The Birth of a Global Movement
(1940s)
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 organisation 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.
O God, we want this kept on a miracle basis.
-An early prayer from Torrey Johnson and the YFC leaders.
1968 witnessed a development that was to affect the lives and destinies of millions of young people world-wide. In a little-publicised 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 co-ordinating body marked a significant stage in the development of what had already become a remarkable movement.
Youth for Christ Comes to Australia
(Late 1940s–1950s)
Youth for Christ began in Australia in the late 1940's. There were various youth events being held around Australia, in Adelaide, Newcastle, Queensland and Geelong by dedicated and godly men such as Allan Cunningham and Rev E Watson. Youth missionaries from the various states joined together and in February 1949, the name Youth for Christ, which had already been in use in Australia, was officially registered with the YFC International body.
We recommend that a letter be sent recognising the Australian Committee consisting of Messrs. Watson, Bryson, Foreman, Meade and Cunningham. We encourage them to proceed with Australian Youth for Christ. - From the minutes of the February 1949 Executive Council of YFC International
In 1950 Rev. E. H. Watson was nominated as Vice President for Australia. The 50’s were a period when Youth for Christ rallies flourished as avenues for youth evangelism. Hundreds would attend and the rallies would contain music, communal singing, gospel presentation and an invitation to respond.
Rapid Growth and Regional Expansion
(1960s)
The 1960's witnessed exciting and rapid growth with many young people committing their lives to Christ through YFC rallies, the Campus Life program and also Youth Guidance. YFC centres ran programs in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Toowoomba and Dalby. In NSW, YFC programs were run in Sydney, Katoomba, Nowra, Newcastle, Maitland, Lismore and Muswellbrook. Melbourne, Geelong and Adelaide also saw rapid growth of programs. The Warragul YFC office opened in 1963. A committee of YFC state Directors met on a regular basis and YFC was also a resource for rally speakers in Tasmania. In the late 1960's Clive Stebbins became National Director of Australian Youth for Christ.
We had our very first large rally in the Melbourne Town Hall and I’ll never forget that… the place was packed to capacity. We had 2500 people in the Melbourne Town Hall, another 500 down on Swanson Street and Collins Street trying to get in and as a result we saw hundreds of young people commit their lives to Jesus Christ.
- Clive Stebbins, Former YFC Australia Director
Consolidation and Incorporation
(1970s–1980s)
The 1970's were years of consolidation and God blessed the ministry which was experiencing continual growth. It was at this time that the Perth office of YFC was established although programs had been running before this. Central Coast Youth for Christ began around 1975 with the first full time worker being appointed in 1981.
On October 15th 1976 under the chairmanship of Alan Waugh with Eric Leach as National Director, Youth for Christ Australia was formally incorporated as a public company and Australia Youth for Christ Limited was born. In 1977 there were 29 centres under the YFC banner although there was much diversity in their programs. YFC Ballarat began in 1979 and YFC Bundaberg in 1980.
Sam Heyburn, under the chairmanship of Peter Daniels, was elected National Executive Director in 1982 and remained for seven years in this role.
Gold Coast Camp and Crusades
For three decades, the Gold Coast Camps and Crusades were a major highlight of the National YFC calendar. Held annually just after Christmas and into the New Year the event attracted young people from all over Australia, connected through church networks and local YFC centres.
YFC Melbourne would charter a special train to bring its youth to the event, making it a truly memorable experience. Each night, the camp featured an open-air outreach rally at Burleigh Heads Park in QLD, where attendees enjoyed live music and were inspired by powerful Gospel presentations.
Running from 1960 to 1990, the camp and crusades saw as many as 1,000 campers each year, leaving a lasting impact on the faith journeys of countless young people.
National Unification and Structural Changes
(1990s)
In 1994 David Wraight was appointed full time National Director of Australia Youth for Christ Limited and this same year the National Board of Directors under the chairmanship of John Bond made a decision to migrate from a company structure to an Incorporated Association. On the 18th of August 1995 Australia Youth for Christ Limited ceased to exist and Youth for Christ Australia Incorporated was birthed after being formally incorporated. The new incorporated structure was put in place with nearly all Youth for Christ centres across Australia coming under the one corporate banner, of Youth for Christ Australia. At the end of 1999, there were 16 YFC centres around Australia together with a National Office based in Melbourne, Victoria. There were over 100 staff around the country and over 1500 volunteers participating in the various programs.
