April 18, 2022

DENVER— As Russia continues their assault on Ukraine, Youth For Christ (YFC, www.yfc.net) is doing its part to help provide aid for those who have been displaced from their homes. Collectively, Youth For Christ USA has raised over $150,000 for YFC Ukraine relief. 100% of funds collected will be sent to YFC International’s European regional office for distribution, oversight, and stewardship. 

YFC’s initial goal was to raise resources to support 75 people over 3 months, understanding that $20 per day provides food and shelter for one YFC Ukraine staff or volunteer who is displaced in Slovakia. Beyond that, resources will go to support the rebuilding of youth ministry in Ukraine.

One YFC chapter, Greater Cleveland Youth For Christ, is going above and beyond to provide funds for Ukrainian relief.

YFC Cleveland Executive Director Jeff Thompson explained, “We at Greater Cleveland YFC have been blessed by God and wanted to give back to support the YFC International staff in Ukraine and somehow alleviate the suffering of the Ukrainian people in some small way. We only gave as God led us to and as he has blessed us. 

“Many of our staff here at Greater Cleveland YFC have been impacted by Ukraine. Brian Walls, Greater Cleveland YFC Director of Operations, has done 9 or 10 short-term mission trips to the Ukraine and his heart is deeply burdened for Ukrainians. Also, Pegi Powe, Greater Cleveland YFC Juvenile Justice Ministry Director, has two adopted daughters from Ukraine. She traveled there separately for each daughter and has stories of how the Lord worked to make a way to adopt her girls. Her heart is deeply burdened for Ukrainians as well.”

Thompson concluded, “Greater Cleveland YFC and all YFC staff across the country are praying for God’s will to be done and for peace in Ukraine.”

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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