CFC-Youth for Christ

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Not to be confused with Youth for Christ.
CFC-Youth for Christ


Motto Fun, Friendship, Faith, Freedom
Formation June 1993
Type Catholic charismatic group
Headquarters 349 Ortigas Avenue, Greenhills East, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Location 14.5948° N 121.0567° E
Membership approx. 200,000
Coordinators Rommel and Layle Ancheta, CFC-YFC International Couple Coordinators
Key people Overseen by Couples for Christ, namely Melo Villaroman, Jr., CFC Family Ministries Head
Website http://cfcyouthforchrist.net/

CFC-Youth for Christ (CFC-YFC, known as CFC-Youth in the United States) is the world's largest Catholic youth organization. CFC-Youth for Christ is the young adult ministry of Couples for Christ (CFC). CFC-YFC is a Catholic evangelistic ministry to young people, with the vision to renew society in Christ through the youth. CFC-YFC invites young Christians of any denomination aged 12-21, from all sectors of society, regardless of distinction. CFC-YFC provides a venue for youth to respond to God's call to holiness in all aspects of their lives. In addition to helping strengthen Christian family life, CFC-YFC also shares the universal CFC mission of helping the poor and oppressed.

CFC-Youth for Christ was initially established in the Philippines in 1991 as a limited pilot program under CFC, which was then only an outreach to married couples. In 1993, CFC became an independent organization and created the CFC Family Ministries, CFC-YFC among them. Actively participating in CFC's work of evangelizing families, CFC-YFC also spearheaded the initial efforts of what would become Gawad Kalinga (GK), an organization that uses a Christian approach in solving poverty in the Philippines and other countries.

CFC-Youth for Christ has about 200,000 members, of which about 150,000 are based in the Philippines. CFC-YFC can be found in parishes, high schools, colleges and universities in over 160 countries and territories throughout the world.

Contents

[edit] History

CFC-Youth for Christ began in 1991 as a pilot program of Couples for Christ, known as the Young Adults Program (YAP). It started at Los Baños, Laguna (that is the reason why YFC in Laguna is almost a year older than YFC as a whole). YA was a very limited program, as CFC itself was an only an outreach to married couples. YA's limited existence continued until June 1993, when CFC separated from its original community, Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Community.[1] CFC's vision of "Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the Face of the Earth" led to the immediate establishment of the CFC Family Ministries, and CFC-YFC was formally launched.[2]

In 1995, CFC-Youth for Christ held a Youth Camp for the out-of-school youth of Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, one of the biggest slums in Metro Manila. These youth included juvenile gangs infamous for their violence. Fortunately, the sincerity of the CFC-YFC service team prevailed. In an effort to rehabilitate the youth, they were introduced to theater, sports, and livelihood training, with exceptional youth being awarded with scholarships.[3]

CFC-Youth for Christ continued to spread all over the Philippines as a result of CFC's reach around the country, and CFC-YFC's intensifying work with the poor. CFC-YFC's work would lead to the establishment of Serving In God's Army (SIGA), a youth development and rehabilitation program, and ultimately inspired CFC's Gawad Kalinga (GK).[4] In 2003, CFC-YFC was established in all Philippine provinces.[5]

2007 CFC-YFC International Leaders Conference
2007 CFC-YFC International Leaders Conference

By 2005, CFC-Youth for Christ was established in more than 100 countries.[6] In that same year, CFC-YFC launched full-fledged evangelization and morality programs, to be implemented for CFC-YFC around the world.[7] As CFC celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006, CFC-YFC celebrated its 13th anniversary, with over 10,000 youth attending the annual CFC-Youth for Christ International Leaders Conference (ILC). In 2007, the 14th CFC-YFC ILC had almost 10,000 attendees.

The 15th CFC-YFC International Leaders Conference was held on April 4-6, 2008 in Tagaytay City, Cavite, Philippines, with 10,500 youth attendants.

[edit] Organization

CFC-Youth for Christ grows mainly through the establishment of the ministry in areas and parishes with CFC already present. Like CFC, CFC-YFC members are organized into Household cell groups (a group of 10 to 12 individual youth), which are led by a Household Head. Multiple households form a Chapter, multiple chapters form a Cluster, and a Sector can be formed depending on the amount of clusters in the area.

CFC-Youth for Christ is overseen by the CFC Family Ministries Director, currently Melo Villaroman, Jr. CFC-YFC is directly governed by the YFC International Council based in Manila, currently led by Rommel and Layle Ancheta, the YFC International Couple Coordinators. Locally, CFC-YFC is overseen by YFC Couple Coordinators, CFC members who have volunteered to serve in CFC-YFC. Couple Coordinators report directly to the CFC Chapter Head for CFC-YFC pastoral formation, training, and finances.

