Live
Life
Wide
Open

Have you ever felt like life should be more than just going through the motions? That despite having everything you should need, something still feels missing? At Youth Encounter, we believe that living life to the fullest isn’t about wealth, fame, or success—it’s about unlocking your true potential and embracing the adventure of growth and purpose.

The Challenge We Face

In today’s world, many young people are struggling with self-worth, mental health challenges, and a sense of disconnection. Despite living in a country filled with opportunity, so many feel lost, uncertain of who they are or where they belong.

At Youth Encounter, our vision is to see young lives transformed, empowered, and equipped to thrive. But thriving isn’t just about external success—it starts from within.

A Shift in Perspective

For us, the idea of living wide open isn’t just a theory—it’s a way of life. Our own experiences have shaped our understanding of who we are and why we are here.

Both Joel and I have faced life-threatening battles with cancer, experiences that forced us to ask the hard questions: What really matters? What impact do we want to make? While we weren’t able to have children of our own, we chose to pour our energy into young people—mentoring, counselling, and walking alongside them. Instead of focusing on what we lacked, we focused on what we could give. And in doing so, we discovered something powerful: true fulfillment comes from investing in others.

Choosing to Live Wide Open

Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” At Youth Encounter, we believe that life to the full is not about material success but about discovering your true identity and purpose.

Living life wide open means stepping beyond fear, self-doubt, and limitations. It means embracing the potential within you and being willing to grow, even when it’s uncomfortable. The analogy comes from riding a dirt bike—twisting the throttle wide open and flying over the jumps. But to do this well, you need throttle control skills to navigate the track and all the obstacles that you face. In the same way, living fully requires taking responsibility, decision-making, self-control and navigating life's challenges with your future in mind.

At Youth Encounter, we are committed to creating this transformation through our core values:

• FUN – Creating a fun environment for people to belong.

• ACCEPTANCE – Meeting people where they are with acceptance putting others first.

• CONNECTION – Developing a strength-based community through genuine connections.

• EMPOWERING – Empowering people to release their God-given potential.

Through our activity-based experiences, therapeutic modalities, and personal development opportunities, we help young people to experience a hope filled future and build the resilience to stay on track.

Are You Ready to Live Wide Open?

A life of impact and purpose isn’t reserved for a select few—it’s available to anyone willing to step into their potential. When we let go of fear, embrace our strengths, and support one another, we create ripples of change that extend far beyond ourselves.

At Youth Encounter, our mission is to create a safe place of belonging that unleashed their God-given potential to become all they were created to be. Whether you’re looking for mentorship, adventure, or a community that believes in you, we invite you to step into a life of passion and possibility.

Are you ready to live life wide open? Let’s do this together.