Dr Glyn Henman Steps Down as Young Life CEO

16 March 2022

Dr Glyn Henman has dedicated over three decades of his life to serving Jesus through the mission of Young Life in Australia. After 31 years of employment and another five as a volunteer, he has decided to resign and step down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 

Glyn has faithfully led the organisation with our founding mission at heart, seeing hundreds of young people come to faith in Jesus.  The Board expresses its sincere gratitude to Glyn for his commitment, drive and perseverance, particularly guiding the organisation during the last two years of uncertainty and change.  We are also grateful to his wife Anne, and daughters Madison and Laura.  They have not only supported Glyn but have been personally involved in the mission of Young Life, hosting an endless stream of visitors and events in their home, serving at camps, clubs, local activities and fundraisers.

Glyn’s contribution to the work of Young Life in Australia has been significant. He has pioneered the development of several new areas in South Australia, Canberra and Brisbane as well as supporting Young Life programs and staff in Belarus and Macedonia. The acquisition of a training facility in Armidale, overhauling online training materials for staff and volunteers, and building and maintaining relationships nationally and internationally have further fostered the growth of Young Life during his tenure. 

Reflecting on his time as CEO, Glyn said, “It has been a tremendous honour and privilege to lead Young Life Australia, to see new ministries established, and be part of a team reaching young people for Christ.  To build on the vision and be a part of an organisation which takes seriously the founding commitment to introduce young people to Jesus Christ has been transformational.”

“I want to thank Young Life’s talented, compassionate and committed staff and volunteers, past and present, for their tireless work, and for the positive impact they have on Australian young people.  I have loved my time with Young Life Australia and finish with a deep sense of gratitude for those who continue to dream for young people. I believe now is the right time to hand over this important work to the next generation of leadership.”

The Board has commenced a national search to identify our next CEO. We are deeply grateful for the steadfast support of our management team, staff, committees and volunteers during this crucial period of transition. 

Glyn remains committed to the work of Young Life and is working collaboratively with the Board and staff to ensure this process is as seamless as possible. He will finish with Young Life on Friday 29th April 2022.  If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the national office.

Kindly join me in wishing Glyn and his family, the very best for his next chapter.

 

God bless you!

 

Raj Mudaliar

Board Chair

Young Life Australia

 

 

 

 

Adding value – Volunteers in Schools

Nathan Wilson (pictured below left) from Young Life in Redlands, QLD has been running the Friends Resilience Program for high school students in grades eight and nine at Alexandra Hills State High School during the past two years.

“I’ve seen the way these life skills learned over the course of two school terms are proving highly beneficial to the students,” says Nathan.

The course covers topics such as how to set achievable goals; how to regulate emotions; and how to manage conflict by neither being aggressive or passive but by being assertive and communicating well.  

 

“We discuss the value of having true friends in our lives and strong mentors who can guide us in helpful directions,” says Nathan. “The program is very conversational allowing the students to reflect on their own experiences in a positive and beneficial way; and to consider choices matter.” 

“Learning these life skills really helps teenagers consider ahead of time how they might respond when they find themselves in challenging situations in life,” said Nathan who thanked Alexandra Hills State High School for their input to the program.  

Queensland University of Technology has recognised the contribution Young Life has been making through this resilience program and has awarded Young Life a grant from their Staff Community Welfare Fund. This has enabled Nathan to continue the program in 2020. 

Contact Young Life in Redlands QLD

Support Young Life’s work making a difference in the lives of young people and by visiting our Donate page today.

More about Young Life volunteers in schools

 

Drought, Fire, Flood and Virus: Why We Should Pray for Young People

By Glyn Henman 

The last 12 months have sure thrown up some challenges for all Australians.  With soul wrenching drought, the devastation of a record-breaking bush fire season, flooding rains and now COVID-19 and a nation wide lockdown.  What are we to make of this time in history?  What impact is it having upon our young people?  Research will bring some answers to these questions in time, and time itself will show the depth of impact.   

But what can we do right now?  Let me first reflect on what I am seeing and hearing about what is happening with our teens.

Pray for young people on June 21 with Young Life Australia

Born in the age of 9-11

This current senior high school cohort were born in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, they entered their schooling during the GFC and now they are facing their final years of education studying from their bedrooms for months. 

