YFC operates within the following framework: Demonstration, Declaration, Decision, and Discipleship. These are referred to as the Four D's.
These operate in a cyclical fashion recognising that the nature and work of God precedes call to conversion and decision. Effective, Biblical Christianity demands the process of discipleship as an essential part of any faith decision.
| Demonstartion | The practice of engaging in community development as a means of alleviating materiel need AND/OR building long-term, unconditional relationships with young people means demonstrating acceptance and love. |
| Declaration | Any means of communicating the Gospel that invites people to make an informed choice about what has been communicated. |
| Decision | As part of the faith journey, decision is the point at which a person becomes aware of the need to make an informed choice to follow Christ, and does so. | Discipleship | A process by which people follow Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him. This process must be worked out within a specific cultural context, practice empowerment and facilitate belonging for the disciple. |
As a Youth For Christ centre Preston Youth For Christ (PYFC) uses the above model to communicate the message of Jesus to the young people of Preston. PYFC believes in a holistic approach to working with young people. It aims to meet the Mental, Physical, Social and Spiritual needs of young people (Luke 2:52)
Taking Good News Relevantly to Every Young Person in the Preston Area.
PYFC has 3 Core Values as the foundation for the mission statement:| Dignity | Every individual is created unique and bears the imprint of God. Therefore all relationships within and outside YFC should be characterised by compassion and respect. All evangelism will be done with full respect for the integrity of every individual. |
| Empowerment | Ensuring young people participate as 'full players' in the complete process of extending the kingdom and evangelising their peers, as well as mobilising young people to discover their place in society in the world, to enable them to explore the truth and impact of the Gospel in their cultural context. |
| Partnership | Working in partnership with the church and other organisations to fulfil YFC's mission statement. |
In an increasingly 'post-modern' world with a developing sense of cultural subjectivity, we as Christians need to continually evaluate our methods of communicating the Gospel. Youthwork in its purest form is built around building positive role model relationships that hold no conditional ties. It is within this framework that a young person may be free to explore issues of spirituality in an open and honest relationship, knowing that the relationship is not dependant on conforming to the youthworker's beliefs. The youthworker's role is to help the young person discover and own their own faith.
Through all relationships, structures, and programmes PYFC aims to:
| Mobilise Christians to engage with young people building 'no strings attached' relationships working through a broad community based approach to youthwork which offers relationship first and responds to need within it. | Offer a means for young people to explore issues of spirituality in a safe and secure environment on their terms and in their time. |
Reflect Jesus through incarnational youthwork that allows young people to experience the kingdom of God working in the live of themselves and others. |
Empower young people to develop a greater realisation of their role in the kingdom, local church and society as a whole. |
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