who we are
We are followers of Jesus who seek to share Jesus with the next generation!
Youth for Christ, founded in 1944 with Billy Graham as its first employee, is a multi-national organization focused on sharing the Gospel with teens age 11 to 19.
The Western Illinois chapter was founded in 1993 by faithful Christians in our area. We have ministry sites in Bushnell and Macomb, with various programs that welcome all teens regardless of background or hometown.
We have a both team of dedicated staff and a growing family of amazing volunteers who make this ministry possibly! We are completely non-profit and depend on our local church family to support this mission.
Mission statement
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 prayer and the Word of God, passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement.
vision statement
As part of the body of Christ, the vision of Youth For Christ is to see every young person in every people group in every nation have the opportunity to make an informed decision to become a follower of Jesus Christ and become a part of a local church.
Statement of faith
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Christ.
Five essentials
Widespread Prayer - We deliberately engage lots of Christians to intercede on behalf of the ministry site.
Loving Relationships - We consistently pursue lost kids & engage them in life-long relationships with Jesus.
Faithful Bible Teaching - We accurately handle Biblical truth, regularly coaching kids to apply it in their lives
Collaborative Community Strategy - We intentionally work together with local churches, agencies and other partners to provide sustainable youth and family ministry.
Adults Who Empower - We strategically develop leaders to reach young people from every people group.
"3Story®" Relationships - Our Way of Life
Youth for Christ staff and volunteers are encouraged and trained to live a 3Story life: A way of life that guides followers of Christ to BE good news while telling stories of THE Good News. It is a way of seeing how the relationships we have with other people and God can be connected and grown. 3Story is not an evangelism tool or method, it is who we want to be and how we want to live. In YFC, 3Story is our living operating system. Our hope is that it becomes our DNA.For more information about 3Story, visit www.3story.org
our cultural attributes
Our cultural attributes are the standards by which we will be measured as leaders while employed by Youth for Christ. These attributes are not just our mandates, they come from God as the standard for reflecting His character and for loving one another well.
In obedience to God — with organizational solidarity and unity — we declare that we seek to be . . .
Christ Centered
Biblically calibrated. Missionally focused. Vigorously pursued. Preeminently important.
A Christ Centered life and mission will be marked by...
Enduring Humility
Consistent. Transparent. Resilient. Prayerful.
Relentless Trust
Determined. Generous. Vulnerable. Grace filled.
Joyful Camaraderie
Selfless. Collaborative. Missional. Delighted.
Courageous Faithfulness
Brave. Balanced. Unleashed. Sustainable.
Kingdom Inspired Diversity
Intentional. Authentic. Indigenous. Empowered.