New director takes helm at Saskatoon Youth for Christ
After 12 years working with Saskatoon Youth for Christ (SYFC), Kim Worthington is taking over from Gil Klassen as the organization’s new director.
Youth For Christ was established in the 1940s and initially held praise and worship-styled rallies for young people. In more recent decades, it morphed into more active programming aimed at developing relationships with youth.
Kim Worthington has worked in the programming end of the ministry, and also served as SYFC’s associate director.
“I didn’t grow up in a Christian home,” Worthington says. “My parents divorced when I was nine. My father was an alcoholic, and I followed suit. I hit rock bottom in my early 20s. God spoke to me in my loft house by the river through a televangelist. I realized my life needed to change and I accepted Jesus into my life. That was in November of 1998.”
Worthington began attending a church where he met new friends, including his future wife, Barb. In 2002, he enrolled at Bethany Bible College where he earned a degree in pastoral ministry, then did his internship with YFC.
Ministry to youth was a perfect fit for him. “Growing up how I did, I have a passion to help kids in difficult circumstances,” he says. “I know that’s where God wants me. From the beginning, I liked the idea of getting involved, using my passions to reach out to hurting youth.”
Today’s YFC programs are a vehicle for doing that. Every year the organization goes around province and does its signature Gymblast in about 75 schools. Gymblast is a high energy assembly program with music and physical activities.
“It’s a great way to serve a school, and a good opportunity to promote CalBreak or California Breakaway,” Worthington says.
CalBreak is another extremely popular program of YFC.
Next year, will be the 40th year SYFC has taken busloads of teens to California over Easter break. Three busloads a year travel to Orange County where students visit Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm, enjoy the shopping and the beaches and surfing venues.
“CalBreak is open to all students grades 9 to 12. Many who come don’t know who God is, have zero church connection. We bring along a speaker who shares with the students, introduces them to who God is and helps them understand that God is for them, that He has a plan and a bigger purpose for their life. Tons of kids tell us their life was changed by that trip.”
YFC has taken thousands of students on CalBreak over the years. Staff and volunteers go along, serving as trip director and small group leaders. “It’s like spring break camp in California.”
Another popular program Saskatoon YFC runs is YFCHL, the Youth For Christ Hockey League. The program is aimed at both boys and girls in core neighbourhoods who can’t afford organized hockey.
“We try to provide the best program possible,” Worthington says. “We keep stats, have a replica Stanley Cup the kids get their names on. We make hockey cards for the players. These are distributed at the Christmas banquet.”
Volunteers bring snacks for the kids to games night every week. Eight games are played each Wednesday night in winter.
“Between games 4 and 5, we have a Coach’s Corner where we share a thought from the scripture and have snack time,” Worthington says. “Each team has a coach/ mentor. We try to build into the students’ lives as positive role models.”
The YFC building on Avenue B is the site of a drop-in every Tuesday for kids ages 10 to 15. It’s a safe place where no one is turned away. Visitors get supper, and hang out and play games with staff and volunteers.
The programs of YFC are making a difference in the lives of youth. Last year, 15 of them were baptized at the nearby Carpenter’s Church which YFC has been partnering with for several years. The pastoral couple there volunteers at the weekly drop-in and also runs an intentional Bible Talk program at their church for interested youth.
Yet another program of YFC is Project Serve, an annual mission trip to Belize during February school break. Worthington says Project Serve is an opportunity for a dozen high school students each year from the Saskatoon area to experience another culture and gain a new perspective on how the poor of our world live. While there, the students participate in work projects in partnership with the King ’s Children’s Home orphanage.
On June 10, SYFC is holding its annual golf tournament fundraiser at Valley Regional Golf Course in Rosthern. The fee is $75 (plus a donation of $75 to YFC) and includes prizes and a barbecue lunch. For more information, check the SYFC website at yfcsask.com. ‘I have a passion to help kids in difficult circumstances,’ Kim Worthington says
From the beginning, I liked the idea of getting involved, using my passions to reach out to hurting youth.