running together

*Names have been changed for the protection of students

As a cross country coach at Saline High School, I get to build relationships with girls on the team by running with them at practice. One day, in the fall of 2024, I was on my way to practice and got stuck in insane traffic. Apparently Joe Biden was in town? So I was completely rerouted and late to practice. I was mad, knowing the girls would’ve left for their run by the time I arrived. I was right, except one girl, Katie, had also been held up by something at school. “Will you run with me?!” she asked. “Of course!” I replied. That was how the Lord put Katie on my heart. 

The Lord then gave me the opportunity to tell Katie about Young Life, and in January 2025, I started praying that a year from then, Katie would call me her Young Life leader. On a particular day that month, I showed up to practice with a mission of inviting Katie to Young Life. But next thing I knew, I was running a few extra miles by myself after practice, regretting that I hadn’t invited her. I was still close to the school, and Katie drove past me as she was leaving practice. I thought, “Welp, there goes my chance.” But the Lord is faithful, and Katie drove a full circle around the roundabout she was entering to come back and talk to me. So as she was pulled over on the side of the road, I invited her to Young Life.

Now, in January of 2026, I can confidently say I am Katie’s Young Life leader. She has had fun at Young Life club and gives me all her life updates on our runs. Not only have I gotten to support her as a runner, but I’ve been able to show up for her in other areas of her life, like going to her dance performance. And the most exciting part is that we talk about Jesus and study the Bible. I am amazed by the way the Lord has worked through traffic jams and roundabouts to get Katie and I to a Starbucks table reading His Word together. 

— Jenna Bishop, Saline High School Leader