Our
Mission
Core
Approach
Beliefs
Mission
We call youth to Christ and into a life of Kingdom Work through His Church.
Core
Rooted in the Gospel.
Made for Kingdom Work.
Connected to the Church.
Approach
We tell compelling stories.
We create inspiring experiences.
We pay attention to details.
We steward what God gives.
We take care of our people.
Mission
We call youth to Christ and into a life of Kingdom Work through His Church.
Core
Rooted in the Gospel.
Made for Kingdom Work.
Connected to the Church.
Approach
We tell compelling stories.
We create inspiring experiences.
We pay attention to details.
We steward what God gives.
We take care of our people.
The Trinity
We believe in one God who eternally exists in three equal persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, who is infinite in power and wisdom, perfect in holiness, and overflowing with love and grace.
1968
CIY founded by OCC professor Bob Stacy
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.
1969
First CIY Summer Conference
1984
First National Youth Leaders Convention
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 National Youth Leaders Convention.
1985
First youth mission trip to Haiti, CIY Missions is born
"I thought that God could do the impossible, so I never put a limit on it."
Bob Stacy
Founder of CIY
1990s
CIY Summer Conference expands across the United States
Throughout the 1990s, CIY gained a reputation as a cutting-edge youth ministry, leading in areas of worship styles, video, and multi-media techniques, resource materials, youth missions experiences, and using college campuses for programs.
1997
CIY launches Jr. High weekend event Believe
1997
CIY creates the Discipleship program
The Discipleship program began in 1997, to encourage and teach students how to have an intimate and personal relationship with Christ
2005
CIY launches SuperStart, the first nationally touring event for preteens
2008
Renewed vision and rebrand
In 2008, CIY celebrated 40 years in ministry, re-branded its logo, and established a new vision and mission: “Amplifying Christ’s call to be Kingdom Workers through events, trips, and resources.” This led to the re-branding of Summer Conference as MOVE.
2010
CIY Missions becomes CIY Engage
In 2010, CIY Missions was re-branded as CIY Engage, expanding the opportunity for more trips and service projects.
2011
CIY showcases its first feature-length documentary
In 2011, CIY showcased its first feature-length documentary, “Love Costs Every Thing,” – an official selection in two international film festivals – and followed that with another documentary, “Becoming Sons and Daughters” – which won an award with the San Diego Christian Film Festival. Since then, CIY has continued to produce award-winning short films and documentaries – most recently winning multiple film festival awards for the film “Nozomi.”
2012
CIY launches middle school summer conference MIX
2018
CIY celebrates 50 years in ministry
CIY celebrated 50 years of God calling over one million students to be Kingdom Workers. The logo was rebranded to honor a rich history as well as focus on the future. The subtle imagery of an arrow reinforces the ministry’s mission of Christ in youth. The idea of “heaven to earth” is portrayed with the vertical visual, and the arrow shows movement – which is what they are called to do as Kingdom Workers.
2018
CIY opens a new office in Ireland
2019
Leadership change
After nearly two decades in the role, Andy Hansen steps down as president of CIY. Jayson French takes the helm.
2020
Kingdom Work Never Stops
In March of 2020, the COVID pandemic shuts down the SuperStart and Believe tours. For the first time in over 50 years, no CIY-hosted events are held during the summer. But Kingdom Work didn’t stop. Churches and donors provided critical financial resources that helped CIY survive the pause. The CIY creative team responded by launching /AT events. These digital, flexible events in a box could be used safely anytime, anywhere, thus providing youth leaders an avenue for socially-distanced summer experiences.
2022
CIY has the biggest summer ever
During the summer of 2020, all summer events were canceled due to COVID-19. CIY faced the largest crisis in its history. Two years later, they had their largest summer ever.
2022
CIY purchases studio space from GNPI
In pursuit of ministry goals, Good News Production International (GNPI) decided to sell studio facilities to CIY to support the creation of relevant media locally and to help continue the expansion of its global footprint of media teams around the world. The 18,000-square-foot building will allow CIY to create more video content for events and digital platforms.
Looking Forward
For decades, CIY has partnered with churches to call young people to Christ and into lives of Kingdom Work. And the work is just getting started. Through European expansion (more events coming soon) and an investment in emerging technology (how will VR and AI change youth ministry), CIY continues to explore ways to serve the Church.
1
2
9
0
0
1
6
2
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0