Young Life Nashville
Meeting Youth Where They Are
At St. Bartholomew, our Mission & Outreach (M&O) ministry recognizes that some of the most important kingdom work happens in the everyday moments of relationship. That's the heart of Young Life Nashville, a ministry that has spent over 50 years building bridges of friendship with teenagers across our city. Rather than asking young people to come to them, Young Life leaders go where kids are: schools, sports games, and neighborhoods, earning the right to share the love of Jesus through authentic relationships.
Building Bridges of Friendship
Young Life Nashville reaches teenagers from middle school to college age across 11 different schools in our area. Each week, over 130 volunteer leaders connect with more than 2,200 students, creating spaces where young people can experience belonging, adventure, and the message of Christ.
Their approach is simple yet profound: go where kids are, build authentic friendships, and through those relationships, introduce them to Jesus. They also serve students who are often overlooked through specialized ministries like Capernaum for students with disabilities and YoungLives for teen mothers.
This is 1 Timothy 4:12 in action: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
Why This Matters to Us
In a world where teenagers often feel disconnected and searching for belonging, Young Life provides something precious: adults who genuinely care about them as they are, not as projects to be fixed. Through consistent presence and unconditional love, Young Life leaders demonstrate the character of Christ to young people who may never step foot in a church.
Young Life's Impact:
Over 2,200 students connected weekly across Nashville
130+ volunteer leaders building relationships in schools and communities
Specialized ministries ensuring every teenager has the opportunity to belong
Life-changing camp experiences that often transform young lives forever
Long-term relationships that continue supporting youth into adulthood
How St. B's Members Can Get Involved
Club Leaders: Help lead weekly gatherings filled with games, music, and messages
Contact Work: Build authentic friendships with students at schools and in communities
Small Group Leaders: Guide deeper Bible studies and discipleship for interested students
Camp Support: Assist with weekend and summer camp experiences
Committee Service: Join the local committee that supports and sustains the ministry
Support camp scholarships, leadership training, and ministry programming. Young Life operates on donations from individuals and churches who believe in investing in the next generation.
Prayer Support
Commit to regularly praying for Young Life leaders, students, and the schools they serve across Nashville.
See Their Work in Action
Click the video below to learn more about how Young Life Nashville is building life-changing relationships with teenagers across our city.