With this comes the disappointment of not been able to finish well and do all of the ‘last things’ you get to do with your classmates.  The last sports carnival, the last school production, the last presentation, not to mention the loss of those key relationships with friends and teachers which so often bring inspiration for who we want to be and what we want to do with our lives.  The sense of loss and disruption will linger, even if Australia manages to re-open and keep the Covid-19 cases in check.  For teens in middle high school there is confusion and boredom and a sense of ‘why bother’. 

Is there any hope?  I believe there is.  As I reflect on my grandmother’s life, born in the late 19th century, her stories gather new meaning. My grandmother lived her life through two world wars, the Spanish Flu and a technological revolution (think: horse and cart to man walking on the moon).  What a resilient and innovative generation!  This current generation of young people will also rise.  Adversity brings opportunity.  Opportunities are taken by those who are open to new things and young people are the most open group among us. It will look different, but there is hope. 

Gratitude and seeds of hope

As I listen to my daughters reflect upon this time and how their friends are feeling, the sadness, fear and sense of loss is clear.  But they are grateful to have the security of family nearby.  They are thankful they can still get an education and they see opportunities in their future.  They are hopeful for their friends too because Covid-19 has provided both time and a reason to explore old answers to the big issues of meaning and hope.

Will this generation be as resilient and innovative as my grandparent’s generation?  I believe so and time will tell. 

So, what can we do right now? We can pray.

Pray that God will be our security, that people will turn to him, seek His face and be protected in troubled times. Psalm 91. 

Pray for Jesus to be lifted up so He will draw all of mankind to himself and for us to walk in the light. John 12:30-36. 

Pray for the hope and true rest that comes from God. Psalm 62:5-8. 

Pray for young people (and their families) in our community as they battle the highs and lows of living during a pandemic; and for clarity and a new vision as opportunities come their way. Isaiah 40:28-31. 

 

 

This is your life! Youth asked about Covid-19

The coronovirus pandemic has turned the world upside down. But what does it mean for youth?

Author and social researcher Claire Madden is asking youth (Gen Z) and young adults (Millennials) for their opinion in her 2020 survey.

Claire is a friend of Young Life Australia and so, we’re teaming up to gather the views of our young adult (Millennial) volunteers and those of young people – who are part of Generation Z.

You can have your say here at clairemadden.com.

Your views will help when Australia emerges from this time. Governments, schools, communities will better know how to support you!

Here’s a message from Claire:

 

 

 

Covid 19 Awareness

This document is a guide for Young Life Australia staff and volunteers. We’d like to share it as a source of information for parents, carers and other organisations we work with in partnership.

Young Life Australia is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all staff, volunteers, young people and their families.  With the outbreak of the COVID-19 (Novel Coronovirus) and its transmission in the wider community, our commitment is to act responsibly and in line with Health Department guidelines, to look after ourselves and everyone involved in the Young Life network.

General Precautions

  • Protect yourself and others: wash your hands regularly with soap (sing happy birthday to yourself and then rinse), cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Importantly – stay at home if you’re feeling unwell. 
  • If you develop a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of overseas travel or are in contact with someone else who has COVID-19, seek medical attention: call your GP, Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or in an emergency, your local hospital emergency department.
  • In the event that you believe you have been in close contact with someone who may have been exposed to COVID-19, please ensure that you report to a doctor for testing. Please inform Young Life Australia as well.
  • Close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded for 14 days since last contact with the confirmed case.
  • Any confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded until they are medically cleared to return to work.

 

Young Life Club Precautions – Instructions for Staff

  • Inform parents and young people Young Life Clubs and gatherings have been suspended until further notice from Monday, March 23, 2020.
  • Request parents inform Young Life Australia if in the next two weeks they or their child:
    • develop a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath or,
    • learn they have had close contact with someone who may have been exposed to COVID-19.
  • Please retain records of who attended activities just in case we need to inform health authorities in the future.

Young Life Australia will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation and work through the implications of managing the COVID-19 challenge, responding to the relevant Health Department updates as they are announced.

Thank you for your ongoing support with this matter. We will continue to keep you updated.

 

Glyn Henman

CEO, Young Life Australia

P: 1300 557 647 E: office@younglife.org.au W: younglife.org.au

A chance to serve Young Life Philippines

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2019 Financial Report and Year in Review

Connections magazine was published in October with Young Life Australia’s financials for the year 2018-19. You can read it here.

