YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ANNUAL REPORT 2021
YOUTH FOR CHRIST
GIV E L IF E TO YOUR STORY R
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“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path… some fell on rocky places… Other seed fell among thorns… Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – JESUS IN MATTHEW 13:3-9
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YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ANNUAL REPORT 2021
FROM OUR PRESIDENT Dear Friends, You’ve seen the “soil” that today’s youth are growing up in — full of anxiety, digital distractions, fear, and unprecedented challenges. But Christ isn’t afraid of rocky, thorny places; and neither are we. Many of the kids YFC serves often feel overlooked or marginalized because of their current circumstance: living in poverty, pregnant, isolated, deaf or hard of hearing, living with deployed military parents, or locked up in a juvenile detention facility. Sowing into the lives of under-served kids doesn’t appear to begin with fertile soil. But as we have seen for 78 years in YFC, Christ Himself miraculously tills the soil before us. Together, when we pursue kids in “earthy places,” the gospel inspires as it transforms. Life-long multiplication results. In the pages that follow, you’ll see that the soil isn’t static. A whole new generation of faithful sowers is being raised up, with a fresh calling and commitment to reach the “least and the lost.” Through over 1,335 ministry sites, we have ongoing opportunities to share the hope of Christ with hundreds of thousands of teens all across the USA. From Seattle to Miami… from Northern Maine to San Diego… our story is one of continued growth. Thousands of sowers, with the potential to sow millions of seeds every year. If you haven’t already, we invite you to join in helping to uncover God’s story of hope in the next generation. Bless you and thank you for your consideration.
Jacob D. Bland PRESIDENT/CEO
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YFC helps prepare the soil for young people ages 11-19 to hear God’s story of hope through authentic relationships, shared experiences, outdoor adventure, prayer opportunities, and more. COMMUNITY-BASED MINISTRY
CAMPUS-BASED MINISTRY
Our community-based ministries facilitate relational ministry rooted in Christ’s call to those who feel overlooked.
Our campus-based ministries reach 11-19 year olds on campuses throughout the country.
• City Life™ is a relational, holistically based ministry that desires to see deep change in urban neighborhoods by raising up leaders from within that community. • Parent Life™ connects pregnant and parenting young people with leaders that help these young people uncover God’s Story. • Juvenile Justice Ministry® strives to respond to the needs of young people in the juvenile justice system with Spirit-infused empathy. Our community-based ministries encompass over 430 ministry sites engaging relationships with thousands of young people.
Trusted guides and humble mentors are what kids are craving most today as they adjust to life after the pandemic. This is what we do in YFC. We take the time to get face-to-face with kids and introduce them to the Way, the Truth and the Life.
• Campus Life® serves middle school and high school students on campuses throughout the United States. While it is our largest ministry model, it is not the only campus-based ministry we have. • Campus Life Military® ministry reaches young people on military bases. • Deaf Teen Quest™ seeks to break down language barriers by building relationships with deaf and hard of hearing young people. Each of our 935 campus-based ministry sites reach a unique group of 11-19 year olds with very unique needs, but all of them involve young people on campuses in one way or another. No matter what the campus, we build meaningful relationships in which God can work in the life of a young person.
YFC CAMP™ • YFC Camp creates outdoor environments where God transforms the lives of young people. Throughout the camp experience, young people experience authentic relationships and life-changing moments. Shared experiences, outdoor challenges, and times of solitude, create opportunities for campers to encounter Jesus.
YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ANNUAL REPORT 2021
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“Only 10% of young people said a faith leader reached out to them during the pandemic.” 1 We aim to change that.
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PHOTO CREDIT: JESSICA MENCARELLI
YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ANNUAL REPORT 2021
GISEL Finding a safe community and a growing hunger for the gospel Gisel was 10 years old when she realized she didn’t know anything about Jesus. When she turned 14, she began attending Deaf Teen Quest™, YFC’s program, and it was here that she began to hear the gospel shared in her own language—American Sign Language (ASL). Over time, she began opening up to her leaders about how difficult her life had been. She came from a home that spoke Spanish and did not take time to learn ASL, which meant that they were not able to communicate with Gisel. Not only was she isolated at school, but she was isolated at home as well. This led to feelings of anger and resentment. As she began to find a safe community at YFC, she became hungry for the gospel. She asked her leaders questions and was excited to keep learning about Jesus. One day, Gisel was hanging out with one of her leaders baking cookies. While baking together, they had an incredible conversation about God and it was then that Gisel told her leader she was ready to dedicate her life to Jesus. Her faith has continued to grow since and she is passionate about her Lord and Savior. PHOTO CREDIT: YFC WEST MICHIGAN
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JOSÉ Young leader transformed by Christ, impacting his community Jose is a young leader influencing his peers for Christ, but in a very different setting. During his time in juvenile detention, a YFC mentor regularly shared God’s story of love and grace with him that radically changed his life. The Bible came alive to him and Jose felt compelled to share the gospel with other incarcerated youth in a way they could also understand…because he had walked in their shoes. So, he started a small group Bible study inside a juvenile facility, and soon half the pod was coming.
Scan QR code with your phone camera to learn more about Jose.
YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ANNUAL REPORT 2021
There is significant relationship opportunity for YFC. “Twice as many young people in Gen Z believe in a higher power’s existence, than those who doubt it.” 1 This time of “fertile soil” reminds us of Jesus’ words in Matthew 9:37, “the harvest is plentiful”.
