We value you
We recognize that trust is fundamental to effectively serving the students in our community and surrounding areas. Building strong partnerships with families is a priority, which is why we are committed to connecting with you. As a parent or guardian, you play an essential role in your child's growth and success. We are dedicated to supporting both you and your child throughout that journey. Open, consistent, and meaningful communication is at the heart of that commitment. By providing timely information, valuable resources, and ongoing support, we aim to ensure you have the tools needed to help your child thrive.
MEANINGFUL COMMUNICATION IS IMPORTANT TO US
As a part of our commitment to build a strong partnership with you, we want to keep open lines of communication. If you have a question for the site director in your area, please click the button below to be redirected to our staff page. Simply click on the staff person's photo that you would like to contact and it will allow you to send an email. For any general questions about Youth for Christ, you can contact our office during regular business hours at 616.477.9460.
What is Youth for Christ?
Youth for Christ (YFC) is a Christian movement with over 130 chapters across the country and in approximately 120 countries. West Michigan Youth for Christ is one of those chapters. YFC pursues young people who often feel overlooked, to build relationships at pivotal moments.
Please note: Although we have ministry sites in numerous schools, churches, and facilities, we are not directly affiliated with any of these. We partner with likeminded community members, organizations, and businesses to work together for the good of the youth in our region.
What programs are available in West Michigan?
West Michigan Youth for Christ provides the following for teens in our region:
- Campus Life
- Campus Life Middle School and High School ministry combines healthy relationships with creative programs to help young people make good choices, establish a solid foundation for life, and positively impact their schools. Like every ministry of YFC, Campus Life seeks to engage these young people wherever they are found as lifelong followers of Jesus Christ.
We currently have Campus Life in over 20 schools in West Michigan.
- Campus Life Middle School and High School ministry combines healthy relationships with creative programs to help young people make good choices, establish a solid foundation for life, and positively impact their schools. Like every ministry of YFC, Campus Life seeks to engage these young people wherever they are found as lifelong followers of Jesus Christ.
- Juvenile Justice Ministry
- Juvenile Justice Ministry (JJM) strives to respond to the needs of incarcerated youth with relational programs that encourage conversation and build capacity for success in kids. Since every kid is unique and their situations are all different, JJM reaches teens in a variety of youth-serving institutions (i.e. detention centers, probation, correctional facilities, group homes, residential treatment centers, emergency shelters, etc.) Their strategy is to help young people develop a way of living taught by Jesus Christ; balancing the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of life. They build valued relationships that are sustained through ongoing involvement as they re-enter their communities. We currently have JJM in the Kent County Detention Facility and the Muskegon Juvenile Transition Center.
- City Life
- City Life is a relational, holistic, community-based ministry that desires to see deep change in an urban neighborhood through the raising of indigenous leaders from the young people in that community. We currently provide City Life in the Muskegon Area.
- Parent Life
- Parent Life connects pregnant and parenting teens with equipped, supportive, and encouraging adults. Our strategy is to help teen parents develop a way of living taught by Jesus Christ. We do this by drawing teen parents together with mentor leaders who engage young moms and dads in activities and lessons focused on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of life. Parent Life is for any pregnant or parenting teen in West Michigan.
- Deaf Teen Quest
- Deaf Teen Quest is designed specifically for building Christ-centered, life-changing relationships with deaf and hard of hearing students. Teams of caring Christian adults enter the world of Deaf teenagers with “fun, friendship, fellowship and faith.” YFC Deaf Teen Quest provides a healthy peer group environment with Christian role models to help Deaf teens develop a mature faith that makes a positive difference in the world. DTQ is for any deaf and hard of hearing students in West Michigan.
- YFC Core
- YFC Core is teams of Christian teenagers with coaches who together, follow Jesus in a way that naturally invites friends to discover Jesus with them.
Questions? Contact Karly Wymer at kwymer@wmyfc.org.
Helping you thrive
RESOURCES
Parenting is incredible and also hard. We have gathered a few resources to help you continue building a healthy connection with your child.
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Before participating in YFC events and trips, your child will need to have the YFC Consent and Release of Liability form filled out. Please click the button to begin.
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Antes de participar en los eventos y viajes de YFC, su hijo deberá tener completado el formulario de consentimiento y exención de responsabilidad de YFC. Por favor, haga clic en el botón para comenzar.
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Watch this 20-minute virtual experience to learn about West Michigan Youth for Christ. Together, we’ll take a journey through our story—exploring the history of YFC, why we are passionate about reaching young people, and how we’re meeting their needs right here in West Michigan. Through a series of short videos, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of our mission and the impact it’s having in the lives of today’s youth.
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Our hope is through this seminar, you will not only leave feeling more educated on the topic about teens and tech, but also encouraged and equipped to begin taking steps toward connecting with your teen(s). We want to see a generation of engaged families that are striving to reflect God’s kingdom, and we believe family connection and relational community is a large part of that. Contact Emily at ewagoner@wmyfc.org to see if there is a seminar scheduled in your area.
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Axis is a nationally renowned organization that equips parents of teens on a number of relevant topics. Having trouble keeping up with teen slang, knowing what is relevant, and having conversations with your teen? Check out Axis!
Stay Updated
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media is a great spot to see what is happening at West Michigan Youth for Christ. We are currently active on Facebook and Instagram. If you are interested in following a specific ministry site, reach out to your local YFC director to find out what handle to use.