Years after Young Life’s heyday in Laurens county in the '90's, former PC student Michael Vaughan is set to return the Christian-based group to the area. After moving to Nashville, Vaughan returned to South Carolina in ‘96, when he began working as a supervisor at Fuji Film in Greenwood. He volunteered with Young Life during the seven years he was at Fuji.

Then, in 2003, Vaughan became the Greenwood area director of Young Life. The group, which relies mainly on the efforts of volunteers to build relationships with high school students, is thriving in Greenwood. Vaughan wants to spread the success to Clinton.

“Young Life is a ministry-minded way to improve the Clinton community,” Vaughan said. “It’s a great way to benefit CHS students.”

According to Vaughan, Young Life volunteers “believe in spending time with high school students on their levels” and adds that the group offers a “no pressure way of sharing experiences” which will hopefully result in Young Lifers' opportunities to “share their faith with the students.”

Young Life in Clinton will again rely primarily on volunteer efforts, although Vaughan will help as the Greenwood area director. Vaughan is optimistic about Young Life’s chances to begin anew because, according to Vaughan, PC’s culture is one that promotes service.

“PC creates an atmosphere of volunteerism among students,” Vaughan said. “They understand that when you volunteer, you help others, and it does something inside you too. Something that God will use in my life to change and mold me.”

PC freshmen Anna Pardew and Jamie Poag have already committed to become volunteer leaders for Young Life in Laurens county.

Pardew, a religion and psychology double major, was involved with Young Life while in high school in Mooresville, NC. She is hopeful about the group’s return to Laurens county.

“It is a fun and exciting way to get to know students for a bigger purpose,” she said. “I really feel that Young Life is a great way to spread the gospel, and that is my passion and desire in working with Young Life in Laurens county.”

Poag, a Christian education and Spanish double major from Davidson, NC, knows how important such a group is in the area. She lived in Clinton until she was seven years old. Plus, her mother worked at CHS.

“I feel that the need for a Christian-based group, like Young Life, is really great,” she said. “I think it’s a really good opportunity to convey God’s love and teachings to the youth who do not necessarily get the weekly exposure at a church.”

Dr. Pete and Jennifer Partee of Laurens are also strongly involved in the effort. This past fall, they trained Pardew, Poag, and other PC students in the ways of  Young Life volunteering. Pete and Jen have been involved with Young Life since they were in high school in Greenville, SC and Durham, NC, respectively. When Dr. Partee moved to Laurens to begin his physician practice, they decided to help with the Laurens county chapter.

The group’s goal is to develop a strong presence at CHS and then to grow in other area high schools. Soon they’ll begin making contacts with area high schools and developing a plan to meet high school students.

“It will not be an easy task,” Pardew said, “but we just need to be willing servants to follow what we are called to do with this ministry.”