As a follow-up to my previous post about my renewed passion for Young Life, here is a description of the impact Young Life had on my brother in the Summer of 1987.

(Originally posted on the Castaway Young Life 50th Anniversary Celebration FB Page, used with permission.)

Life Change Happens At Castaway

Chris Theule-VanDam

Western Great Lakes Regional Director

My connection to Castaway started in the summer of 1987.  It was the summer between my sophomore and junior year of high school.  My Young Life leader, Steve “Wink” Winkle (Wink was also my cross country coach and English teacher) took myself, my twin brother, Rick, and a group of 15 total guys and our leaders to camp.  We all crammed into Helm which at that time was in the middle of the Galleon, and had no windows. It was during that initial Castaway experience that I sat on the center of the outdoor basketball court during the 15 minutes of silence, and gave my life to Christ, as best as I knew how. Since then I have returned to Castaway over and over.  First, as a Work Crew kid in 1989 (dining hall), then on Summer Staff in 1994 (maintenance with John Stowers – and I still use the screwdriver he gave us).  I also have led kids in cabins at least 15 times, along with attending leader weekends, work weeks, and having multiple summer assignments.  All in all, I once figured out that I have spent a year of my life at Castaway (and I’ve never lived in Minnesota). The way God has shaped me into a follower of Jesus has been continually been impacted by my time serving and being served at Castaway.  Every time I am there and another 15 minutes of silence occurs, I work to get back to the same spot I sat in 1987.  It is a holy place. It will be a joy to celebrate Castaway’s 50 years this Labor Day Weekend.  Please join us! http://castaway.younglife.org/Pages/50th%20Anniversary.aspx

Once again, if you like to donate to Young Life RIGHT NOW, follow this link: http://www.younglife.org/Giving/