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.
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STAFF
- All
- Leadership
- MOVE
- MIX
- SuperStart
- Engage
- Europe
- Development
- Church Relations
- Content Creation
- Production
- Business Strategies
Alex Christian
Production Launch Content Lead
Alex Holt
Production Manager - Private Events
Allison Kooser
Event Experience Professional
Amanda Hedger
Accounts Payable Coordinator
Amy Penn
Creative Programmer
Andy Funes
Large Church Experience Professional
Andy Hansen
Senior Relationship Officer
Anna Phillips
Strategic Partnerships Officer
Ashley Bozarth
Event Experience Professional
Austin Marple
Contracts & Logistics Manager
Avery Oldfield
Event Experience Professional
Becky Birkholz
Business Strategies Professional
Ben Hedger
Property Manager
Ben Platt
Director of Business Strategies
Brad Warren
Church Relations Manager
Brandon Unrein
Production Administrator
Brian Sitton
Director of Digital Programming
Brittany Funes
Store Operations Professional
Brittany Shoemake
Director of Engage
Caleb DeRoin
Director of MIX
Cam Levin
Production Resident
Carmen Walker
Accountant
Carson Beck
Warehouse Department Head
Chelsea Jones
Event Experience Manager
Chloe Davenport
Development Specialist
Claire Morrell
Youth Leader Experience Coordinator
Conner McKenzie
Youth Minister Advocate
Curtis Sleme
Production Lighting Department Lead
Diana Martin
Production Operations, Logistics Lead
Ellen Smith
Head of Design
Eric Epperson
Vice President of Story
Eryn Aubey
Event Planning Manager
Grant Nelson
Youth Leader Experience Coordinator
Haley Harris
Event Experience Professional
Helen Warnock
Deputy Director of Europe
Jalen Romero
Digital Sales & Marketing Professional
Jason Dean
IT Director
Jason Miller
Senior Director of Production
Jasper Rutherford
European Director
Jaxon Harden
Event Experience Professional
Jayson French
President
Jeff Birkholz
Youth Minister Advocate
Jennifer Deardorff
Vice President of Culture
Joel Yates
Youth Minister Advocate
John Luzadder
Vice President of Experience
Josh Klesner
Production Video Department Lead
Katelyn Adams
Director of Digital Resources
Kayden Woolever
Youth Leader Experience Coordinator
Kevin Behnke
Production Operations Team Lead
Kinzlea Smith
Youth Leader Experience Coordinator
Korey Klein
Director of SuperStart
Lane Moss
Director of MOVE
Lauren Bryan
Creative Producer
Levi Greer
Project Manager
Libby Karnes
Youth Leader Experience Coordinator
Liz Morgan
Program Administrator
Logan Sperry
Church Relations Manager
Maddy Hay
Church Relations Project Manager
Madison Hoagland
Social Media Coordinator
Madison Miller
Summer Events Operations Professional
Mallory Jenkins
Creative Programmer
Mark Hand
Vice President of Business Strategies
Martha Getz
Event Experience Manager
Matt Foreman
Production Launch Team Lead
Matthew Harris
Graphic Designer
MD Neely
Film Team Lead
Michael Hester
Production Audio Department Lead
Mike Smith
Production Fabrication
Mikey Sackrider
Creative Programmer
Nate Karnes
Director of MOVE Programming
Padon Murdock
3D Designer
Patrick Snow
Vice President of Content Creation
Preston Stanley
Creative Programmer
Riley Mitchell
Production Resident
Rob Watson
Creative Programmer
Ryan Claborn
Vice President of Operations
Shayla Blair
Event Experience Professional
Sonja Tapper
Development Manager
Sullivan Smith
Creative Programmer - Recreation
Tatianna Tolliver
Graphic Designer
Terry Ohmart
Film Producer
Titus Weece
Church Relations Director
Trevor Kaufman
Film Producer
Tyler Davison
Business Strategies Professional
Valen Pray
Production Gear and Project Manager
Join The Team
Job Openings
Fabricator
Full Time
Salary + Benefits
Joplin, MO
Purpose: To design and fabricate sets, props, and other items that support the programs and mission of CIY.
To apply, email your resume to ciyhr@ciy.com.
Job Openings
Filmmaker
Full Time
Salary + Benefits
Joplin, MO
Purpose: To collaborate with the Programming and Story teams of Christ In Youth to bring films to life.
To apply, email your resume to ciyhr@ciy.com.
Job Openings
Senior Development Officer
Full Time
Salary + Benefits
Joplin, MO
Purpose: To lead the strategy and execution of CIY’s fundraising efforts. SDO will primarily be tasked with creating a culture of philanthropy in CIY’s network through the development of relationships with donors, churches, and foundations.
To apply, email your resume to ciyhr@ciy.com.
Internships
CIY MIX
Summer Event Staff
internship
paid
Joplin, MO
Some summer internships consist of making copies, getting coffee for the supervisors, and filing documents under fluorescent lights from 8-5. This is not one of those internships.
Internships
CIY MIX Band
Summer Event Staff
internship
paid
Joplin, MO
Some summer internships consist of making copies, getting coffee for the supervisors, and filing documents under fluorescent lights from 8-5. This is not one of those internships.
Internships
CIY MOVE
Summer Event Staff
internship
paid
Joplin, MO
Some summer internships consist of making copies, getting coffee for the supervisors, and filing documents under fluorescent lights from 8-5. This is not one of those internships.
Internships
CIY Production
Summer Event Staff
internship
paid
Joplin, MO
Our summer production teams are responsible for carrying out the vision of our programming team in a manner that is uniform across all tours.
Internships
CIY SuperStart
Event Staff
internship
paid
Joplin, MO
SuperStart could not happen without the servant hearts and giftedness of our Event Staff. They play a critical role in helping us accomplish our mission by planning, preparing, and facilitating SuperStart events.
Staffing for the 2025 tour is full, check back later for information on 2026.