It’s Monday night. A group of students meet at a friend’s house. They dance around, play games, expand on their faith and go to McDonalds.
This if your average night at YoungLife.
YoungLife is an unofficial school club that centers around Christianity and helps students grow in their faith. Roughly 30-40 students are active in YoungLife at GlenOak.
For high school YoungLife, students can go from the summer after their 8th grade year to the end of their senior year.
“I go to YoungLife because of the community; I find it cool knowing how many Christians go to GlenOak,” freshman Molly Sevin said.
There are three leaders: Lauren and Justin Dennewitz, and Nelson Villanueva. Campaigners is held at the Dennewitz household where students study the Bible more thoroughly.
There are official YoungLife events; Club happens every Monday at 7:37 p.m. which is held at the house of Braden and Jay Rosche and Campaigners is every Wednesday at 8 p.m., but students often break off into smaller groups and hang out elsewhere as well.
“Campaigners is where you go to learn more about God and go more in-depth with the Bible; Club is where you go to have fun and get introduced to Jesus in a fun and exciting environment,” Braden said.
Club is the event that typically garners more people. There are weekly themes for Club and students can dress up for the theme if they want to, but it is never required.
“My parents were heavily involved in YoungLife back in the 80s and 90s, so we’re a big part of it now,” Jay said.
Students go to YoungLife for a variety of reasons ranging from the people to the party.
“I like having a party that I can go to and feel safe at,” junior Avery Kyle said.
Although it is a Christian organization, you do not have to be Christian to go. Everybody is welcome at YoungLife, no matter their religious affiliation. The students welcome newcomers with open arms every week in hopes that they continue going.

“I love the people. There are always new people coming in and you get to meet a lot of people,” freshman Nehemiah Hall said.
Because of this, many people go to YoungLife for both Club and Campaigners. On average there are more students at Club because it is more of an introduction to Christianity than a full-on Christian event. It is also a good medium for students that are not Christian but go for the people.
There are more long-term hangouts as well. Every November, Fall Weekend occurs; Fall Weekend is a weekend away for students to have the opportunity to meet new people, most of whom are from Stark County, that they have things in common with. There is also a week-long camp every summer for students from across the country that are involved in YoungLife. The past two years it has been held at a camp in Lake Champion, New York.
“My favorite part of YoungLife is getting to see people enjoy it and getting to take other students with me to camp in the summer,” senior Lexi Harris said.
While at these overnight stays, students build strong bonds with their peers and get to talk about their religion without the fear that can come with talking about it to people with other affiliations.
“I love YoungLife because I get to hang out with people that I love and that care most about me,” junior Cebastian Hennis said.
Overall, students that go to YoungLife feel that they are better at socializing because it forces them to open up and come out of their shells.
“It gives you better mental health because you have a lot of people you can fall back on when you don’t have someone to sit with at lunch, or you just aren’t doing great,” junior Natasha Betton said.
If someone wishes to join, there is nothing they have to do besides show up. All the person has to do is ask about it from somebody that already goes, or check for information on YoungLife’s Instagram: @glenoakyounglife.