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What School Administrators Are Saying About Young Life
Young Life has been a visible and active part of our school family for many years and I pray that it will remain in our system for many, many more! Not only do I appreciate what Young Life has done for our students, I have come to count on them. In the course of my life, many things happen; some joyous and some very heart wrenching. I know Young Life leaders will be with us during both the joyous times (athletic events, dances, plays, etc.) and also the heart wrenching times (serious injuries or death of a student).
As a high school principal in a public school system, I know the laws surrounding the separation of church and state. I also know that students need to feel a sense of love and support. I cannot think of a better source of love and support than our Young Life leaders. I would not be able to function effectively as a leader without spiritual guidance. Young adults need spiritual guidance as well as they make thousands of decisions daily that effect their lives and the lives of others. Young Life leaders are not only welcomed in our high school, they are needed!!
Randy Morris--Principal of Grandville High School
Young Life is a powerful Christian ministry to teenagers. Young Life clubs, camps, and the consistent contact work of its staff enriched the spiritual lives of my children and is now doing the same for students at Calvin Christian schools. When I took the job as superintendent here several years ago, I worked and prayed to bring YL to high school. God answered my prayers and the prayers of a concerned parents group. Each year I see the benefits and blessings of the YL ministry through the changed lives of students. Our team of YL leaders live out their motto--"It's a sin to bore a kid." They demonstrate that Christians can have fun--lots of it while encouraging kids to walk with Christ and put Jesus at the center of their lives. Young Life is an integral part of our school's effort to impact young people for Christ.
Bill Haverkamp--Calvin Christian Schools Superintendent
I am very thankful for Young Life and their presence in our building. The leaders have made an impact on our students and have given many teens a chance to connect with positive rolemodels while they continue to search for answers to tough questions.
I firmly believe in the mission of Young Life and feel lucky that God has helped make this connection at Kenowa Hills High School. I would ask that all students involved in this great group continue to reach others at KH. Working together, we can continue to make KH a safe and caring place to be. More importantly though, we can work together to help make sens of our lives and find true meaning. A great big thank you for all of the support from parents and leaders. It is because of you that we have been able to move in a positive direction. God Bless all of you.
Peg Mathis--Principal of Kenowa Hills High School
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 where the young people are, lead the young people to see and accept Christ without pressure or prejudice, and lead the young people to make Christ the center of their life. Young Life has made it "cool" for our students to be a Christian and live as a Christian. I highly recommend Young Life to all parents and all students. I have 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.
Jack Postma--Principal of Unity Christian High School
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 Young Life leaders are developing with the students in my buildings are impactful and we so appreciate having them visit during our lunches and our extracurricular activities. Thank you Young Life for demonstrating the loves of Christ to the young people in our community.
Dave Powers--Principal of Baldwin Street Middle School
Young Life rocks! As a school principal, I believe that if all kids had a safe harbor--none would be at risk. 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 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.
Dave Feenstra--Principal of Hudsonville High School
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