There’s something powerful about showing up — not just once, but again and again.
That’s what Odysseus Wallace, Area Director of Young Life in Sumner County, believes changes lives.
Big O, as the students call him, joined us on A Good Pour to talk about the work of Young Life, what it means to earn the right to be heard, and why consistency might be the most important gift we can offer young people today.
“He Just Kept Showing Up”
Odysseus grew up in Louisiana, where faith was more of a rule than a relationship. It wasn’t until Hurricane Katrina displaced his family to North Carolina that his story took a new turn.
One day, a college student named Ben Wright walked into his high school — and didn’t stop showing up.
He remembered names, asked questions, and invited Odysseus and his friends to something called Young Life Club — a “party with a purpose.”
At first, Odysseus thought it was strange. But over time, that steady presence broke down his walls.
“Ben showed me what unconditional love looked like,” he said. “He didn’t just invite me to church — he showed me how to be a man.”
That experience changed everything.
Today, Big O is doing the same thing for students across Sumner County.
“Earning the Right to Be Heard”
If you’ve been to a high school football game around here, you’ve probably seen Young Life leaders standing along the fence — cheering, talking, and waiting for kids to come to them.
That’s intentional.
“They have to know we’re consistent before they’ll trust us,” Odysseus said.
“It might take saying hi four times before they say it back. But when they do, that’s a win.”
Young Life’s approach is simple and deeply human: meet students where they are — at school, on the field, or in the middle of life’s mess — and show them that they are seen and loved.
It’s not about reaching church kids.
It’s about reaching every kid.
Especially the ones who might never set foot inside a church.
The Best Week of Their Lives
Ask any teenager who’s gone to Young Life camp, and they’ll tell you: it’s the best week of their life.
No phones. No pressure. No pretending.
Just laughter, adventure, and honest conversations about faith.
At camp, kids from different schools share cabins, meals, and stories. They talk about what’s real.
And maybe for the first time, someone listens — really listens.
“I think that’s what makes it powerful,” Odysseus said.
“Kids today are carrying so much — pressure to perform, to please, to be perfect. Sometimes they just need someone to listen, not fix it.”
“Admit You’re Not Okay”
In the last year, Odysseus has faced more than most — a move, the loss of both parents, and another baby on the way.
When I asked how he keeps going, he said something honest and beautiful:
“The first step is being willing to admit you’re not okay.”
He talked about the importance of counseling, of asking for help, and of allowing others to check in.
“We’re not superheroes,” he said. “We pour out so much, but we have to be willing to let people pour back in.”
That kind of vulnerability — from someone who leads with strength and faith — is exactly what makes Big O’s work so meaningful.
What Young Life Needs
Young Life is growing in Sumner County, but there’s still more to be done.
Right now, they’re in three high schools — down from five — and hoping to expand again.
What they need most are volunteers and donors.
- Volunteers who will show up, listen, and build relationships with students.
- Donors who will help fund camps, staff, and resources to keep this good work going.
As Big O said, “It’s not about giving money and walking away. It’s about investing in something that changes lives.”
The Good Work
When asked why this work matters so much, Odysseus didn’t hesitate:
“I wouldn’t be who I am today if Ben hadn’t walked into that high school and said hello.
Now I get to do the same thing for someone else.”
That’s what good work looks like.
Showing up. Listening. Loving without conditions.
And in Big O’s words, “Doing it all together — as one Kingdom.”
If you’d like to learn more about Young Life in Sumner County or get involved, reach out at younglife.org or connect with Odysseus Wallace on social media.
Because sometimes, the smallest hello can change the whole story.