Collection 048 Records of Youth for Christ

Collection

Identifier: CN-048

Staff Only

Minutes, constitution and by-laws, clippings, newsletters, manuals, pamphlets, directories, press releases, audio tapes, videotapes, photographs, posters, club yearbooks, correspondence, etc., about the founding, development and growth, and activities of Youth for Christ in the USA and internationally.

Collection documents organizational policies, correspondence of the organization's presidents, conventions and Bible quiz competitions, the operation of Campus Life clubs, Youth Guidance program for troubled teenagers, YFC programs in other countries, audio tapes of YFC's radio program REALITY and its Bible quizzes, and Billy Graham's involvement in YFC; photographs of YFC leaders and activities are numerous; information on YFCI's magazine, correpondence, and financial records are limited. Subjects covered include evangelism among and by young people in both the United States and throughout the world, leadership training for staff and youth, fund raising and public relations, and the discipleship of youth. Some of YFCI's key figures featured include Robert Cook, Torrey Johnson, Sam Wolgemuth, and Jay Kesler.

Dates

Created: 1944-ongoing
Other: Majority of material found in 1944-ongoing

Conditions Governing Access

Folder 32-2 is closed until December 31, 2048.

Conditions Governing Use

Youth For Christ/USA, retains the copyrights to any published works in the collection belonging to YFCI; to videotapes or the films the tapes were copied from; to Youth for Christ magazine, Campus Life magazine, and any other printed material dated after July 1, 1980.

Extent

33.70 Cubic Feet

Additional Description

Biographical or Historical Information

Evangelistic organization working among young people; founded in 1944 to centralize independently organized rallies around the country; Billy Graham was YFC's first full-time evangelist; emphasis shifted from Saturday night rallies to organized clubs, known in 1960s as Campus Life, including activities for recreation and spiritual growth; developed a program for troubled teenagers called Youth Guidance; Mid-Winter conventions were held in different American cities (1956- ) as a youth conference, adding a business portion after 1969; periodical YOUTH FOR CHRIST developed, later called CAMPUS LIFE; during World War II included focus on ministry to servicemen; developed REALITY, a radio program with contemporary music and evangelistic messages for youth, 1974; presidents included Torrey Johnson (1945-1948), Robert Cook (1948-1957), Ted Engstrom (1957-1963), Carl Bihl (1963-1965), Sam Wolgemuth (1965-1973), Jay Kesler (1973-1985), and Richard Wynn (1986-1989); headquarters based in Chicago (1944-1953), Wheaton (1953-1990) and Denver (1990- ); indigenous YFCs emerged throughout the world with YFCI's ehlp. YFC organizations also started in countries and these joined together in 1968 to form the International Council of YFC, also known as YFC International.

Arrangement Note

Organized into 8 series: I. Early history. II. Administration. III. Conventions. IV. Bible Quiz Competitions. V. Campus Life. VI. Youth Guidance. VII. Overseas Divisions. VIII. Miscellaneous.