Young Life is a non-denominational Christian ministry that reaches out to middle school, high school, and college-aged youth. It was founded in 1941 by Jim Rayburn in Texas. The goal of Young Life is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. Here is an overview of Young Life’s history, beliefs, and practices:
History of Young Life
As mentioned, Young Life was founded in 1941 by Jim Rayburn in Gainesville, Texas. Rayburn was a Presbyterian minister and educator who had a heart for youth ministry. He began holding informal youth meetings, which he called “Young Life Campaigns,” in local homes. These campaigns quickly grew as teens responded positively to Rayburn’s authentic, relational approach.
In 1946, Young Life was officially incorporated in Colorado where its headquarters remain today. The ministry continued expanding across the United States through the 1950s and by 1960 had spread to Canada. International expansion began in the 1960s. Today, Young Life operates in over 100 countries worldwide.
Some key figures and milestones in Young Life’s growth include:
- 1944 – First camp property acquired in Colorado
- 1946 – Young Life incorporated with first Board of Trustees
- 1947 – First African American and Latino clubs started
- 1956 – First overseas staff sent to France
- 1960s – Ministry expands to Canada, Brazil, and other countries
- 1979 – Adopts new name, “Young Life”
- 1986 – YoungLives ministry to teen moms launches
- 1999 – WyldLife ministry to middle schoolers starts
- 2021 – Young Life celebrates its 80th anniversary
From humble beginnings in Texas, Young Life has expanded into a global organization while remaining focused on its mission to introduce adolescents to Jesus and help them grow in faith.
Beliefs and Faith Statement
Young Life does not adhere to any specific denomination or theological tradition. It describes itself as an interdenominational ministry. However, Young Life affirms essential Christian beliefs shared by evangelicals, including:
- The Bible as the inspired and authoritative Word of God.
- There is one God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died on the cross as a sacrifice for sins, rose bodily from the dead, and ascended to heaven where He intercedes for believers.
- Humans are created in God’s image but are sinful by nature and choice. This sin separates people from God.
- Salvation is only by God’s grace, not human effort, and is received through faith in Jesus Christ.
- The Holy Spirit indwells believers upon salvation and empowers them to live godly lives.
- All believers comprise the spiritual body of Christ, the Church.
- Jesus Christ will personally return to judge the world and establish His eternal kingdom.
Young Life’s doctrinal views align with evangelicalism and historic Christian orthodoxy. The ministry places the highest priority on the core truths of the Gospel message.
Ministry Focus and Practices
Young Life’s mission statement highlights its focus: “Introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.” Some key aspects of how Young Life lives out this mission include:
- Going Where Kids Are – Young Life leaders seek to enter kids’ world and connect with them by attending their activities and hanging out where youth naturally gather.
- Earning the Right to Be Heard – Leaders aim to build genuine friendships with youth over time so they can earn the opportunity to speak truth into teens’ lives.
- Incarnational Ministry – Leaders strive to represent Christ by embodying His love and investing wholeheartedly in relationships with youth.
- Meeting Kids Where They Are – Young Life maintains its vision is to introduce adolescents to Jesus, not expect them to be mature Christians from the start.
- Lifting Up Jesus – At gatherings, leaders use creative means to present the Gospel message focused on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
- Pursuing Lost Sheep – In line with Jesus’ example in Luke 15, leaders seek out those youth who don’t know Jesus, not just those already in the Church.
Some specific activities Young Life uses to live out these principles include:
- Club – Weekly club meetings held in local communities featuring games, skits, songs, and a Gospel message.
- Camp – Weekend or weeklong camps providing engaging outdoor experiences and spiritual nurturing.
- Campaigners – Discipleship groups for youth seeking spiritual growth through Bible study, prayer, and mentoring.
- Contact Work – Individualized outreach by leaders to students on campus or home.
- Leadership Development – Training and equipping youth and adults to serve with excellence in Young Life.
These methods aim to build genuine connections with adolescents in order to share Christ’s love and the Gospel with them according to their needs.
Organizational Structure
Young Life operates through a hierarchical leadership structure. At the top is a Board of Trustees which governs the organization and determines its mission and vision. Under the Board of Trustees is the President/CEO who oversees the worldwide ministry.
Below the President is a series of Vice Presidents overseeing major divisions:
- Field Ministries – responsible for equipping and supporting local Young Life groups
- Global Ministries – oversees international locations and partnerships
- Camping – manages Young Life’s many camp properties
- Communications – handles marketing, publications, media relations
- HR, IT, Finance, Legal, etc
Under these divisions are Regional Directors who support and develop Young Life’s work across different geographic areas. Local Young Life chapters have an Area Director who coordinates local leaders and volunteers. Within the local chapters are team members who run weekly Clubs, Campaigner groups, camps, and contact work.
