Reaching Young People in Florida
Youth For Christ Highlands County reaches young people everywhere. This is done by working with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus. These individuals lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion, passion, and commitment to the Word of God and prayer. YFC leaders are equipped to reach youth at pivotal moments in their lives and lovingly point them towards Jesus. The overall goal is to impact communities for the kingdom through the heart and dedication of its staff and volunteers.
YFC Highlands County has been impacting the area since 1997. Led by Executive Director Tayna Taylor, YFC Highlands County has been affecting the surrounding community through their City Life and Campus Life Ministries. Through community collaboration, a teen center has been built. It’s now a hub where students can come to have meaningful relationships and meet Jesus through the stories of the volunteers.
Connecting with Youth
Taylor says, “We are actively involved in every middle and high school in the county. The community center that provides a home for this amazing ministry has been finished. We’ve seen over 300 middle and high schoolers who’ve come through the program over the four years that we’ve been there.”
When talking about the heart of YFC, Taylor is quick to point out the crux of the ministry—the relationships. By having loving, impactful adults consistently investing their lives, youth feel safe and are able to share their burdens. For example, one student had a family member with a health crisis. She knew that the community center was a safe place for her. With that said, in a time of need, she brought her mom to come and pray with the teen center director. Taylor recalled the moment of seeing this student come to Christ.
A Safe Place
Taylor said, “When I walked in and came around the corner, the teenager had already accepted Jesus into her heart. It was just a beautiful testament to the relational ministry that’s happening at the teen center. I don’t think the volunteer realized that connecting with her was opening the door to sharing the Gospel. That is exactly what happened. She knew he was a safe person to bring her mom to for prayer. It’s just phenomenal. Now she comes every single week and brings her friends.”
Taylor commented on the power of volunteers sharing their life with the youth. “We are individually reaching young people. They will forever remember going and having a soda and some ice cream at the soda shop. Because in their world, they have got so much darkness and so many struggles. Those are little moments that they’re able to just be loved on and be kids. We just share the hope of Christ. As we’re showing these stories in the community, it inspires our new leaders. It reflects coming in to do ministry the way Jesus did ministry.”
