voice

are, as they are. It’s why we spend so much time

listening to their stories and earning the right to share
the greatest story on earth with them. It’s why we
measure our success by the way kids respond to this
Denny Rydberg
life-changing message. What a privilege it is to see Young Life President
and hear how kids respond when they give voice to the
hope that is within them!

In this year’s annual report, you’ll hear some of the voices of the kids,
leaders and adults who have been touched through Young Life. Who
better to describe what goes on in Young Life — and the difference that
makes —than the kids who participate in the camps, the clubs and the
Campaigner meetings?

We’ve also included some summary statistics to give you a sense of the
scope of Young Life’s ministry around the world. I think you’ll agree that
2007 was a year of effective ministry and abundant resources. Behind all
those numbers are the voices of almost 30,000 staff and volunteers actively
involved in our ministry, the nearly 200,000 individuals who supported us
last year and the hundreds of thousands of kids impacted by Young Life
around the world.

Thank you for your interest and support. Thank you for adding your voice to
the chorus we call Young Life, where it continues to be “all about the kids.”

In Christ,

Denny
nny Rydberg

“Who better to describe what

goes on in Young Life than
the kids who participate in the
camps, the clubs and the
Campaigner meetings?”
 opportunities are available through Young Life Expeditions.

“Even though I had never heard of Young Life, the Young Life
girls on my soccer team constantly looked out for me and my
best interests, so if they thought it was a good idea for me to
come to Young Life, I trusted them. Young Life is not just
Listening So Kids Will Hear something fun I do on Monday night — it is something I am
In Young Life, we give kids the first word. We go into their lives with open ears and passionate about. And one of the neatest things that I’ve
listen. We call this deliberate step into the world of kids “contact work.” It’s a time for experienced through Young Life is the personal growth that
learning names, hearing the latest music and listening to kids talk about what’s on
their hearts. We hear kids’ stories (and some of them can break your heart). We know
comes through the mentoring of my leaders. It’s why, on
that they don’t care what we know till they know that we care. In Young Life, we call Mondays at school you’ll find me in a brightly colored T-shirt
that earning the right to be heard. that says, ‘Young Life’ on the front and, ‘Ask me where’
It’s not hard to pick up what kids are saying. They want to be respected and
feel safe. They want to live life abundantly—and that means having massive doses of on the back.”
fun, but it also means discovering who they are and what they were made for. So in — Kaity
Young Life we invite kids into respectful relationships and into more fun and adven- Bealeton, Va.
ture (at club and camp, for example) than they can imagine.
We also point them to the source of significance, respectfully inviting them to
consider the life and words of a person named Jesus and the possible relevance of
that person to their own lives.
For those who choose to become followers of Christ, we gather weekly at Bible
studies, called “Campaigners,” to encourage their personal and spiritual growth. And
for those who choose otherwise, we continue the dialogue and the friendship, which
comes without condition.
And then, we listen again. In the following pages, you’ll hear a small sampling
of the voices of those impacted by God’s love through Young Life.

“I was born to a single mom who used drugs and alcohol to

medicate her schizophrenia and couldn’t take care of me. I
began middle school with big unsolved problems — scared
and full of rage. Then I heard about something called
WyldLife and met Jesus at winter camp. I’ve seen some big
changes in my life. Thank God for my WyldLife leader, who
hung in there with me. Lauren didn’t have to love me but
she did — hanging out with me at her house, going to movies
with me and even just eating breadsticks with me at Louie’s.
I see God’s love in Lauren and my other WyldLife leaders.”
— Bethany
Colorado Springs, Colo.
“Even though I was involved in Young Life in high school, it
wasn’t until meeting up with Young Life in college that the
impact became apparent. During my first semester of doing
Young Life in Austin, a community began to form among the
leaders and we were learning some great things together.”
— Matt Schwab
(Young Life staff in Houston, Texas)
Young Life has long had a presence on college campuses and
with college students serving at camps. In 2006, we formally
extended our ministry to college and university students with
the formation of Young Life College. The three goals of
 week of their lives at a Young Life camp.
Young Life. A relatively new initiative for college and university students is
called Young Life College.

For Every Kid

Young Life’s multicultural ministry, focused on kids in diverse cultural
communities and those in economically-depressed areas, is arguably the
largest of its kind in the United States. We refer to our ministry to kids with
disabilities as Capernaum and to our work with teen moms as YoungLives. In
a partnership with Military Community Youth Ministries, Young Life reaches
“… for God sees
military teens through a program called Club Beyond. The Small Towns not as man sees,
initiative brings Young Life to communities of fewer than 25,000 people.
for man looks at
the outward
appearance, but
the LORD looks
at the heart.”
— 1 Samuel 16:7
“I was taught to believe that God
put me on earth for a reason and
that I was no different than
anyone else in God’s eyes — but
I was — I was disabled. In fact,
Jesus works through me because
I have CP and am in a wheelchair.
I couldn’t truly identify with
[disabled] kids if I didn’t feel
their pain. I returned to my high
school as a Young Life leader
and volunteer with disabled
classes. These kids trust me
and confide in me.”
— Brian “Coop” Cooper
Mission Staff

“I longed to be loved by my dad, but I wasn’t important to

him or my mom. At 15 I was pregnant, scared, in denial. At 17
I was pregnant again — and alone again. I returned to school
and was invited to YoungLives where women who didn’t even
know me loved me. My mentor, Terri, was a gift from God to
show me how much He loves me. I want someone to hear my
story and move from hopelessness to hope in Christ — the way
I did through YoungLives.”
— Yvette
San Antonio, Texas
 In 2007 more than 19,500 kids were involved weekly
in Young Life activities in one of the 597 international
Young Life ministries outside of the United States.

