"Young Life has had a powerful, deep, and lasting impact on the lives of many of our students and has had a very significant and positive impact on the social culture of our 800-student body.  Young Life leaders go were the young people are, lead the young people to see and accept Christ without pressure or prejudice, and lead the young people to make Chist the center of their life.  Young Life has made it "cool" for our students to be a Christian and to live as a Christian.  I highly recommend Young Life to all parents and all students.  I have an increasing respect for the effectiveness of the Young Life leaders as they really know how to minister to young people - they go where the kids are and that is where they start their ministry.  Additionally, Young Life trains and equips their leaders for ministry; therefore, I trust Young Life Leaders with our students." 

 

 

"I can't imagine what our community would be like without the contributions of Young Life in it.  We live in a very 'churched' area yet many of our middle level and high school students find a meaningful connection with the mission of Young Life be it on a spiritual, emotional or social level.  The relationships that the Young Life leaders are developing with the students in my building are impactful and we so appreciate having them visit during our lunches and for our extracurricular activities.  Thank you Eastern Ottawa Young Life for demonstrating the love of Christ to the young people in our community."

 

 

“Young Life Rocks!  As a school principal, I believe that if all kids had a safe harbor- none would be at risk.   Eastern Ottawa Young Life is a safe harbor for many kids in our schools.   Our Young Life leaders develop meaningful relationships with our kids by sharing their care, compassion, and commitment.  I have been humbled as I have seen kids lives transformed because of their involvement with leaders and participation in Young Life meetings and retreats.  Due to difficult circumstances, some of these kids were not willing or able to be connected with a person before being contacted by a Young Life leader.  Young Life is a rock where kids can seek refuge from the fury of being an adolescent.  As an educator, I cannot think of a more powerful youth ministry than Young Life.”

 

 

"Young Life at Hudsonville High School continues to be such a great thing, especially for those kids who sometimes don't seem to ‘fit in’.   While we as a staff offer many opportunities for students, it often takes someone to show a special interest in a student before they engage.  I've seen YL leaders do that again and again.  They reach out and touch the lives of kids who, odds are, would have ‘slipped through the cracks’ of the high school setting.  Through Camp, Club, Campaigners or by just hanging out with leaders, these kids became active and had their lives changed by the Holy Spirit.  Go Young Life!"

 

 

“I teach at Baldwin Street Middle School along with coaching at Hudsonville High School and have seen the impact of Young Life on kids first hand.  Due to the time, care, and love shown by Young Life leaders, I have seen kids without much hope – find it!  We live in a society that seems to be taking Christianity out of public life, but Young Life is bringing Jesus into schools in a non-threatening way.   Teachers and administrators have appreciated what Young Life has done for some of the tougher students.  I am also encouraged by what Young Life provides for churched kids.  I know several kids who have taken their faith to the next level through relationships with and Bible studies offered by their Young Life leaders.   Some kids have gone through the Young Life Student Leader Training program to learn how to do ministry with students in their high school.  What a cool thing!  Many go on to do Young Life ministry in college and beyond.  It is exciting to think about how big an impact Young Life has had on our community in a relatively short period of time.”

 

“The Wyld Life Ministry has generated some very positive affects since it was introduced at the Allendale Middle School 2 ½ years ago.  Numerous Young Life leaders have repeatedly come onto the middle school campus with the express purpose of showing interest and love to students, especially those on the social fringe.  At Spring Valley Community Church we have witnessed marked transformation in adolescents who have participated.  Especially affected have been those who come from fractured families, who are withdrawn and suffer from poor self-esteem.  In the WyldLife leaders they have found big brothers and sisters who genuinely care about them.  They have learned to trust and laugh and they have made friends through club and camp experiences.  More than a few, however, have been impacted.  Thursday evening club meetings have been attended by as many as 10% of the school’s students."

1.  Become a Volunteer Leader - Volunteer Young Life leaders work directly with middle school or high school students, buidling friendships with them and sharing their lives.

 

2.  Become a Leadership Support Team Member - Leadership Support Teams come around a particular school and care for the leaders doing the direct ministry.  They pray for them, send notes of encouragement, make meals for team meetings, get the word out about Young Life in their school community, and simply look to raise the level of care for the leaders doing the direct ministry with kids.

 

3.  Become an Area Committee Member - The Adult Committee helps behind the scenes to ensure the high quality of ministry.  The Committee's roles include publicity, prayer, fundraising, event planning and much more.  We also have a number of subcommittees around certain events like our annual banquet, golf outing, and 5K Race.

 

4.  Pray for Young Life - We believe that the work of Young Life begins and ends with prayer.  We need dedicated people praying for us every day.  To sign up for the monthly prayer email update - drop us an email.

 

5.  Support Young Life Financially - It costs money to accomplish all of our goals.  Your financial gifts help us meet our budget, which includes items such as club and activity expenses, office supplies, leader training, and our staff salaries.  You can learn more about our budget and our needs by contacting our office.

 

6.  Volunteer Administrative Work - Help us do administrative work in the office.  We can always use help with mailings, data entry, and other office tasks.  Call or email Judy VanderWerf to hear more: 457-2585