Young Life breaks down the barriers of being in a clique and converts all its new and returning members into a family. Young Life is a club that spreads the Word of God and helps students get on the right path to success. It helps build a personal and deeper friendship with the Young Life leaders. The leaders are college students who often visit Central in their free time to invite and spread the word around about their weekly club sessions every Monday evening.

“It’s a fun experience, especially when it’s your first or second time; they make it comfortable to attend,” Eunique Carter, a sophomore at Central, stated. “I would recommend for more students to attend and to bring their friends.”

Central graduate Chase Cochran was inspired to start a Young Life club because of his high school experience, which was not all good decisions.

“My freshman year in UTC, the Lord just changed my life. He took everything from me and basically gave me a new life, a new perspective, new desires, and a new heart,” reflected Chase.

During freshman going into sophomore year summer, he met a Young Life leader who welcomed him to the community. From that point on, he sought to have a ministry like Young Life (also called “Club”) at Central. Young Life College is a community where college students of the same ministries attend, which leads them to being selected in a specific area. The majority of Central’s Young Life leaders are UTC students. Anabel Sastre attended Young Life at Red Bank High School while Megan Ware attended Soddy Daisy High School’s Young Life.

“Any time we’re hanging out with you guys (students), we have the opportunity to talk about Club. We want you guys to come to Club,” Chase commented.

In a few months, there will be fall camp that will take place at Sharp Top Cove in Jasper, Georgia. Camp is where all the Young Life clubs around the Chattanooga and Georgia area come together for a weekend and enjoy countless activities as well for learning more about God.

“Our hopes is that we will be able to be close and it not be something that is shallow. We want to have deeper relationships where we can tell one another anything, be there for one another, and help one another,” Chase expressed.

“There’s so many amazing stories that have come from Young Life, and we just want to continue those stories at Central High School,” admirably responded Chase.

When attending Young Life, there is no “impressing” someone; it’s more about enjoying time with everyone there. The leaders are friendly and more than willing to help out with a ride or a problem. They text, hangout, and support everyone. The time and place for the club meetings are on their Instagram page, “@CentralYoungLife”. Come by for a Club meeting, Y the L not!