Update: The new name has been announced and it is: TRUE LIFE YOUTH MINISTRIES.
After 74 years, Lebanon Valley Youth For Christ is changing its name. The new name is not yet known, but the leaders of the Lebanon youth ministry plan to make the big announcement at their annual fundraising banquet on October 15 at the Lebanon Evangelical Free Church.
Lebanon Valley Youth For Christ (LVYFC) is a Christian, non-profit organization ministering to the urban youth of Lebanon. The group’s mission is to provide a safe and secure environment where young people can go to escape the negative aspects of poverty and broken families and develop healthy relationships and a strong Christian faith.
LVYFC offers pre-school and after-school activities and even a hot meal to the kids who come to one of their city centers.
According to Jerry Higley, the YFC Executive Director for some four decades, the name change is not something they wanted to do. In the beginning, LVYFC was affiliated with the national organization, YFC/USA. 45 years ago YFC/USA changed its national strategic plan and LVYFC severed its ties, but were allowed to use the YFC name through a licensing agreement. Now, YFC/USA is again changing its ministry model and LVYFC and others like it are being forced to give up their name.
Only the name is changing, Higley said. Other than changing the website and having new stationery printed, everything else will remain the same.
In addition to the banquet on October 15, a golf tournament and private donations, significant funding for LVYFC comes from the annual Bids4Kids auction held each spring at the Lebanon Expo Center.
Tickets for the banquet and more details on LVYFC programs can be found on the organization’s website.
