At Young Life Dawson Creek, we’ve always believed every teenager deserves to be known, seen, and loved just as they are. That’s why we are so excited to officially introduce Capernaum Inclusion – a name that puts words to what has already been part of our ministry all along.

For years, we’ve seen how God works through inclusion. One of our longtime helpers has grown up with Young Life. She came to club as a teenager, went to camp, and now faithfully serves on our team.

I recall once, at a leaders’ retreat, we sat together in a Capernaum workshop, learning about this ministry that celebrates kids of all abilities. As the speaker shared, her smile grew bigger and bigger until she couldn’t hold it in anymore. She proudly exclaimed, “I’m a Capernaum teenager!! …but now I’m a club helper with Dawson Creek!”

That moment was powerful. She wasn’t just naming herself, she was declaring the heart of what we want for every teen: a place to belong, a place to be valued, and a place to grow in the love of Jesus.

We’ve also seen the impact of Capernaum within our own family. Last summer at Rockridge Canyon, we helped host a Capernaum Family Camp.

Our son, who is on the spectrum, experienced something life-changing there. He came bursting into our cabin one evening, full of joy: “Mom! Dad! I met kids who talk like me! Who do the same things with their hands that I do!” For the first time, he realized he wasn’t alone.

That week gave him courage, opened new conversations in our family, and reminded us again of why this ministry matters so deeply.

The Heart of Capernaum

Capernaum Inclusion doesn’t create a separate club for kids with disabilities. Instead, it brings every teen together, making sure no one is left out. We want every student – whether they are loud and outgoing, or quiet and uncertain – to feel supported and celebrated.

To do that, we’re training Club Buddies: leaders who notice the kid lingering in the back, who offer a fidget when anxiety rises, who step outside with someone who needs a breather, or who simply show up as a steady friend in a big crowd. With training and support from our national office, we are building a culture where every teen belongs.

Moving Forward Together

This is just the beginning for Capernaum in Dawson Creek. To see it grow, we need people who share this heart:

• Committee members who will stand behind the ministry and help it flourish.
• Leaders and Club Buddies who are ready to walk alongside kids and learn with us.
• Community partners who believe in inclusion and want to invest in the lives of teenagers.

Capernaum isn’t just a program – it’s a declaration that every kid matters, every story matters, and every teen belongs. Together, let’s make sure Dawson Creek is a place where no teen is ever left out.