Aden's Story

Classic Camp Inside Joke

Below is my friend Aden's story of how he came to faith and how Young Life played a role in his high school experience. Aden, we are so proud of you!

Growing up, I was a quiet kid — a bit of a loner, if I’m being honest. When I started high school, I was full of energy and excitement. It felt like a fresh start, surrounded by all my friends from Pinewood, Crestwood, and Valleywood. On the outside, everything seemed good. But on the inside, I was pretty lost.

Caught up in the constant flow of others, I wasn’t really making decisions for myself. I was just going along with whatever came next, hoping things would somehow work out. I knew of Jesus — but I didn’t know Him.

The first time I heard about Young Life was through Jake. He kept showing up in the lunchroom, asking simple questions like, “How’s football going?” or “How’s life?” Nothing super deep — but he was consistent. I started to notice him more, especially when he’d be hanging out on the sidelines at our football games freshman year. Honestly, I thought it was kind of weird at first — especially since we weren’t exactly a good team.

But he kept showing up.

And as time went on, high school got harder.

One day during football practice my junior year, my friends Malachi and Caylon kept telling me to come to Young Life Club after practice. I had heard about Young Life before, but I had never gone. I didn’t have anything else going on that night, so I thought, “Why not?”

So we walked over to Kentwood Community Church after practice. I was nervous — I smelled like practice and definitely needed a shower. And I didn’t think anyone would even notice me and I'd just be hanging out on the side.

But when I walked through the doors, the first person I saw was Jake. He looked right at me and said, “Finally, you’re here!” It felt so good to have someone that excited to see me. Then I saw Chris — another familiar face I had seen around school countless times — and I started to feel a little more at ease.

Then the fun began. I remember the first game we played was Rock-Paper-Scissors splits. I somehow made it all the way to the finals against my friend Duane, and honestly, I thought he had no chance. It ended up being close, but I pulled it off — my first club, and I was a champion! It was awesome.

A few weeks later, I won a raffle. Then another. And another. I won six straight times! It got to the point where Jake had to triple-check my ticket every week because it was so wild. I even won at the Christmas party out of almost 100 people.

Club was fun — really fun — but that was just the beginning.

Things started to really change when I got invited to Jake and Annika’s house for Bible study. That’s when I began to feel seen on a whole new level. The way we dove into Scripture was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. We’d “lock in” reading passages, watch The Chosen, and then end up laughing so hard afterwards as we wrestled in Jake's living room. Then he would hit us with a "Fellas, fellas.", and we knew it was time to go.

It was this amazing mix of spiritual growth and genuine friendship — something I didn’t even realize I had been longing for.

One day, Jake talked about baptism. He said if anyone was ever interested, they should let him know. Afterward, he gave me a ride home, and I asked him, “How do you know if you have eternal life and going to heaven?”

He said it was simple — that you just have to believe Jesus died for your sins and that you want to be in a relationship with Him.

I told him, “I want that.”

So on the ride home we prayed together in his car — that Jesus would lead my life and that the Holy Spirit would guide me.

Aden Getting Ready For The BIG SWING!

Not long after, I told Jake I was ready to be baptized. I’ll never forget that day — Easter Sunday, 2025. When I went under the water, it felt like everything old washed away. And when I came back up, it was like breathing for the first time. I can’t fully describe it — but the joy I felt in that moment was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

A few months after my baptism, I had the opportunity to go to Young Life summer camp. Summer camp was such a fun experience. The carnival night, the fireworks, meeting so many new people — when they said it would be “the best week of your life,” they meant it. I remember square dancing one night and just laughing nonstop with the entire East Kentwood crew. Pie-ing Jake in the face, eating a Paul Bunyan— it was all amazing.

But one night stands out more than the rest. Jake and I went for a walk around the lake at Timber Wolf camp. I can’t remember everything we talked about, but I do remember asking him how God could be jealously in pursuit of us. Why is it okay for God to be jealous, but not us? Jake said, “Because we belong to Him. And when something belongs to you and you lose it, you pursue it until you find it again.”

That stuck with me. I remember thinking, That’s crazy — God loves me like that?

Later that summer, I decided to do Work Crew with my friend Malachi. I ended up getting the hardest job — PM Cook! That’s where I met another cook named Jeremiahs and we hit it off right away. We were the two guys in the kitchen, always goofing off, making the most out of our long hours. But beyond the laughs, we built a real friendship — one where we could talk about anything and everything. I was nervous going in, not sure what to expect, but I walked out with a lifelong friend and a heart that had been stretched in ways I didn’t see coming.

Looking back, Young Life has had a huge impact on my life. I wouldn’t have gotten baptized. I wouldn’t have accepted Jesus. And honestly, I’d probably still be that lost kid I was walking into high school.

But instead, I’m leaving high school with confidence — knowing that the Lord knows my steps, and that as long as I keep choosing to pursue Him and live in a healthy community, my life will continue to thrive.

Thank you for investing in me and my faith and my friends!

Aden between King and Prince!