Hey there! My name is Lucas Poole, and I am the Area Director for Pittsburgh East Young Life, overseeing ministries at Franklin Regional High School and Gateway High School. My wife and I have been a part of ministry in this area for over six years and we are so excited about the partnership with KAYN and the opportunity to play a role in what God is doing in Kiski Area schools.

For those unfamiliar with Young Life, our mission is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ, help them grow in their faith, and plug students into the church. We believe that every student deserves the opportunity to hear about Jesus, so our passion is first and foremost to the overlooked and to the unchurched. We also believe that the most effective means of sharing Jesus is through a relationship with a caring, Christ-following adult with the willingness to step into the lives of students. We do not simply run events and hope students will attend—rather, you will find YL leaders as coaches, volunteers, and involved community members. We go wherever students are in hopes of building relationships, sharing about Jesus not only in word but in action, and caring for students regardless of their response to him.

As we begin ministry in Kiski, we are excited to connect future leaders and staff with the greater Pittsburgh Young Life community—made up of 24 staff members, 35 ministries, and over 700 students involved on a weekly basis. Please join us in praying for middle school and high school students at Kiski, and for the YL leaders who will step in and begin the groundwork of meeting students, building lifelong friendships, and sharing the hope found in Christ.