Right Place, Right Time
What happens when you schedule a Journey of Generosity (JOG) retreat at the same Young Life camp as Leader Weekend? You get a front-row seat to generosity in action, that’s what you get! That’s exactly what one region from Arizona/New Mexico got this fall when they hosted a JOG, facilitated by YL staff member, Lee-Anne Allman. Hosted by regional staff Ashley Tucker and Veronica Morrison, this gathering opened doors for adults in their region to come together in community, explore generosity, AND experience generosity in action.
The Foundation of Trust
Here’s the thing with JOGs - you almost have to experience one to catch the contagious vision for these events. JOGs are events where people come together to talk about what generosity means. There’s no ask and no pressure to give in any way. Strategic stories of generosity are shared to open up ideas about what generosity means. Many of these ways generosity shows up have nothing to do with writing a check either! That’s what makes these conversations so powerful!
Inevitably, JOGs spark so many creative ideas around how we can be generous with the many talents, skills, and passions God has given us. (And, spoiler alert, we need that in Young Life!) We benefit when people, of all kinds, get creative about what it means to bring their unique perspective to support causes they care about.
On a Regional level, this was a unique opportunity for Tucker and Morrison to bring together people from within their Region to get to know each other and share thoughts around generosity. We know, from doing these, that people often start talking about Young Life and ways to support our ministry in creative ways, from donating art, to donating time, to opening up their home, to becoming a leader, and the list can go on and on.
A Hesitant Beginning
The start to any event with new people, and especially one where we’re being asked to think about vulnerable things like giving of ourselves, can be a little awkward. As participants gathered, the atmosphere carried a familiar tension that often accompanies new experiences. Many couldn't quite articulate what they had committed to, having said "yes" primarily because of their relationships with Ashley and Veronica rather than a clear understanding of the process.
One participant's candid reflection captured the mood perfectly: he acknowledged being there specifically to push himself into uncomfortable conversations. This vulnerability set the tone for what would become a transformative experience for everyone involved.
The Perfect Setting
The timing and location of the JOG proved to be quite brilliant. Held at Lost Canyon’s Adult Guest Lodge during a Leader Weekend, the event was surrounded by over 500 volunteer leaders who were literally living out generosity through their service to help kids meet Jesus and grow in their faith. This tangible example of sacrificial giving provided a powerful backdrop to the theoretical discussions happening inside the meeting space. The JOG participants had the opportunity to join in on a few aspects of the weekend retreat and have some proximity to what Young Life specifically is doing with adolescents.
The overnight format created an immersive experience that participants described as feeling truly "away" rather than squeezed into a busy day. Coffee conversations in the morning, informal break times, and shared meals allowed for organic dialogue that extended well beyond the formal JOG sessions. Adults could even attend YL club activities and participate in worship, creating a holistic experience that felt integrated rather than compartmentalized.
A Transformation Unfolds
The contrast between a JOG event's beginning and end is always striking. What starts as a somewhat stiff gathering of uncertain participants evolves into a warm, open community willing to engage authentically. By the conclusion, people were sharing genuine thoughts, pushing back on ideas when necessary, asking clarifying questions, and expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to explore generosity together. True friendships were made and deepened as a result of thinking through these ideas together.
The Facilitator's Journey
Don’t be fooled by the role of a facilitator; we don’t have it all figured out ourselves! Facilitating JOGs has become its own journey of personal growth for myself. It can be hard to sit in the long silence after throwing a discussion question out to the group! It can be even harder to confront your own approach to generosity day in and day out. I really have struggled with this issue for a long time myself and so I feel like every time I am exposed to the material, it helps to form how I think and behave surrounding giving.
It's not about having all the answers but about creating space for collective discovery and growth!
The Ripple Effect
The Arizona/New Mexico Region JOG exemplifies how authentic community can be built around challenging topics when approached with intentionality, skilled facilitation, and mutual respect. From hesitant beginnings to grateful conclusions, it was a great time to go deeper with others.
In a world where meaningful dialogue often feels elusive, events like these remind us that transformation is possible when we're willing to sit in discomfort, ask hard questions, and journey together toward deeper understanding.