Greater Omaha YFC is working to bring the truth to light by building Christ-centered communities in Omaha

February 14, 2022

OMAHA, Neb. — Youth For Christ (YFC, www.yfc.net), a pillar of mission ministry since 1944, is building Christ-centered communities by coming alongside youth during the pivotal moments of their lives. Specifically, Greater Omaha YFC, one of YFC’s over 130 chapters, is reaching youth in Omaha with the Gospel by supporting students during their times of struggle.

Omaha Northwest Campus Life Director Ed “Tank” King reaches young people through coaching football, which allows him to earn players’ trust and show them the love of Jesus on a daily basis.

Tank explained, “My favorite part of YFC is building relationships. You can’t speak into students’ lives unless you build those relationships. One way I build relationships with students is through coaching football.”

During a recent practice, one of his players, Paul, expressed his sadness over the loss of his grandmother. Tank had built a relationship as his coach and earned a place in his life to speak truth and love into his situation. Tank recalled this opportunity: “I was there not just to coach football but to show him the love of Jesus. My heart was for him and everyone on the team to know that they are loved by Jesus. I was so excited in that moment and to be a part of his pain at that time and help him.”

Tank was able to pray with Paul during practice and walk alongside him through his loss, sharing the love of Jesus. As the football coach, he earned the players’ trust by being a constant positive figure in their lives. This allows him to be there when his players are going through critical moments, such as Paul’s loss of his grandmother. Having a heart for youth and showing up in the day-to-day moments where they are needed most allows YFC to have a voice in students’ lives and ability to share the Gospel.

YFC chapters impact thousands of communities across the nation, seeking out and serving youth from all walks of life. Young people are silently struggling through a wide variety of challenging issues—and through the YFC ministry God empowers, they see the living power of a loving God. YFC trains its leaders in a proven, relational ministry model called 3Story®, which encourages staff and volunteers to be good news while also sharing the stories of the Good News of Jesus. It involves building relationships through the ups and downs of everyday life to lead people to Christ. 

YFC has been a pillar of missional ministry since 1944, when the Rev. Billy Graham served as YFC’s first full-time staff member. Since then, Youth For Christ has continued to be both a rural and urban ministry on mission, and it is always about the message of Jesus. YFC reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement. Youth For Christ operates in over 100 nations and has over 130 chapters that impact communities across America. 

Visit the Youth For Christ media page here. Learn more about Youth For Christ at its website, www.yfc.net, Facebook and Instagram pages, Twitter feed @yfcusa or on Vimeo. 

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