Young Life starts in Bridgeport Sept. 10, followed by weekly Wednesday night meetings at homes of student members.

 

“Then we also have Campaigners – a smaller bible study group of about 15 or 18 – which meets Monday nights,” said Carla Yaquinta, who works with the Christian-based organization.

 

Young Life  meetings are held across the country and are gaining interest in the immediate area.

 

“Lincoln (High School) is starting a group in September and there is a group interested in starting one up at Robert C. Byrd,” Yaquinta said.

 

More involved high schools means more involved students – and vice versa.

 

“Kids get really interested and then go off to college where they are taught to be Young Life leaders,” Yaquinta said. “They train them and then they place them.”

 

About 200 students are presently involved in WVU’s Young Life group.

 

Yaquinta’s son-in-law, Nathaniel “Looch” Lutyens is the core Young Life leader in Bridgeport.  Assisting him is Gabe Greco of WVU. Several others - including Bridgeport Soccer Coach Zane Satterfield and Lutyens' wife Gina - are dedicated volunteers with the group. 

 

Middle schoolers can also get involved in the WyldLife group, which meets monthly. A kick-off date for the local Wyldlife school year has not yet been announced.

 

To fund the organization and its activities, an annual fundraising banquet is held at Bridgeport Conference Center. That event is planned for Sept. 21 with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and dinner served at 6 p.m. Reservations are currently being accepted. There’s no admission fee, but table sponsors are being sought. The cost to sponsor a table of eight is $250.

 

“If a business would like to sponsor, we’ll put the name of that business on the table and also incorporate it into a Power Point program which will be running all evening long on two different screens – thanking them for their support,” Yaquinta said.

 

Packed with many different items – from gift cards to custom-built gift baskets - a silent auction will be open for browsing and bidding prior to dinner. After dinner is served, a short informative program about the Young Life ministry will feature group leaders and members.

 

Those wishing to attend the banquet, sponsor a table or donate an item for the silent auction can contact Lutyens at nathaniellutyens@gmail.com. Reservations can be placed through Sept. 15

 

Donations can also be mailed to Harrison County Young Life, P.O. Box 975, Bridgeport, WV 26330.

 

Funds raised benefit the ministry budget, which covers staff salaries, weekly activities and programs, equipment, insurance and miscellaneous expenses.