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Get to Know Young Life

Sounds of laughter coming from the basement…dozens of high school kids having fun…the average parent might be just a little concerned about what they were getting up to, but not Renee- Kronon-Schertz. She's a host for Young Life,
the non for profit who likes to bring God into the lives of adolescents. The organization has spread around the world since it was started in 1938 by a young Presbyterian youth leader. Naperville currently boasts about 500 members, with 200 in the Wheaton, Glen Ellyn area. We caught up with some very involved locals, keen to spread the world and explain why they are so proud to be members.

Lauren Pfister - Leader Representative

Lauren was a Young Life leader in college who now works for the organization full time.
"It just made me come alive," she said. "I want to do something where I am making a difference."
Lauren explained Young Life is a way of introducing adolescents to the Christian faith.
"It's painting a picture that shows this is what a relationship with God can be like," she says.
Young Life has groups in all Naperville's high schools. Students can attend twice a week in the evenings, plus there are summer camps. Lauren says it is not just about going to church, but making God fit into your life as you are growing up and beyond.

"We have a factual bible study which help them with issues," she said. "They learn that God is fully present with them, and we offer a source of encouragement and support. Where they experience pain, we can enter that with them."

Renee Kronon-Schertz - Parent

"One of the biggest pros as a parent is that it is not taboo for my children to talk about Christ in front of their friends," Renee says. "It's just normal. As a parent I think it's really cool that I might host a group of children for a meeting in my home one evening, then see them walking through the school the next day. They are a mixture of kids who are connected by their faith."

Brooke Rebecca, 18 - Senior at Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Brooke manages to attend twice weekly meetings despite working at Arrowhead Golf Club and playing tennis and La Crosse.
"My week is not as much fun if I don't go," she said. "Going to the summer camp was the best week of my life."

Tyler McSweeney, 17 - Student at Naperville Central High School

"The more I get involved, the more my family realizes the impact it has on my life," Tyler says. "For me it's about relating the Bible to your life. You can apply it to how you live your life." For more information call (630) 505-1815.

-Hilary Decent, Features Editor

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