outh for Christ

Gather. Inspire. Empower

WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?

CFC Youth for Christ (YFC, known as CFC-Youth in the United States) is the young adult ministry of Couples for Christ (CFC). It is a Catholic evangelistic ministry to young people, with the vision to renew society in Christ through the youth. YFC invites young Christians of any denomination aged 12-21, from all sectors of society, regardless of distinction. YFC provides a venue for youth to respond to God's call to holiness in all aspects of their lives. In addition to helping strengthen Christian family life, YFC also shares the global CFC mission of helping the poor and oppressed.

YFC was initially established in the Philippines in 1981 as a limited pilot program under CFC. In 1993, following its separation from Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (LNP), CFC created the Family Ministries, which included YFC. Actively participating in CFC's work of evangelizing families, YFC also spearheaded the initial efforts of what would become Gawad Kalinga (GK), an organization that uses a Christian approach in solving poverty. YFC has about 200,000 members, of which about 150,000 are based in the Philippines. It can be found in parishes, high schools, colleges and universities in over 160 countries and territories throughout the world.

HISTORY
Youth for Christ began in 1981 as a pilot program of CFC, known as the Young Adults Program (YA). YA was a limited program, since CFC then was only an outreach of LNP, and LNP had its own outreach for the youth called Christ's Youth in Action (CYA). YA's limited existence continued until 1993, when CFC separated from LNP. With the formation of the Family Ministries, YA was replaced by "CFC Youth for Christ." In 1995, YFC held a Youth Camp for the out-of-school youth of Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, one of the biggest slums in Metro Manila. These youth included juvenile gangs infamous for their violence. The sincerity of the YFC service team prevailed. In an effort to rehabilitate the youth, they were introduced to theater, sports, and livelihood training, with exceptional youth being awarded with scholarships.

YFC spread all over the Philippines in tandem with CFC's expansion and the intensifying work with the poor. YFC's work would lead to the establishment of SIGA (Serving In God's Army), a youth development and rehabilitation program, which helped with the formation of Gawad Kalinga. By 2003, YFC was established in all provinces of the Philippines; by 2005, it was established in more than 100 countries. As CFC celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006, YFC celebrated its 13th anniversary, with over 10,000 youth attending the annual International Leaders Conference (ILC). In 2007, the 14th ILC had over 15,000 attendees.