Youth for Christ International 
The information on this page was last updated 1/2/2025. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Youth for Christ is a worldwide Christian movement working with young people around the globe. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ we share the good news of God with young people.
Youth for Christ is made up of tens of thousands of indigenous people in over 100 nations working together in giving every young person an opportunity to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
What do Youth for Christ programs look like? It's like asking what the weather is like in the USA or Europe. It all depends on where you are. Youth for Christ uniquely reaches young people in ways that are relevant to them in the context of their culture and life circumstances.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Youth for Christ International
PO Box 4555
Englewood, CO 80155
Website: yfci.org
Phone: 303-486-1263
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 841188718
CEO/President: Dave Brereton
Chairman: Nthenya Macharia
Board size: 9
Founder:
Ruling year: 1995
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1994
Purpose
Vision: As part of the body of Christ, to see that every young person in every people group in every nation has the opportunity to make an informed decision to be a follower of Jesus Christ and become a part of a local church.
Strategic Focus: Youth for Christ reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who are characterised by godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, boldness in evangelism and commitment to social involvement.
Mission statement
Youth for Christ is a worldwide Christian movement working with young people around the globe. Motivated by our own faith we give young people everywhere the opportunity to be followers of Jesus Christ.
Statement of faith
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible and authoritative Word of God.
We believe in the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that the salvation of lost and sinful people is by the grace of God through faith and the shed blood of the Lord Jesus and that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved an the lost: they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Christ.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Fellowship Evangelism
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 90 of 1117 | 1 of 32 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 307 of 1118 | 9 of 32 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 86 of 1118 | 2 of 32 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 293 of 1117 | 7 of 32 |
Click here to read Youth for Christ International's response to our ratings
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 7% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 5% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 5% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 84% | 96% | 99% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 5% | 6% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 16% | 4% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 89% | 89% | 86% | 87% | 86% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 94% | 113% | 93% | 86% | 80% | 83% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 76% | 101% | 82% | 74% | 69% | 71% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 6% | -13% | 7% | 14% | 20% | 17% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 8% | -21% | 10% | 20% | 37% | 43% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 7% | 7% | 9% | 8% | 9% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.08 | 1.80 | 1.30 | 1.18 | 1.43 | 2.06 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.43 | 1.04 | 1.04 | 1.04 | 1.06 | 1.11 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.79 | 1.88 | 1.35 | 1.22 | 1.52 | 2.28 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 10.84 | 28.12 | 44.61 | 40.96 | 123.12 | 59.03 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.09 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.02 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.91 | 6.17 | 8.70 | 9.57 | 7.81 | 5.16 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 7% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 2% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 84% | 54% | 76% | 83% | 69% | 48% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Cash | $6,594,381 | $7,868,619 | $8,237,647 | $6,387,916 | $4,182,945 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $3,297 | $308,017 | $15,555 | $15,000 | $8,510 |
| Short-term investments | $1,792,141 | $1,728,144 | $786,250 | $512,939 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $8,389,819 | $9,904,780 | $9,039,452 | $6,915,855 | $4,191,455 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $261,758 | $288,834 | $316,807 | $294,584 | $290,259 |
| Other long-term assets | $100,000 | $115,000 | $0 | $149,342 | $165,935 |
| Total long-term assets | $361,758 | $403,834 | $316,807 | $443,926 | $456,194 |
| Total assets | $8,751,577 | $10,308,614 | $9,356,259 | $7,359,781 | $4,647,649 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $298,393 | $222,038 | $220,701 | $56,172 | $71,008 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $298,393 | $222,038 | $220,701 | $56,172 | $71,008 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $298,393 | $222,038 | $220,701 | $56,172 | $71,008 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Without donor restrictions | $1,377,419 | $1,408,118 | $1,700,042 | $1,431,260 | $1,153,510 |
| With donor restrictions | $7,075,765 | $8,678,458 | $7,435,516 | $5,872,349 | $3,423,131 |
| Net assets | $8,453,184 | $10,086,576 | $9,135,558 | $7,303,609 | $4,576,641 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Total contributions | $13,314,312 | $14,295,971 | $12,850,591 | $13,194,613 | $11,468,255 |
| Program service revenue | $330,713 | $925 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,400 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $278,292 | $91,400 | $15,802 | $49,864 | $50,495 |
| Other revenue | $3,139 | $2,699 | $3,807 | $3,743 | $4,284 |
| Total other revenue | $612,144 | $95,024 | $20,609 | $54,607 | $56,179 |
| Total revenue | $13,926,456 | $14,390,995 | $12,871,200 | $13,249,220 | $11,524,434 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Program services | $14,012,486 | $11,843,244 | $9,514,133 | $9,146,113 | $8,211,209 |
| Management and general | $1,098,208 | $947,926 | $987,741 | $862,352 | $828,506 |
| Fundraising | $623,790 | $561,627 | $560,688 | $526,726 | $536,511 |
| Total expenses | $15,734,484 | $13,352,797 | $11,062,562 | $10,535,191 | $9,576,226 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($1,808,028) | $1,038,198 | $1,808,638 | $2,714,029 | $1,948,208 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($1,808,028) | $1,038,198 | $1,808,638 | $2,714,029 | $1,948,208 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| John Bastian | CFO | $134,687 |
| Thomas Speckhardt | Missionary - Program Director | $112,836 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2023
Response from ministry
According to the Youth for Christ International CFO, the CEO is a volunteer and receives $0 in compensation.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 1/2/2025. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
For over seventy years, Youth for Christ has been communicating the life-changing message of Jesus Christ to young people. Youth for Christ was born in the mid-1940s through an impulse from the heart of God that simultaneously touched dozens of leaders in different places with a concern to reach young people normal church channels were missing.
