Eva Cowart

I first got involved in Young Life because of my older brother. When I was a freshman and he was a junior, I kind of knew what Young Life was — mostly that my brother went and brought me Sonic back afterward — but I didn’t really get it. One Monday, he dragged me to a Young Life hangout, which happened to be car painting at the high school.

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I remember sitting in his car while he talked with his friends, not knowing anyone. Then I heard a knock on my window — it was my now Young Life leader, Taylor Kerr, telling me to come hang out. I didn’t know her or anyone else, and honestly, I was kind of weirded out because it felt so random. But once I started talking to people and warming up, I realized how much I actually liked them.

I started going to club regularly because it was so much fun. It’s a place where you feel completely welcome — no judgment, no pressure, just people who are glad you’re there.

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One of my favorite memories is Young Life summer camp at Crooked Creek. We packed onto a charter bus and drove 18 hours to Colorado, and it truly was the best week of my life. There were so many people just like me, so many new faces, and endless opportunities to try new things. That camp changed everything for me — I truly believe God moved mountains there.

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Before camp, I didn’t really know who my true friends were or where I belonged. Afterward, I knew exactly where I was meant to be. And I wouldn’t have found that if a random Young Life leader hadn’t knocked on my brother’s car window that Monday. Now that same leader is one of the closest people in my life — someone I go to for everything.

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Something I’ve learned about God through Young Life is that you really are who you surround yourself with. Before I found my people, something always felt missing — and that something was God. Young Life helped me find that. Now I have people I look forward to seeing, people I care about, and people who show up for me no matter what.

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If someone asked me why they should come to Young Life, I’d say — you’ll know when you come. There’s so much love in this community, especially Lake Travis Young Life. It’s hard to put into words — you just have to experience it yourself on a Monday at 7:57, or even on a Thursday at Campaigners.

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It’s truly life-changing, and if I could, I’d have every single high schooler experience the love and belonging you find in Young Life.