What might it look like to engage with YL as a Millennial? Committees, Boards, Leader, or Donor? Yes to all of the above, and more. Young Life is making a concerted effort across the mission to engage the up and coming generations, and give them opportunities to make an impact in their communities and on future generations.
What might this look like? Darrin Murphy, Senior Campaign Director in the South Central Division, believes that Millennials (ages 30-45), who represent the largest component of the work force at 32%, are very connected with each other and love to be in community, but many aren’t at the stage to give significant time or finances to YL. He’s working to find ways to engage them in his Division and in big initiatives like the development of LoneHollow Ranch.
He added that Millennials are ‘powerful when you put them together, and at this stage in their lives they would rather be more involved in big activities and impact rather than ongoing monthly activities. They feel equipped to find and fix tangible/present problems. So, the LoneHollow Ranch Executive Campaign Committee (ECC) decided to form a focus group consisting of Millennials, adopting the name YoPro.
Matt Hamilton (age 33) is a part of this group. When asked what motivated him to come on board, he said: “I had a deep connection to YL camping as I became a Christian at Frontier Ranch, and I saw how the Lord used it to change my life and the lives of many of my friends. It just made sense to be involved in something bigger than me, that could help change others lives as well.” Hamilton points out that there is a desire among Millennials to keep moving forward and increasing responsibilities in the marketplace, by not continuing to be told what to do, but to become the one making the decisions. His hope is that his involvement in YL will leave a mark and a future legacy for his daughter, and that she could find a second home at YL camp, like he and his friends.
Young Life continues to seek ways to keep future generations involved in the mission by staying connected in multiple ways while offering various levels of engagement. Engagement including weekend retreats like the second annual LoneHollow Hill Country Hangout For Men (Feb 20-22, 2026), Family Camps, and Women’s Retreats to connect with young adults and young families. In the years to come, these families will grow and mature, and hopefully many of their children will connect with YL, especially if their parents are connected. Other opportunities include local YL Committees and Boards, volunteer leaders, mentors, donors, and much more.
Murphy and his YoPro Team are hoping to develop Young Professional groups across the state of Texas and then across the South Central Division of YL. They realize it might take a while to develop, but they are hoping that the upside with help sustain the ministry and mission of Young Life for another 84 years. As Hamilton said, “We can only grow from here, and make a lasting impact. There is lots of ownership to be had, to engage our peers, and create something really special for future generations, just as those who came before us did for my generation.”
But it’s not just happening in Texas! We’re hearing of staff all over the world getting intentional to reach the next big generational force of Millennials! David Bast, Associate Regional Director in Jacksonville FL, hosts a monthly gathering of men getting together for a Sunday night of food, fellowship, and a short message just for them. ‘Men desire to be together and the young men are looking for wisdom and leadership from those who have lived life for a few more years. We have between 30-80 men coming together most nights.” The men bring the food and drink, and David and his staff just show up and share life with them. There is also a women’s group that meets monthly and has the same kind of impact.
Young Life Community Networks team is also actively engaging regions on how to build out Young Professionals boards and engage emerging professionals right after they get out of college. These gatherings of Young Professionals may look different from city to city when it comes to frequency, duration of meetings, or extracurricular activities; however, they are consistent in their intention.
We know there are many other intentional ways Millennials are being engaged within the mission that we haven’t even heard of, or even dreamed of. If you have a great story to share or want to get involved in a YoPro board, reach out to the YL Community Networks team to get more involved!
Written by: John Haddad