On a national level:

Since 1944, Youth for Christ (YFC) has had a distinctive history of youth evangelism. In the early 1940s, during World War II, many young men, mostly ministers and evangelists, were holding large rallies in Canada, England and the United States. As the hunger for God's Word grew it became evident that there needed to be someone to coordinate this movement, providing leadership, strategy, and coordinating speakers, musicians and locations. Beginning in dozens of cities at the end of World War II, YFC quickly organized into a national movement. Billy Graham became YFC's first full-time staff member.

Starting with Saturday night youth rallies in the late 1940s and early 1950s, YFC's ministry methodology turned to Bible Clubs in the late 50s and 60s. It was in this period of ministry that the concept of teen to teen evangelism was birthed. Then in the middle sixties and early seventies Campus Life and Campus Life/JV ministries to senior and junior high youth began to be the thrust of YFC ministry. Since that time there have been several ministry models that have been created. Youth Guidance became an avenue in reaching at-risk and institutionalized young people. Teen Moms developed to mentor and equip young mothers with parenting skills as well as the love of Jesus Christ. Urban Ministries reach the millions of young people in our major urban communities, partnering with the church and other organizations. Ministries are tailored to reach youth in urban, suburban, and rural settings.

In addition, the YFC sponsored DC/LA Student Evangelism Super Conferences, held every three years, challenge and equip thousands of young people from hundreds of youth groups to effectively impact their schools for Christ.

YFC/USA is a chartered program of Youth for Christ International. Over 1,861 paid staff members and 16,571 volunteers serve in over 100 countries around the world. As a part of the YFC/USA commitment to serve the world, we offer Project Serve which provides overseas short-term mission opportunities. In addition, well over 100 YFC staff members from the U.S. have ministry assignments with YFC programs in other nations as part of YFC/USA's World Outreach Division.

Throughout YFC's history there has been an unwavering commitment to reaching out to youth and biblical Christianity. One of YFC's slogans over the past fifty years has been "Anchored to the Rock, Geared to the Times"-the message of the gospel will never change and YFC is flexible to creatively communicate this message of hope, grace and love in the context of different cultural settings.

On a local level:

Youth for Christ in the Parkland, a charter member of Youth for Christ USA became officially registed with the State of Missiouri as a 501 c3 not for profit in November 1998. Dr. Anton Beffa, a eye surgeon who moved to the area from Indiana, spearheaded the initiative to start YFC in Farmington. Dr. Beffa had experienced firsthand how YFC had made a difference in his former place of residence and it was his goal to see a local chapter berthed. Under his leadership a local board of directors was formed, the legal preparations were done and initial funds were raised to hire YFC’s first Executive Director. Brett Burgess was hired in 2000 as Executive Director and under his leadership Campus Life work at the Farmington High School started. Lori Younker and Donna Masson joined his team on a part-time basis. In September 2001 Marco van Raalten was hired to take his place. YFC is currently active in 5 service area’s: Campus Life, City Life, Teen Parents, Youth Guidance and Networking.

These pages are maintained by email marco@yfcparkland.org
Youth for Christ, P.O. Box 765, Farminton, MO 63640
Phone (573) 747-1705, Fax