Becoming Who God Called Him to Be

Isaiah was once told what he couldn’t do. Today, he’s preparing to serve others, head to college, and pursue God’s calling on his life.

From a quiet teenager who once said, “I could never pray in front of people,” to a high school graduate preparing to serve others and pursue a calling to youth ministry, Isaiah’s story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when we refuse to let the world define what God says is possible.

I’d love to introduce you to an incredible young man named Isaiah Morrow.

I first met Isaiah at one of our WyldLife Clubs many years ago. He was quiet, shy, and like so many teenagers who walk through our doors, still discovering where he belonged and who he was becoming.

I remember Isaiah once telling me:

I could never pray in front of people.

Fast forward a few years, and I recently had the privilege of watching that same young man walk across the stage as a high school graduate and confidently share his plans for the future.

He’s going to college.

And one day, he wants to become a youth pastor.

The kid who once believed he could never pray in front of people now dreams of spending his life helping other young people discover Jesus.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers…”
1 Timothy 4:12

When Others Said He Couldn’t

Isaiah’s journey hasn’t always been easy.

Throughout his life, Isaiah has faced challenges that have sometimes caused others to underestimate what he’s capable of. At school, from teachers and even from peers, he heard that college would not be possible for him.

That he wasn’t smart enough.

That he wouldn’t be able to afford it.

That it simply wasn’t realistic.

Words like those can leave a mark, especially on a teenager still trying to discover who they are.

I’ve had many conversations with Isaiah and his parents as they’ve worked through the hurt and discouragement those words caused. I’ve watched him wrestle with doubt and with the limitations others tried to place on his future.

But I’ve also watched Isaiah do something incredible.

He kept going!

His challenges didn’t stop him! If anything, they gave him more determination to prove that his story wasn’t already written for him.

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13

Isaiah is an incredible young man. He is determined, ambitious, caring, funny, and full of potential.

And over these past few years, I’ve watched him discover that the voices of others don’t get the final word on who he is or who he can become!

From Being Served to Serving Others

This summer, Isaiah is taking another incredible step.

Before beginning college this fall, he’s heading to RockRidge Canyon to serve as part of Summer Staff, investing his time in serving teenagers from across Canada.

I love this part of Isaiah’s story!

For years, people have walked alongside him. Leaders have encouraged him. Young Life has given him a place to belong, grow and discover his faith.

Now Isaiah gets to turn around and do the same for someone else.

The young man who needed people to believe in him is becoming someone who believes in others.

The teenager who needed encouragement is becoming an encourager.

The one who was served is now choosing to serve.

“Serve one another humbly in love.”
Galatians 5:13

This is what we dream about at Young Life!

We don’t simply want teenagers to come to Club or experience an incredible week at camp. We want to walk alongside them through life! We want them to discover who Jesus is, understand how deeply they are loved, grow in their faith and eventually turn around and invest in the lives of others.

That’s what I see happening in Isaiah!!

One Last Week as a Camper

After completing his Summer Staff commitment, Isaiah will join us from July 27 to August 3 for one final week at RockRidge Canyon as a camper.

One last adventure alongside his Young Life friends.

One final week of camp as a high school student.

And then, another new adventure begins in the life of Isaiah.

This fall, Isaiah plans to attend Peace River Bible Institute, pursuing his education with the dream of one day becoming a youth pastor.

I think there’s something incredibly powerful about that!

Perhaps one day, a teenager will sit across from Isaiah believing they’re not smart enough, capable enough or good enough to accomplish what God has placed on their heart.

And Isaiah will be able to look at them and say:

I understand. I’ve been there too.

And then he’ll get to walk alongside them, just as others once walked alongside him.

“Encourage one another and build each other up.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Isaiah, We’re Rooting for You

On a personal level, walking alongside Isaiah these past few years has been one of the great privileges of what I get to do!

I hope I’ve had an impact on his life, but the truth is, Isaiah has impacted mine too!

He’s given me opportunities to grow. He’s challenged me. He’s made me laugh. And he’s reminded me again and again why showing up and believing in teenagers matters.

Isaiah, we are proud of you!!

We’re praying for you as you serve this summer. We’ll be cheering you on during your final week as a camper. And we’ll continue standing alongside you as you head to college and pursue wherever God leads you next.

The world will give you challenges. People may still underestimate you.

But keep going!

Keep serving!

Keep growing!

Keep following Jesus!!

“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7

Will You Come Alongside Isaiah?

This summer is a big step in Isaiah’s journey, but getting him there comes with real costs.

There are transportation expenses to get him to RockRidge Canyon to serve, along with the cost of returning for his final experience as a camper. We’ve personally stepped in to help cover some of these expenses because we believe deeply in Isaiah and what God is doing in his life!

Now, we’d love to invite our community to come alongside him too.

If you’re able to support Isaiah financially, have a fundraising or work opportunity for him, or simply want to encourage him, we’d love to hear from you.

And if financial support isn’t possible, please pray for him!

Pray for Isaiah as he serves! Pray for the people he’ll meet! Pray for his transition to college and the challenges ahead! Pray that he continues growing into the man God is calling him to be!