“I grew up going to church but didn’t really know what it

meant. I had no relationship with the Lord. But when I was 14 a
friend invited me to Vida Joven camp where I had a great time
and started to understand the Gospel message. It finally struck
me that I had a need for God and there was nothing I could
do [on my own]. After accepting the Lord at the campfire one
night, I got involved in Vida Joven’s Bible studies, was discipled
and grew in Christ. Without Vida Joven,my parents liked the
change they saw in me. They see the impact the ministry has
on other teens in town. Now I’m trying to help others along
that same path as a Vida Joven leader.” “Why am I a Young Life volunteer?
— Nicole I love Young Life! I love it because:
Dominican Republic • Young Life leaders invested in me.
My high school leader took time to
hang out with me and remains my
friend and mentor to this day.
• It was my way of serving my friends.
• I could take my boys to camp and to
club and know that they were going
to be loved and hear the truth.
• They are willing to pass on wisdom
to young guys like me who are
looking for heroes and role models.
• It is my family.
• It’s everywhere. Young Life was
there at college and now I’m a
Young Life leader in the Bay Area.”
— Tavita
Young Life volunteer
(and quarterback for Stanford University)

Volunteers are essential in Young Life — from

adults who serve on local committees to college
 Base Year 06/07 % Growth Average
94/95 Since Base Annual
Year1 Growth
KIDS INVOLVED
WEEKLY IN CLUBS
U.S. 66,362 106,195 60.02% 4.27%
International 19,508 (6 yrs.) 75.38% 11.94%
KIDS INVOLVED WEEKLY
IN CAMPAIGNERS
U.S. 19,550 38,802 98.48% 6.06%
International 5,663 (6 yrs.) 72.81% 11.69%
KIDS IMPACTED BY 468,021 872,570 86.44% 5.90%
YOUNG LIFE2
U.S. Schools/Ministries 1,610 4,016 149.44% 8.09%
High School 1,319 2,543 92.80% 5.77%
WyldLife 291 1,223 320.27% 13.23% Base Year 06/07 % Growth Average
94/95 Since Base Annual
Capernaum 110 (8 yrs.) 685.71% 37.93%
Year1 Growth
YoungLives 62 (8 yrs.) 342.86% 24.51%
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
Multicultural 698 (8 yrs.) 88.65% 10.52%
Young Life Staff 1,531 3,180 107.71% 6.57%
Small Town/Rural 831 (8 yrs.) 141.57% 15.05%
U.S. Volunteers 16,616 28,159 69.47% 4.59%
INTERNATIONAL 597 (8 yrs.) 142.68% 13.68% Leaders 8,580 16,436 91.56% 5.72%
SCHOOLS/MINISTRIES Committee 8,036 11,723 45.88% 3.27%
Total Schools/Ministries 1,610 4,613 186.52% 9.42% International Volunteers 3,131 (6 yrs.) 219.16% 27.30%
(Leaders Only)

FOOTNOTES: YOUNG LIFE CAMPING

1 Unless otherwise indicated (in parentheses) this column shows growth Senior High Campers 21,433 33,888 58.11% 4.04%
from 1994-1995 through 2006-2007. In several cases ministries have a
much longer history than these data would suggest. Young Life has WyldLife Campers 3,653 12,508 242.40% 11.37%
been active in urban areas, with kids with disabilities and 3
Total Summer Guests 36,780 67,290 82.95% 5.32%
internationally for more than 40 years.
Young Life School Year 31,112 69,632 123.81% 7.84%
2 Estimated, based on “club cards” collected by each Young Life mission unit. Campers4
Total Guests 72,381 155,729 115.15% 6.81%
Active U.S. Areas 511 963 88.45% 5.49%

FOOTNOTES:
3 Includes all campers, leaders and adult guests who attended an
Adult, Wilderness/Adventure, Campaigner, Family, Senior High
Outreach, WyldLife Outreach, Leadership or Work Week camp at a
Young Life-owned property during the summer.
 Young Life and Subsidiaries Including the Young Life Foundation

