8 minute read
Impacting The Next Generation
1400 N College St, Auburn, AL 36830
Things are always changing in the Lee County area: new businesses, people moving into and out of the area, the recent construction booms, the list goes on.
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In the midst of what seems to be constant change, East Alabama Youth For Christ continues to expand its reach to help young people establish themselves within the Christian faith.
“Simply put, our purpose and passion is to reach youth for Christ,” said Executive Director Tabitha Vasilas. “We want to help raise up lifelong followers of Jesus.”
The nonprofit ministers to a broad range of young people. It has a primary focus of reaching those who have battled through some form of adversity in their young lives.
“For those that struggle with their mental health, feel unseen or are at-risk, we want to reach them in the pivotal moments of their life,” Vasilas said.
Vasilas began her work with the ministry five years ago while working in local juvenile detention centers. She helped lead Bible studies and other various programs for youth.
Her efforts as juvenile justice director earned her the opportunity to step into a more broad role within Youth For Christ.
“Two and a half years ago, I was asked to step into the executive director role,” Vasilas said. “Now, I oversee the entire operations and functions of our local chapter here.”
When asked about the origins of the nonprofit, Vasilas spoke about the ministry’s creation in 1944 by founder Billy Graham.
“It began with Billy Graham as the first full-time employee,” Vasilas said. “He saw a need for the gospel to be presented to youth and began crusades in hopes of seeing a revival of faith in young people.”
The organization has grown exponentially since 1944, now spanning not just the United States, but the world.
“We’re in 100 countries across the world and over 130 locations throughout the United States,” Vasilas said. “We’ve moved from youth rallies to on-campus ministry in order to reach young people anywhere and everywhere through authentic, Christ-sharing relationships,”
East Alabama saw its own chapter formed 38 years after the ministry’s inception.
“This local chapter has been here for 40 years,” Vasilas said. “It launched in 1982, so we have a lot of history here. The longevity of that just supports the reputation and the impact that we’ve been able to have.”
Youth For Christ has a reach that expands across Chambers, Lee, Macon, Randolph, Russell and Tallapoosa counties. It’s currently active in four of the six counties.
Vasilas made sure to communicate that although the organization is present on a national and international stage, reaching the target audience happens at the local level.
“The impact happens locally,” Vasilas said. “The value here is that we have boots on the ground that are local. We have adult leaders that are out in the community establishing those relationships with these kids that are hurting and broken.”
With the importance of local engagement in mind, Vasilas depicted what Youth For Christ volunteers look like and what the requirements are to become active in the ministry.
“You have to be at least 18 years of age and live a life that aligns with our statement of faith and beliefs,” Vasilas said. “We invite those who have a passion and compulsion to reach youth for Christ in our community.”
The executive director explained that the ideal volunteers are those who are truly passionate about the organization’s core belief that Jesus is the answer.
“Our volunteers come from all over,” Vasilas said. “Even
though our team comes from many different churches, schools and areas, we can all agree that Jesus alone is our answer and to share that with the younger generation.”
The individuals who find their way to involvement with Youth For Christ come from all walks of life.
“We have a wide range of ages within our volunteer team,” Vasilas said. “Our team includes college students, pastors, church members, business owners and many others.”
As a nonprofit, the organization relies solely upon donor funding and the funds raised in its two annual events.
“We’re 100% donor-funded,” Vasilas said. “In order to carry out our ministry efforts, we count on local grants, fundraising events, individual giving and support from churches and businesses.”
For those interested in supporting the ministry, Youth For Christ hosts a golf classic, as well as a comedy café annually.
“We have two major fundraisers every year that guests thoroughly enjoy,” Vasilas said “Our largest annual fundraiser is our golf classic that will take place in September of this year. We also have an annual family-friendly comedy café that happens later in the fall.”
Beyond the parameters of fundraising events, Vasilas also mentioned the importance of church support.
“We lean heavily on church support,” Vasilas said. “Some helpful ways that our local churches have contributed include adding us to the monthly church budget, providing food and
resources for our ministry events and sponsoring our fundraising events.”
Unsurprisingly, church support extends beyond the realm of financial support. Youth For Christ looks for like-minded volunteers within the local church communities.
“For volunteers, naturally we go to local churches,” Vasilas said. “We want like-minded partners — this aligns with our mission statement. We want to work together to seek opportunities to speak
and share the mission with our brothers and sisters in Christ at churches.”
The organization also looks for volunteers and leadership with young adults at Auburn University.
“We find Christian organizations at the university to go speak [to],” Vasilas said “We encourage the students to spread the word and share the ministry’s vision and impact around campus.”
Vasilas claims that the organization is in constant search of support for the ministry because of how
pressing and time-sensitive the group believes the matter to be.
“We live in a different time,” Vasilas said. “Christianity has severely declined in our country. We are currently the least Christian generation to date.”
The executive director is concerned by the rising amount of non-religious young individuals, she said.
“There are more ‘nones’ — meaning people that are not affiliated with any religion — in this younger generation
than there are Christians,” Vasilas said. “Less than 4% of the generation have any Biblical foundation, knowledge or world view.”
A lack of spiritually engaged individuals weighs heavily on Vasilas’ heart, she said.
“To me, that is just very alarming,” Vasilas said. “Without the standard of truth to which we live by, no wonder we’re in the situation we are today where mental health in young people is declining rapidly.”
She said she hopes to stop what she fears may be a snowball effect.
“We are seeing youth suicide, depression, anxiety and addiction,” Vasilas said. “All these things are heavily impacting our culture and community in a negative way.”
It is out of concern that Vasilas believes the organization — and its partners — must act swiftly.
“If we don’t intervene or have a sense of urgency to get out there and start making a difference in the lives of these young people, we’re going to regret it,” Vasilas said. “Ultimately, what are we doing to impact these lives for eternity?”
Vasilas said she believes that these non-religious or nonbelieving youths are “in search of a relationship with a Godfilled hole in their heart”.
“Youth for Christ is a vehicle that has history and longevity. It’s an evangelical movement that has provided our leaders with access to youth in the local schools and youth-serving institutions that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible.”
Want to help the organization? Youth For Christ offered three ways.
“Prayer is foundational to success,” said a statement from YFC. “If intercessory prayer is on your heart, we would love you to join our team of prayers to pray for the youth of this nation, the work of Youth for Christ and all of our missionaries. To receive monthly email prayer updates, please email us at yfc@insideyfc.com.”
The organization needs volunteers, too.
“Volunteers are essential to the impact of our mission,” the statement said. “Your time and energy are greatly needed.”
Finally, giving.
“Gifts to the ministry are what help us meet the spiritual needs of the unchurched youth within our community. Your generosity is appreciated. Visit insideyfc.com/donate.”
When asked about her organization’s ‘why’, Vasilas left LIVE Lee with one parting thought.
“Titus 3: 4 through 8,” Vasilas said.
The excerpt reads:
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”