Young Life staff at every level must affirm the organization’s Statement of Faith and code of conduct. There are both central office staff as well as field staff who raise financial support. Volunteers also serve in key roles within local Young Life groups.
This organizational structure allows Young Life to maintain a unified vision and values while also adapting its programs to individual communities’ needs. Oversight and accountability promotes proper stewardship of resources and integrity in accomplishing Young Life’s mission.
Campus Ministries
In addition to its traditional ministries targeting high school students, Young Life has developed specialized branches for other groups:
- WyldLife – Reaches out to middle school students through clubs, small groups, and camps.
- YoungLives – Ministers to pregnant teens and young mothers, offering support, guidance, and mentoring.
- Capernaum – Provides meaningful friendships and experiences for youth with disabilities.
- Young Life College – Engages college students through on-campus clubs, events, and spring break trips.
These extensions of Young Life apply the core model of relational ministry to other audiences with customized strategies. Yet they maintain the central goal of introducing youth to Christ and nurturing their faith in their unique life situations.
Controversies and Criticisms
As a large, global organization, Young Life has experienced occasional controversies and faced some criticisms over the years. Some examples include:
- Some evangelicals criticize Young Life for downplaying formal Bible teaching and church involvement.
- There are concerns over some fundraising techniques and financial oversight issues that occurred in individual chapters.
- Some LGBQT students felt excluded from participating fully in camp activities in the past.
- Young Life initially resisted racially integrating camps in the 1950s-60s despite pushback.
- The hierarchical leadership structure is seen as limiting women from top leadership roles by some.
Young Life aims to learn from past mistakes, listen to criticism, and continually improve to stay true to its mission. While not without challenges, Young Life has also maintained a longstanding positive reputation for effectively connecting youth to Christ’s love.
Partnerships
As an interdenominational ministry, Young Life partners with local churches and draws support from many evangelical denominations rather than any one in particular. Some denominations with strong connections to Young Life include:
- Presbyterian Church in America
- Christian Reformed Church
- Assemblies of God
- Baptist General Conference
- Foursquare Church
- Evangelical Free Church of America
However, Young Life aims to work in conjunction with any Bible-believing church, regardless of denominational ties. The ministry sees itself as coming alongside local churches to help reach youth for Christ.
Beyond denominations, Young Life partners with other national ministries in the evangelical movement, such as Focus on the Family, Cru, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, the Gospel Coalition, and the Luis Palau Association.
These partnerships allow Young Life to gain support, resources, exposure, and strategic connections to advance its mission through collaborative efforts with likeminded organizations.
Financial Overview
As a large nonprofit ministry, Young Life relies on donations from individuals, churches, foundations, corporations, and fee-based revenue sources. Here are some details on Young Life’s finances:
- Annual Revenue (2019) – $310 million
- Expenses (2019) – $303 million
- Assets – $638 million
- Staff – 1,300 central office; 4,000+ field staff
- Major Revenue Sources:
- Contributions – 74%
- Camping services and fees – 9%
- Other program revenue – 7%
- Investments, royalties, rent – 10%
Young Life operates on a large budget but maintains solid financial stewardship. The majority of donations come from individual supporters. The ministry fully discloses its financial activities in an annual report.
While a free-to-attend ministry, Young Life does charge fees for camps, materials, and events to cover expenses. Financial assistance is available for families with need. Club dues are often requested but optional. Overall, Young Life maintains cost-effective programs supported primarily through charitable giving.
Global Impact
Since its start in Texas in 1941, Young Life has grown into an international ministry making a global impact. Today, Young Life reports these worldwide statistics:
- Operates in 100+ countries
- Reaches over 2 million kids annually
- Over 7,000 Young Life camps and events per year
- 22,000+ local Young Life groups worldwide
- 69,000+ volunteers and leaders
Some of the countries with the largest Young Life presence outside the United States include:
- Canada
- South Korea
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- Dominican Republic
- South Africa
- Germany
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Russia
The global reach of Young Life allows its ministry model to be adapted to engage youth within diverse cultures and contexts. Kids worldwide continue responding to Young Life’s relational, fun, and Jesus-focused approach.
Conclusion
In summary, Young Life originated as a Texas-based youth ministry in 1941 and has grown into a global nonprofit organization aiming to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ. It is an interdenominational Christian ministry focused on building genuine relationships with youth that allow for sharing the Gospel.
Young Life staff, volunteers, and youth participate in club gatherings, camp experiences, small groups, and mentoring relationships. These activities aim to meet youth where they are spiritually and lift up Jesus as the loving Savior. Ongoing discipleship helps nurture lifelong faith beyond a youth’s initial decision to believe.
While facing occasional controversies and criticisms over the decades, Young Life continues adapting its methods while retaining its core identity and mission. Its widespread impact and longevity can be attributed to an unwavering dedication to connecting adolescents to Christ through culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate strategies resulting in transformed lives.
