Vision.

Big things are happening this year at YFC Cleveland! As we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year, we are eagerly anticipating what God is going to do in the lives of students. Read on to see what’s new in each ministry!

• Youth for Christ: We’re growing! YFC Cleveland is hiring new staff across the chapter to support the expansion of ministry.
• Deaf Teen Quest: Deepening current relationships through Bible studies and launch of new site.
• Campus Life Private Schools: Anticipating expansion into three new schools and future launch of middle school summer program.
• Campus Life Public Schools: Praying and planning for new staff to serve the growing student body in Parma.
• City Life: Expansion of Garfield Heights ministry and future launch of City Life Eastside and Parent Life.
• Juvenile Justice Ministry: Development of new Re-Entry/Diversion programs in the coming year.

Victories.

• Youth for Christ: Our new office building is being used to host events, meetings, camps and clubs!
• Deaf Teen Quest: Started new small groups to build relationships and teach life skills.
• Campus Life Private Schools: Completed our first year as a staff team of 4 serving 340 private school students!
• Campus Life Public Schools: Welcomed Inna on staff to minister to Brecksville-Broadview Heights!
• City Life: Celebrating ten years in the City Life Center and started two new clubs!
• Juvenile Justice Ministry: Launched Rebalance Program to provide mental health & trauma care for students.

Not Just a Program: A Family

Leon started coming to the City Life Center in 2022. He brought friends from Lincoln West High School and sometimes his younger brother tagged along. The group was rambunctious and often started fights. Leon had a good sense of humor but could be easily influenced by others, and he was always eager to look cool in front of his friends. During sophomore year, he disappeared.

We didn’t see Leon again for two years. When he came back, he was alone. His mom had moved to the Eastside, and he’d become involved with local gangs. He was nervous to be out in public, constantly looking around and afraid to stay in one place. In October 2025, he lost his brother to gun violence. He stopped coming to the Center.

Erin, the City Life Director, continued checking up on Leon. Week after week, she called to ask how he was doing. Then one day, he answered with good news. “Miss Erin, I’m getting baptized!”

Leon invited Erin and other City Life leaders to witness him get baptized on his 17th birthday. There was not a dry eye in the whole church that day. When Leon walked up to Erin, notes sticking out of his well-loved Bible, she barely recognized him. “There was light in his eyes again,” she said. “God had given him new life.”

Leon is now growing spiritually at a partner church in the neighborhood. Youth for Christ offers students more than just a place to hang out. It offers hope, community, and a chance to find life again.

Pray for Leon and his family, as well as the other students God is transforming. The life-changing ministry of Youth for Christ is centered around consistent, intentional, discipling relationships between adult leaders and students. If you want to make a difference in the lives of the next generation, there are countless opportunities for volunteers to join the mission to reach young people for Jesus. Whether it’s making food, giving rides, or mentoring kids one-on-one, we have a place for YOU! To find out how you can get involved in ministry, click here!

See the Story Tours

The See the Story Tours were an amazing celebration of what the Lord is doing in Greater Cleveland through YFC! Over 100 guests joined us to hear about the ministry and experience firsthand what it looks like to reach young people everywhere for Christ. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible!

If you missed the tours, don’t worry! We are going to continue this event twice a year! Keep an eye out for invitations to the upcoming tours:

• Thursday, September 10, 2026
• Thursday, April 22, 2027

We’re Growing — Join the Mission!

We are looking for new staff members who are passionate about reaching teens for Christ! Click here to learn more and find out if God is calling you to serve at Greater Cleveland Youth for Christ!