Summary
Young Life introduces adolescents to Jesus Christ and helps them grow in their faith. Young Life desires to make a positive impact on kids’ lives and prepare them for the future. Young Life builds positive relationships with young people in order to share the truth about Jesus Christ. Young Life is a nonprofit organization and contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. In addition, it is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Contact Information: [ Back to top ]
| Mailing Address: | P.O. Box 520 420 N. Cascade Avenue (80903)
Colorado Springs, CO
80901-0901 |
| Website: | www.younglife.org |
| Phone: | (719) 381-1800 |
| Email: | You need to enable javascript to see the email |
Organization Details [ Back to top ]
EIN: 840385934
| CEO/President: |
Mr. Dennis Rydberg |
Tax Deductible: |
Yes |
| Chairman: |
Mr. Wally Hawley |
Fiscal Year End: |
September 30 |
| Board Size: |
26 |
Financial info from: |
990 |
| Founder: |
Mr. Jim Rayburn |
Member of ECFA: |
Yes |
| Year Founded: |
1941 |
Member of ECFA since: |
1980 |
Young Life introduces adolescents to Jesus Christ and helps them grow in their faith. Young Life desires to make a positive impact on kids’ lives and prepare them for the future. Young Life builds positive relationships with young people in order to share the truth about Jesus Christ. Young Life is active in all 50 states and more than 45 foreign countries, reaching an estimated 1 million teenagers annually. More than 75,000 kids spend a weekend during the school year or a week in the summer at one of Young Life’s 23 camping properties in the United States and Canada.
Young Life is a nonprofit organization and contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. In addition, it is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Young Life uses the following to express its mission:
Our Mission is Introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. We accomplish our mission by...
- Praying for young people
- Going where kids are
- Building personal relationships with them
- Winning the right to be heard
- Providing experiences that are fun, adventurous and life changing
- Sharing our lives and the Good News of Jesus Christ with adolescents
- Inviting them to personally respond to this Good News
- Loving them regardless of their response
- Nurturing kids so they might grow in their love for Christ and the knowledge of God's word and become people who can share their faith with others
- Helping young people develop the skills, assets and attitudes to reach their full God-given potential
- Encouraging kids to live connected to the Body of Christ by being an active member of a local congregation
- Working with a team of like-minded individuals - volunteer leaders, committee members, donors and staff
Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]
Young Life began as an outreach to kids at a small high school in Texas. Now, more than 65 years later, Young Life has an impact on more than one million high school and middle school kids worldwide. For more than six decades, God has blessed Young Life, increasing its staff from five to more than 3,000 and its programs from one club in Texas to clubs in every corner of the world.
There are more than 27,000 Young Life volunteers. More than 16,000 of those volunteers are Young Life leaders — caring adults who invest in the lives of middle school and high school kids. Through contact work, Young Life leaders spend time with kids on their turf and build life-changing friendships with them. Young Life leaders can be found with kids at the places where kids hang out —school athletic events, coffee houses, movie theaters and more.
In addition to the Young Life leaders are more than 11,000 individuals who serve as local adult committee members. Local committees are the foundation for ministry in communities. Committee members serve “behind the scenes” in a variety of ways to ensure that Young Life ministry continues for years to come.
Young Life’s efforts to reach out to every kid, everywhere have resulted in a number of specific ministries. Each of them apply the basics of Young Life to meet kids just as they are through friendship and faith ...
Capernaum: Young Life’s ministry to kids with disabilities. Named after the town where Jesus performed many miracles.
International: Young Life’s outreach to high school and middle school kids in more than 50 countries around the world.
Small Town/Rural: Young Life’s ministry to kids in one-high school towns of fewer than 25,000 people.
Urban: Young Life’s ministry to racial and ethnic minorities, focused on kids who live in high-density communities and who are historically, socially and/or economically disadvantaged.
WyldLife: Young Life’s ministry to middle school kids.
YoungLives: Young Life’s ministry to teenage moms.
Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]
Young Life uses the following to express its Statement of Faith:
Article One:
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments being given by divine inspiration, are the Word of God, the final and supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
Article Two:
In the Scriptures, God reveals Himself as the living and true God, Creator of all things. Perfect in love and righteousness in all His ways, this one God exists eternally as a Trinity of Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Article Three:
God made man in His image that He might have fellowship with him. Being estranged from God by his disobedience, sinful man is incapable of a right relationship to God apart from divine grace.
Article Four:
The only Mediator between God and man is Jesus Christ our Lord, God's eternal Son, who as man fully shared and fulfilled our humanity in a life of perfect obedience.
