Partner Blog
A Church That Said Yes
How Pastor Freddy Rivas is leading Arcadia Friends Community Church back into its neighborhood For years, Arcadia Friends Community Church looked like a lot of congregations across the country. Its members loved the Lord and loved one another, but the church was trending older, and much of its energy was focused on the people already…
Read MoreLeader Spotlight: Wes Trammell
The Chosen Ones GR | Grand Rapids, Michigan Wes Trammell grew up in a sports family. His father played college football, his older brother was a hall of fame athlete for his high school who went on to shine in college, and Wes followed close behind, chasing something more than a trophy. He was chasing…
Read MoreFrom Nairobi’s Slums to Shaping East Africa’s Youth Leaders
John Miere was born in 1984 in a small village in Kenya. His family moved to Nairobi when he was two years old, so his father could pursue work there. When his father’s work opportunities changed, the family had to return to the village. Of the six children, John’s mother made the decision that would…
Read MoreGoing Into Samaria
How Young Life and UYWI Are Raising Up Leaders Who Show Up Meet Jared Wohlford and Jorge Gonzalez — two Young Life leaders in separate cities whose shared training through UYWI is equipping them to love kids like Jesus in the urban context. Over in Grand Rapids, Jack is texting his Young Life leader meaningful…
Read MoreFrom the Streets to the Sanctuary
Andrew Wilson was eleven years old the first time he was locked up. He didn’t have much of a childhood before that. Raised by a single mother who worked nights, Andrew and his brother largely raised themselves. Andrew’s father wanted nothing to do with them between the ages of six and eighteen. Men came and…
Read MoreYou Made 2025 Possible
Happy New Year, UYWI Family! As we step into 2026, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. We pause to celebrate what God accomplished through your partnership in 2025. Because of your prayers, generosity, and belief in urban leaders, thousands of young people encountered hope, healing, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today, I invite you…
Read MoreDo Not Grow Weary, Youth Leader
Article By: Jordan Francis Leading people is an absolute grind. Sometimes it can feel like you are putting in a lot of work to see very little return in the physical. Im sure we’ve all asked ourselves why we chose to go into this profession or, better yet, questioning if God even called us to…
Read MoreDISCIPLESHIP IN THE AGE OF VIDEO GAMES
If the church continues to ignore and dismiss video gaming, we will miss out on one of the biggest opportunities to reach into the culture and connect with our youth and their families.
Read MoreGraduation 2.0
Imagine running an entire marathon only to have the finish line disappear before you cross it. Was all of this running and sweating in vain? You earned that finish line, but now you are standing in the street with doubt and disappointment. Life is full of unforgettable moments, and there are certain celebrations we expect…
Read MoreDear American Church, is Diversity in your DNA?
Diversity and inclusion have become a popular topic of discussion across all segments of life. Whether it’s gender equality in school sports, the wage gap, or racial inclusion we still see the lingering side effects of a country built on cultural supremacy and segregation.
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