Every year the Young Life Community Network, in partnership with the Office of the President, honors three individuals or couples with our annual alumni awards. Below, you will find three stories, highlighting our 2024 recipients.
2024 DISTINGUISHED YOUNG LIFE ALUMNI AWARD: BOBBY AND BETH REAGAN
As a young man, Bobby Reagan would have said he was a Christian; however, an introduction to Young Life through a faithful volunteer leader named Henry Harvey challenged Bobby’s faith and the ways he was chasing validation through performance. It was on a trip to Frontier Ranch in 1969, following his junior year, where he began to better understand the “ultimate validation” and came to faith.
LEADERSHIP = GROWTH
Following high school and graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1975, Bobby returned to Savannah, Georgia, and became a volunteer Young Life leader for the next decade. Bobby remembers this role being the impetus of him truly living out his faith. In his words, “Sharing the message with kids, leading Bible studies, having my friends and community being fellow Young Life leaders, pushed me to live consistently.”
In Atlanta, Bobby opened an office and became CEO of Reagan Consulting, Inc. (a consulting and investment banking firm working in the insurance distribution space). Most importantly, Bobby and Beth met in Atlanta in 1986 and married eight months later. Similar to Savannah, Bobby immediately stepped into volunteer Young Life leadership for the next six years. Bobby introduced Beth to Young Life and she began her involvement as a leader as well. If you were to look at a snapshot of the Reagans’ involvement in Young Life over the years, it would look something like this:
Bobby – Volunteer leader, committee member, and committee chair in Savannah, Gerogia
Bobby and Beth – Volunteer leaders, committee members, and committee chairs in Northwest Atlanta
Bobby – Executive campaign committee chair for SharpTop Cove (1997-1999)
Bobby and Beth – Executive campaign committee for Windy Gap (2020-2023)
Beth – Women’s Engagement and Philanthropy Council (Starting in 2017)
Beth – Five local giving circles and on the planning team for the Global Giving Circle
Bobby and Beth – Longtime financial partners and encouragers of all!
THE FAR-REACHING IMPACT OF YOUNG LIFE
When asked about how their involvement with Young Life has impacted their work, Bobby is quick to point out that several of their first employees were involved with Young Life, including his firm’s current CEO. In fact, current Young Life staffers, like Campaign Director Elizabeth McRae, were once Young Life kids and Reagan Consulting employees.
Why have they aligned themselves so closely with Young Life and continued to give so much of themselves to the mission? Beth said, “Young Life invites! I was invited in and I am so grateful for that. I also see great return on investment! Young Life is a great steward of money, with little waste and great impact.” Bobby added, “We have been so blessed by Young Life and are amazed by how fruitful Young Life has been in the lives of kids in the U.S. and the world.”
“I love the way Young Life has an emphasis on relationship, not religion.” Beth sums it up nicely, “You don’t have to have your act together; all are welcome, what a beautiful way to introduce Jesus.”
THE FAR-REACHING INFLUENCE OF THE REAGANS
Lest we think the Reagans’ benevolence is limited to Young Life, they are very involved serving together at their local church; mentoring, teaching, and leading small groups. Furthermore, Bobby is board chair for “Elevate, Atlanta,” an organization that was started in Denver and is focused on serving inner-city youth there and in other cities.
2024 ALUMNI SERVICE TO YOUNG LIFE AWARD: SHAWN AND WENDY LITTLE
As Wendy Little looks back on her teen years, she remembers a challenging home life and a negative view of “church.” She also remembers the way God gently broke into her life. Her family had left the Mormon church, and as a sophomore at Eastmont High School in Wenatchee, Washington, she said no to her best friend’s invitation to attend Young Life club “at least 101 times!” However, when her friend invited her to an open gym where they could play volleyball and listen to a brief message from then area director, Don Myers, she gave in. The next club meeting was at her best friend’s house, a home so familiar and welcoming that she was comfortable attending. It was on this night Wendy learned about Malibu Club and, though she wasn’t aware of the “religious part,” it was a week away from home with her friends. As God is so often known to do in “thin places” like Malibu, he revealed himself to Wendy that summer of 1992 and it was there she began following Jesus.
Shawn was a co-worker of Wendy’s at Safeway grocery store and a year ahead of her in school. Through his connection with Wendy, he began attending both Young Life and church. The two began dating and had plans to be married following Shawn’s graduation from high school in 1993; plans that did not materialize in the way either of them thought they would. The young couple broke up but reconnected over time, as Shawn began following Jesus and Wendy was looking for a faithful friend at a time of life during which she had little Christian community. This Christ-centered friendship blossomed into a loving relationship and the two wed in 1996.
MARRIED AND ON A MISSION
As Shawn and Wendy settled into married life, they attended church and were asked to lead the youth, which they did for the next seven years. This opportunity within their church only grew their desire to serve others, specifically adolescents. When asked to lead Young Life kids at camp in 2000, Wendy eagerly jumped in; Shawn officially began leading in 2002. It was clear Wendy and Shawn had hearts for the “furthest-out” young people who had stories similar to their own. Wendy said, “From the very beginning, I knew that I was called by God to serve voluntarily through Young Life in our community, and God has blessed us with the means to do so. Young Life’s tagline, ‘You were made for this’ speaks to the calling Christ put on my heart!”