[edit] Vision and Mission

God has created the family to be a means by which His Kingdom can be propagated on earth. The family, however, is under attack by evil and divisive forces, which put the Christian life of the families in danger. This situation causes the family to lose its guidance from the Holy Spirit and its personal relationship with Christ.
God has called families to defend themselves more actively against these forces and stand up in defense of other families.
For families to be able to do this, they should be able to see Christian renewal work as holistic – meaning, it includes evangelization, not only of couples, but likewise their children.
CFC-Youth for Christ, being the Young Adults program of Couples for Christ, helps bring the family back into God’s plan, as it becomes the instrument for Christian renewal to other teenagers and young adults.
Conversion is threefold, starting with the young adult as an individual, followed by peer group evangelization and renewal. Thirdly, in line with the vision of CFC, the renewal of peer groups will lead to the renewal of the Church. This pattern is analogous to the renewal pattern for CFC (individuals, Couples and Church).
This goes to say, therefore, that members of CFC-Youth and their parents in CFC are partners in mission, having the same goal in mind, although operating in different social contexts.

– CFC-YFC Statement of Vision and Mission

[edit] Statement of Philosophy

We in CFC-Youth believe,
† That God is calling everyone to a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ.
† That this call is not exclusive but shared with all sectors of society, regardless of age, color, nationality, status and beliefs in life.
† That the youth have a very special place in God’s heart, and that they in return have a very deep sense of love for God and that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is something they desire.
† That the youth have a vibrant, energetic, dynamic and free nature. Rather than denying this nature and forcing the youth into molds that satisfy our own perception of Christianity and holiness, we accept this nature, not curtailing it, but re-channeling, into an active expression of submission and participation to the plan of God.
† That the youth who have detached themselves from God have not done so just because of their own liking or plan, but also because of social deficiencies in family life, education and government structures.
† That the youth are full of ideas and are blessed by the Lord with talents; That the youth are in need of friends and role models, and therefore should be given the opportunity to develop those skills and relationships in a healthy Christian environment.
† That the youth realize the need to make decisions in life; but they should also know that as they do so, God should always be an inseparable part of these decisions; Knowing also that they are the future leaders of the families and societies, we realize that this future depends on how they are molded today as God’s children.
† That the youth are responsible as long as they are given the appropriate amount of guidance, trust, and loving care.
† That the youth grow not only from what they receive, but more through what they are able to share with others.
† That the youth are at the forefront of a spiritual battle, and that the evil one knows just as much; that the deception by the evil one, intended to confuse, mislead and even initiate the youth into his evil plans, comes in the form of day-to-day family life, relationships, values and practices, music, language and ideals.
† BUT, we also believe, that as the plan of God unfolds, there is nothing and no one that can separate us from His love in Jesus Christ (Rom 8:38-39). His love is our source of wisdom and His life becomes our model in helping build this present and future life for the youth.
† Our philosophy is a statement of victory of Christ’s youth. It is a declaration of active submission to the will of God – primarily believing that the true purpose in life is to serve God above all things.

– CFC-YFC Statement of Philosophy

[edit] Programs

CFC-YFC Community-Based is the branch of CFC-Youth for Christ that evangelizes alongside CFC, usually based from the nearest parish that CFC is present in. This is the largest program of CFC-YFC, with the majority of YFC members in Community-Based.

CFC-YFC High School-Based is the CFC-YFC club established in a high school, with the purpose of providing a Christian support environment for students. The majority of CFC-YFC High School-Based are high school students, but High School-Based is directly supported by CFC-YFC Community-Based.

CFC-YFC Campus-Based is the college or university-based CFC-YFC, and is the most novel CFC-YFC program, as CFC-YFC works in the campuses with CFC-Singles for Christ (CFC-SFC). CFC-YFC Campus-Based helps CFC-YFC into their transition to adulthoood in SFC.

Towards Renewal In Christ (TORCH) is the support group for children of CFC Mission Core Group (MCG) members (the MCG consists of vital CFC leaders worldwide). TORCH aims to increase leadership capabilities in the CFC-YFC who are children of MCG members.

CFC-YFC Communications (YCOM) is the media arm of CFC-YFC. YCOM utilizes the creativity and technology of the youth to creatively evangelize young adults and to communicate ideas across the CFC-YFC ministry. YCOM also oversees formation of CFC-YFC music ministries and etc.

