Youth For Christ

Reaching young people in Kansas City

Our Focus

Introducing young people to Jesus at Pivotal Moments

YFC is a movement that reaches young people everywhere with the hope of Christ. We work with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement.

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How we Serve

In Kansas City, we reach 11-19 year-olds in tough situations. Our volunteer ministry leaders and staff lead Bible studies, chapel services and book clubs in four detention and residential treatment centers across the metro area. Our Parent Life Ministry supports teen moms and dads by connecting them to community resources, engaging them in Christ-sharing mentoring relationships and building Christian community.

Alex Mathew

Executive Director

Alex Mathew grew up in Dallas, TX. He spent three years living and working in Chicago, IL where God gave him a passion for advocating for marginalized people. He moved to Kansas City in 2005 and has worked at The Hope Center in Kansas City, MO and the Urban Scholastic Center In Kansas City, KS. He helped lead the relaunch of Youth For Christ Serving Kansas City. He led the Juvenile Justice Ministry for three years before transitioning to serve as Executive Director. He has a BS in Organizational Leadership and a MS in Organizational Development. Alex loves spending time with his family, walking his dog and helping coach his son's basketball team.

Andrea Mathew

Community Engagement Coordinator

Andrea Mathew grew up in Grand Haven, MI. She moved to Kansas City, MO in 2004 and has lived and worked in the inner-city of Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS since. She serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator - connecting with volunteers and community partners. She has a Bachelors of Social Work and Bachelors of Fine Arts and a Master's degree in Church and Community Social Work. Andrea loves spending time with her three boys, gardening, hiking and teaching and making pottery. andreamathew@yfc.net

Megan Fountain

Ministry Director

Megan Fountain grew up in St Louis, MO and moved to Kansas City in 2009. Megan is YFC Serving KC's Ministry Director, and serves young families in our Parent Life ministry. She has a deep heart for the people of Kansas City, KS and lives there with her husband Simon. Megan served at Mission Adelante for 14 years, where she developed deep relationships with young people in our neighborhood. Megan has a BA in Spanish, a BM in music education, and an MA in music therapy. She loves music, dancing, cooking, and Jesus!

Nathan Sanders

Juvenile Justice Ministry Director

Nathan grew up most of his life in the great state of Texas and went to college in Tampa, Florida. He served in the active military for 10 years and moved to Kansas City in 2021. After working with young adults in the military and coaching youth sports for several years, he pursued a call from God to work with teens and began volunteering with YFC Serving Kansas City. He has a passion for seeing and helping our teens thrive in their relationship with Christ through spiritual development. In his spare time he enjoys connecting over coffee, sports (new love for pickleball!), playing games, hiking, and spending time with his wife Mikayla and dog Toby. He received a BS in Management from the University of Tampa and is currently pursuing his MA in Counseling from Mid-America Nazarene University. He also serves in the Army Reserves as an ROTC instructor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Our Staff & Advisory Board

Steve Casteel, Project Manager and Client Account Lead - Burns & McDonnell

Grant Helmers, Consultant - Helmers Group

Judith Jones, Director/Founder - Kansas Academy of Theatrical Arts

Carlos Walker, CPA

David Willett, Chief Underwriting Officer - SPARK Underwriters

Partner with YFC

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