Leadership Transitions and Program Innovation
(2000s and early 2010s)
In September 2000, David Wraight accepted the position of YFCI Asia Pacific Director and the National Board nominated Tim Brown to replace David as National Director. Tim served in this role from September 2000 until November 2001. David Bonanno under the chairmanship of Daryl Harford was appointed National Director in March 2002.
In the early 1990’s Aussies Alive school seminars began development aimed to maximise the time allocated to religious education in Australian high schools. By the late ‘90’s the program, rebranded as Auslife had become YFC’s flagship national initiative. In partnership with local churches and school chaplains, this full-day interactive seminar combined small group discussions, short talks, videos, games, activities and testimonies to explore key life topics from a Christian worldview – designed to spark questions and get students thinking about God.
At its peak Auslife school teams were based in almost every state conducting over one hundred seminars annually in both private and public schools. YFC ran its final Auslife seminar in 2017. During much of this same period, YFC was also known for a range of regional initiatives, including high school programs, community events, adventure-based activities, dance programs, drop-in centres, camps, and government-funded social welfare projects operated from bases across Australia.
In March 2009 Conrad Parsons was appointed National Director. Wayne Burgan succeeded Daryl Harford as National Board Chair serving until October 2010, when Paul Campey was elected and served until March 2013. Chris Powell became Chair in April 2013. That same month, Conrad was appointed YFC Pacific Director and resigned as YFC Australia National Director. Richard Sharp was appointed later in 2013 and served until January 2015.
New Entities and Strategic Shifts
(Mid 2010s)
Cindy McGarvie became National Director in June 2015. In February 2017, Russell Foxe succeed Chris Powell as Board Chair, followed by Peter Bain in late 2018 and Chris Richards in 2020.
In response to government restrictions limiting evangelism under tax-deductible status, a new entity, Youth for Christ Australia Ltd, was registered in late 2015, clearly focused on evangelism and discipleship. The original entity was renamed YFC Care Ltd, becoming the social support arm of the mission.
Over the next two years, YFC underwent significant organisational change, gradually moving away from regional, event-based ministry toward a national model with a decentralised focus – equipping and empowering young people to be missional in their own communities.
Key ministry initiatives during this time included The Jesus School, Jesus People Gathering, Schoolies for Jesus, What’s Normal?, and music collective Children of Inheritance.
Cultural Engagement and Digital Evangelism
(2020s)
In 2020, National Director Cindy McGarvie released her book Lost Boys: Bring Them Home, published by Youth for Christ Australia, with all proceeds supporting the mission. The book struck a chord with believers and rallied support around the call to engage in the spiritual battle for today’s youth.
With the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns limiting in-person outreach, the HOPE Movement was launched – first as a way to encourage believers to share their faith on social media, then growing into a multifaceted initiative equipping Christians for evangelism in their everyday lives.
In 2021, YFC began a partnership with The Global Harvest, a like-minded ministry organisation birthed during the pandemic to help connect people with Jesus online.
Current Leadership and Future Vision
In July 2025 Paul Bedwell, known as PJ, succeeded Cindy McGarvie as National Director.
Youth for Christ embraces the belief that its vision, to give every young person in Australia an opportunity to be a follower of Jesus, cannot be achieved alone. As a result, YFC Australia partners with churches and youth organisations across the country to see this vision realised.
YFC Australia remains committed to communicating the life-changing message of Jesus Christ to every young person.
Globally, Youth for Christ operates in 128 nations, with each national movement working under the charter of Youth for Christ International.
YFC Australia remains committed to communicating the life-changing message of Jesus Christ to every young person. Its mission teams are devoted to being unwavering in faith and bold in action, carrying the same pioneering spirit of commitment and flexibility shown by the organisation’s early founders.
The historical catch cry – geared to the times, anchored to the rock – is as true today as in its inception. So while the activities and ministries of YFC may look different, the heartbeat remains the same – to see young people live as youth for Christ.
Will you stand with us in this mission?
