Our History

How it started

Dr. Anton Beffa, an eye surgeon from Indiana, moved to Farmington in the mid 90’s and started Young Faith in Christ, at that time known as Youth for Christ. Dr. Anton Beffa had been a board member of a local Youth for Christ Chapter in Indiana and had the vision to start YFC in Farmington for the Parkland area. A local board was formed, and YFC was incorporated in November 1998 with the State of Missouri. Bret Burgess was hired as their first Executive Director in 2000 and services to young people began in the Farmington High School through students meeting in small groups and through a monthly meeting called “Campus Life”. Students also went on a summer trip to a conference called DCLA. About 20 kids participated in the weekly small groups, and about 40-50 attended the larger Campus Life meetings. Mr. Burgess resigned in April 2001.

First Steps

In September 2001 Marco van Raalten was hired as Executive Director. A network with local youth ministers called the “Youth Ministries Network” was formed in which a growing number of youth pastors had the opportunity to connect to receive encouragement, training, and the opportunity to partner together to reach their community. Several large community outreaches like the “See You After the Pole Rally” and outreaches through school assemblies and youth rallies were initiated and continue to this day. The number of participants in youth rallies grew from several hundred in 2003 to the current 10,000 that attend these large events each year. Work on school campuses through the Campus Life program grew to include Fredericktown High School, Arcadia Valley High and Middle School, Farmington High and Middle School, North County High School, and Central Middle School. Through the years, the attendance at the Campus Life meetings grew from 40-50 kids at a monthly meeting to 400-700 kids who participate in our programs each week. Youth for Christ also started operating a program called “Youth Guidance” to help teens in residential facilities through a weekly program at the Farmington Children’s Home in 2003. About 10-25 kids participate each week, and in 2006 a mentoring program was added to these services.

Community Partnerships

In 2001 the City of Farmington approached the board of Youth for Christ to partner with her in managing a 26,000 square foot outdoor skate park, and renovating an existing building adjacent to the park to be used for youth mentoring purposes. Youth First Corporate was incorporated with the State Of Missouri in April 2002 as a subsidiary to Youth for Christ, with the intention to facilitate relationships with community partners like the City of Farmington, state government, and other public and private entities who would be more comfortable partnering with the social arm of our existing services, without the concern that they would violate the separation of church and state. The existence of Youth First Corporate provided proof of YFC’s intention to be a valid social partner, as expressed in the mission statement for the Farmington Skate Park as written in 2001: “to provide a welcoming, safe, fun and encouraging atmosphere for youth, where they are accepted and mentored in order to become a positive influence in their communities.”
Youth First Corporate successfully applied for a tax-credit program with the State of Missouri under the Youth Opportunities Program with the Department of Economic Development.

Until Today....

In April of 2007 the Board of Directors of Youth for Christ decided to start operating independently of the national office. Registration with its own 501 © 3 was pursued in July 2007, using the name Young Faith in Christ.

2009 marked the start of a ministry in elementary schools through a mentoring program in four schools and christian clubs.

In 2010 YFC started a club at Central High School and had 6 paid staff.

Funding:

The majority of the funding for all of our programs is provided through contributions of individuals, local corporations and churches. Tax Credits are issued as incentives for these donors. Other donors include the United Way and a grant with the Blessing Fund. The City of Farmington also supports us through the in-kind donation of paying our utilities and rent. Our annual golf tournament and banquet help raise funds as well.