YFC Announces Innovative Collaboration

‘Christ is Glorified Through Kingdom Partnerships, and Collectively We Get to Invest in the Next Generation’

DENVER, Colorado— Youth For Christ, a staple in the missional ministry community in America for 77 years, is pleased to announce a new collaborative partnership with Bethel University in Indiana. Beginning in the fall of 2022, through one of their many youth outreach ministries, young people who join YFC’s staff or volunteer ranks will be able to enroll at Bethel University for an online program to earn a fully accredited associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

Through this partnership, interns, staff and volunteers serving with Youth For Christ will be able to earn a college degree while continuing to stay involved with YFC’s various ministries and outreaches. In fact, by continuing to work with YFC, the student can apply their experience with the organization as college credit in this program. For YFC, this allows younger leaders to stay connected with mentors, engaging the next generation and pursuing higher education at the same time.

This unique collaboration began when YFC President and CEO Jacob Bland considered the possibility that there was more that the organization could be doing to cultivate new, young leaders. Bland stated, “We started thinking about the unique role we could play nationally to help broker partnerships that enhance YFC’s mission locally, as well as advance Christ’s great commission beyond YFC. Furthermore, we began to look at each objective in our strategic plan and ask if there’s a right collaborative partnership out there that could help catapult the mission to new heights, new growth, and honor God. What’s clear to me is that God even uses conditions like a pandemic to push organizations to dream bigger and ask, ‘How can we find shared wins and better position YFC as generous partners in the Kingdom?’”

Time spent in thought and prayer led to YFC’s new partnership with Bethel University, a widely respected private university with Christian roots that offers over 50 areas of study in undergraduate and graduate degree programs. This innovative collaboration will provide opportunities for YFC’s young leaders to achieve a college degree at a discounted rate, opening doors for some students who previously could not afford the luxury of higher education.

Bethel University’s Interim President Barbara K. Bellefeuille stated, “Bethel University has had a rich connection to Youth For Christ for many years. YFC’s decision to provide their already superbly trained staff with the opportunity to continue their work while earning a college degree from Bethel University—well that’s just brilliant!  Bethel University gains motivated, missional students who will continue to transform every community group they touch for Christ. We couldn’t be happier to further our support of Youth For Christ, and we look forward to how God will use this path to raise up many future YFC staff members.”

This announcement follows Bland’s recent declaration of his five-year vision for YFC leadership, in which he urges YFC management to invest in future leadership and culture to engage one million kids for Christ. Bland stated, “This is our pivotal moment to serve the church by creatively re-imagining youth ministry yet again. I believe the cultural conditions are right for us to experience the greatest youth revival our generation has ever seen. God has given us the right team to do this—and His hand is clearly on our mission.

“Our strategic plan calls for an investment in our leaders. And I pray that this partnership with Bethel University will help usher in an era of doing just that. There’s been evidence that the Lord has been in this from the very beginning. Christ is glorified through Kingdom partnerships, and collectively we get to invest in the next generation.”

To interview a Youth For Christ representative, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Jeff Tolson, 610.584.1096, ext. 108, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.