Youth for Christ facts for kids

Youth For Christ (YFC) is a global Christian group that works with young people. Its main goal is to share the Christian message with teenagers. It started in New York City around 1940. Jack Wyrtzen held special Christian meetings, called rallies, for teens.

During World War II, these rallies became popular in other U.S. cities. Big crowds gathered in Chicago, led by Torrey Johnson. He became YFC’s first president in 1944. Johnson hired Billy Graham as YFC’s first employee. Many former YFC staff have started other Christian groups. These include the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and World Vision.

In 1962, the original Youth For Christ International became Youth For Christ USA. A new international group of YFC ministries was started in Switzerland. Today, YFC International gives permission to over 100 YFC groups around the world. Each group runs itself, but they all share the same goal. They want to reach young people everywhere. Leaders from these groups meet every three years.

History of Youth For Christ

How YFC Started: 1940s–1950s

Advertisement for Youth for Christ's 3-day campaign in Stockholm in April 1946.

Youth for Christ rallies first began in New York City in 1940. Jack Wyrtzen, a former salesman, organized them. The idea of these campaigns spread to other cities like Washington, D.C., and Detroit.

In 1944, Torrey Johnson, a minister from Chicago, held a big event called "Chicagoland for Christ." He became very good at organizing these campaigns. Johnson was chosen as YFC's first president. Billy Graham became its first full-time speaker.

After World War II, the movement grew to other countries. In 1945, leaders from across the U.S. met in Winona Lake, Indiana. They decided to form an international organization. The name "Youth for Christ International" was chosen in 1946.

By then, YFCI had about 300 groups in the U.S. and over 200 overseas. In 1946, about 350 people attended rallies on average. The biggest rally had 70,000 people at Soldier Field in Chicago. Fun events like Bible quizzing, now popular in many churches, started as YFC activities.

Billy Graham was YFCI's first full-time speaker. He took over a local radio show called Songs in the Night. This show helped promote the movement. Newspapers owned by William Randolph Hearst also helped spread the word. Large rallies were held at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

YFC's Growth: 1960s–1980s

In 1968, leaders from different countries met in Jamaica. They created the International Council of Youth for Christ. Dr. Sam Wolgemuth became its first International President. By then, YFC was active in over 100 nations.

Youth for Christ continued to grow throughout the 1970s and 1980s. New ways of doing ministry were created to reach young people worldwide. During this time, the current Youth for Christ logo was designed and adopted globally.

YFC in the 1990s and 2000s

In March 2000, the Youth for Christ organization met in Germany. Most of the leaders attended this meeting. Later that year, the worldwide YFC Staff and Leadership Conference was held in Denver, Colorado.

The Global Ministry Plan

In 2002, YFC leaders from around the world met in Hungary. They wanted to find ways for all YFC groups to work together on a global plan. After a week of talks, they created the idea for the Global Ministry Plan. This plan was shared and discussed throughout the YFC movement in 2002 and 2003.

After talking with most YFC nations, the Global Ministry Plan was approved. This happened at a meeting in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in September 2003. At this meeting, a new main goal was also adopted for the plan.

This goal states: "Youth for Christ reaches young people everywhere. We work with local churches and other groups. Our aim is to help young people become lifelong followers of Jesus. They will lead by living a godly life, loving God's Word and prayer, sharing Christ's love, and helping their community."

The British branch of YFC is now part of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services. This is because of its work helping young people grow and develop.

2008 General Assembly – Young Leader's Process

In September 2008, the Youth for Christ family met in South Africa. This was a special event. Over 350 young leaders from around the world joined the staff. A new program was started called The Young Leader Development and Empowerment Process. This program helps young people grow into leaders.

YFC Leadership

Dave Brereton is the current International Director of Youth for Christ. Jacob Bland is the 10th President and CEO of Youth For Christ USA.