According to YFC President and CEO Jake Bland, “Expectant and parenting teens are often juggling school, home life, relationships and the stress of a new pregnancy or baby. It is our passion to make them feel seen, heard and valued. Our aim is to be a steady voice and presence in their lives, intentionally posturing ourselves as a supportive and empathetic mentor.”
YFC’s Parent Life ministry connects pregnant and parenting teens with equipped, supportive and encouraging adults.
Bland remarked, “Our strategy is to have leaders rooted in Christ walk alongside young parents to offer love, hope and support. We do this by drawing teen parents together with mentor leaders who engage young moms and dads in activities and lessons focused on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of life.”
Currently, 458 YFC leaders serve in this ministry; 558 pregnant and parenting teens are in authentic, Christ-sharing relationships with Parent Life leaders; and 1,022 pregnant and parenting teens are actively connected to a ministry site. But these impressive stats are just one small part of a much bigger story; a narrative comprised of hundreds of stories of life change. In Nashville, a young mom named Alma shared her own story as an expectant teen.
“I was at the bottom of my class in high school,” Alma said. “I was failing, not just on paper, but mentally as well. I got pregnant in my junior year and got into a little bit of trouble. Things didn’t look good for my future. But then I got connected to Parent Life and it changed my life. The leaders there made me feel less alone and like I could do big, meaningful things in the world that could make a positive difference.”
Alma continued, “After high school, those same leaders stuck with me. They even provided a scholarship for me to enroll in college. I couldn’t believe it. I’m now working toward a degree in the medical field and God continues to show me His kindness and mercy in so many ways. For the first time in my life, I’m hopeful for the future, and for me and my baby.”
Bland said, “Through relational, holistic ministry, our hope is to see young people thrive physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. And our strategy is to facilitate life-giving mentoring by coming alongside young parents in their pivotal moments and inspiring them by uncovering God’s story of hope in their lives.”