We’re continuing in our year-end series with a second post that captures the heart of our mission and how your investment makes a difference (Read Part 1 here).
Part 2
Upon walking into the City Life Center, you’ll immediately see this cross. It’s at the center of the Christian faith, and it’s at the center of our mission.
In Part 1 of this year-end series, I highlighted the Reformation Era theologian John Calvin’s framework for God’s common grace–His general kindness that is given to all people regardless of faith, such as food, life skills, and well-being.
YFC ministry is filled with common grace efforts that extend God’s goodness in the here and now–a meal offered, new skills learned, recreation, shared experiences in nature, mental health training, and more.
But more importantly, YFC ministry is filled with what Calvin referred to as God’s special grace–the good news that the aforementioned cross signifies.
This good news, “the gospel,” is that Jesus took the punishment for sin through death on the cross, and through this death and the ensuing resurrection, all who place faith in Christ are forgiven from sin, redeemed to a new life on earth, and promised eternity in heaven.
At YFC ministry sites, our leaders are teaching this core truth from Scripture. Furthermore, they’re unpacking the Word of God through unique series, wrestling with difficult passages as youth have questions, and edifying them with biblical perspectives through small groups and individual conversations.
There are many complexities and challenges to this. We are living in more post-Christian times, and we’re often serving unchurched youth who are a “blank slate” spiritually.
The opportunity to share God’s special grace revealed in Christ is ultimately about sharing the best news of all. Our mission marries God’s common and special grace, creating a mosaic of God’s love and truth.
What’s preeminent at YFC? Jesus. All other cultural attributes fall underneath this.
Our last feature will tie this together further. Stay tuned!
