With a desire to reach every child for eternity, Young Life is holding its annual Dessert Fundraising Banquet "Light Their Way!" on Thursday, October 25. The banquet will be held at the Westin La Paloma at 7pm.

Young Life is a non-denominational Christian based outreach to middle school, high school, college students and teen moms. It is a global organization with the desire to reach students where they are at and with the truth of the Gospel.

"I was invited to this dessert banquet a few years ago," said Young Life volunteer Jennifer Esparza. "I later sent my kids to a Young Life camp and soon after they became really involved and now two of them are Young Life leaders."

The guest speaker this year is Bill Paige. This gifted and passionate speaker's broad appeal has touched the lives of kids across the nation. His insight comes from in depth life experiences serving for 20 years doing police and detective work in the NYC area. Bill speaks in front of thousands of middle, high school and college kids every year, as well as the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB). He is committed to passing on Young Life's mission of reaching kids wherever they are and through relationships with the message of Jesus Christ.

The banquet allows the Tucson community to see what Young Life is doing in the Tucson area and how kids and their parents can get involved.

"It grabbed my kids at the right time. All the leaders are wonderful and outstanding adults. The leaders hit them at their level and showed them that Jesus loves them. They showed them what it is to have a personal relationship with Jesus," Esparza said.

Parents can get involved by having club meetings or events at their homes or coming to fundraisers and supporting the work being done throughout the community.

There are different clubs for students around Tucson and in schools,with groups focused at the various age levels. For Middle school students, it's "Wyld Life." High school students can join Young Life and college students can join Young Life College. A group for teen moms, Young Lives, is also available.

"It shows kids that they can be wild, crazy and have fun and do it the way Jesus wants them to," Esparza said.

Over the past few years the Young Life banquet has had about 500 guests but this year leaders are praying for 700.

Admission is free to the banquet, but reservations must be made by calling 982-3367 or email: teresa@tucson.younglife.org. Learn more at www.younglife.org.

© 2008 Good News Tucson