Board of Directors

I was first introduced to Christ in high school, and ever since, I get excited when young adults have the opportunity to hear the message about God’s lavish love. Through YFC, I have the wild privilege of hearing former gang members thank God for new life in Christ, and seeing lives forever changed by their relationships with the Juvenile Justice staff! Married 34 years, Dick and I are UW grads, and the parents of 3 children and 2 grandchildren. I also serve as the Director of Women’s Ministries at Believers Fellowship Church in Gig Harbor and serve on the ministry board of Leadership Design Group.

I was blessed to grow up in Pierce County with a family who loves Jesus. God placed on my heart to move to Tacoma and live in the same city that I work with the youth, attend and serve in my church, and evangelize. I have a heart to share the gospel outside the church walls, seeing young men become followers of Christ and see them become responsible/productive citizens in their community. I enjoy playing games, sports, and music; dancing, traveling, and fellowship.

I became involved with YFC through the Foster Care Dinners in 2002. The Lord has since opened doors in City Life. From the Beginning of Late Night and SOZO, I have seen God bring an influx of students to hear the good news of the gospel.

I choose to serve on the Board of TYFC because I know the character of the staff and believe in the ministry the Lord has called them into. I have seen a spiritual awaking and life change among many of the students and believe in the call to share the gospel to the people in our neighborhoods. For these reasons, I support and want to invest in YFC.

My name is Christy Allen. I grew up in a loving, close, and Christ centered family. My brother, Chad, is also on the Board. I work at Russell Investments in downtown Tacoma and my church and home are close by- on a good day, I'll walk home from work. I enjoy many outdoor activities- tennis, pickleball, golf, jogging, softball, volleyball- you name it, I'm up for it. I also like to work in my yard and have gained a strong appreciation for weedless flowerbeds and nicely edged grass from my parents- who knew they'd rub off on me so well.

I have chosen to serve on the Board for two reasons: One, I know quite a few people that work for YFC, and they are men and women of substance. I have observed their character, their love, their sincerity, their humility in different settings, different times, and not when the spotlight was on them. They have given a great deal of creditability to this ministry. Two, I have seen the fruit of this ministry- the doors that they have knocked on and that have opened for them and it is exciting! Sozo church is an example of this. I would estimate 50-100 kids come every Tuesday for a warm "family" dinner and are loved on as they learn about being a leader in Christ, instead of a follower in the world. God is doing good things!!

I have been married to my beautiful wife Cheryl for 13 years, and we have two wonderful daughters, Ellie, 9, and Brynn, 6. I am the General Manager of Cole Screenprint, Inc, in Tacoma, WA.

I have served on the YFC board since May of 2008, but have been connected to the ministry for over nine years. I have known several of the Leaders of Tacoma YFC for many years, and have always known that they are exactly where God wants them. Their passion for reaching young people for Christ is obvious, and it is a blessing to witness the fruits of their labor.

The Juvenile Justice Ministry really touches my heart. Seeing YFC staff engage the most at-risk youth in Pierce County, and engaging them in life-changing ministry and relationship is simply amazing. These people are truly representing Jesus’ love for these kids and having an unbelievable impact.

I have been married for 24 years. My husband is medically retired from the US Army. I have 2 children ages 26 and 18 and have custody of my niece 18 year old.

I have worked for the state of Washington for the past 20 years for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in the Child Nutrition Section.

I have served on the board for Tacoma Youth for Christ for the past 3 years. I have served in the community in various capacities such as volunteering for the Parenting Workshops, Back to school carnival, and Bible club on the east side of Tacoma. My heart is really taken by the Parenting Workshops ministry and the needs those 4 week workshops meet in the lives of parents and the way local churches can minister through YFC by providing meals and small group leaders. I am one of the founding members of Trinity Church and have worked in the nursery, sunday school, and youth mission trip to mention a few. I am currently leading a mentoring group and coordinate the schedule for greeters at the second service at Trinity. I have been a born again Christian for the past 23 years. I love people and have a heart for serving the Lord.

My name is Steve Allen and I serve on the Board of Youth For Christ as Secretary. I am a graduate of Clover Park High School, Northwest University and Asbury Theological Seminary. I also serve as the Pastor of Small Groups and Community Ministry at Trinity Church in Tacoma. I’ve been married for 24 years to Becky and we have two children Kaila and Ky.

What I love most about Youth For Christ’s is the breadth of it’s ministries; Foster Care, Campus Life, City Life, Parenting Workshops and Juvenile Justice Ministry. I also love the commitment YFC has to be a part of the Body of Christ as it endeavors to be faithful to the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ.

I grew up near Lake Erie and had a relatively uneventful childhood. Once I finished college I got married and am blessed with two adult children and five grandchildren. During my first marriage I experienced many negative things and learned what it feels like to be abandoned, rejected, and alone. Fourteen years ago, I was again blessed to meet my second husband and now have five children, fourteen grandchildren and one great grandchild.

My belief in God and his son Jesus Christ has been my rudder through my whole life. I have great compassion and empathy for the children that Youth for Christ reaches and those yet to be saved. I was invited by a Board Member to attend a Youth for Christ event and was in awe as to what this Christian organization can do. When that Board Member went off the board, she recommended me for the position. Since I work at my church, University Place Presbyterian Church as an Assimilation Coordinator enfolding people into the life of service, I decided it was time for me to serve outside our doors as well. I feel honored to be part of this Christ centered organization and find it a privilege to work with so many wonderful people.

In 1957 I was born in Tacoma. I have spent my entire life in the Tacoma area. I have chosen to be a part of YFC because I hope to help in having a spiritual impact on Pierce County. I am particularly encouraged by our City Life ministry. This can be a potentially neglected ministry and it is wonderful how God is opening doors in troubled hearts. I have been a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch since 1987. I reside in Gig Harbor with my wife Dana, daughter Kelsey, and sons Kyle and Kirk. I also have three Corgis (Kali, Morty and Ralph) that complete our home.

I have been honored to serve as a board member since 1998. My wonderful wife Stacey and I own and manage Cole Screenprint Inc. in Tacoma. We have been married for 27 years and have two sons, Kevin and Scott. In my leisure time, I enjoy books, movies and playing semi-professional croquet.

The YFC ministry closest to our heart would have to be the Juvenile Justice Ministry. Working with the most at-risk youth, our staff is seeing miraculous results as God ministers through them into the lives of those kids.

I feel that my calling is not so much to minister directly to kids, but rather to serve and support those who are called to youth ministry. I choose to be a part of Youth for Christ because I am convinced that this is good soil to sow into, with both my time and financial resources.

The Tacoma Youth for Christ Emeritus Board is composed of past members of our Board of Directors who desire to keep in touch with YFC ministry who also serve as "ambassadors" to the community at large. The Emeritus Board meets twice yearly for lunch, ministry updates and brainstorming.

The Emeritus Board Includes: Kathleen Heppell, Bob Benoy, Stan Johnson, Stan Barker, Willie Stewart, John West, Al Berglund