The following is my friend Jalil's story. I am so proud of him. I hope you enjoy his story as much as I did!
If you had told me as a freshman that I would one day be leading middle school students and sharing my faith openly, I don’t think I would have believed you. I was a quiet, shy kid just trying to navigate high school without standing out too much. But that all started to change when my friends Lincoln and Malachi invited me to a Young Life Camp. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect, but I went because they seemed excited about it.
Camp was a bit overwhelming at times, but I felt something different. There was this energy, this sense of belonging that I couldn’t quite explain. Everyone was so welcoming, and the leaders genuinely cared about us. Over time, I kept getting more involved in Young Life. It wasn’t just about having fun, although we did plenty of that—it was the messages about Jesus and the idea that God loved me no matter what. That started to really sink in for me.
At first, I was content just being part of the crowd, but slowly, I began to open up. I started asking more questions, listening more closely, and becoming more curious about who Jesus was and what He had to do with my life. I felt God’s presence in a way I hadn’t before, and it was the beginning of me wanting to take my faith seriously.
Heading into my junior year (this year), I realized I didn’t just want to be a participant—I wanted to lead. That’s when I decided to become a WyldLife leader, helping guide middle school students the way others had done for me. It wasn’t easy at first. I’m naturally quiet, so stepping into a leadership role was a challenge, but I knew God was calling me to it. I wanted to be there for kids who might feel like I did when I was a freshman—unsure, shy, and maybe even a little lost. Leading WyldLife became my way of giving back, and it helped me grow more confident in my faith and in who I was.
One of the most impactful experiences I had was serving on Work Crew at Timber Wolf Lake. It was hard work—cleaning, setting up, and making sure everything at camp ran smoothly. But it was in that service that I really understood what it meant to lead like Jesus. I learned that being a leader isn’t about being in the spotlight; it’s about serving others, sometimes in ways that nobody sees, which even included scrubbing more toilets than I ever thought I would.
The biggest turning point for me, though, was when I decided to get baptized. This happened during a Campaigners meeting, which is basically a Bible study where we dig deeper into our faith. I had been thinking about it for a while, but during one of those meetings, I felt this overwhelming sense that it was time to take the next step. I wanted to publicly declare my faith and let people know that I was committed to following Jesus. So, this past Easter, I was baptized in front of my friends, family, and the Young Life community at Kentwood Community Church. It was one of the most meaningful moments of my life.
Today, I’m proud of how far I’ve come since those early days and how I now serve as a leader for WyldLife. I strive to create an environment where young people can feel accepted and encouraged in their own journeys just like Young Life did for me.
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