Asian Young Life is a relational ministry in which volunteer leaders are the key to everything we do. We feel that the most successful method of Christian discipleship is that of a mentor who walks alongside a younger friend and helps him or her to deal with the challenges of life. In Asian Young Life we call this "incarnational ministry," the idea that Christians should personify Jesus Christ in their everyday tasks. In a practical sense, this means that an Asian Young Life leader is expected to live out his or her faith while interacting with Asian American teenagers, serving as a role model who helps kids to not only learn what it means to live life as a Christian but to also see it lived out on a daily basis. When a kid says that he "sees Christ" in his leader, we consider that one of the highest compliments one could ever receive.

We know that for many adults the expectation to spend time socially with teenagers can be very intimidating, especially if it's been quite some time since you last hung out at a shopping mall with high school kids. But don't worry... We'll train you to become an expert in youth culture and help you to become an exemplary model of God's love so that you can guide Asian kids in growing spiritually, socially, intellectually, and emotionally.

This web page will give you an overview of the requirements and responsibilities that go along with being an Asian Young Life leader. Although we have very high standards for our leadership and expect much of our leaders, it's not uncommon for leaders to say that they get more out of being a leader than what they give.

• Has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Loves Jesus Christ.
• Loves teenagers and has a special burden for Asian American adolescents.
• Is able to communicate and interact with Asian American teenagers.
• Is a mature Christian who is growing in his or her faith.
• Attends church regularly.
• Is willing to be trained.
• Does not have a criminal background.
• Owns (or has access to) a car, has a valid driver’s license with little or no violations on his or her record, and has an automobile insurance policy with a minimum of $50,000 in liability coverage.
• Is at least 19 years old and has completed one year of college.

• Do contact work (spend time interacting with high school kids outside of meetings) at least three times every two weeks (about 3 to 5 hours per week).
• Attend and serve in weekly Campaigners discipleship meetings (held every Saturday night).
• Attend and serve at bimonthly club outreach meetings (held on Saturday nights about 4 times a year).
• Attend monthly leaders meetings (held one Sunday per month).
• Attend—when possible—special activities and outings sponsored by Asian Young Life, including Campaigners Service Projects and Campaigners Getaways.
• Attend and lead at annual senior high outreach camp at Saranac Village (held in mid-August).
• Attend annual leadership camp at Lake Champion (held on Memorial Day Weekend).
• Drive kids to and from meetings and activities.
• Pray for the people, kids, and mission of Asian Young Life.

• Must believe in and agree to support Young Life's Statement of Faith and Mission Purpose.
• Should be growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and His word. Quiet times (devotionals), church attendance, and prayer should be a consistent part of a leader's life in order to promote spiritual growth.
• Should desire to see the gospel presented to the lost of the community and to the world at large with an emphasis toward participating personally in the evangelism and discipleship of Asian American teenagers in the local high schools of northern New Jersey.
• Should practice God's standard for moral conduct at all times, with a special emphasis on maintaining sexual purity. Leaders must, therefore, agree to abide by Young Life's Misconduct and Sexual Harassment Policies.
• Must be extremely careful/sensitive to ministry with teenagers of the opposite sex and should avoid being completely alone with a teenager of the opposite sex, should refrain from unnecessary physical contact (e.g., constant hugging, excessive patting or touching, backrubs, etc.) with teenagers of the opposite sex, and under no circumstances should attempt to date or become emotionally intimate with any teenager of the opposite sex.
• Must maintain moral purity with teenagers of the same sex and should avoid inappropriate or excessive physical contact with teenagers of the same sex.
• Are expected to abstain from the use of alcohol and tobacco.*
• Should not engage in gambling when money is involved.*
• Are expected to use discretion in the movies and television shows that they watch and in the music that they listen to, even when by themselves. Under no circumstances should a leader join teenagers in watching R-rated movies or other inappropriate forms of entertainment.
• Must agree to abide by Young Life's Conflict Resolution Policy.
• Must be careful not to overcommit to too many other activities, ministries, and projects outside of Asian Young Life.

*We ask leaders to sacrifice some of their freedom in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 6:12 we are told that while all things are "permissible," not all things are "beneficial," and in 1 Corinthians 8:9 we are told to be careful that our freedom in Christ does not cause others to stumble. With scripture and experience as guides, we require our leaders to refrain from alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and other so-called "gray areas" because we want to be exemplary role models above reproach to the youth we serve and because we don't want to cause young people to stumble. If you are unable or unwilling to make these sacrifices, then you are not ready to be a leader with Asian Young Life.

• Supervision by the area director.
• Formal six-week orientation and leadership training course taught by the area director.
• Monthly leaders meetings for prayer, support, and fellowship.
• Annual four-day leadership camp to rest and to acquire additional knowledge and training in Young Life's methodology.
• Annual youth ministry workshop to improve youth ministry leadership skills.
• Access to the Young Life staff website, which contains a wealth of support information and training material.
• Free subscription to Group magazine and various handbooks and other resources to enhance knowledge of youth culture and to improve expertise in youth ministry.

Jim Rayburn, the founder of Young Life, eloquently expressed the need for leaders when he said:

"Our young people today are waiting for somebody to care about them enough to take the time and trouble to pour out compassion on them, to prove their friendship, to bridge this tragic and terrible gap that exists in our culture between teenagers and adults."

We hope that you will help us to "bridge this tragic and terrible gap" that exists between teenagers and adults. Trust us, your life will be richly blessed as you go about making an eternal difference in the lives of Asian American teenagers.

If you are interested in learning more, please send us an email or give us a call at (201) 674-7966. You should also check out the Frequently Asked Questions for Volunteer Leaders page on the Young Life national website. We certainly hope that we can answer any and all questions you have, but most importanty, please remember to pray and seek God's guidance in whether or not you should join us in this lifechanging mission. God bless you!

The following passage was quoted by David Roy, a former Young Life area director and former skating coach for the NHL Philadelphia Flyers hockey team:

"Most people spend from age 20 through 50 working 24/7 at some occupation hoping to achieve financial security, acquire all the toys, and — ultimately — to become successful. By the time they reach 50, they realize there is no security in life, that the toys and success only bring a shallow sense of fulfillment. Then they spend the rest of their years trying to lead lives of significance, using what time and good health they have left to do something meaningful, to have an impact.

"As a young person, if you love teenagers and believe God has called you to serve in the Young Life mission, you have the opportunity to live an entire life of significance. After spending years as a trial lawyer and now as a skating coach with an NHL team, the years of my life that hold the greatest meaning and significance are those years that my wife and I spent as leaders and area directors in Young Life."

In Asian Young Life we encourage you to do something significant with your life. Join us. You'll be glad you did.

If you would like to know more about Asian Young Life, please explore some of the other pages in our website. Be sure to check out our About Asian Young Life page and our Parents and Community page. You might also be interested in visiting our Making An Impact, History of Asian Young Life, and Our Leaders pages. For a good overview of what we do, be sure to read our newsletter or our Relationships article. If you desire any additional information, please contact us.