This led to dynamic young evangelists, using revolutionary methods, conducting lively mass rallies in dozens of cities under the name of Youth for Christ, in the USA and abroad. With the rapid expansion of the movement there soon became a need for leadership and organisation and in 1944 Chicago pastor Torrey Johnson was elected Youth for Christ's first president, with Billy Graham as its first full-time evangelist. "Geared to the times, Anchored to the Rock" is the story of the past seven decades, and how the Holy Spirit has motivated, led, and empowered men and women to take the life-changing message of Jesus Christ to young people in every corner of the world.
The 1950's
By 1950, Youth for Christ was already an international movement with Youth for Christ springing up in cities around the globe. In 1968, it also witnessed a development that was to affect the lives and destinies of millions of young people worldwide. In a little-publicised conference early that year on the Caribbean Island of Jamaica, representatives from different countries created the International Council of Youth for Christ with Dr Sam Wolgemuth as the first International President. The birth of this international coordinating body marked a significant stage in the development of what had already become a remarkable movement. The number of nations with Youth for Christ ministry had grown to over 100. Throughout that half century, Youth for Christ's earliest and most enduring motto has been "Geared to the times, anchored to the Rock."
The 70s and 80s
Youth for Christ continued its growth in ministry reach and ministry locations throughout the 70's and 80's. Different ministry models and ministry emphases were developed and refined to reach young people around the world.
The 90s
In 1994 Youth for Christ launched an extensive worldwide review of the movement led by a Task Force made up of Youth for Christ senior staff from all over the world. Their work was completed in 1996 with the publication of the Organisational Development Study (ODS) Report and presented to the Youth for Christ movement in Taiwan. The ODS recommendations were unanimously accepted by the Youth for Christ movement and so set in motion the most ambitious restructuring in Youth for Christ's 50-year history. The ODS report underscored the need for a 'new birth' of Youth for Christ involving renewal and realignment with a new vision and mission.
The 00's
In March 2000 the Youth for Christ family came together in Muhltal, Germany for prayer and to corporately seek God's direction. Most of the Youth for Christ leadership, including the International Board, attended the gathering, whilst others were linked through the Internet. As they worshipped and prayed together, the Lord exposed and dealt with the interpersonal and structural issues that were hindering the renovation and renewal of Youth for Christ, and by the end of that week the Lord had revealed and confirmed the way forward. The Youth for Christ worldwide Staff and Leadership Conference (General Assembly) in Denver, Colorado later that year, with the theme 'Citizens of the Kingdom' reaching the youth of the world', became the starting point for a new interdependent spirit.
In 2001, over 40 key staff primarily made up of Leadership Team members from all over the world, came together in Valence, France to consider the recommendations of the ODS and the changes that were required for its implementation. The result of this consultation was the establishment of the Valence Covenant, that clearly identifies Kingdom principles and a spirit of interdependence that all in the Youth for Christ movement seek to follow in our relationships and ministries worldwide.
In 2002, leadership teams worldwide again met in Hungary to further explore how we could for the first time in Youth for Christ's history unite behind a global ministry initiative. After a week of intense deliberation and consultation, the participants developed the framework of what later became the Global Ministry Plan. Between 2002 and 2003, The Global Ministry Plan was communicated and discussed throughout the Youth for Christ movement.
In May 2003 the then International President, Jean-Jacques Weiler, called the Youth for Christ family to an extended time of prayer as Youth for Christ moved forward to the time of transition.
The Global Ministry Plan
After consultations with most of the Youth for Christ chartered nations, the Global Ministry Plan was unanimously approved by the General Assembly at a gathering of the worldwide Youth for Christ family in Belo Horizonte, Brazil September 2003.
At the Belo Horizonte General Assembly a new strategic focus statement was also adopted which is foundational to the Global Ministry Plan:
Youth for Christ reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ and commitment to social involvement.
and changed at the General Assembly in 2014 to:
Youth for Christ reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who are characterised by godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, boldness in evangelism and commitment to social involvement.
We believe that God is raising up a new generation of disciples who will impact our world as never before and serve and represent Jesus Christ locally, nationally and globally.
2008 GENERAL ASSEMBLY - Young Leader's Process
In September of 2008, the Youth for Christ worldwide family gathered in Magaliesburg, South Africa for the General Assembly. This was a special event as over 350 young leaders from around the world joined the staff and a new initiative was launched: The Young Leader Development and Empowerment Process.
Many of the young leaders have gone on to pioneer new Youth for Christ ministries in neighbouring nations. Others have pioneered ministry into new cities within their nations and a number have become the National Directors in their nation.
The wisdom and value of investing in a new generation of leaders has become indisputable. Today Youth for Christ continues to develop young leaders as a key element in its strategy for reaching young people everywhere and giving them the opportunity to be followers of Jesus Christ.
Program accomplishments
The eternal value of reaching young people for Christ cannot be measured; however, these numbers allow us to celebrate what God is doing around the world because of you and the men and women of Youth for Christ.
In 2023:
2,071,398 Young People Impacted by Direct Ministry
10,447,678 Young People Impacted by Media Ministry
139,051 Young People Who Responded to the Gospel
42,129 Young People involved in Follow-Up/Discipleship Programs through both Media Ministry and Direct Ministry
128 Chartered Youth for Christ Nations
56,820 Full-time, part-time, & volunteer staff
14,768 Partner Churches Around the World
220,627 Registered Prayer Intercessors Praying for YFC