Article Five:
By His death in our place, Jesus revealed the divine love and upheld divine justice, removing our guilt and reconciling us to God. Having risen bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven, He rules as Lord over all and intercedes for us as our great High Priest.
Article Six:
The Holy Spirit, through the proclamation of the Gospel, renews our hearts, persuading us to repent of our sins and confess Jesus as Lord. By the same Spirit we are led to trust in divine mercy, whereby we are forgiven all our sins, justified by faith through the merit of Christ our Savior, adopted into God's family as His children and enabled so to live in the world that men may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.
Article Seven:
God, by his Word and Spirit, calls sinful men into the fellowship of Christ's body. Thus, He creates the one holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, united in the bonds of love, endowed with the gifts of the Spirit and summoned by Christ to preach the Gospel and to administer the sacraments, to relieve human need and to strive for social justice.
Article Eight:
God's redemptive purpose will be consummated by the return of Christ to raise the dead, judge all men and establish His glorious kingdom. Those who are apart from Christ shall be eternally separated from God's presence, but the righteous shall live and reign with Him forever.
In 1938, a young Presbyterian youth leader in Gainesville, Texas, named Jim Rayburn was given a challenge. A local minister invited him to consider the neighborhood high school as his parish and develop ways of connecting with kids who had no interest in church.
Motivated by the example set by Jesus Christ’s ministry, Rayburn knew it was important to seek kids out. So he spent time with them on their turf and he built friendships with them. Rayburn eventually called this contact work, and it’s the essence of Young Life ministry today.
Along with his consistent contact work, Rayburn also began a weekly club for kids. There was singing, a skit or two and a message about Jesus Christ. Club attendances increased dramatically when they started meeting in the homes of the young people.
After graduating from Dallas Seminary, Rayburn and four other seminarians collaborated and Young Life was officially incorporated on Oct. 16, 1941. They developed the club idea throughout Texas, with an emphasis on showing kids that faith in God can be relevant and fun.
By 1946, Young Life moved to a new headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo. and the staff grew to 20 men and women across several states. Volunteer leadership began at Wheaton College, Illinois, in the late 1940s.
Prior to the 1960s, Young Life directed its ministry almost completely to suburban high school students. By 1972 it started ministries in approximately 25 multi-ethnic and urban areas. Today, Young Life is in more than 600 urban communities meeting the unique needs of inner-city young people. Young Life is also reaching out to middle school students, kids in rural areas, kids with disabilities, teenage mothers and kids in military communities all over the world.
Rayburn targeted kids who were disinterested in church and that target remains the same today. We define a “disinterested” kid as one who doesn’t attend church or attends but does not allow the teachings of the church to affect their life. Young Life club meetings are designed for a disinterested kid to feel welcome and begin to consider the truth of the Gospel. Young Life involves both evangelism and discipleship. Through Young Life, kids who come to know the Lord are led and challenged to grow in their faith. We recognize that kids need to get plugged into church if they are going to live connected to the Body of Christ. And so our staff and leaders encourage kids who have made a commitment to Christ to be an active member of a local congregation. For more than 65 years, Young Life has been reaching kids who may never have previously walked through the door of a church. Rayburn’s way of reaching “disinterested” teenagers with the Gospel continues to be effective today.
Young Life uses the following to express its Ministry Needs:
Volunteer leaders and committee members are vital to the mission of Young Life. Young Life needs adults who care about kids in their community to join their local Young Life staff in reaching kids for Christ. Young Life is not a facility-based ministry. Leaders go to where teenagers are – hangouts and athletic events – to spend time with them and build unconditional friendships with them. More than 15,000 volunteer leaders around the world help organize Young Life club, leads small group Bible studies called Campaigners and attend Young Life camp with kids. An effective Young Life committee is the lifeline of the local Young Life area. Young Life begins in new areas because of adults who care about kids and share Young Life’s commitment to every kid. A committee’s purpose is to share responsibility for making a positive difference in kids’ lives with the local staff. More than 11,000 adults meet once a month in groups of six to as many as 24. They are unseen and unknown to most of the kids they serve, but these people are the foundation for Young Life in local communities. For more information on getting involved with Young Life in your community, contact your area office or the Young Life Service Center at (719) 381-1800 or mat@sc.younglife.org. For information on how to give financially to Young Life, go to www.younglife.org and click on “Giving” at the top of the page.
