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Our Story |
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Since 1944, Youth for Christ has had a distinctive history of youth evangelism.
In the early 1940s, during World War II, many young men, mostly ministers and
evangelists, were holding large rallies in Canada, England, and the United
States. As the hunger for God’s Word grew it became evident that there needed to
be someone to coordinate this movement, providing leadership strategy, and
coordinating speakers, musicians, and locations. Beginning in dozens of cities
at the end of World War II, YFC quickly organized into a national movement.
Billy Graham became YFC’s first full-time staff member.
Starting with Saturday night youth rallies in the late 1940s and early 1950s,
YFC’s ministry methodology turned to Bible Clubs in the late 50s and 60s. It was
in this period of ministry that the concept of teen to teen evangelism was
birthed. Then in the middle sixties and early seventies Campus Life and Campus
Life/JV ministries to senior and junior high youth began to be the thrust of YFC
ministry. Since that time there have been several ministry models that have been
created. Youth Guidance became an avenue in reaching at-risk and
institutionalized young people. Teen Moms developed to mentor and equip young
mothers with parenting skills as well as the love of Jesus Christ. Urban
Ministries reach the missions of young people in our major urban communities,
partnering with the church and other organizations. Ministries are tailored to
reach youth in urban, suburban, and rural settings.
In addition, the YFC sponsored DC/LA Student Evangelism SuperConferences, held
every three years, challenge and equip thousands of young people from hundreds
of youth groups to effectively impact their schools for Christ.
YFC/USA is a chartered program of Youth for Christ International. Over 1,861
paid staff members and 16,571 volunteers serve in over 100 countries around the
world. As a part of the YFC/USA commitment to serve the world, we offer Project
Serve, which provides overseas short-term mission opportunities. In addition,
well over 100 YFC staff members from the U.S. have ministry assignments with YFC
programs in other nations as part of YFC/USA’s World Outreach Division.
Throughout YFC’s history there has been an unwavering commitment to youth
evangelism and biblical Christianity. One of YFC’s slogans over the past 50
years has been “Anchored to the Rock, Geared to the Times”—the message of the
gospel will never change and YFC is flexible to creatively communicate this
message of hope, grace and love in the context of different cultural settings.
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