Meet Grant!

Its Grant... and the rest of the leaders

Grant Waggoner is one of our new leaders for this year, and it has been truly amazing to have him be part of the team! Grant has been involved in Young Life since high school, and has lead in Las Vegas, Malibu, and now down here. It shows when it comes to how he is able to relate with the kids and get down on their level. From the very first day he was able to find a way to relate to kids and start getting to know them... even kids that are normally quiet and withdrawn. He is currently getting a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Peperdine, and wants to work mainly with adolescents. He and his wife Leslie enjoy spending their evenings at Disneyland whenever they get a chance.

His frisbee skills are legendary

Meet Grant Waggoner:

Born: 6/19/1989 Columbus, OH

How, when, and where you met Jesus: My testimony does not include a specific time or place of a conversion to faith or a complete 180 degree turn from one way of living to another. Rather, through growing up in the Church, I have seen the impact and value that Christianity can have on my life. I made the personal commitment to follow Christ in my junior year of high school and have been deeply satisfied from that decision ever since. The relationship that I have with Christ is one that I tend to throughout most of my daily routines and with that being said, I continue to know more about God with every passing day.

Why are you a WyldLife leader: I am a Wyldife leader because I want kids to feel valued and validated. I want to be a positive influence and role model to students as they are going through ever-changing, awkward, fun, difficult, exploratory, phase of middle school. Central to this explanation is the person of Christ. If I can introduce kids to know who Jesus Christ is and how He is constantly working in their lives then I have done my job as a leader.

Why do you think WyldLife is important: I think that Wyldlife is important because it comes to kids where they are and shows them who Jesus is through interacting with leaders, looking at scripture, and having fun. Wyldlife points those who could be the furthest away from having a relationship with Christ to start making steps towards Him. 

Most embarrassing memory from middle school: Well, I went straight into eighth grade after being homeschooled for most of my life so my most embarrassing moments came from really coming to understand the sharp learning curve of social interactions with my peers as opposed to the interactions I had at home. For example, taking my shoes off and walking around class was not as normal as I thought it would be, nor was eating lined paper, or wearing my shirts inside out and backwards. Fortunately, I caught up with the acceptable trends by high school but man, most of eighth grade could probably be categorized as “embarrassing.” 

Facial hair is a prerequisite for being a guy leader

Who is the person that has had a deep impact on your relationship with Jesus and why: Both of my parents have had an incredible impact on my life across many domains but they have especially had a significant influence in my spiritual life. They have shown me what living a Christian life and running a Christian household looks like for the past 25 years. (They are also both Young Life leaders). 

Most interesting/unique/funny thing about you: I am currently learning to recite all of the states and capitals while doing a handstand. 

Favorite thing to do for fun: I love skating, surfing, climbing, playing the piano, and learning a few new parlor tricks here and there, but my favorite thing to do for fun is hang out with my wife. 

Grant and his wife Leslie 

If you could share any one thing with the kids what would it be: You were made on purpose for a purpose.

If you were an ice cream flavor, what flavor would you be? Why: I’d be sorbet – just to be difficult.