YFC: ‘Christ in us is the only hope of glory’
YFC Institute remains the foundational training ground for new leaders, providing resources, relationships, and experiences that nurture personal devotion to Jesus and equip leaders to fulfill the mission of YFC. The training goal is to develop Christ-centered leaders in authentic Christ-sharing relationships. YFC Leaders forever become story tellers who are missionally focused, committed to excellence and empowering others. At this year’s 2022 Institute, YFC has gained over 100 new YFC leaders, representing 50 of the 130+ YFC chapters nationwide. Youth For Christ President and CEO Jacob Bland and many other YFC leaders joined together to build community and train for the mission of reaching youth nationally and globally.
In the midst of a pandemic, YFC recognizes the crucial need for mentors in the lives of teens. While many leaders have struggled or felt defeated, Bland encourages the trainees. He does this by encouraging them to lean into Christ’s strength instead of self-reliance. Bland says, “Maybe that’s part of the grace over the last two years. We were pressed beyond our own strength so that we learn to rely not on ourselves. Instead, we rely on Him who raises the dead. This is because Christ in us is the only hope of glory.”
YFC President and CEO Words of Encouragement
Bland says, “We live in an era where we’re far more prone to scroll through social media and search for the latest meme. But isn’t it refreshing that we have the privilege of serving in a mission that endeavors to first and foremost, lift high the name of Christ in YFC?” Bland reminded the trainees of the importance of their own relationship with God and that his sincere desire is that every one of them would have an intimate encounter with Jesus. It is not in their own abilities that they find success, but in Christ alone.
Bland closes by saying, “I pray that all of us will have a personal encounter with the living Christ this week; that your hearts would burn because you have been with Jesus. So, if you hear me say nothing else, then hear me say this— it is Christ in you. That is the hope of glory. Not your intellect, not your creativity, not your ability to multitask or relate to kids, not your eloquence or your relevance. It is Christ in you. That is the hope of glory.”
