Denny Rydberg became Young Life’s fifth president in 1993. During Denny’s tenure Young Life has grown from just under 1,700 ministries to more than 5,450 ministries in the U.S. and 90 countries around the world. The number of kids involved has grown exponentially and the number of Young Life camps has tripled to more than thirty.
Before joining Young Life, Denny served as director of university ministries at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle, Washington. In addition, the author of ten books has served as the vice president of Youth Specialties, director of operations for Inspirational Films and the editor of The Wittenburg Door. He has ministered as chaplain for the University of Washington basketball team and the Seattle Supersonics. Denny and (his wife) Marilyn, have also been involved in the LPGA Fellowship — a ministry to women professional golfers on the LPGA tour.
Denny graduated from Seattle Pacific University and attended graduate school at Western Washington University. He was named SPU Alumnus of the year in 2000. Denny and Marilyn have four children and a growing number of grandchildren.