Stories

Celebrating Community, Friendship, and the Spirit of Service

Young Life Dawson Creek Club returned this week, and was unforgettable! The excitement was too much to contain within a social media post – so here’s a deeper look into a night filled with laughter, reunions, and meaningful moments.

Welcoming New Faces and Looking Forward

It was fantastic to see so many new teens at Club last night! Meeting fresh faces and welcoming everyone into the Young Life family is always exciting. Our leaders are eager to get to know each of you in the weeks to come!

Overcoming Challenges and Finding Joy

You may remember how last season was cut short after a laid-back hangout brought about new challenges for me to adjust to. After injuring my arm in May, returning to my regular ministry work came with its share of hurdles. Physical limitations and the process of returning to work made the transition tough, though amidst these setbacks, the desire to connect and serve with Young Life remained strong.

The plan behind the chaos: Ryder’s Club Idea

The story of last night’s club started before my injury. In April, Ryder – one of our Young Life Campaigner teens – approached me with the idea of helping to plan a Club night. He had fantastic ideas for games, mixers, music, and a general theme for the evening. His excitement was infectious, and I was thrilled to collaborate with him!

With our 2024/25 year already scheduled, Ryder and I decided to make his Club the kickoff for the new school year. This gave us loads of time to dream big and plan thoroughly. We couldn’t wait!

Surprises, Sadness, and Reunions

In July, life threw another curveball: Ryder told me he’d be moving away. That, combined with my injury, made pulling off an early Club even more challenging. When September rolled around, Ryder had moved – thankfully, we’ve kept in touch regularly (Ryder, you are missed!).

Unbeknownst to Ryder, I reached out to his mom before Club to see if we could bring him back for the night he had inspired. When I arrived at his place, I learned he’d been told he was being set up on a blind date. He was mortified and hid, not knowing it was me waiting for him. The moment he opened the door and saw me… rather than his mystery date… he was stunned, dropping to the floor in shock and excitement. What a reunion!

The Club Night: Pure Chaos and Pure Fun

We made our way back to Dawson Creek still buzzing from the surprise. At Club, Ryder kept his return a secret. As friends walked in and saw him, disbelief gave way to joy, laughter, and lots of hugs. It was amazing to witness!

Club was a resounding success, drawing teens from all around Dawson Creek – local teens, homeschooled teens, and rural teens.

The clubhouse was the place to be!

If you’ve never experienced Club, it’s where fun and meaning collide. It’s a place to be silly, vulnerable, and build one another up, it’s a safe space that welcomes all. Most importantly, it’s a chance to introduce our teen friends who don’t yet know Him, to Jesus.

We kicked off with a hilarious skit involving a game with a rubber chicken. In my rush, I forgot the chicken (all part of the planned Quality Young Life Entertainment), making way for Conner, our resident Cowboy, to save the day. He dashed out and returned triumphantly holding a real, live chicken, just like Simba being presented in The Lion King! For a few, it was their first time up-close with a chicken; a fun new experience. The room erupted in laughter, though one teen looked deeply concerned… I quickly reassured everyone that the chicken was safe and sound!

We played games like “Name That Tune”, Musical Stars, and “Finish the Lyrics,” in line with our “Party Like a Rockstar” theme. Of course the evening is never complete without the chaos of whipped cream flying everywhere. Messy, loud, and unforgettable!

Sharing the Message

As the night wound down, I took a few minutes as the Club speaker to share why Young Life matters, and why our leaders are passionate about this guy named Jesus Christ. Our scripture focus was John 1:1-5 – a gentle introduction to who Jesus is and what the Bible teaches. These talks are always short and sweet, just 3-5 minutes, but offer teens a chance to ask questions and connect with leaders if they want to learn more.

For those interested in going deeper, we also run Campaigners – our leadership development and Bible study program for teens. It’s a great way to grow in faith and friendship alongside Club.

Traditions and Goodbyes

We wrapped up the night with our (now traditional) Just Dance session – thirty minutes of dancing and fun – before ending with “Closing Time” by Semisonic.

After the teens left and clean-up was done, I had the privilege of driving Ryder back home. He’s got a busy birthday weekend ahead and big plans! Thanks Ryder, for inspiring this night and contributing in so many ways! We hope you enjoyed your birthday weekend with your dad!

A Call for Support

All of this is possible because of your generous and ongoing support. If you’d like to contribute financially, you can do so securely online here. If supporting financially isn’t possible, there are many other ways to get involved – volunteering, joining our committee, or even participating as a Prayer Warrior. We welcome help in all capacities!

Thank you for making Young Life Dawson Creek such a vibrant, welcoming place for teens. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the year holds!