Stories of the first YL clubs in Colorado Springs, of Bob Mitchell as his YL leader, and listening to Jim Rayburn give club talks were the lunchtime topics of discussion.

I had the great opportunity to interview Rick Yates at Western Seminary yesterday.

Rick served on the Young Life staff in numerous capacities from 1958-1978. He told stories that have been told for generations: Of prayer, faith, living in near poverty as a staff person and how to relate Jesus to teenagers in a winsome and humorous way.

He told stories of all day prayer meetings, and how Rayburn would take trains all over the nation visiting staff and donors. Praying the entire time.

After many laughs and stories (this fella is REALLY funny), and hearing about how hard it was financially at times, I asked him: “why did you keep doing it?”

As tears started welling up in his eyes, he said: “Jesus made us keep doing it. I was so grateful for those years. One of the greatest parts of my life that I got to be a part of that.” 

Per my research in the Western program, I have two big takeaways:

• Do we still pray in YL? Do our strategies, initiatives and training trump relying on God? More so – Do I still believe that prayer is more powerful than strategy?
• Do we trust God more than we trust ourselves?

If you are on the staff, this is for you:

• When you go on reduced salary, when your R2 numbers do not add up, when every volunteer quits on you and your biggest donor or best friend bails on you…
• REMEMBER what a great honor it is to do this.
• I suggest we all hop on a train and pray the whole way. 

Thanks Rick! I will never forget our time together. Your joy, laughter and ability to tell the Jesus story has given me life!

Kevin