Back in 2015, I was fresh to faith and eager to learn more about God, so when the opportunity to go on the Youth Reachout trip came up, I jumped in. That first trip changed me, deeply and quietly, as the small experiences added up to a transformative whole. I loved it so much that I begged Word of Life to let me go the next year, and continued to be encouraged and challenged in my faith. Discussing topics like "The Cross," "Authority," "Relationships," and "God’s Will" planted seeds in my life that would grow over the years to come. Those trips gave me friends, mentors, and a community that shaped my faith and kept me connected to God.
Fast forward nine years, and I found myself returning to Fiji on Youth Reachout, but this time as a leader. Reflecting on those nine years in between was eye-opening. If I’m honest those first 6 years were really tough for me. I didn’t really enjoy life and I didn’t really know why. I made a lot of mistakes. I guess it’s summed up pretty well that I was a stubborn and self righteous guy, I struggled with authority and was very slow to go to others for help. God took a back seat in my life for quite a few years and I looked to so many other things to fill that gap where He was supposed to be. I had been given all the tools I needed but I chose to ignore them and I paid for that. “If only I had learned the things I know now, back then.” Fast forward to the last two years and I LOVE LIFE.
Going into this year’s trip, I’d already been praying for the group I’d mentor, asking God to let us connect and build genuine friendships. My role wasn’t just as a leader—it was as a friend. Watching my boys grow, seeing them realize how joy isn’t tied to possessions but to people, and watching them lean into vulnerability, allowing God to reshape them—these moments were priceless.
One of the most exciting moments on this trip was witnessing one of the boys I was mentoring give their life to God, telling me that “I truly gave my life to the Lord on the volleyball courts.” Moments like these are what spurs me on in to be bold in my faith: My mission is to be able to reach as many youth as possible with the hope that they can learn from my mistakes and not redo my past. I want to show them that life is so much better when God is at the center.
This year’s Youth Reachout trip was the highlight of my year, and that’s no exaggeration. There’s something incredible about seeing a group of strangers—connected only by their love for Jesus—turn into a family in just three weeks. We worshipped together, shared stories, and witnessed God’s work in each other's lives. Sharing the gospel with people in Fiji reminded me that while adventures, concerts, and nice things bring temporary excitement, true joy comes from loving God and connecting deeply with others.
God blessed me by letting me witness His work in these young lives, and I’ll carry these memories forever. Every Youth Reachout trip has taught me something new, but this year, I truly understood that life’s best joy comes from loving God, loving others, and sharing the journey.
Josh Mclay
