Jack and Peggy Lesch — Alumni Service to Young Life Award 2023

By Jonathan Schultz

In the words of Emily Mahoney, campaign director for Young Life Military — Club Beyond, “Jack & Peggy Lesch are so deserving of the Alumni Service to Young Life Award! Their remarkable journey of service spanning over five decades, their spiritual leadership through prayer, and their impactful role on the Marching Forward Executive Campaign Committee exemplify everything this award is about. Their dedication, perseverance and selflessness have significantly contributed to the growth and success of the ministry, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire us all. They are truly salt of the earth, gospel patrons.”

Jack and Peggy have a long history of involvement with Young Life, starting over five decades ago while they were located in the Houston area and were involved as teenagers. Jack was first introduced to Young Life when he was invited by Larry Wood to attend Frontier Ranch following his sophomore year at Memorial High School in Houston. The year was 1965 and there was no Young Life in Houston at that time, but Jack went to camp, heard the messages that Bob Mitchell delivered and began a relationship with Jesus that week. By Jack’s senior year, Young Life club was established at his school through the leadership of Brent Johnson, a Young Life staff person in Wichita, Kansas, who was working to develop a committee in Houston. Following graduation, Jack headed to college at Southern Methodist University, while the Young Life work in Houston continued to grow and expand, as it does to this very day.

Meanwhile, Peggy got involved in Young Life her senior year at Memorial High School. It was after Campaigners one night that she realized the kids who were there prayed like they knew who they were praying to. She went home that night and gave her life to Christ. After graduation she went on to the University of Texas. Though Jack and Peggy first met in fourth grade in 1958, they didn’t reconnect until 1967; the two were married in 1972. While Jack was going to medical school in Houston, Peggy volunteered in a Young Life club in Houston. Fast forward over fifty years and today they have two daughters and seven grandchildren.

Today, living in Dallas, Texas, the Lesch’s have built quite a list of volunteer accomplishments. Here are few fun facts of their involvement over the years:

  • Donors to different Young Life entities since around 1977
  • Young Life committee in Montgomery County for a couple of decades
  • Young Life Latin America committee with Brent Johnson (their old leader from Houston)
  • Young Life Costa Rica support team for Dave and Sharon Collins
  • Young Life Latin America committee with Joe Walters
  • Served on work crew for a Latin America Area Director School in the Dominican Republic
  • Young Life Military Executive Campaign Committee, chairing the prayer effort for Club Beyond
  • Served at military family camp at LoneHollow for Club Beyond three times
  • Served at a Young Life Crossroads retreat for Club Beyond staff in Germany

In the words of former Young Life staff person and dear friend, Joe Walters, “I cannot think of a more deserving couple to receive this award and recognition. Every place they have intersected with Young Life, good things seem to happen. The Lord has used and continues to use this faith-filled, humble couple to expand his Kingdom. I read a quote recently that aptly describes Jack and Peggy, ‘Soul shaped as I am by the company I keep.’ ​ My soul has been shaped by keeping company with Jack and Peggy. A host of others would be saying the same thing.”

It is an honor and a privilege to celebrate the ongoing service of Jack and Peggy Lesch, while joining them in giving glory to God. Jack and Peggy, thank you for being exemplary models and inspiring us all to greater acts of service and good deeds. We are grateful for your ongoing efforts on behalf of adolescents, Jesus and the Young Life mission!