History
West Sound YFC began it’s ministry to the kids in Kitsap County thirty years ago in 1982 when our first Executive Director, Mark Halland and five community members, Glen Anunson, Conrad Green, Pete Hill, Paula Michelsen, and Jean Sherrard obtained a local chapter charter from YFC/USA. Our first ministry was to students attending North Kitsap High School.
Mark left his pioneering work in 1986 and was replaced by Chris Clark. Chris greatly expanded the campus related ministries throughout Kitsap County. Chris also introduced ministries to teens who were not reachable though school based ministries using foster care, youth guidance and neighborhood ministry models.
Ricki Lee Brooks replaced Chris and focused our ministries on church partnerships and supporting student-led ministries. He also strengthened our signature event, BIG SPLASH, as well as adding other large outreach events.
Bob Cassis, was hired in July 1999 and served until September 2009. Through Bob’s guidance, we strengthened and expanded our ministries. Under his leadership, we added Campus Life programs, started a Juvenile Justice Ministry, increased services available to foster youth, and introduced the first mentor-based Teen Parents program. His energetic and passionate leadership resulted in clearly defining our purposes…connecting youth with Christ, instilling life skills, and engaging believers in service.
Josh Hinman, our current Executive Director, was hired in May 2009 and served alongside Bob Cassis for five months before becoming our Executive Director. His background as a Regional Manager in a major business, combined with his passion for youth evangelism, has been a great fit for our ministry. Josh is responsible for development and stewardship, guiding the vision of West Sound YFC, community relations, and reporting to the Board of Directors.
In Kitsap and North Mason Counties there are approximately 40,000 youth ages 11-19. It is estimated that 4,500 of these are connected to a local congregation and attending church regularly. Our target is the remaining 35,500 youth. As a result, we have 6 core ministries targeted at building relationships with these youth, wherever they are found. It is our foundational belief is that there is no young person too lost, no environment too broken, no community too disconnected from the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.