between 1972 and 1974 depending on who you ask.

HOW IS YOUNG LIFE FUNDED?

We are funded by citizens, businesses and churches here in Lubbock. Our 2007-2008 Budget is $225,000. This budget covers multiple staff salaries and benefits, program and office expenses, insurance, regional and national supervision and services.

WHO OVERSEES YOUNG LIFE IN LUBBOCK?

Glenn Austell is the area director of YL here in the Hub City. Glenn has been on the Young Life staff for 15 years...he and his wife, Elise have been the YL staff couple in Lubbock for the last 10 of those years.

SO WHO ARE THESE YOUNG LIFE VOLUNTEERS?

Young Life has over 35 volunteer "leaders" who are spending on average between 6-10 hours per week ministering to teenagers at Coronado, Monterey, Lubbock High, Frenship, Irons and Evans. Our volunteer leadership is made up of Texas Tech students and career aged people who have a heart for Christ and for kids. All prospective volunteers go through a training process, both in the classroom setting and "in the field." They are trained on such elements as relational ministry and its Biblical principles, ministering as a team, accountability, sharing the Gospel, Faith and Conduct Policies & Procedures...and many other things. Every prospective leader undergoes a criminal background check, application process and interview. At the end of the training process prospective volunteer leaders are evaluated and may or may not get placed in a leadership role within Young Life.