Christ in Youth (CIY)
At Mt. Gilead, we have yearly trip opportunities to CIY Superstart (grades 5-6), CIY MIX (grades 7-8), and CIY Move (grades 9-12).
For more than 40 years, Christ In Youth (CIY) has called students and leaders to boldly live for Christ through the hope of the Gospel message and a call to Kingdom action. By amplifying the call of Christ on student lives, three generations of servants, workers, missionaries and church leaders have responded to that call and populated the harvest field.
Today, CIY works in partnership with the local church, providing more than 100 annual program events for students and leaders across the United States and in more than ten foreign countries. CIY believes God has uniquely and specifically equipped every student for Kingdom work. In response to His call, students can actively serve in the harvest fields of their families, schools, churches and communities—not someday—but TODAY.
Within the next decade, more than one million students and leaders will be impacted worldwide through CIY's programs, curriculum and resources in an effort to turn the Millennial generation into a movement of Kingdom workers, responding in faith and in service to the call of Christ.
Christ In Youth believes that the Bible is the full and final inspired Word of God and is infallible as an all sufficient rule of faith and practice; in the deity and full authority of Jesus Christ; the faith in and obedience to Christ and His teaching is essential for salvation. We also believe in the virgin birth of Christ, His blood atoning death on a cross, and the bodily resurrection, the final judgment, and a literal heaven and hell as taught in the Bible. We are committed to the restoration of the New Testament teaching, principles and practices.
"For over 50 years, Christ In Youth (CIY) has been creating dynamic programs to help children and students draw near to God. When a child or student attends a CIY event, we know they’re going to experience dynamic worship and teaching from God’s Word. We also know that they provide a fun, high-energy environment for connecting with friends and adult leaders. CIY programs are a key component to help children and students become lifelong disciples of Jesus."
-Fred Schmitt, Student and Young Adults Minister
Christ in Youth was founded in 1968 by Ozark Bible College Professor Bob Stacy. His vision was to create a place where the Gospel message could be presented to young people in a way that was contemporary and culturally relevant. CIY started with volunteer college students leading rallies and high school assemblies via drama, music and dynamic speaking.
The first conference was held in the summer of 1969. As CIY's knowledge of youth ministry grew, the organization began to create effective tools for youth leaders to go along with the conference and event strategy. In 1984, CIY hosted the first annual National Youth Leaders Convention, and in the summer of 1985 the first CIY youth mission trip was taken to Haiti.
In 2005, CIY held the first ever SuperStart! Event, created specifically for fourth, fifth and sixth grade students. In 2007, CIY partnered with Standard Publishing to create a full Sunday School curriculum for preteens.
CIY Celebrated 40 years of ministry in 2008 by rebranding its logo and establishing a new vision and mission: Amplifying Christ's call to be Kingdom workers through events, trips and resources. This led to the rebranding of summer conferences, now called "MOVE." In 2010, CIY missions were rebranded as Engage, expanding the opportunity for more trips and service projects. And in 2011, CIY showcased its first feature-length documentary, "Love Costs Every Thing," to more than 30,000 event participants across the country. The film's national theatrical release took place in 2012. A second documentary, "Becoming Sons and Daughters," was shown to students and adult leaders during 2012 programs and will see a simulcast release in 2013.
Today CIY reaches more than 65,000 students and adult leaders by way of more than 100 events. The organization continues to be an innovative voice in student ministry with programs directed toward enhancing the spiritual formation of students. Plans include multi-region expansion, increased video production and new media outreach through the Internet and mobile applications.
For more information about Christ in Youth visit ciy.com.
