ThereforeGo Ministries (formerly known as Youth Unlimited,[2] the American Federation of Reformed Young Men's Societies,[3][4] the Young Calvinist League, and then the Young Calvinist Federation)[5] is a Christian youth ministry for short-term mission trips in the United States and Canada that was formed in September 1919.[4] The organization is a non-denominational ministry[4] that has its roots in the Christian Reformed Church in North America,[6] but partners with other Christian denominations.[7] ThereforeGo is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA)[8] and Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission (SOE).[9] It is one of two youth ministries under the Dynamic Youth Ministries umbrella organization, with the Calvinist Cadet Corps.[10]
 | |
| Predecessor | Youth Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Formation | September 1919 |
| Type | INGO |
| Purpose | ThereforeGo Ministries helps churches challenge youth and emerging adults to commit their lives to Jesus Christ and transform this world for him.[1] |
| Headquarters | 4695 44th St SE, Suite 130, Kentwood, MI, 49512 |
Region served | United States and Canada |
| Membership | Youth Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission (SOE) |
Official language | English |
Parent organization | Dynamic Youth Ministries |
| Affiliations | Calvinist Cadet Corps |
| Website | www |
Formerly called | American Federation of Reformed Young Men's Societies American Federation of Reformed Young Women’s Society Young Calvinist League Young Calvinist Federation |
The non-profit is mainly known for its "SERVE" mission trips for teens, which are 5-7 day trips for middle school and high school age students,[11] which are mostly made up of youth groups from various churches. The volunteers participate in a variety of community service projects[11] in the host church's community.[12] A small sample of these service projects includes that in 1998, the Ellensburg, Washington chapter of the organization spent three days removing graffiti from various parts of the city.[13] In 2014, student teams did various service projects throughout Chicago, Illinois as part of The Chicago Project.[14] In 2016, volunteers painted houses around Sioux City, Iowa.[15]
History
editIn August 1950, the organization, which was then called the Young Calvinist Federation (YCF), released a report calling for the institution of educational programs and legislative programmes in order to afford African Americans "rights and opportunities equal to those enjoyed by other members of society."[16]
The American Federation of Reformed Young Women's Societies, which was founded in May 1932, merged into the YCF in December 1955.[4] In August 1967, the YCF held an international convention in Edmonton, Alberta.[17] From December 30, 1982, until January 2, 1983, the YCF co-sponsored a conference with members of local churches in Calgary.[18] The name of the organization changed to Youth Unlimited (YU) in 1992 and to ThereforeGo Ministries in 2020.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Mission Statement". Therefore Go Ministries. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
- ^ a b "Youth Unlimited Changes Name to ThereforeGo Ministries [Press Release]". ThereforeGo Ministries. 2020-09-01. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
- ^ Anderson, Eliza (September 2020). "Youth Unlimited: '100 Years of Belonging to God'" (PDF). Banner. Christian Reformed Church Periodical Index: 18.
- ^ a b c d "About Youth Unlimited" (PDF). Cornerstone Christian Reformed Church of Chilliwack. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ Robert P Swierenga (2002). Dutch Chicago: A History of the Hollanders in the Windy City (2 ed.). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. p. 467. ISBN 978-0802813114.
- ^ Robert Wuthnow (1989). The Restructuring of American Religion: Society and Faith Since World War II. Princeton University Press. p. 111. ISBN 978-0691020570.
- ^ Joe Kingsley Eyiah (January 19, 2004). "Churches in Toronto Fight to Prevent the Deportation". Modern Ghana. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ "Therefore Go Ministries (Accredited Organization Profile) - ECFA.org". www.ecfa.org. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
- ^ "Member Directory - SOE (Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission)". soe.org. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
- ^ "Dynamic Youth Ministries". Calvinist Cadet Corps. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
- ^ a b "SERVE Mission Trips - Christian Summer Mission Trips for Teens". ThereforeGo. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
- ^ "Host a Christian Teen Mission Trip (Host Churches) ThereforeGo Ministries". ThereforeGo Ministries. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
- ^ "Graffiti buster". Daily Record: 16. September 3, 1998.
- ^ "Youth Unlimited Serves Hundreds in Chicagoland | Trinity Christian College". Trinity Christian College. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
- ^ "Summer Prairie Serve project". Dordt College. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
- ^ "Chicago Young Calvinist Outing | Busy Beaver Button Museum". buttonmuseum.org. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
- ^ "Calvinists Will Meet In City". Edmonton Journal: 25. October 1, 1966.
- ^ "Youth meeting set". Calgary Herald: G8. November 20, 1982.