Each fall, the staff and volunteer leaders from Young Life across Ontario gather
for a leader retreat. This year, Toronto was part of the team! Becky, Audrey,
and I were pleased to invite some of our new friends to join us. Tatiana, Brahim,
and Edith (from left to right) came as friends who are particularly enthusiastic
about the vision of Young Life in Toronto. These three are not Young Life
leaders yet, but after spending time with staff and leaders from across Ontario,
they came away even more committed to seeing young people reached
through this ministry.
What's the Plan?
People have been so kind and welcoming in our first few months here. And
many want to know how, or where, or when direct ministry will begin.
The short answer at this point is, "We don't know how, where, or when." Young
Life has always been about Jesus and relationships. We have already begun
the work of building the network of relationships necessary to establish healthy,
sustainable ministry that is properly contextualized to the cultural realities of this
city, but this will take time.
While we work deliberately to build a proper foundation, we also recognize that
there is an urgency. The plan right now is to meet anyone who might care
about Jesus and young people in the city of Toronto. To that end, I'm meeting
with two to three new people each week, and growing friendships with existing
contacts. I believe that our first volunteer leader, first staff hire, first area
committee chair, and first board of advisors member will be the fruit of these
meetings. If you know someone with whom I should meet over a cup of coffee,
please let me know