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GET AN INSIDE LOOK AT
FAITHFUL SOWERS IN ACTION
“When we give ourselves to planting and nurturing love here on earth, our efforts will reach beyond our own chronological existence.” – HENRI NOUWEN
“51% of young people said “I don’t even know how to get connected to a faith community, even if I wanted to.” 1 That means we need to pursue them. We need to go to them. The harvest is plentiful!
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The YFC USA Leader Formation team serves leaders at every level of Youth For Christ across the movement by providing resources, relationships, and training experiences that nurture their personal relationships with Jesus and most effectively equip them to fulfill the mission of YFC. As the Leader Formation team looks forward, there is significant opportunity. By capturing the lessons learned during the pandemic, the new skills learned by pioneering in online delivery systems, the need for more collaborative thinking in the Kingdom, and by stewarding a heart for Christ-centered leaders, this team is excited to scale trainings and experiences to equip more leaders in the years to come.
YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ANNUAL REPORT 2021
BETHEL UNIVERSITY @ YFC Last fall we announced a new collaborative partnership with Bethel University (BU). Young people who join YFC’s staff or volunteer ranks can enroll at BU for an online program to earn a fully accredited associate’s or bachelor’s degree while serving in local ministry to kids.
MINISTRY LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Over 1,000 attended our virtual and in-person training for volunteer and staff ministry leaders who serve marginalized youth. Scan QR code to hear Jake’s closing message.
PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID JOHN GEIGER
XL SUMMIT Nearly 200 attended our virtual and inperson training for all executive leaders and board members nationwide. Scan the QR code to see the video showcase of event content.
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NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Our National Leadership Conference occurs every three years and provides for spiritual renewal, unifying vision, and celebrating progress toward our preeminent goal of engaging 1M lost 11-19 year olds every year.
NEW LEADER JOURNEY SYSTEM Our new YFC Leader Journey system is an all-digital tool designed to efficiently and effectively recruit, vet, onboard and train YFC Staff and Volunteers. It provides a jobs board, sleek digital employment and volunteer applications, automated reference checks, and integrated background checks. Once volunteers and staff are onboarded, it provides a digital learning experience called ‘myTrailhead’ that introduces new leaders to YFC’s mission, vision and guidelines for ministry and youth safety.
NEW WEBSITE | www.yfc.net Thanks to a generous technology grant, our new website is another example of how we are using technology to recruit a new generation of sowers. Please join us in praying for all those who will consider volunteering to reach the next generation!
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YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ANNUAL REPORT 2021
We honor courageous young leaders like Jessica who are investing in the next generation through our campus-based ministries.
Scan QR code with your phone camera to learn more about Jessica.
We celebrate our faithful volunteers like Bob, a retired police officer of 40 years, who goes above and beyond to reach youth in detention through our Juvenile Justice Ministry.
Scan QR code with your phone camera to learn more about Bob.
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”Nearly 70% of young people said that after the pandemic, they won’t take for granted the relationships around them the way they did before.” 1 YFC leaders everywhere are ready to invest in relationships with kids who need hope.
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YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ANNUAL REPORT 2021
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PHOTO CREDIT: YFC NORTHERN INDIANA
3Story® is a way of life that guides followers of Jesus to be good news as they share stories of The Good News. In YFC, it is how we live in relationships with God and others. The three circles represent: God’s story, my story and the stories of young people. When the circles overlap, it means friendship is growing, trust is building, transformation is happening.
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BEHIND EVERY NUMBER IS A NAME AND A STORY. Ministry Report | 2020-2021
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YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ANNUAL REPORT 2021
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ORGANIZATIONAL FINANCIALS NATIONAL AND LOCAL | FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021
REVENUE
EXPENSES
YFC National Service Center and Launch Chapters
$13,093,971
$11,125,582
Local Chapters
$78,856,811
$63,400,000
TOTAL
$91,950,782*
$74,525,582
*We are grateful for the generosity of our partners, who sustained us through a period of uncertainty AND the unexpected, one-time blessing of several federal relief programs. Your generousity helped to stabilize the ministry through the pandemic, even as it also fuels and propels our strategic growth plan to reach more kids. Thank you!
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2021 Springtide Research Report - Navigating Uncertainty - The State of Religion and Young People
YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ANNUAL REPORT 2021
AUDITED FINANCIALS
YFC NATIONAL SERVICE CENTER & LAUNCH CHAPTERS
ASSETS
NET ASSETS
Cash & Equivalent
$9,890,614
Unrestricted Net Assets
Receivables
$1,861,670
Restricted Net Assets
Property & Investments
$4,315,622
Total
Total
$11,078,456 $3,019,936 $14,098,392
$16,067,906
LIABILITIES
SUPPORT IN REVENUE
Accounts Payable
$195,613
Contributions
$9,310,475
Accrued Liabilities
$304,719
Service Income
$3,389,766
Other Liabilities
$1,469,182
Debts Total
$ 0
Other Income Total
$393,730 $13,093,971
$1,969,514
7% FUNDRAISING $788,707
EXPENSES
17% ADMINISTRATIVE $1,901,228
76% PROGRAM SERVICES $8,445,647
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YOUTH FOR CHRIST
GIV E LIFE TO YOUR STORY R
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FIND A CHAPTER
Scan the QR code or visit us online at yfc.net/find-a-chapter
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Youth For Christ/USA, Inc is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization in the USA, a charter member of Youth for Christ International, and one of over 100 Youth For Christ national programs around the world.
Local chapters are governed by boards of various sizes and are held to high standards of transparency and accountability. Launch Chapters are staff of YFC USA and are guided by local advisory boards.
PO Box 4478, Englewood, CO 80155 | 303-843-9000 | www.yfc.net