BUILDING A CLUB ROOM, A LIFE AND A MINISTRY TOGETHER
Living across the street from Eastmont High School, the couple gutted half their duplex and used it as a club room. Since that time, Shawn and Wendy have served as volunteer leaders and team leaders; Wendy has also served on the area committee (as prayer coordinator) and even took a Young Life camp assignment as a head leader in 2015. Meanwhile, Shawn has not only led Young Life and WyldLife, but also serves as chaplain for their local hockey team. In the midst of this the Littles are parents to two daughters (one of whom is serving as a Young Life leader now).
When asked why they have given so much of themselves to, and through, Young Life for the past 25 years, Wendy replied, “It’s a calling. I had a hard upbringing and we want kids to have somebody to walk with them through life’s challenges. For 25 years I have had the privilege of sitting with girls and praying with them. I can never give up leading kids.” Shawn adds, “This all started with an invitation; the calling became clear after I responded. I didn’t realize how much I would love working with teenagers. Also, the community, the family of Young Life is so deep and meaningful — we’ve done so much life together!” Shawn and Wendy are very careful to point out “we did not arrive here on our own. We stand on others’ shoulders. The family of Young Life here has built us and sustained us.”
2024 YOUNG LIFE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD: JENNI BRANDON
FROM BASEMENT CLUBS TO REGIONAL LEADERSHIP
Young Life first became a part of Jenni Brandon’s life when she was in fourth grade. Her Young Life leader moved into her family’s basement and club meetings were held in their home. Her family’s involvement in Young Life was deep-rooted, with her mom coming to faith through Young Life as a high schooler and her sister serving on work crew at Washington Family Ranch. Even her dad got involved as an adult guest and reconnected to the mission via an old friend, Gary Parsons (former vice president of Young Life Soviet Union). Jenni herself later joined a Young Life mission trip to Russia in seventh grade.
Jenni’s love for Jesus led her to become involved in many of the opportunities Young Life offers; WyldLife participant and leader, work crew, and summer staff. After moving to San Diego to pursue a PhD in Oceanography, she found herself seeking Christian community. She started leading Young Life College at UC San Diego, despite a stretching academic schedule. Jenni led for four years, later joined the committee, and now serves on the South Coast Regional Board and the Women’s Getaway Planning Team.
WHAT DRAWS HER TO YOUNG LIFE?
When asked about the most meaningful aspects of Young Life, Jenni shared that it’s the freedom Young Life offers. “The people in Young Life are authentically themselves,” she said. This environment of openness and love has shaped her own journey and motivated her to give so much of herself to the mission.
A SCIENTIST FOR CHANGE
Jenni has carved out a unique niche for herself as a scientist and consultant. After completing her PhD in oceanography, she launched her own consulting firm focused on climate change and sustainability. She helps nonprofits, philanthropists, and investors navigate the complex world of environmental impact and philanthropy.
Jenni’s passion for the environment, particularly in the area of plastic pollution, drives much of her work. Having studied plastic pollution during her PhD, Jenni is now using her expertise to help organizations tackle some of the most pressing environmental challenges. “I think it’s such an important calling for us to steward creation,” she says.
Her career is a testament to her belief in the intersection of science and faith. As a staunch advocate for the idea that science and the Bible can coexist, Jenni says, “We need to talk more about this with kids; you can be a scientist and talk about Jesus.”
EMPOWERING WOMEN IN YOUNG LIFE
One of the things that excites Jenni the most about the future of Young Life is the work being done through Jamie Lisea’s work with women’s engagement and philanthropy, where Jenni helps plan The Getaway, a giving retreat for younger women in the mission. Women who have been involved in Young Life for decades are feeling more empowered to be part of the conversation around generosity and leadership. Jenni is particularly excited about the opportunities to give big gifts to Young Life and other causes, supporting the mission in new and meaningful ways.
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR STAFF AND LEADERS
Reflecting on her own journey, Jenni shared an important piece of wisdom with Young Life staff and leaders: “You may not know who those kids are at camp or in club, but what you are doing is meaningful.” She describes a pivotal moment during her junior high years when she struggled with her faith, and a Young Life leader, Kristy Fox, spoke into her life in a way that confirmed her beliefs. “I don’t know if I would be a believer if it weren’t for that camp talk,” she says. “Young Life leaders may not see the immediate impact they have, but they’re planting seeds that can change lives.”
As she continues to lead in both her professional and personal life, Jenni remains deeply committed to the mission of Young Life. Whether it’s serving on the regional board, mentoring college students, or empowering women to give generously, she is making a lasting impact on the lives of those she serves!
Are there people near you who might deserve a high five, fist bump, or dose of encouragement and appreciation? Even though we might only have three awards to give on an annual basis, all of us know unsung heroes of our mission and can offer our gratitude. We hope these stories have inspired us all in our ongoing Young Life efforts!
Written by: Jonathan Schultz