Being a YoungLife Leader is more than just having the title itself. YoungLife Leaders are known for having Chaco sandals, Patagonia sweatshirts, a CamelBak water bottle with stickers all over it, and a Kavu backpack. However, it’s about the relationship more than anything else.
For those who need a better understanding, YoungLife is a volunteer ministry where college students and adults help those in high school with their walk with God. Along with their walks, we help with the start of their relationship with God as well as with friends and family. These relationships don’t happen overnight. And that’s what we are there for. YoungLife Leaders listen to the kids around them, take interest in how they perceive the world, discover what their take is on the latest episode of The Walking Dead, and what place they’re going that week to hang out and get some good food at. YoungLife leaders believe in their high school friends through all the good and rough times in their lives. YoungLife leaders pray for their friends, provide fun experiences, love them, and encourage them to live connected to God.
How To Help Out With YoungLife
It will be awkward at first because of that first conversation. You introduce yourself. Then you get a little bit weird because you don’t want to freak them out about how you’re looking for a kid to hang out with. But then you don’t want them to think you’re the biggest Jesus Freak in this world (even if it may be true). But it is all worth it in the end. It can be awkward after sending that first text and you don’t get a response or that Snapchat you send that gets opened and no response. But pretty soon, they’ll be the ones asking to go get Donut Bank with you or meet up at Starbucks to just talk. Trust that it will all be worth it. You may have to embarrass yourself to achieve their friendship, but that’s what YoungLife is known for doing.
There are going to be four types of kids: club kids, campaigner kids, newbie kids and don’t-want-to-be-chased kids. Club kids are your high school friends that come to club to enjoy the laughter, the games, and the music. Some of those kids are still deciding on the whole “God” thing. Campaigner kids are the kids who have a relationship or are wanting to become closer with God. These kids come to campaigners to read the Word, pray, and open up about their life. It’s a safe place for them. Newbie kids are the kids who you somehow managed to encourage to learn more about YoungLife. They primarily know you outside of YoungLife, but they’re interested in what you have to offer. And last but of course not least, we have the kids that don’t want to be chased. These are the ones who know what you have to offer but want nothing to do with it. They are the ones that we really want to show YoungLife to. They take a longer time to get through to. But they’re the reason why we have YoungLife.
How To Go Deeper With The Relationship
Invite them to YoungLife club. Ask them out for lunch, dinner, coffee or for ice cream. Text them every single day and remind them that you are there for them. Yes, it may seem like you’re bothering them, but that’s sort of the point. Because pretty soon, they’re going to reply back with a “Yeah, let’s meet up!” or a “Leave me alone.” Or they might block you on all social media and that’s okay, too. Because here’s the best part: you find the one who is needing that person in their life. They need that person who is going to ask them about their problems, their highs and lows, and most importantly, their walk with God.
Being On A Team
It’s not always about having your high school friends; it’s also about your teammates who are your family. They are there with you through every awkward situation and they encourage and push you to invest in these high schoolers. Being on a team means that you all work together. No one is better than the other because you will all lead differently and that is what is so unique about being a YoungLife leader. You learn to trust them with your walk with God and all of the problems that you have going on too. It’s the second family God gave you. So don’t waste a second trying to make the best possible memories with them. They are chasing after these high schoolers just like you, so work as a team, not an individual. Because you’re also chasing after each other.
Now you know the background on what being a YoungLife Leader looks like. Just a few reminders though. Not every single kid you meet is going to want to be your friend. Not every single kid is going to understand why you’re doing what you’re doing. Not every single person on your team is going to agree with each other. But that’s the time to introduce your story and show what you do have to offer. Because that’s when they know that they aren’t the only one going through their biggest struggle. Before you know it, you realize that you’re a new little family. And that family grows stronger as each day and year passes.
