The project was launched as YFC recognises the desperate need to offer pastoral guidance to the younger generation. Recent statistics have indicated that 85 percent of people who become Christians are converted to Christianity before the age of 25. However, the concern is that significantly less of the Church's resources and efforts at evangelism are being focused on this group.
Roy Crowne, National Director of YFC, has commented on the harsh future the Church, "The Church has a fight on its hands. Churches worldwide are facing the challenge of keeping their young people, who are being bombarded with dozens more enticing offers from the media and society at large."
"Today, young people are facing a crisis, not just of trust but of values in general."
YFC’s vision in this project coincides with the ongoing "Values" campaign of the Evangelical Alliance (EA), who have also focused very much on trust. EA launched the campaign during the summer with the aim of introducing the message of trustworthiness among Christians, Churches, public life and business.
"Without trust relationships breakdown, be that between friends, between politicians and voters or within the business world. Trust is a building block to a healthy, functioning society. The Evangelical Alliance wants to engage with people wherever they live, work or play to put trust back on the agenda," said Rev Joel Edwards, EA General Director.
YFC's resources pack includes specific sections that are particularly relevant to young people in schools, churches or in a youth club settings. Each pack incorporates suggestions for lesson plans, school assemblies, Christian unions, sermon outlines and prayer and intercession guidelines. It also includes case studies and outline programmes for youth club activities as well as a synopsis of the youth generation and relevant statistics. Finally the pack contains a CD with video clips, Powerpoint presentations and TV style adverts.
Youth workers from each of YFC's 57 local centres will organise individual discrete missions in schools, churches and youth clubs with the aid of the Mission: Trust resources pack. Running from November and December 2005, YFC aims to reach over 50,000 young people with the Christian message.
Rev Joel Edwards welcomes YFC's mission project, "Trust is a building block to a healthy, functioning society and the Evangelical Alliance is excited about the positive role YFC is playing through Mission: Trust to put trust back on the youth agenda."
"Trust is a fundamental ingredient within relationships, whether that be between friends, politicians and voters or within the business world," he stressed once again.
Please visit Youth for Christ (YFC) website for further information and online ordering.