Jessie Oliver

Fueled by her love for Jesus and kids, Jessie came on staff with Young Life Costa Rica in September 2006, and served in many roles during her almost 18 years on staff. ​ Sometimes referred to as “todo terreno” (all-terrain), Jessie was up for any role she was tasked with, and would go anywhere the Lord led her. This could mean leading ministry in international schools, serving as a WyldLife area director, running the year-long staff intern program, caring for babies at many YoungLives camps, walking the neighborhoods where nobody else wanted to go, and loving kids from every branch of Young Life. Beyond local ministry, she also hosted numerous Expedition (short term missions) teams, and most recently served Young Life Nicaragua in the area of communications.

Her friends can’t say enough about their dear sister in the Lord:

“Jessie was up for any challenge, adventure, and gathering. She was a fierce lover of people, a follower of Jesus, a fighter for justice, and a faithful friend. Our family loved her dearly and we each experienced being dearly loved by her.” ~Michelle Suwyn

“She will be remembered as a friend to all, kind, compassionate, pure joy, her laughter rings through, always ready to play a game, walk the beach, hike the Tres Cruces for her birthday, FaceTime for hours on end, and even when life was hard, she had space for my hard too.” ~Jen Boddyn

“Jessie was such a constant and a place of peace and joy in so many people’s lives. She was intentional, joy-filled, compassionate, competitive, patient, extroverted, thoughtful, radiant, selfless, persistent, and faithful. She lived such a full life and her love for Jesus was evident to all who knew her.” ~Jenn Miedema

Her passion for lost kids can be found in a story Jessie once shared with her ministry team of donors and prayer partners:

“On a recent hike with one of my Young Life girls, she disclosed, ‘There is no place where I feel completely safe right now. Not at home, not in my neighborhood, not at school.’ I took a few more steps, letting the truth of that incredible pain and vulnerability sink into my mind and heart. ‘Wow, that sounds really overwhelming and exhausting,’ I replied. ‘who are the safe people in your life right now?’

‘Well, there’s you.’

“These kinds of conversations break my heart, but also strengthen my conviction that what Young Life leaders do every day really matters. Walking alongside my middle and high school friends, creating spaces where they feel safe, loved, and accepted is the privilege of my life.”

Jessie is survived by her daughter, Valeska, parents Bill and Ellie, brother and sister-in-law Jeremiah & Katie Oliver, and other extended family.