The Heart of Young Life in Quincy

Dim Lighting. Music softly playing. Eyes closed in deep reflection. And then……… BAM, BAM, BAM!!! The sound of a nail being hammered into a 6ft. tall wooden cross.

It was shortly after Easter 2025 and all year long the messages had been leading up to this point —The Cross Talk! If you’re familiar with Young Life, you know that the talks are usually pretty simplified. Being that a lot of those who are involved with the ministry are hearing about Jesus for the first time, they want to make sure it’s as relatable and

understandable to all. But, things were about to get ramped up in a big way with this

particular talk.

One week prior, students were asked to write down things on a notecard that they had been suffering from. As the Easter story came to a conclusion, students were asked to close their eyes and listen to the lyrics of two worship songs, while reflecting on the message they just heard. Suddenly, to their surprise, students were greeted with the pounding of nails being hammered into the wooden cross One-by-one, sins that were represented by notecards began to cover the 6ft. tall cross from top to bottom and left to right. As the final song comes to a close, the last nail is hammered into the cross. Students

were then asked to open their eyes and gaze at what was before them. Tears were shed, arms put around one another, and faces of disbelief filled the Young Life Club Room. After a few moments, they were instructed to leave in silence and, in doing so, reflect on everything they just heard and witnessed.

Depression, bullying, rape, abandonment, abuse, drugs, alcohol, low self-worth — these are just a few of the struggles that covered the cross. That night, it became real! No longer were we faced with pie charts or percentages about teens struggling across the country. These were kids right in our backyard, walking the hallways of our schools and in our town. Suffering in silence, this was very likely the first and only time any of them mustard up enough courage to openly admit it.

When we say that what we do at Young Life is not only important, but even more so crucial; this is what we’re talking about. We introduce them to Jesus, because depression rates among teens are up on average 150% since 2010. Even more devastating, suicide rates among adolescents are up 91% in boys and 161% in girls since 2010. These stats

include kids right here in Quincy, Illinois. Kids that we pass by in the grocery store or see at the football games. We do what we do, because we know the one who can set them free, give them peace, and save their souls. The burdens we carry in life are heavy. But so was that cross that Jesus carried. We get the privilege to walk alongside kids in the middle of their trials and point them to the one who can set them free!

What Is Young Life?

For those unfamiliar, Young Life is a Christian outreach ministry that has been changing lives across the world since. 1941. Its heart is simple: go where kids are, build relationships, and earn the right to be heard. Through laughter, adventure, and deep

connection, leaders introduce adolescents to the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in ways that feel real, relatable, and full of joy.

Here in Quincy, that mission takes on a deeply local heartbeat. Leaders are showing up at sporting events, concerts, performances, graduations, and even local coffee shops — not with an agenda, but with genuine love. They invite kids to Young Life Club, a weekly gathering that’s part comedy show, part community night, and part reminder that faith can be fun, welcoming, and alive. There’s also Campaigners, a smaller group where students can ask honest questions and grow deeper in their faith. And every summer, dozens of Quincy teens experience Young Life Camp — often described as “the best week of their lives!” Here, they’ll hear the gospel in a breathtaking setting and discover that God’s love is personal and real.

The Impact in Our Community

Lives are being changed quietly and profoundly. We’ve seen students who felt invisible finally find belonging. Kids who were struggling with self-worth rediscover hope. Friend groups transform as they begin to care for each other in new, deeper ways. And all of it begins with one consistent truth: that God’s love pursues us right where we are. Behind

the laughter, games, and camp adventures are countless one-on-one conversations, car rides, and moments of prayer — small seeds of faith that grow into lifelong change. It’s about relationships built over time, and a community that believes every kid is worth showing up for.

How You Can Be Part of It  This Giving Season

As we enter this season of giving, we’re reminded that everything happening through Young Life in Quincy – every student reached, every camp scholarship given, every leader trained — is made possible by generous people like you. Your support keeps leaders on the frontlines of students’ lives and ensures that no teenager misses out on the chance to experience the hope of Jesus because of cost or

circumstance.

This Giving Tuesday and throughout the end of the year, would you consider coming alongside us?

Give: Your one-time or monthly gift helps us continue building relationships and sending kids to camp — all with the streamlined effort of pointing the youth of this community to Jesus.

Volunteer: Join our committee, become a leader, help plan events, or share your gifts in meaningful ways.

Pray: Lift up students and leaders that they would continue to see and share God’s love across our schools and neighborhoods.

Because when a caring community comes together around a shared love for kids, something powerful happens — hope grows.

So if you’ve ever wondered what you can do to make a difference right here at home, consider this your invitation. Come alongside us. Join the adventure. Be part of what God is doing through Young Life Quincy — changing lives one relationship at a time.

Jacob Hollensteiner

Young Life Quincy

Young Life | 521 State Street | Quincy, IL 62301 www.quincy.younglife.org

“You were made for this.”