Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself

The Bright family... I am a LUCKY guy!

I am beyond blessed to get to be a part of what is happening in Ladera Ranch through WyldLife. That I get to call this my job seems like a dream. 

I grew up in Young Life. My parents started taking us to Trail West, a Young Life family camp in Colorado when I was in 7th grade, and then started a club at my high school my freshman year. Young Life changed my life. I am who I am, in a large part, because of Young Life.  It is such a privilege to get to do the same thing for other kids.

I am having the other leaders fill out a questionnaire and thought that I would do the same and share it with you, so...

At the finish line of my first 50K

Here is Luke:

Born: June 13, 1980 El Paso, TX

How, when, and where did you meet Jesus: I grew up knowing about Jesus, and I remember asking Jesus to come into my heart when I was around 7-8. I just remember feeling really lonely and the idea of Jesus always being with me was really appealing. Later, in the 8th grade, I specifically remember giving my life to Jesus, and I think that was different because it was me giving him my life instead of asking him to come into mine. But, as with most in life, I think there is a progression, because I would say that I experienced being "born again" in my late 20's while my parents were going through a nasty divorce that seemed to drag on, and I began to question everything I thought I knew. I experienced Jesus' love in a way I don't think I could have without that painful experience. There is a part of me that wishes that never happened, but I am more grateful for it than I would have ever thought possible.

Most embarrassing memory from middle school: I once got sent to the office for farting in class... people that were in that classroom still talk about it to this day.

Me and Harper

Why do you think WyldLife is important: It gives kids a safe place where they can be themselves and be loved. For me, church wasn't always a place where I felt like I could be myself, but Young Life was. I got to watch leaders I knew love Jesus and be real, for good and bad, and I got to watch forgiveness and restoration in action. 

Who is the person that has had the deepest impact on your relationship with Jesus and why: Growing up it was, beyond question, my mom and dad. I am who I am in a large part because of them. Later in life it was Joe Bahr, my Young Life leader. Mike Erre and one of my professors at Vanguard, Bill Doggterom have had a huge impact more recently. Also, Brennan Manning... I only met him once, but he has taught me more about the love of God than anyone.

My happy place

Favorite thing to do for fun: Hang with my wife and two daughters... then it would be running in the mountains, playing in the ocean, or snowboarding.

Most interesting/unique/funny thing about you: I hate chewing gum with a deep deep passion... not sure why, and I totally get that its weird, but I just can't seem to help it.

The mud pit at camp this summer

Best memory from your time with WyldLife Ladera Ranch: The last Cabin Time at camp this summer. Something incredibly special happened and I got to experience a few of the boys open up and share their lives.

Yeah... no explanation for this one

If you could share any one thing with kids, what would it be: Jesus knows them and loves them completely the way they are right now, not the way they think they should be.

Getting to do this with the whole family is a dream come true!

If you were an ice cream flavor, what flavor would you be? Why: Baskin Robbins Rocky Road, because it has a rich chocolate flavor but still has marshmallows and nuts to keep it from being too serious.