WHO WE ARE
Since 1982, our chapter has been serving local youth in Kitsap and North Mason counties.
MISSION STATEMENT
“To bring HOPE to every young person in our community.”
YFC reaches young people everywhere working together with like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement.
Many of the students we work with are struggling with things like poverty, bullying, addictions, self-harm, depression, abuse, crimes, dropping-out, and even homelessness. Some of these young people end up in juvenile detention multiple times each year.
For many of these young people, hope seems hard to find; but their stories don’t have to stay this way. They just need help.
The problems are BIG, but we believe Jesus can change their story.
Most of them aren’t coming to the church, so we go to them!
West Sound Youth For Christ seeks to make a positive difference in beliefs through holistic and relational outreach.
Each month, throughout our area, West Sound YFC engages with kids in schools, juvenile institutions, coffee shops, and local hangouts. Whether at the skate park, the detention center, or coaching a teen mom through the struggles of parenting, Youth For Christ staff and volunteers show the love of Christ in practical ways
Vision
The vision of Youth For Christ is, as a part of the body of Christ, to see every young person in every people group in every nation have the opportunity to make an informed decision to become a follower of Jesus Christ and to become a part of a local church.
West Sound YFC’s History
West Sound YFC began its ministry to the kids in Kitsap County in 1982 when our first Executive Director, Mark Holland and five community members, Glen Anunson, Conrad Green, Pete Hill, Paula Michelsen, and Jean Sherrard obtained a local chapter charter from YFC USA. Our first ministry was to students attending North Kitsap High School.
Currently WSYFC serves teenagers on school campuses through Campus Life, in juvenile detention through Juvenile Justice, and military families through Military Life.
In Kitsap and North Mason Counties there are approximately 30,000 youth ages 11-19; many of which have no connection to a church. As a result, we have 3 core ministries targeted at building relationships with these youth, wherever they are found.
It is our foundational belief that there is no young person too lost, no environment too broken, no community too disconnected from the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Programs
The Campus Life ministry combines healthy relationships with creative programs to help young people make good choices, establish a solid foundation for life and positively impact their schools. Campus Life seeks to engage these young people wherever they are found.
Since 1965, Campus Life’s ultimate mission is to mobilize Christian adults and teens so that every high school student experiences the kind of significant Christ-revealing relationship that helps them become a lifelong follower of Jesus Christ.
JJM meets youth inside the Kitsap County Juvenile Center, building relationships that will continue throughout their lives. Our chaplains connect with youth inside the center by listening to their story and offering hope. We provide resources and support to change their perspective and encourage better life choices going forward.
Every day in Kitsap County there are 300 kids on court-ordered community supervision, and some of them are actively incarcerated. The sad fact is, that for many of these young people, the detention center is the only place they feel safe, have reliable meals, are sober, or are not constantly verbally abused. It is also a place of deep despair for many and a place where they have the time to think about their lives with a clear mind and an open heart. It is during this time that they are most open to hearing about the hope found in Jesus.
Military Life Ministry connects with military affiliated youth and their families through unconditional, authentic, Christ-sharing relationships.
There are approximately 17,000 active military personel and families in Kitsap County. Military life requires sacrifice, and military-connected youth proudly join their family’s tradition of sacrificing for the good of strangers. Something powerful happens when these amazing young people feel heard, seen and believe they belong. However, frequent moves and living life in the absence of a deployed parent is tough. As a result, military-connected youth often feel overlooked and struggle to find where they belong.
These unique and selfless young people inspire us everyday. it is our honor to be there for them and help then give life to their story!
