When you first become a Young Life leader, there are often more questions than answers, especially if you didn't grow up as a Young Life kid. We do so many crazy, fun, and adventurous things with our high school friends, all with the purpose of pointing to Jesus. But in the midst of all these things, you often wonder as a new leader, what have I given and what have I gained from this experience?
Because great expectations precede great success, we actually ask new leaders this before they jump in. The question is stated like this: What do you hope to give/gain through your volunteer experience? Below is a response from one of our new leaders that I think hits the nail on the head when it comes to being a volunteer leader in Young Life as God works through and in us. Our prayer is that every volunteer may give & gain in this way!!
"I hope to engage in friendships with teens that make them feel safe, accepted and challenged. I want to be 'in the trenches' with kids who are learning who they are, what they think about things and what they want out of life. In building those relationships, I hope to have the chance to share the love of Christ and get to know and experience him more myself. A huge desire of mine is for any and everyone to know how utterly amazing Jesus is and to grasp the truth of what he's done for us and to find joy and true fulfillment in that. I'm hoping that this volunteer experience leads to that!! I also hope for a fellowship with other leaders and staff members that helps me stay strong in my faith, committed to this ministry and a healthy, balanced individual. I want to be challenged, stretched, comforted and encouraged by this team and I hope that others want the same. All in all, I hope that through Young Life I am able to witness the power of God in and through this team and these teens."
Because great expectations precede great success, we actually ask new leaders this before they jump in. The question is stated like this: What do you hope to give/gain through your volunteer experience? Below is a response from one of our new leaders that I think hits the nail on the head when it comes to being a volunteer leader in Young Life as God works through and in us. Our prayer is that every volunteer may give & gain in this way!!
"I hope to engage in friendships with teens that make them feel safe, accepted and challenged. I want to be 'in the trenches' with kids who are learning who they are, what they think about things and what they want out of life. In building those relationships, I hope to have the chance to share the love of Christ and get to know and experience him more myself. A huge desire of mine is for any and everyone to know how utterly amazing Jesus is and to grasp the truth of what he's done for us and to find joy and true fulfillment in that. I'm hoping that this volunteer experience leads to that!! I also hope for a fellowship with other leaders and staff members that helps me stay strong in my faith, committed to this ministry and a healthy, balanced individual. I want to be challenged, stretched, comforted and encouraged by this team and I hope that others want the same. All in all, I hope that through Young Life I am able to witness the power of God in and through this team and these teens."