Jeff and Kris Jones didn’t meet in Young Life; rather, they each had a separate Young Life story that, like two tributaries combining to create a river, became a powerful source in the context of marriage and ministry.

Kris was introduced to Young Life in Amarillo, Texas, when her parents helped start the Young Life committee there and hired Tom Wilson as their first area director (Tom went on to become a Young Life vice president). The year was 1970 and Kris was a junior in high school. Raised in a Christian home, Kris appreciated Young Life as a place that she could “grow closer to Christ and could invite friends from school.” “Many of my friends had never heard of a personal relationship with Jesus,” Kris remembers. “For me, this was an opportunity to minister to them and it didn’t just change their lives, it positively impacted our school.” Kris continues, “We held club and Campaigners at my house often; in fact, at times there were so many kids coming that we had to open the windows so kids could lean in to hear! One ‘class challenge night,’ we had 600 kids!”

Meanwhile, Jeff was a Memphis, Tennessee, high school kid going to club. At a Young Life ski camp, gospel seeds were planted, but it wasn’t until he was attending the University of Tennessee that Jeff says he really began following Jesus. According to Jeff, it was the quality of the Young Life staff and leaders that really impressed him and led him to become a Young Life leader during his junior and senior years.

The two met when Kris was sent to UT-Knoxville by Campus Crusade for Christ, where she was on staff. They met at church in a singles class and eventually married in 1983. A year later, Kris was hired as Knoxville Young Life’s area secretary for Steve Chesney (himself a 45-plus year Young Life staffer and currently the Tennessee regional director). A year later, she left Young Life staff to have their first child, but Kris and Jeff immediately joined the local committee. The year was 1985, and it was the first of 36 years that Kris and Jeff would serve on committee.

Over the next several years, Kris and Jeff would have three girls, all of whom were involved with Young Life —attending club, camp and Campaigners and serving on work crew. One daughter was a Clemson Young Life leader who married another Young Life leader and served on committee in South Carolina. Another married a former Auburn leader. Ultimately, all three married men who love Young Life, having been deeply involved as kids, campers or leaders. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the Jones clan to host multiple tables at the annual Young Life banquet. In Jeff’s words, “It’s a multi-generational legacy!”

In the words of Knoxville, Tennessee, committee chair, Chris Boyer, “Kris and Jeff have been an example of exceptional and unselfish dedication to Knoxville Young Life for nearly 40 years in various roles. They have been Young Life leaders, committee members for 36 years, banquet chairs, led countless small groups for leaders, team parents, donors, have been faithful prayer warriors, and have hosted many functions at their home.”

Jeff even joined Young Life staff in 2011 for two years, contributing to the development effort alongside Tim Teague and serving as an area developer in Greenville and Hendersonville (TN). Jeff also initiated the annual Knoxville Young Life clay shoot fundraiser, an event that has benefited the area’s financial need greatly, in 2021 raising $23,000 in campership funds.

When asked why they have given so much of themselves to Young Life over the years, both Jeff and Kris are quick to point out, “We have received so much more than we have given!” Kris goes on to say, “Young Life is a place that God is moving and working, the joy has been ours.” Jeff adds, “We have been so inspired by leaders and staff and all of the kids involved. Over the years, we also got to see the beginning of Capernaum ministry, YoungLives and Urban Young Life which has been so awesome for Knoxville!”

Jeff and Kris, thank you for your incredible four-plus decades of service to Young Life. To borrow a few words from you, we have “received so much” from you, the “joy has been ours” and you have “inspired us” in so many ways. We are proud to honor you as our 2021 Alumni Service to Young Life Award recipients!