Ken Wright was born on May 1, 1930, and joined Young Life staff in 1953. Throughout his many years of service, Wright served Young Life in a variety of roles beginning in Pasadena, Calif., eventually becoming an area director, regional director and an international advisor for the Amicus Exchange Program. He died on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 2006, at the age of 76.

Wright began his relationship with Jesus Christ the summer following his sophomore year of college. From that moment, he began a journey that would touch the hearts of people all over the world. While serving in Pasadena, Wright’s Young Life club grew to 300 kids; and his smaller Campaigners Bible study impacted a group of guys who went on to various types of ministry.

Wright and his wife, Marilyn, were married in 1956. Their partnership became an inspiration to those around them, said Bob Reeverts, a longtime friend who worked with Wright to reach international exchange students. “Ken and Marilyn modeled a strong marriage relationship which has been an inspiration to young people,” Reeverts said.

Vice President of Human Resources Margie Atkinson, another longtime friend and colleague of Wright, called him “the consummate encourager.” To Wright, it was important that Young Life leaders were encouraged in their ministry to kids. He initiated the area audit program, which was designed to shape areas according to the gifts of their leaders, maximizing their ministerial potential.

Wright also developed the College Prep camp program to encourage and equip college-bound Young Life kids for the challenges of living out their faith on campus. “It was fabulous,” said Susan Anderson, who attended camp at the Malibu Club to participate in the program. “It gave you the skills you needed to step outside your comfort zone.”

Early on, Wright developed a heart for foreign exchange students. He was one of the first to focus the mission on international kids, said Dave Phillips, a former staff member who worked with Wright in St. Paul, Minn. Wright’s international endeavors eventually took him and his wife to Europe where Wright served for several years aiding and directing training efforts for international areas.

After serving in Europe, Wright continued his passion for international work at the Young Life Service Center in Colorado Springs. “One of the things I admired so much about Ken, and one of the reasons I wanted him in Colorado Springs with me, is that he’s so creative,” said Bill Starr, former president of Young Life.

Among other things, Wright channeled his creative energies through the Amicus Exchange Program, which seeks to bring exchange students to the United States to live with Young Life-connected families. Wright also brought his Young Life sensibilities and passion for international kids to his local Rotary club where he helped organize social opportunities for local exchange students.

Wright’s passion for international kids continued throughout the remainder of his ministry, often leading him to supporting roles within the mission. He quickly became known for a remarkable ministry of prayer, Reeverts  said. “He was very happy to work behind the scenes. He didn’t have to have credit; a lot of times he worked hard to give the credit away.”

In his last years, and even months, Wright was a regular at the Service Center. There he continued to pursue his calling to kids, occasionally dropping e-mails to his friends, just to let them know that they occupied his prayers.

Wright leaves a legacy of Christlikeness that touched all who knew him. He is survived by his devoted wife, Marilyn; his children, Kerri, Lori and Mitch, and six grandchildren.