Who We Are
Did you know...
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There are 30,000 young people between the ages of 11-19 living in Kitsap and North Mason Counties.
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11,000 of them are on free or reduced lunch - an indicator of a lack of resources.
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6,000 of them report using self-harm as a way to deal with the pain in their lives.
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Nearly 90% of them have no connection to a local church or Christ-centered community.
That's a lot, isn't it! Many of them are struggling with things like poverty, bullying, addictions, cutting, depression, abuse, dropping out, homelessness, crimes, violence, and even suicide.
Some of these young people will experience teen pregnancy. They are essentially kids raising kids without much support.
Some of these young people end up in juvenile detention multiple times each year. Also, there is a 40% chance these kids in detention will end up in prison based on current statistics.
Their stories don't have to stay this way. They just need help.
Every year, new kids become teens, and some of these teens become adults. They are faced with the same challenges - all trying to make it to adulthood successfully.
The problem is rampant, but we believe Jesus can change their story.
They aren't coming to the church, so we go to them!
West Sound Youth For Christ seeks to make a positive difference in the lives of kids and families of all backgrounds and 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.
God has given us incredible opportunities. Our chapter desires to meet more needs in the local community. However, we can't do this work alone. We are always looking for people to join us and help us reach more kids. Click the button below to find out how you can get involved and make a difference in the life of a young person in our community.
Our outreach strategy is to enable youth to become leaders of change in their community by Engaging them in relationship, Equipping them with skills, and Empowering them through leadership.
Our Mission
To bring hope to every young person in our community.
Our 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.
To view our Statement of Faith, the 5 Essentials, and 3Story click here.
"The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." --Phil Jackson
Our Staff
Phil Daubenspeck
Executive Director
Why do you work for YFC?
I love to see young people find Christ and fulfill their destiny! To see a young person accept God's love and then go places, do things and live a life they never thought possible is the best job ever!
Adam Smith
Development Director
Why do you work for YFC?
I believe God has called me to work with teens during this season of my life. The heart of Jesus is to leave the 99 to go after the 1. Every teen deserves to know how much God loves them. I am eager to see what God wants to do in these kids' lives through this team and the generosity of others.
Bart Lesco
Ministry Director
Why do you work for YFC?
I have spent the last 20 years working either for schools or for churches and this is a great way for me to be able to bring together the two worlds that I've been working in over the last 20 years for the sake of the Gospel.
Suzie Lesco
Office Manager
& Parent Life Director
Why do you work for YFC?
I believe the ministry here is desperately needed. I love being a part of a ministry that seeks out the lost and hurting, and engages kids no matter where they are or what they've done.
Cassandra Jameson
Campus Life Director @ The 801 in Bremerton
Why do you work for YFC?
Coming Soon!
Marisa Brown
Social Media Coordinator
Why do you work for YFC?
I love working with teenagers because I know how much I needed to feel like I belonged somewhere when I was growing up! When I became a Christian at 15, my life changed forever, and I gained a family and a home. When you have an experience as amazing as that, how can you not want to try to recreate that for someone else?!
Joe Koski
Campus Life Director @ The Next Door in North Kitsap
Why do you work for YFC?
I really believe that my spiritual gift is encouraging others, and I love that working with teenagers in Poulsbo will allow me to encourage them! Letting them know that there is a God who loves them, who answers their prayers, who wants to help guide them as they grow and make decisions…it is such an exciting message to be able to bring! God wants to change young lives for the better and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.
Our Board
Jim Porter
Chair
Joe Michelsen
Treasurer
Jay Ellis
Vice Chair
Kim Betzing
Board Member
Our History
West Sound YFC began its ministry to the kids in Kitsap County over thirty years ago in 1982 when our first Executive Director, Mark Halland 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.
Over our 30 plus years, WSYFC has had 7 Executive Directors: Mark Halland, Chris Clark, Ricki Brooks, Bob Cassis and Josh Hinman, and Phil Daubenspeck. Currently, Youth For Christ serves teenagers on school campuses through Campus Life, in juvenile detention through Juvenile Justice, and expecting and parenting teenagers in Parent Life.
Phil Daubenspeck, our current Executive Director, began his tenure in August 2016. He joined the WSYFC staff in August 2005 as the South Kitsap Area Director, and throughout his time at YFC, Phil has demonstrated a passion and drive for ministering to hard-to-reach kids. Phil is responsible for development and stewardship, guiding the vision of West Sound YFC, community relations, and reporting to the Board of Directors.
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 is 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 missional focus is to bring hope to every young person in our community.
