Early Beginnings

The Youth for Christ movement was born in America in the mid-1940's.

God touched dozens of leaders around the country with a concern to reach out to those young people that normal church channels were missing.

Dynamic young evangelists using revolutionary methods began conducting lively mass rallies in more than a dozen cities, often under a common name, Youth for Christ. By November 1944, it was clear that some organization should be formed to handle the growing flood of requests to start new rallies.

A Chicago pastor, Torrey Johnson, was elected chairman of a temporary committee. He opened an office in Chicago and asked Billy Graham to become the first full-time Youth for Christ worker.

Less than a year later, Youth for Christ International, Inc., was formally incorporated with Torrey Johnson as the first president.

1968 witnessed a development that was to affect the lives and destinies of millions of young people worldwide. In a little-publicized conference, early that year on the Caribbean island of Jamaica, representatives from sixteen countries created the International Council of Youth for Christ. The birth of this international coordinating body marked a significant stage in the development of what had already become a remarkable movement.

Today, Youth for Christ is working in over 100 nations with 80 of these officially chartered. Worldwide there are approximately 2000 full-time staff and 22,000 part-time and volunteer staff.

YFC in Australia

Youth for Christ in Australia came into being in the late 1940's and over the years found many ways to express its love and concern for the young people of Australia. The earliest work included large rallies and camps, and more recently, has taken the form of high school ministry, adventure programs and welfare work. Over the years, working with full time, part time and volunteer staff, YFC constantly sought new and exciting ways to bring Christ's compassion and grace to the next generation.

On the 18th of August 1995 Youth for Christ Australia Incorporated was birthed after being formally incorporated.

The new incorporated structure was put in place with all Youth for Christ branches across Australia coming under the one banner of Youth for Christ Australia.

There are currently 12 YFC branches around Australia and a National Resource Centre based in Melbourne, Victoria. There are over 90 staff around the country and over 1300 volunteers participating in the various programs.