WS Chronicle

DENVER, Colo. – A recent study by the American Bible Society indicated that 9% of Generation Z (identified as those born after 1996) identify themselves as being “biblically centered.” The study revealed that half of American adults claim to utilize the Bible at least four times a year, and 49% of millennials (those born between 1981-1996) claim to be “Bible users,” illustrating the drastic distance between millennials and Gen Z-ers.

Youth For Christ (YFC, www.yfc.net) wants to bridge that gap and these statistics make their mission even more urgent. YFC aims to reach young people all across the nation, partnering with local churches to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who exemplify the Christian faith daily and have a passion for spreading the Gospel. Something YFC learned early on, however, is that it is increasingly difficult to reach Gen Z using traditional evangelism methods. Gen Z Christians are turning to less orthodox approaches, utilizing TikTok and other social media platforms to spread the Good News. But more importantly, Gen Z responds favorably to relationships.

President and CEO Jake Bland said, “YFC is a movement that builds relationships with young people to introduce them to Christ and uncover God’s story of hope in their lives. We meet with today’s youth and foster relationships with them, learning their stories and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts—anything from navigating a new school, spending time in a juvenile institution, or wanting to learn how to share the hope of Jesus with their peers.”

It’s a system that’s produced fruit time and time again. YFC East Alabama recently began collecting backpacks and Bibles for local youth to help connect them to Christ, and YFC Portland hosted a prom for students who were unable to attend one due to the pandemic. YFC firmly believes that by putting together events and campaigns like this, they will continue to foster meaningful relationships with local youth, all while pointing back to Christ. YFC understands the complexities of young people and how they often feel overlooked, and it’s YFC’s passion to make them feel seen, heard, and valued.

YFC has chapters 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 approximately 140 chapters that impact communities across America.

Learn more about Youth For Christ at its website, www.yfc.net, Facebook and Instagram pages, Twitter feed @yfcusa or on Vimeo.