Research Analysis
Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]
| Transparency Grade of : A |
| Criteria category | Grade | Other Comments |
| Timeliness: | 100 | 10/21/2011 5:00:55 PM: Organization made financial information available less than 5 ½ months after their fiscal year end. |
| Financial Information: | 100 | 10/21/2011 5:01:03 PM: Organization provided all financial information requested. Information was clear and thorough. |
| Foundational Clarity: | 100 | 10/21/2011 5:01:16 PM: Descriptive information was abundant and thorough. |
| Level of Cooperation: | 100 | 10/21/2011 5:01:24 PM: Answers to questions were thorough. |
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MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]
| Ranking Category | Rating | Overall Rank | Fellowship Evangelism Sector |
|---|
| Overall Efficiency Rating |  | 143 of 347 | 9 of 19 |
| Fund Acquisition Decision |  | 89 of 347 | 3 of 19 |
| Resource Allocation Decision | | 83 of 347 | 4 of 19 |
| Asset Utilization Decision | | 312 of 347 | 19 of 19 |
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2011 MinistryWatch.com Shining Light top ministry list2007 MinistryWatch.com Shining Light top ministry list2006 MinistryWatch.com Shining Light top ministry list
Young Life listed by MinistryWatch.com as a 2011 Shining Light ‘Top 30’ Exemplary Ministry.
This ministry is called a ‘Shining Light’ because it is indeed a model of letting their light shine before men, and God is to be glorified in what they are doing. Consequently, we are shining a figurative light on them so that donors may be aware of their good deeds.
Believers are recognizable by their fruit, which includes the services they perform for Him and for others. We see a glimpse of His light and glory in this ministry and if you do too, you should feel very good about giving to it; however, only you can decide for yourself with confidence if a ministry shares your values and with your giving plan.
Inclusion as a Shining Light does not mean it is perfect. No ministry is perfect and any that look long and hard enough may find areas for improvement; as no doubt most legitimate ministries are aware of areas to improve and have their own to-do list for improvement. As far as MinistryWatch.com’s assessment, given the criteria that we followed, this ministry rose among the top.
Identifying a diversity of the best ministries is challenging given the selfless work that so many do for the cause of Christ. MinistryWatch.com’s assessment looked at the following seven areas when considering those to make the list: (1) Transparency, (2) Truth Claims, (3) Values/ Worldview, (4) Sectors/Functions, (5) Resourcefulness, (6) Red Flag Issues, (7) Counsel with others.
A fuller explanation of our evaluation criteria is on the front page of MinistryWatch.com. As is evident, we looked at many factors and as such, a high Financial Efficiency Rating was not a requirement of inclusion on this list, although most do have good ratings. Many factors were reviewed and strengths in other areas can offset weakness in financial efficiency when determining whether a ministry should be of interest to donors seeking to be good stewards of their giving. A foundational premise was to shine a figurative light on those ministries that were "Christian" more than in name only. Ministries were chosen that were not just marketing to Christians as a market segment for "Christian donor money", but ministries that had theological underpinnings and Biblical values that determined their actions. Organizations that relied more on a secular motivation and means were excluded as well as those “ministries” that seem to view the organization as their own vehicle as a business to make money rather than a love to maximize ministry to others and to let their light shine for the glory of God.
MinistryWatch.com desires to see overall giving to Biblical Christian values increase and as such we developed this format to highlight those ministries which are exemplary. This ministry is an outstanding example when we consider it through the lens of Philippians 4:8 and weigh and take account of those ministries that are excellent and worthy of praise.
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MinistryWatch.com’s Take
A Simple Plan
Young Life (YL) is a Christian ministry, which exists in order to introduce teenagers to Jesus Christ and to help them grow in their faith. Denny Ryberg, the current president and CEO of YL, states that the scope of YL’s mission is no less than to reach “every kid, everywhere, for eternity.” YL’s plan for implementing this mission is as simple and straightforward today as it was when first articulated by YL founder Jim Rayburn: “We can’t wait for teenagers to come to us; we must go to them.” A simple plan? Perhaps. An easy task? No way. Today’s teenagers must struggle with, and are often forced to make tough decisions about, a bewildering array of life issues, including drugs, deadly violence, and teenage pregnancy, not to mention the perennial trials and tribulations of adolescence. Too many of these children lack the direction, support and care needed to help them make wise choices. YL’s task is to show these teens love and acceptance, and to let them know that in Christ there is always hope for the future.
How Young Life Works
A 22-member board of directors oversees YL. The staff is headed by Mr. Rydberg and his Cabinet – all senior vice presidents and vice presidents in the mission. YL has more than 3,200 staff working throughout the U. S. and in 50 other countries. Regional Directors and Area Directors (a total of 669) are responsible for the oversight of YL’s field staff, which is comprised of almost 2,000 trained Leaders (full-time and part-time) who bring YL’s message of hope directly to teenagers. YL also employs over 600 staff to manage and maintain YL camps and other properties, while some 240 staff work in support services. Finally, the successful operation of YL programs depends greatly upon the work of the many volunteers (25,000+ in 2005, including 15,000 volunteer leaders who work directly with kids) who lend their time and talents to YL.