ASSETS 2006 2007

Cash and cash equivalents $10,180,997 $14,151,672
1
Investments $53,704,708 $64,589,570
Accounts and other receivables $3,371,173 $4,105,715
Notes receivable $203,505 $246,900
Pledges receivable2 $6,266,214 $3,399,079 Consolidated Statements of Activities
Inventories $1,343,654 $1,347,115 Young Life and Subsidiaries Including the Young Life Foundation
Prepaid expenses and other assets $3,155,314 $3,321,506
3 REVENUES 2006 2007
Land, buildings and equipment—net $184,112,028 $194,865,117
TOTAL ASSETS $262,337,593 $286,026,674 Operating contributions $141,144,493 $148,113,083
Capital contributions3
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Pledges2 $3,898,744 $1,300,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $12,265,676 $14,264,107 Other capital contributions $8,863,683 $9,921,483
Notes, annuities and capital lease $2,926,798 $2,846,955 Camp fees and other operating revenues4 $40,345,526 $42,793,955
Custodial funds and trust obligations $2,317,603 $2,430,866 Other revenues (losses)5 $5,638,578 $10,777,021
TOTAL LIABILITIES $17,510,077 $19,541,928 TOTAL REVENUES $199,891,024 $212,905,542

NET ASSETS $244,827,516 $266,484,746 EXPENSES

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS $262,337,593 $286,026,674
Club ministries $107,006,051 $114,903,507
Camping operations $45,443,199 $49,594,913
1 Investments are primarily composed of marketable securities, real estate Young Life Foundation programs $324,994 $341,215
pending disposition and an investment in a captive insurance company.
Invested assets include: endowments, trusts, donor advised funds, Management and general6 $18,625,470 $18,131,653
designated capital gifts and centrally managed area and camp surpluses. Fundraising7 $9,303,119 $9,447,194
2 Financial Accounting Standard Number 116 requires pledges meeting TOTAL EXPENSES $180,702,833 $192,418,482
certain specified criteria and anticipated to mature in future periods be
recognized in the current period. Pledges are recorded in the Young Life
Foundation and conform to this standard, which is applicable to all CHANGE IN NET ASSETS8 $19,188,191 $20,487,060
not-for-profit organizations.

3 In addition to contributions received for operations, principally local and

international area ministry, Young Life received $11,221,483 and $12,762,472 in
2007 and 2006, respectively, for pledges and current contributions FOOTNOTES:
designated for capital purposes such as new camps, camp buildings, camp 4 Camp fees and other operating revenues include program service
improvements and equipment. revenues and internal and external sales.

5 The major component of other revenues is investment income

which totalled $9,374,459 and $3,903,545 in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

6 Fundraising expenses include the salaries for development staff across the
country and the direct costs of raising local budgets (banquets, golf tournaments
and other similar events).

COMMENT: A more detailed presentation appears in the Financial Statements and

Wally Hawley, Founding Partner Kevin McVaney, M.D.
InterWest Partners Emergency Medicine
Menlo Park, CA Centennial, CO
Kerry Alberti, Retired CFO Curtis McWilliams, President and
Young Life Chief Executive Officer
Glen Allen, VA CNL Real Estate, Inc.
Orlando, FL
Sue Beré
Private Counseling Practice Vivian Nix-Early, Ph.D.
Neenah, WI Dean of School for Social Change
Campolo College, Eastern University
John Bradford, Chairman and CEO
Philadelphia, PA
Mrs. Stratton’s Salads, Inc.
Birmingham, AL Jeff Pope, Retired Co-Founder and Partner
Custom Research, Inc.
Malcolm “Mac” Briggs, Chairman and CEO
Edina, MN
Andesa Strategies, Inc.
Allentown, PA Boone Powell, Retired President
Baylor Healthcare System
Francis “Steady” Cash, Consultant
Dallas, TX
The Parnell-Martin Companies, Inc.
Charlotte, NC Mark Rodriguez, Owner
The Growers Company, Inc.
Jerry Colangelo, Chairman
R and S Mexican Food Products, Inc.
Phoenix Suns, NBA Basketball Team
Yuma, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Robert B. Rowling, Chairman
Newton “Newt” Crenshaw, President
Omni Hotels
Eli Lilly, Japan
Irving, TX
Japan
Denny Rydberg, President
Carol Eaton, Retired President
Young Life
Eaton Designs
Colorado Springs, CO
Phoenix, AZ
Michael Stain, Senior Vice President
L. Brooks Entwistle, Managing Director/CEO
Wells Fargo
Goldman Sachs (India)
Fresno, CA
Mumbai, India
W. Bob Stover, Chairman and Founder
Heriberto “Berto” Guerra, Chairman and CEO
Westaff, Inc.
Avanzar Interior Technologies
Walnut Creek, CA
San Antonio, TX
Tom Thomas, Retired Chairman and CEO
Bruce Hosford, Principle
Creative Solutions, Inc.
Kennedy Associates Real Estate Counsel
Ann Arbor, MI
Seattle, WA
Paul Trible, President
Susan Hutchison, Executive Director
Christopher Newport University
Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences
Newport News, VA
Bellevue, WA
Phyllis Washington, Owner
Rodney Lawler, CEO
Maison Felice, Fine European Antique Center
Lawler-Wood
Indian Wells, CA
Knoxville, TN

“I was a Young Life kid, significantly impacted by Young Life

in high school. While on the outside I looked like I didn’t
need Young Life, God saw in my plenty that I had great
want. And in my want He gave me plenty. That has stayed
with me all my life.”