Meet Mark Stretton, Young Life’s new Manager, Field Operations and Training.

We announce Mitchell Broom steps into the role of Chair, on the Young Life Australia Board. Mitch has served on the board since 2012.

We farewell Young Life’s Chief Financial Officer, Llew Morris who is retiring after 15 years of service.

Connections is published three times a year. To subscribe, contact our national office on 1300 557 647.

 

Help us reach our $5000 target

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Your gift brings light and community into the life of teens

Dear Friends, 

Will you help Young Life Australia reach more teens with a life-changing message of hope? 

The end of the financial year is fast approaching and I’m writing to ask if you will consider making a donation toward Young Life’s youth programs. 

Your gift really will make a difference! 

In the past year, Young Life Australia has played a part in more than 3000 young lives through our programs, camps and chaplaincy work. Our uniquely local and relational programs are helping to impact the life and culture of close to 60 school communities across Australia… and we’d like to do more. 

I’m sure you agree, making a difference in the life of just one teenager who is struggling to believe in their own self-worth is incredibly worthwhile. 

But in reality, every time a teenager turns from despair to a new sense of hope, ripples occur in every direction. Classmates notice the difference. Teachers, parents and siblings watch in amazement.  

Everyone can see the change and are filled with hope because the young person they know and love, has found a new sense of purpose. 

Ebony’s* story is one such example. Ebony’s early years were spent in foster care due to the turmoil in her mother’s life. Today she lives with her grandmother and attends a school where Young Life is active. Recently she began attending Young Life Club. It was the change in a close friend that attracted her interest. Why had he changed? What was behind it?  

Her skepticism was high but Young Life Club wasn’t threatening or weird. Over time she became a regular and Young Life gave her a place to think through her early experiences which were troubling. She learned about God’s love for her which has changed the way she sees her own value as a person and her life at school and home. Young Life allowed Ebony to grow in assurance, simply by offering friendship, consistency and words of hope. 

This is the real gift – and there are many stories like this arising through Young Life’s work in your area as well. 

I believe, there are countless young people like Ebony searching for answers and acceptance. With your help, Young Life will continue to offer a sound and secure base upon which young people can grow and develop socially, emotionally and spiritually. 

Please, will you make a donation by downloading our Giving Form and returning it to Young Life Australia, PO Box 240, West Ryde NSW 1685? If you are a regular donor, it is possible to increase your regular gift or to make a one-off additional tax-deductible gift. Our online giving page can be found at younglife.org.au/give. 

We are so thankful for your involvement in the work of Young Life. 

Yours faithfully, 

Glyn Henman

CEO | Young Life Australia

  • Ebony’s name and some details have been changed for privacy reasons

Why time spent with teenagers is time well spent

By Glyn Henman

Recently I heard a young High School student tell of the way Young Life has changed the direction of her life for the better.

Become a giving partner with Young Life today.

It was such a significant moment when you learn of the situations she has experienced.

But before I share her story, I would first like to thank the many people who share a deep concern for the future of young people and work with us to make a whole range of positive, locally-based, relational programs possible. 

And if you are new to Young Life please find out more about our mission to help teenagers build confidence and grow in resilience. Some of those programs include:

  • Early morning pancake breakfasts
  • In-school support through sports, lunchtime clubs and homework assistance
  • Young Life Club after school
  • Camping experiences and day trips
  • Small groups with a Christian focus

These are just some of the ways we help young people build connections and fight back against isolation and alienation.

Which brings me to Elle’s story*. Like many young people our youth leaders meet, Elle’s family life is complex but as Elle explained, in her particular case family friction and trauma nearly resulted in her becoming homeless.

When Elle met Young Life, she was an angry, unpredictable adolescent in desperate need of someone to care and help her through the emotions and decisions she was making. Someone like a big sister.

This is where Elle’s Young Life leader stepped in. At Young Life Club and Camp she discovered a place where she could unpack some of the hurt and find supporting friendships. It has changed Elle’s life. Today, Elle shares her story with others and has this to say. “Young Life saved my life. I didn’t have a family and now I do.”

You can be a transforming influence in a teenagers life by giving to Young Life. With your support, more young people like Elle will be helped.

To make a donation, visit our website www.younglife.org.au/donate or call our national office on 1300 557 647 to make arrangements in person. We’d love to hear from you.

Glyn Henman

CEO, Young Life Australia

 

*Not her real name

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