40th anniversary celebration

celebrating the ride

40 YEARS

Youth Leadership turned 40!  To celebrate, we threw ourselves a party with over 300 friends on Oct. 23 at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul.

The purpose of this event was to reflect on the ministry of Youth Leadership and to look forward to the next chapter. Karla Yaconelli flew in from California to help us announce the creation of the Mike Yaconelli scholarship fund.  This fund will go to help under-resourced churches receive quality youth ministry training. Karla spoke of the relationship between her husband, Mike and Tiger McLuen, and was honored to help announce the creation of this fund on the fifth anniversary of Mike’s death.

Heather Flies, junior high pastor at Woodale Church in Eden Prairie, served as our host, and local musician Peder Eide performed the song “What a Ride,” written in Mike’s honor. Click here to check out Peder Eide’s stuff and to download the song: www.pedereide.com.

We also celebrated 20 years of Tiger McLuen’s leadership as President at Youth Leadership. The board surprised him with a book of quotes and tributes from ministry partners and friends from across the country. 

Of course, we hoped to raise money to continue the ministry of Youth Leadership, which we did. Donors gave generously to the YL annual fund and also to the Mike Yaconelli Scholarship fund. Don’t worry -  it’s not too late to give to this great ministry. Through the wonders of technology, you can make your secure online donation by clicking here.

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