Celebrating the mission’s past to prepare us for the future.
The men and women who make up Young Life’s Board of Trustees are an immense gift to this mission. God has generously provided us with people who love our work with kids, pray for it, financially support it, and direct its course.
What gift could we possibly give these busy, caring, sacrificial, invested, and faithful servants who – with wisdom and a deep reliance upon the Lord – lead us into the future?
How about a glimpse into Young Life’s past?
On the evening of November 21, 2024, we did just that. A team comprised of folks from the Young Life Community Network, the Marketing and Communications department, the Archives program, and Building Services put together a historical event. Joined by 10 hosts who themselves have played a tremendous part in Young Life’s history, the evening showcased our early days, specifically the 1940s through the 1960s.
During their fall meeting in Colorado Springs, CO, the members of the board, their spouses, Young Life leadership, and special guests gathered to celebrate these momentous first three decades of our mission. On that night we recognized the various movements, startling discoveries, and faithful men and women the Lord graciously used to establish the work. It was a special evening, filled with laughter, gratitude, and tears of joy.
Big Dreams and Bold Prayers
The overarching theme for the three decades in the exhibit was to “Stop and remember ‘The Big Dream,’” a reference to founder Jim Rayburn’s last public speech to the staff in 1970. These excerpts from the speech were included in the exhibit:
The Big Dream –
“That everyone has a right to know Jesus Christ, to know the facts concerning Him, which are a glorious array of facts concerning the greatest life that was ever lived…”
“They have a right to know who He is; they have a right to know what He’s done for them. They have a right to know how they relate to that. They have a right to know Him personally. Furthermore, they have a right to make their own choice of Him.”
“It’s a group of people bound together in the single-minded purpose that there’s no price too high to pay to see to it that young people have a chance to know the Savior.”
Along with these powerful sentiments were some of the prayers that have marked Young Life from the very beginning. From Clara Frasher’s intercession for kids at Gainesville (TX) High School that started it all (“I don’t know what I can do, but I pray someone will rescue these kids…”), to Rayburn’s iconic plea to “Give us the teenagers,” our prayerful reliance upon the Lord’s direction and moving was another major theme.
Show and Tell
The exhibit, however, was far more than a show of words. We spotlighted dynamic movements, engaging personalities, and beautiful camp vistas throughout. Sprinkled alongside these were historical artifacts that many found…
Moving:
We featured the “I Am a Man” cover of 1968’s Focus on Youth magazine which declared Young Life’s commitment to reaching all kids, no matter their race or color.
Honoring:
We highlighted unsung heroes like Add Sewell, the pioneer of Young Life’s contact work; Herb and Gloria Taylor, the buyers of Young Life’s first camp; and Rod and Fran Johnston, Young Life’s first overseas missionaries.
Fun:
We offered folks the opportunity to emboss their own 1943 Campaigners Songbook with the original Young Life seal! Another station offered Viewfinders, where they could see great historic shots from the 1960s.
From stunning photography to a soundtrack of the decades to powerful videos of kids in the ‘40s to decade-specific hors d'oeuvres, the exhibit reflected so much of the Young Life DNA we know and love.
“Like Royalty”
The night was a success by all measures, the most important one being that Jesus Christ was lifted up. Here are just a few of the responses:
“We’ve been raving about the Night at the Museum that was put on last night. We loved the history, the detail, how engaging everything was, and how it was all tied together.”
“Well done, and thank you for your intentionality in the design, and gathering all the history you did. The board members felt so loved and it truly honored the Lord in displaying the ways he has provided to others through this mission. So, thank you! Well done!”
“I’m amazed by how wonderfully I was treated. I felt like royalty! I was also amazed by the museum display and I teared up over the letter from Frog Sullivan to Jim Rayburn. It was in the 1940s era and when I saw it I was transported back to a moment at Star Ranch when I was with both Jim and Frog.”
Our Firm Foundation
From the birth of Young Life in 1941, through its booming growth during the 1950s, to the tumultuous challenges (both inside and outside the organization) of the 1960s, we celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness through it all. We’re quick to acknowledge it’s God who owns the work, and we are the privileged servants who he’s invited to play a part.
It’s under the Lord’s guidance in those early years that we learned how to reach kids through contact work, engage kids in club, demonstrate the gospel at camp, and help kids grow in their faith during Campaigners.
Similarly, it was during these seminal moments when we developed critical adult support through the creation of the national board, as well as local committees. This helped provide for the work, and caused it to grow around the U.S. and throughout the world.
These first three decades were foundational to the mission we have today, and they serve as an important reminder of how God in his kindness used normal men and women to reach adolescents. From the board of trustees to staff, volunteers, committee and kids, he still delights in working in us and through us, to further his kingdom.
Here’s to a future that draws strength, wisdom, and guidance from our glorious past!
View more about the event and Young Life history HERE.
Written by: Jeff Chesemore