Holding an alumni event?   We can help you spread the word to people around the country and the world. If you'd like to have more exposure and help getting the word out, consider posting your alumni event on younglife.org in the Events section. To do so, please complete the Submit an Event form.                 The Alumni Database ... please subscribe!   Why? First, because we care about you and don't want to lose touch. Also, it is a great way to find your Young Life friends and to help them find you. Sign up now!    We'd love for you to forward the Alumni eNewsletter to your friends. They can add their names to the database and sign up on our Web Site to receive this eNewsletter.                Young Life believes that teachers play a significant role in the ministry of reaching middle and high school students.   Read more about the experience of being both teacher and leader.      If you are a teacher and want to learn more about volunteer or part-time opportunities, as well as special teacher resources, drop us a line!

Young Life Alumni   Do you ever wish you could go back to your Young Life days? The good news is that you can - no matter what stage of life you happen to be in. Check out the "Getting Involved" section at the bottom of the newsletter for information and Web links.       We'd love to hear from those of you who've been touched by Young Life. Drop us a line and let us know who you are, where you are and how Young Life played a role in your life. If we share your story in a future issue we'll send you a Starbucks gift card as a thank you!       In This Issue Lessons from Lifelong Young Life Volunteers - Read how John and Kris Colston have made Young Life a meaningful part of their lives at every stage. Alumni: Your Stories - Melody Ruhe Walczuk shares a Silver Cliff Ranch memory. Getting Involved: Young Life needs you! Find out how to get involved.   Lessons from Lifelong Young Life Volunteers   John and Kris Colston have seen Young Life from every side. They began as Young Life kids and never left. Like so many alumni, they have made Young Life a part of every stage in their life. How did they do it and what has it meant to them? We’re honored to share their story.          John was invited to help start a Young Life club in high school. In his senior year he took the leap to follow Christ. John left for Lafayette College in Pennsylvania after high school but stayed connected to Young Life and his leader, Marty McGinn. At Lafayette, John became a volunteer Young Life leader.   Kris grew up in a Young Life family. Her parents were on committee, and she attended club and went to camp as a high school student. Kris left home to attend George Mason University where she became a Young Life leader. That experience shaped her relationship with Christ and deepened her faith.     John and Kris met as Young Life leaders at Oakton High School, grew close and married a few years later. They continued to serve as leaders for 20 years. Following their time as leaders, they joined their regional committee, where they currently serve.     John and Kris share their highlights and insights from more than 30 years of Young Life experiences:   On Being Leaders Kris – We see former club kids everywhere! It means so much to be able to immediately reconnect on a deep relationship level. John – It was a privilege to see entire families begin to follow Christ because of Young Life. We bought a house near the high school so our family could continue to be a presence there.    On Young Life’s Importance in the Lives of Kids Today  Kris - As I get older, I see a huge need for Young Life. Kids aren’t plugged in anywhere. Young Life meets a need that I’m not sure anyone else is meeting.  On Why We Stay Involved John – I see volunteers come and go, but I believe we are called to this ministry and I believe God will call us to something else when He wants us to go. This commitment has led them to be a part of the local committee, the Metro DC regional committee and the mission's WyldLife Coalition. On Having Our Kids Involved in Young Life Kris – The only place our teenager thinks we’re cool is at Young Life because the other kids there think we’re cool!  Our Advice to Young Life Alum Kris – Throw yourself into ministry. What could be better than to serve with your spouse, loved ones or friends! John – Our time as leaders, for better or for worse, was our life. Being involved was our free time, but I loved it and never regret it. Our lives were connected with our kids and leaders. These relationships are so significant to our lives. I wouldn’t do anything differently. We're thankful for John and Kris and so many others like them who've made a life-long investment in this mission. Alumni: Your Stories  Melody Ruhe Walczuk shares her memories of meeting Christ at Silver Cliff Ranch. My family and I lived next door to Tom and Recie Raley who were the eastern regional directors of Young Life. When I was 15 in 1968, they convinced my parents to send me to Silver Cliff Ranch to be a camper. When I was at that camp in the majestic Rocky Mountains, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I was also a champion rock slider. The next year I went back to the camp as a work crew member. My life had some ups and downs, but once Jesus is in your heart He always draws you back. I was in full-time ministry for 10 years and am now a school teacher. I have a 16-year old son who is actively involved with Young Life in Woodbridge, Va. Young Life is having an awesome impact on his life. Getting Involved in Young Life  We hope that you'll stay connected to Young Life for years to come. Learn more about how to get involved in Young Life or find Young Life near you. If you’re a parent or adult who cares about kids in your community, Young Life welcomes your involvement. There is a variety of ways you can serve and impact the lives of kids in your neighborhood and around the world. Starting Young Life Near You To bring Young Life to your community, a variety of main ingredients are necessary. The Young Life regional director who oversees your geographic area will know how to help you. Use the Locator to find the regional office near you or contact the Young Life Service Center for assistance.