Post-War Years
The post-war period brought massive change to Britain. Initially, there were shortages with many items of food still being rationed. The country was on the brink of bankruptcy after a hard-fought victory.
As rubble from bombed buildings was swept away and new buildings erected in their place, social norms also began to change. According to Jeremy Black, professor of History at Exeter University, these changes meant “the population became more individualist[ic] and less deferential…the authorit[ies] of age and experience were overthrown and, in their place, came an emphasis on youth and novelty.” The teenage years were recognised as a documented life stage, “complete with its own fashions, behaviour, vernacular and arcane rituals.”[1]
A rapid decline in church attendance was another feature of Britain’s emerging new landscape[2]. According to George Wilson, “The moral pulse of Britain was low, her churches empty and her youth indifferent.”[3] If Britain’s young people were going to be reached, clearly different methods were required.
Youth for Christ
Founded in America in 1944, Youth for Christ utilised modern techniques to reach young people. In March 1946, YFC President Torrey M. Johnson, Billy Graham, Charles Templeton and J. Stratton Shufelt came to Britain to hold six weeks of evangelistic meetings. Billy returned home though “feeling a heavy burden for [Britain’s] people; he longed to see a revival of faith in the war-torn nation.”
Longing for Revival
He longed to see a revival of faith in the war-torn nation.”[4] So Billy started raising money for a return trip and soon had enough for a six month tour of England in the October of that year. This time Cliff and Billie Barrows joined him as his music team for the rallies.
It turned out to be one of the worst winters on record but the response was extraordinary. As passion was ignited for reaching Britain’s young people through new methods of youth evangelism. As a result, British Youth for Christ was established.
Innovation
Innovation was essential to the mission of Youth for Christ right from its inception. The movement’s motto and basis for mission was “Anchored to the Rock, geared to the times”. British YFC was effective in bringing churches together in evangelism and further Billy Graham crusades took place in 1954.
Evangelistic events weren’t new but significantly, these rallies used modern methods. Gospel choirs were a big feature. They became so popular that YFC started a choir competition. Current YFC Board member David Stillman remembers young people being encouraged to bring their friends to the rallies. Thus peer to peer evangelism became a key component of YFC.
Geared to the Times
Over the decades that followed Youth for Christ kept innovating. In the 60s, YFC moved from rallies to café style evangelism. Young people would bring their friends to hear modern Christian music, a testimony or two and a short gospel message.
YFC continued to develop new ways of undertaking youth ministry over the seventies, eighties, nineties and early 2000s. These included mission teams, schools work, youth work as a full-time vocation and youth work training.
British Youth for Christ’s mission statement is now: “taking good news relevantly to every young person in Britain”. But the essence is the same as it was all those years ago. We present the unchanging gospel; the good news of Jesus, to young people all over the country.
Kathryn Delderfield
Operations Senior Director