94 NOVEMBER 2025 | INTHEVUE.COM During that time, he met his wife, Lydia, while leading. They were both volunteer leaders in Jackson, Tennessee, and Brentwood, Tennessee, before Ross went on the Young Life staff in Jackson full-time in 2011. “I became the Area Director of Northwest Tennessee in 2017, moving our family to Union City. Then, I was offered the position to be Area Director in Paducah when the ministry began in 2022,” said Ross. “Lydia has a background in education, and has been a volunteer leader all along that journey. She went on part-time staff in 2024 to lead WyldLife locally.” Not only have Ross and Lydia been involved with Young Life for years, but their children have begun getting involved as well. Just this year, their son Charlie has been able to get involved as a 6th grader. “We have three girls as well: Georgia, Annalise, and Lauralee. When Charlie got to go to his first WyldLife Club, he said, ‘I’ve been waiting my whole life for this!’– and he really has,” said Ross. While the family has given much to Young Life, it has given more to their family. The door of their home is always revolving with teenagers, college students, and volunteer leaders. While it creates a nonstop pace of walking with and caring for people, it also has created a community of younger people who love and care for their kids as well. “One of the highlights of my year has been Charlie having his WyldLife leaders, Luke Whiteside and Payne Walker, taking interest in his life and caring for him,” said Ross. The best part is, these experiences and community with Young Life are for, and available to, every kid. “We hope kids of all backgrounds and points of view would feel welcome and wanted. We engage with kids through fun events, all the while connecting with them at their sporting events, performances, and simply hanging out,” said Ross. “Over time, as volunteer leaders get to know kids through these shared experiences, they build the trust to have deeper and more meaningful conversations.” Leaders are trained to be mentors, sharing in life with kids through the hills and the valleys – all the while with an openness to discuss and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ – helping them to grow in faith. Young Life serves middle school, high school, and local college-age students. There are no requirements to be involved. Anyone in that age group is invited and able to attend meetings. College students can be involved in Bible Study, as well as serving in various roles. There are many activities and events that Young Life puts on for reach out and bonding, such as Club, which is a fun and highly social event put on for kids during the school year. WyldLife Clubs generally happen in school buildings or churches, while Young Life Club meets most often at The Wealth Management Group. “Club is often referred to as a party with a purpose. We sing loudly, play games, and laugh – with the primary focuses of leaders building authentic, unforced, mentoring relationships with kids, and secondly, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From Club, kids will also learn about other things happening, whether it be Bible Studies, upcoming camps, or simple hangouts,” said Ross. Young Life Camp is a huge part of the community as well, and something the entire Young Life community looks forward to. “Young Life Camp is not the best thing we do, but it is the thing we do best,” said Ross. “Young Life camps are resort-like properties designed to create a magical experience for campers and their leaders to have fun, build meaningful connections with one another, and consider who Jesus is and what they believe to be true about God.” Currently, Young Life offers multiple camp opportunities designed for kids who have made a decision to follow Christ. They have taken outdoor adventure trips to West Virginia and Colorado, and have sent several kids to serve for multiple weeks at Young Life Camps.
