Next Tuesday, March 6, 2013, is set aside as a 'Missionwide Day of Prayer for Young Life.'Last March, along with the day of prayer, something crazy beautiful happened. The 'Monday Morning' email went out to all the YL staff/leaders and in it was a simple contest to win a travel hammock. In order to be entered, you simply needed to tweet your story of how YL has impacted your life and hashtag it #myYLstory.
As the day progressed, the 140 character testimonies came pouring in. It was like a camp 'Say So' on Twitter.
Depressed, self harming, lost, and alone. Went to Beyond and found belonging in Christ. Laid my burdens down. #myYLstory
Weird guy I didn't know brought us all Burger King at a soccer game. Taught me about the real King and to take off my own crown. #myYLstory
I started a relationship with Jesus with my YL leader in a Starbucks parking lot. #myYLstory
Sports, relationships, awkwardness, lonliness, abuse, went finally to club, went to camp, found the Lord at club. He Lives in me. #myYLstory"
1999: I meet my YL leader playing basketball at the YMCA. 2012: I play basketball at the YMCA with dudes every week.#myYLstory
Broken home, lost & confused. Frontier Ranch '11 finally found my Savior and Family on WorkCrew #myYLstory
Smokers pit at windygap, fight @ club, kicked out often. #redeemed" Got hired! Now I share JC to kids just like I used 2 b! #myYLstory
Ashley met me in the cafe at HCHS, talked me into camp. 10 yrs ago I called her my YL leader. Today I call her my best friend. #myYLstory
My YL leader was the only one I let into my dark places in high school. She helped bring me out. Now I listen to and love HS girls. #myYLstory
Tried to fill a thirst I had for so long until my YL leader taught me Jesus is the living water. I will never thirst again. #myYLstory
If you aren't on Twitter or didn't have a chance to follow along last March, here's a few more 'twitter testimonies' in video form:
If you are reading this in an RSS feed and are unable to view the video, here's the direct YouTube link.
What's your YL story? Share it in a comment below.