April 19, 2021
DENVER, Colo.— Recent headlines depict a lonely scene for our nation, and experts believe that the loneliness issue has actually increased during COVID-19. Recognizing the importance of combating loneliness felt – as well as belonging – before and during the pandemic, Youth For Christ (YFC) staff and volunteers consistently meet with young people who need Jesus, walk alongside them, and keep them connected.
“YFC provides a place to share your story, from young people to adults, we all need caring people in our lives,” said Dan Wolgemuth, president and CEO of Youth For Christ. “YFC is a ministry that provides care for the students, as well as the caring adults who show up to volunteer and lead ministry to the overlooked kids in the community.
“But God, in His mercy and grace, propelled our mission into the difficult places that young people were confronted with. Isolated. Distanced. Overlooked … but pursued. Our team didn’t give up. Even in the face of discouragement. Love unmasked. Generosity unleashed.”
For example, YFC has maintained its front-line presence pre-lockdown, during lockdown and post lockdown, to ensure that young people in communities across the nation have a caring adult who can provide a bag of groceries, a wellness check, or even a simple encouraging text message.
At YFC New York City, the ministry continues to reach teens in detention centers through art and other spiritual support. Many of the youth in detention centers could be just one caring adult away from turning the corner. When Christ-centered caring adults show up and believe in students, they are providing a spark that could change the tide in a student’s life.
Likewise, YFC Houston has coordinated meals for the staff of detention centers so that the adults who are serving kids can feel encouraged during difficult seasons of loneliness.
Youth For Christ haschapters impacting thousands of communities across the nation that seek out and serve youth from all walks of life. Many teens are silently struggling through a variety of challenging issues—and now they see the living power of a loving God.
YFC 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 in order 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 more than 160 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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To interview a Youth For Christ representative, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Jeff Tolson, 610.584.1096, ext. 108, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.
