In 1953, Young Life acquired the Malibu Club, a resort at the junction of the Princess Louisa and the Jervis Inlets. While this is undoubtedly one of the most majestic places on earth, it is also a place where winters can be harsh and take their toll. Over the past 58 years, the buildings have deteriorated to the point that many need to be either demolished, or extensively renovated.
In 1998, a new capital campaign was begun to reset the Jewel of the Inlet. Millions of dollars have been raised and invested in restoring critically important infrastructure. A hydroelectric station was installed to replace the diesel generators and quadruple power capacity. New wells were drilled to improve the reliability of the water supply. A UV purification system was put in place to ensure water safety, and a sewage treatment plant was installed in order to satisfy the requirements of the local principalities. In addition, steps were taken to increase the potential for winter usage by building or renovating and winterizing key structures such as the dining hall, snack bar, gym, assignment team housing, and kitchen.
The opportunity before us now is to focus on the guests. Over 100,000 high school kids have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a meaningful way at Malibu, yet the club room falls desperately short in both safety and presentation standards. Cabin time is one of the most critical environments for kids to process what they’ve heard and experienced about Christ’s love for them, yet the dorm rooms in Sitka, Nootka, and Lillooet aren’t fit to host these discussions. Even the journey to and from Malibu, where people begin to anticipate the special week that may be in store for them, and then celebrate their experience on the way home, is adversely affected by a ship that is past her prime, and a waypoint that is woefully inadequate.
We would like to invite you to help us make Malibu ready for the next half century. We have a bold, perhaps even aggressive, vision for what can happen at Malibu over the next year. This is a God-sized dream, and the results will reverberate for generations to come. Would you care to join us?