Missions Connection Center

Young Life: A Hope For The World Partner

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Almost 70 years ago, Young Life began with the purpose of introducing middle school, high school, and college students to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. As of last year, this ministry is now working in nearly 5,000 schools and other outreach locations in the United States and around the world.

This year, our Hope for the World Missions Offering will support the ministry initiatives of Young Life in Williamson County Schools, led by Brentwood Baptist member Eve Sarrett, and those in the southern United States, led by another Brentwood Baptist member, John Vicary. Many of our own members (including Kairos attenders) volunteer with Young Life each week.

One of the most unique aspects of Young Life is that they strive to always be where the kids are—in school lunchrooms, at soccer games, and at other school activities. “We go to be seen. We go to talk with the kids. We go to their own environment and become friends with them,” Eve said.

Some people would call this relational evangelism, but Young Life likes to call it “incarnational” evangelism. “We feel like we need to be Jesus with skin on to them,” Eve said. “We go where they go and bring the presence of Jesus with us. I used to think my job was to tell kids about Jesus. But my job is to know kids so that I can tell them about Jesus.”

It’s not unusual for a Young Life leader to know as many high school kids in the school as the administration and faculty. And, fortunately, in Williamson County, school administrators are supportive of Young Life’s presence on each campus.

“In our community, it’s cultural to be a Christian,” Eve said. “We have a lot of churched kids, but many of them don’t really know Jesus. They may say they love Him, but they’re not interested in following Him because there hasn’t been any life transformation.”

Young Life leaders simply try to expose students, both the disinterested and unchurched, to the gospel. “If you’re walking in the woods and you turn over a rock, you see bugs scatter. A lot of times, as soon as I mention the name of Jesus, students run the other way. But there are also those that are captivated—like moths attracted to light,” she said.

Students lives are being transformed in Williamson County because Young Life leaders are investing in them. Currently, more than 600 students attend Young Life led by 45 volunteers.

“The gospel is grace for everyone—regardless of who you are,” Eve said. “We just want them to know Jesus because the decisions they make today will impact their futures.”

How can you get involved in Young Life?
• Give to our HFTW Missions Offering so Young Life leaders will have necessary resources and funds.
• Serve as a Young Life leader and reach out to middle school and high school students in your area.
• Serve as a Young Life leader with WyldLife, a ministry specifically designed to reach middle school students.
• Serve as a Young Life leader with Capernaum, a ministry specifically designed to reach students with special needs.
• Pray for Young Life’s ministry—locally, nationally, and around the world.

For details on this ministry, go to YoungLife.org.