OUT THERE IN A WORLD OF KIDS

​ Young Life doesn’t start with a program. It starts with adults concerned enough about kids to go to them, on their turf and in their culture, building bridges of authentic friendship. These relationships don’t happen overnight — they take time, patience, trust and consistency. So Young Life leaders log many hours with kids around the world — where they are, as they are. Leaders faithfully attend football practices in the West End suburbs, mingle with teenagers at a mall in Fredericksburg and play pick-up soccer with students in Williamsburg. We listen to their stories and learn what’s important to them because we genuinely care about their joys, triumphs, heartaches and setbacks. We believe in the power of presence. Kids’ lives are dramatically impacted when caring adults come alongside them, sharing God’s love with them. Because their leader believes in them, they begin to see that their lives have great worth, meaning and purpose. This is the first step of a lifelong journey; the choices they make today, based upon God’s love for them, will impact future decisions, chosen careers, marriages formed and families raised. All ripples from the time when a Young Life leader reached out and entered their world.