Father’s Day
Americans prepare to celebrate Father’s Day, Youth For Christ (YFC, www.yfc.net), a leader in the missional ministry community in America for more than seven decades, acknowledges and supports all fathers, no matter their age or capabilities. Through YFC’s Juvenile Justice Ministry and Parent Life programs, YFC leaders have the unique privilege of working with expectant and parenting teen moms and dads, coming alongside them during pivotal and trying times to provide loving encouragement and prayer.
Many young men in the justice system are young fathers. This is something Alex Mathew, Kansas City YFC’s executive director, doesn’t take lightly. Mathew commented on how God has uniquely positioned YFC for such a time as this.
Teen Parents
“We are not a normal youth ministry,” Mathew said. “As we work with high-risk youth from juvenile offenders to teen parents, we want to have authentic Christ-sharing relationships.”
Mathew continued, “At Youth For Christ, my job is not to change people. It’s to model what Christ did for me and accept all my students like a father in Christ. If each dad knew that his role on earth is to be a father even to other people’s children, a lot of lives would be changed.”
Relationships with Mentors and Parents
The CDC reported that “teens need access to youth-friendly support from parents and other trusted adults. These are people who can play an important role in helping teens make healthy choices about relationships.” The support that YFC mentors supply for teen parents both in and out of the justice system is crucial for their mental, emotional, and spiritual health during such a trying time in their lives.
One teen dad said, “My YFC mentor helped me with a lot of things. He taught me how to become a better man by guiding and helping me through the situations I am actually in.”
