Soft-sell Christianity doesn't sound like a formula for attracting today's so-called rebellious teenagers, but the thriving membership of Young Life in Bermuda shows otherwise.

Admittedly recovering from a lacklustre period in its local history -- it was established here in 1964 -- Young Life is now very much alive and well. To what, then, does it owe its renewed success? According to director Mr. Charles (Charly) Grant, it's all in how you present the message.

Despite its Christian orientation, Young Life's aim is not to create an army of zealots but to help teenagers achieve a balanced life with Christian principles.

"Our theme is volunteer leaders and staff meeting kids where they are, on their turf, and earning the right to share the gospel, so they not only hear the word but see it lived out in leaders' roles,'' Mr. Grant explained.

An ordained Baptist minister who is young enough to understand today's teens, the director says he knows full well that the majority of them do not want to be preached at or have religion shoved down their throats. Rather, they prefer good, all-round role models to whom they can relate.

"Our volunteer leaders come from various traditional religious backgrounds, so youngsters also get a broad way of looking at the Christian faith by human example. They can ask questions and be cared for,'' he said. Despite the Christian orientation, however, Mr. Grant stressed the organisation was non-denominational.

"Young Life is incarnational evangelism. It exists to reach out to those eight out of ten kids who need to hear the basics about family. We don't push any one church or denomination. It's not something where you put out a programme and say, `Okay kids, come to this big deal','' he said.

Activities are designed to nurture all facets of a member's life: intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual. Weekly meetings are held on Thursday evenings at the Camden north home of Mr. Francis (Goose) Gosling.

They usually consist of lively singing, humorous skits and entertainment, as well as a short talk about Christ and His relevance to the everyday life of a teenager. Membership is open to anyone aged 14-19, and there are no dues.

Young Life also interacts with other groups of youngsters in a fun way, the recent bowling night at the US Naval Air Station being an example.

Mr. Gosling, whom Mr. Grant described as "the patriarch'', established Young Life in Bermuda in 1964 following his return with 14 boys from a soccer tour of the US, which included a week's stay at Young Life's Frontier Ranch in Colorado.

From that early nucleus, youngsters joining Young Life and enjoying its camps in North America increased to such an extent that it became necessary to recruit a full-time director and volunteer helpers.

"Goose has been the anchor who made Young Life survive and flourish,'' Mr.

Grant said. "In fact, he has just been honoured with the Jim Rayburn (the US founder of Young Life) award for 30 years' voluntary service.'' Since 1972, the organisation established its headquarters at "Living Waters,'' a two-storey home on Pitts Bay Road, which is also the home of the director.

Camping trips to North America are a big part of Young Life's activities, and this year's group will be heading to Windy Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina for an action-packed week of fun.

"Young Life owns seven youth resorts, which are all first class facilities, with horseback riding, swimming pools, go-carting and so forth,'' Mr. Grant said. "They are all geared for high adventure.'' Each camp accommodates about 400 youngsters from around the world, and during the course of their week-long stay, in addition to the outdoor activities, they "get to hear the gospel in seven messages'' according to Mr. Grant.

"They see the gospel lived out in the lives of the leaders who brought them there,'' he said.

Teams of 150 high school and college students volunteer their services to staff the camps, which is how, Mr. Grant said, Young Life can provide such a fine camping experience at a reasonable cost.

Nevertheless, the youngsters still have to find the necessary funds, so throughout the year they organise a variety of fund-raising events, including operation of a food stall at the Agricultural Exhibition, bake sales and a "trashathon.'' The all-inclusive cost of this year's trip, which is from August 4-17 and includes various attractions in the Atlanta area, is $1195 excluding spending money and personal extras.

Mr. Grant says anyone interested in joining the trip should contact Young Life at 292-6365 as soon as possible "so we can get them involved in the fund-raising efforts''.

As a registered charity, Young Life receives a government grant for leadership training, which enables it to share its philosophy with other church and youth groups. Further support comes from businesses, churches, and individuals.

Apart from assisting at weekly meetings, the volunteer youth leaders spend from ten to 15 hours doing such things as talking about Young Life in schools, coaching and tutoring members, and helping the youngsters work on their bikes and teaching them to make kites.

"There is no substitute for a young man or woman being able to spend time with a Christian pal as a role model -- someone who is not necessarily preaching to them,'' Mr. Grant said. "It's important during their teen years to have someone other than their parents in whom they can confide.

"We can be a sounding board for some real soul-searching when kids are deciding which course to take. In the volunteers, Young Life provides a Christian adult who is going to listen to them and walk things through with them rather than them just relying on peer counsel.'' Mr. Grant was especially proud to note that Mr. Kevin Mahoney, a Bermudian who was in one of Mr. Gosling's first Young Life groups, was currently enrolled in a two-year Master's degree level seminary course offered through Fuller Theological Seminary in California.

"He is learning to be a Young Life area director,'' he said. "We want to be able to start having a pool of leaders here.'' Teens wishing to join Young Life need only turn up at Mr. Gosling's Paget home Thursdays at 7.30 p.m.

HAPPINESS IS . . . belonging to Young Life. The Bermuda branch of this international organisation is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, and aims to help teenagers lead a balanced life with a Christian influence.