YL staff must complete a 2-3 year training program in preparation for ministry. This program includes extensive fieldwork, conducted under the close supervision of a seasoned YL field worker. Staff members are also required to take up to seven theological courses at YL’s training institute or at an accredited seminary. YL offers different tracks for ministry training. The track in which a staff member participates is determined based upon factors such as educational background, ministry experience, and whether a full-time or a part-time position with YL is being pursued.
YL’s field staff embrace the challenge of stepping out of their comfort zones in order to reach out to young people where they are: at school, athletic events, concerts, shopping malls, etc. The approach of these staff members is to introduce themselves to the teens, to hand out flyers, or to otherwise invite as many students as possible to a YL Club. Clubs are the main programs of YL’s youth ministry. These informal weekly meetings feature games, skits, songs, and a Gospel presentation. Clubs meet in a variety of different locations, including homes, schools, gyms, churches, and neighborhood youth centers. Students who want to go deeper in the study of the Word are invited to attend a YL Bible study group. Those who regularly attend are known as Campaigners. Campaigners are given the opportunity to do volunteer work at special YL events, thus developing ministry experience and leadership skills. As of May 2004, YL was working in “4,164 schools and other outreach locations around the world.” YL is currently ministering to teenagers in 900 communities worldwide, reaching an estimated 1 million teenagers each year.
The second major part (after the Clubs) of YL’s teen ministry is Camping. YL operates 23 different camps around the country. Each summer, these camps are flooded by thousands of teens (40,000+ in 2004). Camps are run by YL staff and volunteers (including some high school students who have previously attended a Camp). Most of the campers are already involved in YL, and the Camps serve as an important extension of the year-round ministries. As anyone who has attended or volunteered at a summer camp can testify, camp can be a life-changing experience. These excursions away from the one’s daily routine and familiar surroundings serve as great occasions for making new friends (sometimes lifelong friends) refocusing (or simply gaining some focus in life), and opening up to new ideas, which (at a Christian camp) could include believing the Gospel and dedicating one’s self to follow Jesus Christ. All of the above can and does happen through YL Camps.
Where Young Life Works
As noted, YL has over 4,000 ministries worldwide. The vast scope of YL’s project (every kid, everywhere) includes all kinds of kids, not just Americans and not just suburban upper and middle class. Today, Young Life is in more than 600 urban communities meeting the unique needs of inner-city young people. Young Life is also reaching out to middle school students, kids in rural areas, kids with disabilities, teenage mothers and kids in military communities all over the world.
YL’s International ministry is also blossoming. YL has 107 staff working overseas in more than 450 active ministries in 50 countries. These staff members work in both direct ministries and training ministries. The latter are designed to build up YL International through equipping indigenous youth workers to carry on YL’s mission of introducing teenagers to Jesus Christ and helping them to grow in their faith.
Summary
YL is a large organization, which ministers to an estimated 1 million teenagers each year. Nevertheless, the ministry’s approach is simple and straightforward: go to where the teenagers are, and reach out to as many of them as possible. YL ministers to youth primarily through informal club meetings, Bible studies, and camps. The ministry’s long history of working with young people and continued growth (in size and in diversity) clearly indicate that YL appeals to young people. YL’s mission statement and faith commitment testify to the fact that the organization intends not only to reach every child everywhere, but also to impact each one of them for eternity.
We applaud the efforts of Wall Watchers to hold ministries financially accountable. Young Life is firmly committed to good stewardship of the gifts God has provided through our many donors. As a founding member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), Young Life meets a high standard of integrity in stewardship. Through ECFA, Young Life is accountable to a set of peer ministries with a common, biblical commitment to sound stewardship. We also understand our need to be accountable to those who support our ministry. An openness about financial information and funding is valuable to donors. We value the independent judgment of those who support God's work. Because we respect donors' ability to make sound judgments, we feel it necessary to point out that the Wall Watchers rating system places greater value on liquid assets than on long-term investments. As a result, having 23 first rate camping properties where kids are presented the Gospel and treated to the best week of their lives puts Young life at a disadvantage in the analysis done by Wall Watchers. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to our rating. We will continue to spend our dollars wisely in pursuit of our vision: that every adolescent, everywhere will have the opportunity to meet Jesus Christ and follow Him.