Young Life Chicagoland

Young Life doesn't start with a program. It starts with adults who are concerned enough about kids to go to them, on their turf and in their culture, building bridges of authentic friendship. These relationships don't happen overnight — they take time, patience, trust and consistency.  

Our Mission

Introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.​

Our Methods

We accomplish our mission by ... 

• Praying for young people.
• Going where kids are and building personal relationships with them.
• Earning the right to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
• Providing fun, adventurous, life-changing and skill-building experiences.
• Inviting kids to personally respond to the Good News and walking in friendship with them regardless of their response.
• Preparing kids for a life-long relationship with Christ and a love for His word, His mission and the local church.
• Working in community alongside like-minded adults (volunteer leaders, committee members, donors and staff).

Our Values

• The Gospel — Living according to and communicating the whole gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Scripture — Acting under the authority of Scripture and relying on the Holy Spirit to empower our ministry.
• All Kids — Reaching adolescents of every ability and all economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ecumenical — Collaborating with followers of Christ from various traditions and local churches worldwide.
• Diversity — Welcoming those whom God calls to our mission — men and women of all ethnicities and abilities who are committed to the common purpose of introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.
• Health — Encouraging our staff and volunteers in their personal and spiritual health so we may minister out of a consistent and growing relationship with Christ and His followers.
• Stewardship — Observing the highest standards of stewardship of all the resources placed in our trust.
• The Next Kid — Developing innovative approaches to reach uncommitted, disinterested young people around the world​