YFC POLK COUNTY MINISTRIES
Relational ministry rooted in Christ’s truth. His truth about community, empathy, and kingdom-inspired diversity guides our work and shapes our communities.
OUR MISSION
YFC reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to prayer and the Word of God, passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
- We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
- We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
- We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
- We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
- We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; that they are saved unto the resurrection of life and that they are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
- We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Christ.
FIVE ESSENTIALS
- Widespread Prayer – We deliberately engage lots of Christians to intercede on behalf of the ministry site.
- Loving Relationships – We consistently pursue lost kids & engage them in life-long relationships with Jesus.
- Faithful Bible Teaching – We accurately handle Biblical truth, regularly coaching kids to apply it in their lives.
- Collaborative Community Strategy – We intentionally work together with local churches, agencies and other partners to provide sustainable youth and family ministry.
- Adults Who Empower – We strategically develop leaders to reach young people from every people group.
"3STORY®" RELATIONSHIPS - OUR WAY OF LIFE
Youth For Christ staff and volunteers are encouraged and trained to live a 3Story life: A way of life that guides followers of Christ to BE good news while telling stories of THE Good News. It is a way of seeing how the relationships we have with other people and God can be connected and grown. 3Story is not an evangelism tool or method, it is who we want to be and how we want to live. In Youth For Christ, 3Story is our living operating system. Our hope is that it becomes our DNA. For more information about 3Story, visit www.3story.org
CITY LIFE MINISTRY
City Life is a relational, holistic, community-based ministry aimed at serving under-resourced neighborhoods through developing young people from that community to emerging leaders who lead where they live.
UNCOVERING GOD'S STORY OF HOPE IN YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIVES
Young people from these communities are less likely to meet Jesus through traditional outreach models. Most face significant challenges including violence, homelessness, fatherlessness, abuse, neglect, addiction, among many others. Our aim is to be a steady voice and presence in the lives of these young people and their communities, intentionally posturing ourselves as caring and attentive mentors.
As leaders, we help young people realize their worth as we actively listen to, learn from, and walk alongside them as they uncover God’s story of hope in their lives. We dream that they will know Jesus and make a positive impact in the communities they reside in.
JUVENILE JUSTICE MINISTRY
Since 1991, Youth for Christ of Polk County has provided chaplaincy ministry for justice involved youth being held in juvenile justice facilities within our community. This outreach includes Sunday morning worship services, 1 on 1 discipleship opportunities, and youth group style Sunday night outreach programs. Gender specific meeting times happen throughout the week and both men and woman are needed to be engaged in this ministry.
ACROSS THE US...
On any given year in the US there are over 740,000 teens referred to the juvenile justice system, some of whom will be confined to a corrections facility, others who will be diverted into a community-based alternative, and many who will be court sanctioned to probation. The sad fact is that, for our young people who are actively incarcerated, a detention center may be the only place they feel safe, have reliable meals, are sober, or are not facing constant trauma. For our justice involved young people who continue to stay in their communities, many continue to face adverse experiences such as relational trauma, racial trauma, community violence, and lack of access to basic needs. It is during these moments of crisis that our justice involved young people are most open to uncovering God’s story of hope in their lives.
Juvenile Justice Ministry exists to create a faith-based continuity of care model geared toward fostering holistic connection and secure relationship with young people during any point of contact with the juvenile justice system. Our strategy is to come alongside young people in what it means to journey with Jesus; balancing the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of life. We build relationships that are sustained through ongoing involvement as young people navigate the different pillars encompassing the juvenile justice system: Community, Courts, and Corrections.
PARTNER WITH US
At YFC, we understand the importance of building authentic Christ sharing relationships with teenagers. An effective Juvenile Justice Ministry takes a team effort. We could not do this with out you!
Would you please consider investing the time and effort to impact the life of justice involved youth from our community?