[edit] Morality Program

100% Pure
100% Pure

100% PURE was launched internationally in 2005 as CFC-YFC's full-fledged morality program. CFC-YFC promotes this program as a reminder to every member that being in CFC-YFC is a lifestyle that should embody Christian values. 100% Pure is based on Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body.

100% Pure's 10 Points are:[8]

1. Smoke Free

2. 0% Alcohol

3. Zero Drugs

4. PorNO

5. No to Masturbation

6. 100% Pure Man/Woman

7. True Love Waits

8. Virgin & Proud

9. Pro-life

10. Pure Inside and Out

[edit] Ministry Transition Programs

Swinging Towards Christ (SWITCH) is CFC-YFC's service in the CFC-Kids for Christ (CFC-KFC). SWITCH allows CFC-YFC the opportunity to serve their younger brethren in being Christian role models and empowering CFC-KFC members at their young age to live a Christian lifestyle.

Crossover is a transition program for CFC-YFC members who are 21 years of age and up, particularly utilized in CFC-YFC Campus-Based. Crossover aims to help older CFC-YFC members move and adjust to being in CFC-Singles for Christ (CFC-SFC).

[edit] CFC-Youth

CFC-Youth
CFC-Youth

CFC-Youth for Christ is known as CFC-Youth in the United States, in order to differentiate it from Youth for Christ, which was founded by American evangelists Billy Graham and Charles Templeton in 1944. In 2003, CFC-YFC USA launched Go For Gold, an evangelistic mission to establish CFC-YFC in all 50 states in 1 year. In 2004, Go For Gold was completed, and CFC-Youth exists in parishes, high schools, colleges and universities in all 50 U.S. states.

[edit] Conferences

15th CFC-YFC International Leaders Conference worship
15th CFC-YFC International Leaders Conference worship

Since 1993, CFC-Youth for Christ annually gathers over 10,000 of its members and leaders from all over the Philippines and abroad at the CFC-Youth for Christ International Leaders Conference (ILC, nicknamed I Love Christ) during the summer. The ILC is the culmination of the life and mission of CFC-YFC, with members of the worldwide youth organization gathering from around the world. The three-day weekend includes talks, creative and sport competitions, contemporary worship, wholesome entertainment, a Praise Parade where youth compete for the best conference-themed presentation, a Praise Cruise, and the Praisefest, where all the youth gather in extended Catholic Christian charismatic worship.

The CFC-Youth for Christ International Leaders Conference is CFC-YFC's global conference and CFC-YFC Philippines' national conference. There are also CFC-Youth for Christ National Leaders Conferences and CFC-Youth for Christ Regional Youth Conferences held for other CFC-YFC countries around the world. All of these conferences have a common theme worldwide. The 16th CFC-YFC ILC for 2009 will be held in Cebu City, Philippines.

CFC-Youth for Christ in the United States (CFC-Youth) will be holding the 14th CFC-Youth National Leaders Conference at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida on July 11-13, 2008.[9] The CFC-Youth National Leaders Conference is one of the largest Catholic youth conferences in the United States.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Couples for Christ (2006). Renewing the Face of the Earth:The Silver Book. Couples for Christ, p. 101. ISBN 978-971-93571-0-0. 
  2. ^ Couples for Christ (2006). Renewing the Face of the Earth:The Silver Book. Couples for Christ, p. 100. ISBN 978-971-93571-0-0. 
  3. ^ Couples for Christ (2006). Renewing the Face of the Earth:The Silver Book. Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc., p. 107. ISBN 978-971-93571-0-0. 
  4. ^ Couples for Christ (2006). Renewing the Face of the Earth:The Silver Book. Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc., p. 107. ISBN 978-971-93571-0-0. 
  5. ^ Couples for Christ (2006). Renewing the Face of the Earth:The Silver Book. Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc., p. 120. ISBN 978-971-93571-0-0. 
  6. ^ Couples for Christ (2006). Renewing the Face of the Earth:The Silver Book. Couples for Christ, p. 120. ISBN 978-971-93571-0-0. 
  7. ^ Couples for Christ (2006). Renewing the Face of the Earth:The Silver Book. Couples for Christ, p. 121. ISBN 978-971-93571-0-0. 
  8. ^ Couples for Christ (2006). Renewing the Face of the Earth:The Silver Book. Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc., p. 121. ISBN 978-971-93571-0-0. 
  9. ^ CFC-Youth. 14th CFC Youth National Leaders Conference. Retrieved on 2008-18-04.

[edit] External links

[edit] CFC-Youth for Christ

[edit] CFC-Youth for Christ North America

Canada

United States