April 2025

Connecting with what God is up to: the First Young Life Toronto Summit

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‍Every Kid.  We believe that every teenager in the city of Toronto should have someone praying for them. Someone showing up in their lives who can help them discover that they are known and loved by the God who made them.Our first Summit gathering was an opportunity to share this vision with others who care about young people and invite them to join in.In the morning,

• We heard from Dave Thakkar, President of Young Life of Canada, and then had discussions to process and apply the findings of recent research on young people.  Everyone gained a greater appreciation for and understanding of the young people in our own lives.
• Dorothy Pang from the Tyndale Intercultural Ministries Centre led us in a dynamic group experience that helped us discover the difficulties of communication when everyone has some important information, but nobody has all of the information.  We all discovered the value and the need to break out of the tunnel vision of our own limited perspective.
• Bernard Tam finished the morning off by telling the story of how, over the last year, a few churches in Midtown collaborated together with Young Life to launch a ministry to middle school students.

In the afternoon, I shared about Young Life's "KNOWN" Campaign, which has four priorities:

• Modelling Incarnational Ministry
• Inspiring a Volunteer Movement
• Developing Global Leaders
• Going Together

I had a chance to share how we are applying these priorities specifically here in Toronto and invite people to consider being a part of the YLTO team.Woven into the day were times of worship, led by Ejay Tupe from "Our City" as well as some some hallmark Young Life silliness.  (You can't take yourself too seriously when you work with teenagers.)Many key connections were made that will help us continue to connect Young Life in Toronto with what God is already doing here.  Also a great foundation was laid for a second Summit event in 2026.  Hope to see you there!