At Youth for Christ, our desire is not only to introduce young people to Jesus, but to help them become connected to the local church and surrounded by a community of believers who will walk with them in their faith.
Recently, two young people from our Alexandria Area YFC, attended camp, and made decisions to follow Jesus. As they continued attending YFC programs, our leaders encouraged them to take another important step: becoming involved in a local church and youth group where they could build relationships with other young people who are actively following Jesus.
Both eventually chose to be baptized on Easter Sunday. For one of these young people, whose family was unable to be present, a family from the church stepped in to stand alongside and support them on that significant day. Both have also found new friendships and a community of believers to encourage them as they continue growing in their faith.
These stories are a beautiful picture of why partnership with the local church matters to YFC. We don’t want YFC to be the final destination for young people—we want to help connect them to the broader body of Christ, where they can belong, grow, and continue following Jesus for a lifetime.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25