The fellowship hall room at Park Place Church has exterior doors that open onto a covered patio area, which is where area kids enter the building for youth groups.
The mission of Youth For Christ USA (YFC), based in Englewood, Colorado, is simple: It’s a movement to reach young people right where they are and share the love of Christ through biblical mentorship. With 100 nations and 130 chapters, YFC reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus.
At YFC's Portland, Oregon, chapter, their community partner in reaching area youth is the city's Park Place Church—a ministry that has opened its doors to YFC and its mission, providing space at the church and a place on its grounds for neighborhood skateboarders,
The result: a strong missions partnership and a dramatic difference in the lives of local kids.
Good-faith dual tenancy, connected community
“It’s a compelling example of a church that proactively became a part of the community,” says Joshua Shelton, pastor of Park Place Church and former youth pastor. “YFC Portland and the church ... [using] the existing space make it convenient, as a joint ministry, [to reach] young people on the streets in that area. And our space is evolving. It just takes simple modifications to make [the dual usage] work.”
Images: Youth for Christ Portland
“The greatest impact is on the community,” notes Joey Shadel, YFC Portland’s area director. “Our church is directly across the street from a low-income housing area. Sharing church news, event updates, offering online services, and promoting amusements not only engages current members, but attracts new people looking for a vibrant and welcoming community. Our church building [that we use] features a fellowship hall and promotes activities such as basketball, skateboarding, and miniature golf, to name a few. And most importantly, the community has embraced this lifestyle.”
"Our church is directly across the street from a low-income housing area ... [and our] building features a fellowship hall, [where we] promote activities such as basketball, skateboarding, and miniature golf ..."
Joey Shadel, Area Director, Youth for Christ Portland chapter
The fellowship hall is simply a big, open room with a large screen TV on the wall for Adult Sunday School to use. Its tables and furniture can be moved easily about the space. And there is nothing on the wall except for paint, Shadel notes. In addition, the room has exterior doors that go to a covered patio area with direct access to the parking lot, where the kids enters.
"This room has started to become a hub for many other community groups in the past year. I have been offering it up to many in the area, and they all love the space," Shelton adds.
Youth-focused ministry
Shadel’s background is a fit for his current role leading YFC. “I was an avid church-going kid without much direction. I became an intern and then [a] youth minister.” So Shadel has a passion for helping young people in the area grow into who they are an—and to walk alongside them.
As he notes, "We pursue 11-19 year olds who are walking through pivotal, story-shaping moments, like navigating a new school, becoming a teen parent, spending time in a juvenile institution, or simply enduring the culture of social media. Young people often feel marginalized. We represent Jesus who is steady and trustworthy so that young people feel seen, heard, and valued."
"Because YFC is helping with our outreach to the community, I see [it] as an arm/ministry to the church. We will even use church funds to help the ministry. It’s a win-win.”
Joshua Shelton, Pastor, Park Place Church, Portland, OR
As for Shelton and Park Place Church, it has two other non-profits that work with kids/youth that meet and use the building, as well. All three groups work with the same kids and each has a different perspective on their outreach. But of YFC's in particular, Shelton says, “Joey’s love for the kids helps the group grow. YFC has a passion to reach kids, no matter where they are, and help them to grow into lifelong followers of Jesus by getting them plugged into a church."
Shelton continues, "I think it is great that YFC is using a building [that's] already established. It capitalizes on its mission to partner with churches, but also doesn’t require them to pay skyrocketing rent. Because YFC is helping with our outreach to the community, I see YFC as an arm/ministry to the church. We will even use church funds to help the ministry. It’s a win-win.”
Spiritual healing
As a results of the partnership between Park Place and YFC, young people are showing up, asking tough questions, and feeling loved by adult leaders.
Kids are even showing up to Sunday school and growing in their faith. “We are seeing slow but steady growth in our spiritual community," Shelton confirms.
He continues, "When I was hired by Park Place Church I realized that YFC would be a great fit for the community. At the time, the church had only 15 people and we had many rooms not being used. I asked my Trustees if YFC could use that room. I offered our Fellowship Hall so [Joey] could meet youth. Then we had some youth vandalize the property, and we knew we needed to do something."
Instead of calling the police, the pair agreed to form a YFC club and the amazing youth ministry with it.
Walking the walk
"The youth in our community and the culture at large are wanting and needing authentic adults that love and care for them," Shelton says. "Adults that are not afraid to ask and answer the tough questions of the day. In today’s youth ministry, you cannot be shy about the culture our teens are growing in. YFC understands that and they have tools to help their leaders be effective in reaching youth. YFC also wants its leaders to hang with the youth. [Joey] is constantly having students [come to] the church, and it gives him opportunities to minister to them on a personal level."
He continues, “Having Joey and YFC in the community where Joey lives and works has had a HUGE impact on the success of his ministry at Park Place Church—the kids see him and his wife walking the dog, doing chores, etc. Joey has shown he is invested in their community and their lives.”
Community discipleship
Shelton reports that Park Place's older members have become more engaged with the youth ministry of the church because they see the benefits of having young people come to church—and they are seeing the culture change in the larger community because of it.
”Our view of ministry has to evolve,” Shadel says. “As youth workers, many of us were taught that if you offer good worship, kids will come to your church. However, that’s not always the case. They’re not going to wander into the church. So we have to find ways to ... enter their world in order to connect with them, which involves meeting them where they are.”
