WHO WE ARE
Wearside Youth for Christ is a registered charity that has worked with young people in schools, local churches and on the streets for over 20 years. We are one of over 60 different youth for Christ centres around Britain and our mission is to present the good news of Jesus relevantly to every young person in Sunderland and its surrounding areas, encouraging them to ask questions at the same time as having fun.

THE TEAM:
The YFC team is made up of 2 full time staff at present and a number of full time and part time volunteers.

ANDY OSENTON (Director) I’ve been living here in Sunderland now since 1997 and have been employed by WYFC since September 97. I took over as Director in January 2001. I’m 38 years old and married to Faye who is a teacher in Reception. I’m a southerner and a Charlton Athletic supporter.

BEN WRIGHT (Sports Development Worker) I joined WYFC in Sept 07 after moving to Sunderland three years ago. I'm a southerner but a definite mackem wanabee. I'm football fanatic and Man Utd. fan and am taking my coaching badges. I've been doing youth work since I was 18 and love to share my faith with young people. I have recently married after meeting my wife Rachel on a training course for YFC.

LAUREN DRYDEN Alright!! My name is Lauren Dryden and I’m 19 years old. I’m from Sunderland and I’m going to Bethany City Church at the moment. I LOVE!!! Going to the beach, chilling with my friends, and generally being active. Shopping would be near the top of the list, as well as going to the gym and I’m quite a musical person – I play three instruments and I sing!! I finished school last summer and this year I have been working in Port Elizabeth, South Africa as a youth worker for Scripture Union. I was there for 6 months doing schools ministry, teaching life skills lessons, doing Christian lunch time groups, running camps and doing holiday clubs. I was also part of a church out there called Westering Methodist where I was involved in the youth group and worship team. I want to work with YFC this year because I love working with young people, having a laugh but also telling them about Jesus and this seemed the perfect opportunity to do what I love and to spend some more time working for God before I hopefully start my studies in September 2009. I’m excited to get into the schools already, to get working with the kids and to see God working in them and through YFC. It’s going to be proper MINT!!!

WILLIAM REILLY My name is William Reilly and I’m 19 years old. I got involved in Wearside Youth for Christ when I attended a Christian union held at my old school, to see young people from my Church. The Christian union was organised by the WFC team and I was very interested in the work they did. After leaving college I was very interested in taking a year out but could never find an activity that I was very interested in, until I heard of Youth for Christ! I very much enjoy working with the young people at my Church and I very quickly decided that a year out with YFC was exactly what I was looking for. As well as this new venture I’m also starting Bible College in October to work toward my diploma in youth mission and minister, over a two year period. So the real work starts now!! I truly believe that God’s immediate plan for me involves working with the young people in the North East and am greatly looking forward to getting started and being involved in the YFC team over the coming year. Within my Church I love to get involved with our services where I and a friend are often asked to preach, and believe I feel God’s calling to ministry of some kind. When im not at Church you’ll probably find me in the Cinema in Sunderland (just follow the smell of Nacho’s)!!

MANAGEMENT GROUP:
YFC also has its own management team made up of committed volunteers. (Click here for more information about our Management Group).