The Global ‘pause’ of the last few years has led to a local ‘restart’ for many of us during 2021-22. Every Young Life leader can share their own stories of the challenges within their own context and they are significant. What may be more challenging is the ability to launch a new ministry. That’s what Emma McPherson and Eric Anderson were tasked to do in Hartland Michigan.
Read their story below:
We launched Young Life in a new school/community in the summer of 2020 - Hartland High School in Hartland, MI. The leadership team was forced to approach this creatively, since they were not initially allowed in the building and events were relatively restricted or non-existent. This school is similar to many in that it offers a wide variety of sponsored “clubs” and this school actually designates a short time during the school day on Fridays each week for students to participate in club meetings, as a way to diversify learning and connections.
After some creative thinking and prayer, here is what we had:
A brand new Leadership Team
Connections with a small group of students with strong leadership gifts. .
There was a strong Vision from Students and the broader mission community for Hartland High School.
An outline of a plan for the school year.
With a team, some students, a vision, and conviction to start an official Young Life Club within the school, we submitted an application containing:
A Teacher sponsor
Application submission for approval
Overview/Purpose/Content of ‘the Club’
One benefit we realized was that we were able to work in close partnership with the school administration and foster a deep partnership based on trust from the very beginning. We gave significant thought as to the purpose of the ‘Young Life Club’ from the students perspective and the team defined our Friday after club as a place where “any student in the school has the opportunity to get a taste of what Young Life was all about.” The Club meetings were the same in principle to what is traditional Young Life but also very different.
Here is what made them unique:
Entirely Student-led.
Staff /Leaders did not attend the Friday Club meetings.
Our staff/leaders met with the student team for support, planning, and prayer.
The students who lead the club prepare mixers, fun, and message.
Weekly “random act of kindness challenge” as a way to care for the entire school population.
The Talk is an invitation to participation and ‘come and see.’
The Friday afternoon Club complemented a more traditional weekly Club as our group grew and fostered significant ownership, partnership, and discipleship opportunities for our student leaders. The agenda for a Young Life Club during school is very simple. If you have any interest in hearing more, please feel free to contact Emma McPherson and Eric Anderson, at etakeeper13@gmail.com.
We have found that more kids at THE “Young Life Club” leads to more kids at their new Young Life CLUB.
Written by Eric Anderson and Emma McPherson