Are you connected with Parkway South outside of school?
One way you can get involved outside of school is through YoungLife clubs. YoungLife clubs meet every other Monday at a student’s house who volunteers to host. Everyone’s invited grades 9-12, you come as you are, you sing songs and play games. It’s a community where people are given the opportunity to connect, grow, and explore faith in an authentic, supportive environment. Founded on the belief that every young person is valuable and worthy of love, YoungLife provides a space where teens can experience the joy of friendship, fun, and meaningful spiritual discovery.
The main leader of YoungLife is Anton Ruiz, who is a South grad and also an English teacher.
Ruiz said he was involved in YoungLife when he was a student.
“I was a freshman in high school. The year was 2010 and I was taking off my soccer cleats and I saw upperclassmen who were talking about YoungLife. They told all the people on the bench to come,” he said.
That initial invitation to join YoungLife that Ruiz received opened up a new chapter in his life and there began the start of his faith journey.
He also explains that he wasn’t just attracted to the fun of YoungLife but the genuineness of all the people who come to YoungLife.
“My favorite part about it is I think a lot of times Jesus is not who people say he is or a lot of the times what’s being advertised isn’t the real thing. What you actually get is a relationship and not a religion with a bunch of rules,” Ruiz said.
Junior Eli Mesina, who has been going to YoungLife clubs for about a year now, said he is inspired to be a role model to new underclassmen who haven’t tried it. Mesina talked about the great community they have and how YoungLife is welcome to anyone who wants to experience this potential life-changing club.
“I want to set a good example for the underclassmen to show people who are new to YoungLife that this is a community that you should be a part of and there are no requirements you just need to be yourself and come,” Mesina said.
Sophomore Tori Knowles has been going to YoungLife clubs for the past year. But the times she has been there she has made great memories and had new experiences throughout her time at YoungLife. What keeps Knowles is the community that has been built there.
“I feel like if I ever needed anything I can always go to my leaders and they’re always going to be there for me no matter what. It has made a very big impact on my life and I would never change going to YoungLife,” she said.
Freshman Zoey Barker attended YoungLife clubs for the first time at the beginning of the school year.
“I think that the stories that I heard about Jesus have helped me realize that he is someone who can help me throughout my whole life and thanks to YoungLife they helped me understand that I just need to have faith,” she said.
