developing kingdom
i100
Young Life officially began international ministry in 1953 when we sent our first overseas missionaries to France. Over the next 65 years, we witnessed our international work slowly grow, with various victories and setbacks along the way. Momentum gathered at the turn of the century and since 2018 we’ve been ministering to more kids outside the U.S. than inside!
With this dynamic growth comes responsibility to support all the men and women ministering around the globe. That’s where i100 comes in.
The plan is a multiyear investment, investing in our top 100 global staff to lead the international work to 2030 and beyond. The staff meet regularly to learn together; growing in wise leadership, ministerial calling, and personal health. The result? These staff return home to their individual countries and invest what they’re learning into the staff and volunteers under their care.
“i100 is directly tied to what the Lord is already doing in our midst,” says Young Life President Newt Crenshaw. “Think how big the world is and how diverse the cultures are. God is raising up leaders who come from those cultures, who look like the kids we’re ministering to. These methods — imitating what Jesus did — work in every culture!”
This lateral leadership, a working across the mission, is allowing these staff of diverse cultures to come together to see where they can replicate strong and successful ministry methods. During these times they share successful approaches from their own ministries, and likewise, learn of other ideas from their peers. Hear what some of these leaders have to say about the experience:
“I’m really proud to be part of something that is bigger than just my country.”
“Seeing things in others’ perspectives gives you a fuller perspective on what you’re supposed to do and how you can improve the ministry in your own areas.”
Group Senior Vice President Dan Jessup says, “Through i100 we’re accelerating the development of our staff around the world. This is an empowerment issue. We have the best of the best in different pockets around the world; let’s let these best of the best — those whom the Lord has identified — be our teachers.
“There will come a day where there won’t be a separate Young Life in the U.S. and Young Life international. There will come a day — and it’s on the horizon — where there will just be ‘Young Life,’ where the mission of Young Life has become a global entity. One day the president of Young Life will come from the i100, and won’t that be glorious!”
"We are learning how to totally depend on the Holy Spirit, to be led by Him, and see Him wherever we are, so we can better reach the next kid.”
nextgen leaders
The NextGen Leaders (NGL) program is a new leadership experience centered on the recruitment, development, and advancement of Kingdom leaders of color, ages 21-30, and those called to impact multiethnic and multicultural communities.
WHAT MAKES NGL UNIQUE?
We Focus on the Young Life Essentials.
Young Life History, the Four C's (contact work, club, camp, Campaigners), Belonging, Recruiting and Developing Leaders, Building Community Stakeholders, Funding in Under-Resourced Communities
We Develop Cultural and Ethnic Identity.
Cultural and Ethnic Identity of Ourselves and Others, Skills for Cultural Competency When Leading Ministry, Developing Personal Inclusion, Belonging and Engagement in Young Life
We Help Leaders Grow Personally and Professionally.
Self-Awareness, Financial Stewardship, Healthy Conflict Management, Time Management, Emotional Care, Servant Leadership, Goal Setting, Relational Centered Engagement, Networking, Running a Franchise
We Provide Theological and Spiritual Formation.
Knowing: Awareness of Personal Gifts, Abilities, and Calling
Being Known: Deepening One's Identity in Christ and Living Purposefully
Making Known: Developing Kingdom Relationships and the Journey of Faith
"The NextGen Leader program reflects our desire to create missioN communities of belonging where everyone has a seat at
the table."
wiley scott III, GSVP of the u.s.
