YFC Camp scholarship recipient turns to Christ after life changing experience at Camp

July 25, 2022

Denver— Youth For Christ (YFC, www.yfc.net) Camps are known around the country for their fun outdoor activities, relationship-building, and most importantly, their emphasis on Christ. YFC Camp is dedicated to raising up lifelong followers of Jesus by creating a transformational environment for young people through authentic relationships, shared experiences, outdoor challenges and times of solitude that draw students to the heart of God.

“The vision of YFC Camp is to provide an excellent experience through which Jesus Christ would forever alter the life of every person who comes to camp — that they in turn would be driven to alter the lives of those around them for Christ,” said YFC spokesperson Joe Beckler. “For so many kids, YFC Camp might be the first time they can connect with Christ followers their own age and learn about how they can have a loving relationship with God.”

YFC Camp provides a safe space away from the distractions of home, and for some students, the first time they hear the truth of the Gospel. For one student, Shaylee, a scholarship provided the means necessary to attend her first YFC Camp — and changed her life.

“I started going to YFC Camp when I was about 11 years old,” Shaylee stated. “I went just for fun since my brother said it was super fun. I didn’t know anything about God and honestly was just a rebel. When I went there, I met a lot of new people (who are my closest friends now). At Camp, you play a lot of games, go swimming, rock climb, and even zip line, which is my favorite part.

“There’s always a speaker, and the speaker is always amazing. I didn’t know anything about God when I first came to Camp, but by the end, I knew a lot about Him and wanted to learn even more, so I said ‘yes’ to God the last day of Camp! Now I am learning more about Him every day.”

Siouxland YFC Tri-City City Life Director Drew Curiel commented on Shaylee’s progression. “When I first met Shaylee, she was wild — you couldn’t really have a conversation with her. But she kept coming to Campus Life activities, and then YFC Camp and said ‘yes’ to Jesus. After Camp, she turned into a different person. She was still herself, but started getting serious with us and talk about her life and the struggles she faces. She has really good questions — deep questions that sometimes I don’t even know the answer to, but she and I figure it out together. Our relationship has gotten deeper as I’ve come to know her and her story, and I am so thankful for the experience she had at YFC Camp.”

Beckler said, “Our daily themes and messages cut to the heart of YFC’s mission — to reach young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus. It’s so powerful to hear how God is working in the lives of the campers, especially for kids like Shaylee who may not have been able to attend Camp without generous scholarship donations. Now her life is forever changed by the Gospel.”

To see a snapshot of what YFC camping and trips are like for young people, click here to watch an informative video.

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 Dr. 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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