Why Young Life?
There are plenty of ways to spend your time in Middle School and High School. So why Young Life? We believe that one of the most valuable things you can do with your time is be involved in WyldLife or Young Life, where you can have fun, be yourself, and learn about your life and how God plays a part. Young Life gives you plenty of opportunities to have an amazing time with your friends at club, campaigners and camp. You will also get to know some leaders who are always there for you. With WyldLife and Young Life leaders, you and your friends can enjoy being yourselves and experience what life is all about.
A Time-Tested Approach
Young Life began with a few simple ideas about sharing the truth of God’s love with adolescents. Those simple ideas have become time-tested methods for reaching out to middle school, high school and college students in friendship and hope.
CONTACT WORK- Caring for Kids. Because kids don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care, Young Life leaders show they care by going where kids are, meeting them as they are, believing in who they can be. Within Young Life we call the persistent going out into the world of kids “contact work.” But kids just call it friendship.
CLUB- A Party with a Purpose. What is it about Young Life club that makes it the best night of the week for thousands of kids every week? We like to think of it as a party with a purpose. It’s controlled chaos that’s almost impossible to describe, but kids know it when they see it. And before the party ends, we share a simple message about God’s love for them. After all, that’s what the celebration is all about.
CAMP- The Best Week of Their Life. Kids consistently tell us that Young Life camp is the best week of their life. That’s a rousing (and unsolicited) endorsement! But how else would you describe a week where deep relationships are forged in the midst of mind-boggling fun and where you experience and listen to what we believe is the greatest love story ever told?
CAMPAIGNERS- A Time to Question, Learn and Grow. Campaigners is a weekly gathering for kids who wish to learn more or grow in their faith through study, service and leadership. We invite kids to actively follow Jesus Christ — and we’re with them for the long haul to help them take those steps of faith with unconditional love. Along the way, we encourage kids to celebrate their faith through participation in a local congregation.
COMMITTEE- Adults Who Care. We call our committee, the Young Life Support and Engagement Team, "YL SET". Young Life is making a difference in the lives of kids around the world because we are supported by adults who care about kids in their community. For every talented Young Life staff person there is a team of dedicated leaders who works directly with kids. In each community, the local “committee,” comprised of parents, Young Life alumni and civic leaders, provides a foundation of financial, administrative and moral support for the local Young Life team.
ANDREA ZAPATA
Andrea has been on staff in Wheaton since June of 2016. She is originally from Elmhurst, Illinois but came to Wheaton in 2014 to study Business Economics at Wheaton College. During her time there, she was a volunteer leader at Wheaton Warrenville South High School Young Life and began to realize that she is passionate about creating spaces of inclusion and discipleship.
As the Area Director, Andrea oversees the area and its staff while also leading WyldLife on the south side and helping oversee Young Life at Wheaton North. She lives in Wheaton with her husband Kyle, and continues to love this community more every day.
You can reach Andrea at: (630) 947-4300
KYLE ZAPATA
Kyle joined the team in May 2023, stepping in as the Southside WyldLife Director. Originally from Houston, Kyle studied Criminal Justice in college and has always felt a calling to be involved in student ministry through the ministry of WyldLife and Young Life. Kyle has been involved in the mission as a volunteer for over a decade; serving as a College YL leader, Young Life leader, and now a WyldLife leader.
Kyle is passionate about sharing the Gospel with students and being present in leaders' and students' lives. You'll also find him coaching Freshmen Baseball at WWS in the spring. Kyle and Andrea are excited to live out their passions together through WyldLife and Young Life in Wheaton.
You can reach Kyle at: (713) 384-6925
ELLIS GROVE
Ellis joined the team in July 2021. Originally from Indianapolis, Ellis studied Psychology at Wheaton College and ended up staying in the area ever since. Young Life for Ellis has been one of the most life giving and transformative experiences and she is so excited to work alongside the Wheaton staff team.
Ellis oversees ministry at Wheaton Warrenville South High School and has a heart for hospitality and for making people laugh and experience joy.
Her and her husband, Mitch, love opening up their home to students and leaders as a safe place as continue to get to know the community.
You can reach Ellis at: (317) 646-7808
MARIELA EGENOLF
Mariela joined the team in July of 2021 to serve in an administrative role. She encountered Jesus in high school through great mentors who guided her to salvation. Experiencing the impact of youth ministry, she couldn’t be more excited to contribute to Young Life’s efforts in Wheaton.
Mariela was born and raised in Venezuela but moved to the USA to attend Taylor University where she met her husband Paul. Paul and Mariela live in Wheaton with their two boys.
SARAH MAJOR
Sarah joined the Wheaton team to oversee Northside WyldLife in June 2022 after graduating from Wheaton College with a degree in Christian Formation & Ministry. During her time at Wheaton, she was a volunteer leader at Wheaton North High School and experienced the joy of relational ministry as she walked with high school students.
Sarah loves how WyldLife creates spaces for students to be fully themselves and experience the love of Christ as they interact with their leaders and peers. She also loves the meaningful friendships formed between volunteer leaders as they work together to share the Gospel with students.
You can reach Sarah at: (630) 776-6371
