CYIA is a summer training program that equips teens to share the Gospel with kids through summer kids’ clubs. Through applicable training, discipleship, and community, you’ll be equipped, emboldened, and transformed.
CYIA students form lifelong friendships because we’re all united in Christ. Students grow together through fellowship, activities, tight-knit groups and large group chapels, and more.
Previous CYIA Student
"CYIA has been one of the most life changing and funnest experiences I've ever had. It feels good because I know I'm going to be helping, guiding kids to Christ like how I was I was led to Christ. All the people here at CYIA, they have their own story. It's really cool just to know that they have their own way on how they were saved by Christ and how how Christ plays a big role in their lives."
Previous CYIA Student
"CYIA has had such an enormous impact on my life and I cannot imagine what my life would be like without it. I have grown in my faith in so many ways. These include learning how to trust God with everything in my life, learning how to lean on him for strength, and learning how to listen to his callings. The community that has surrounded me is amazing-it is such an amazing experience to be surrounded by like-minded people who love the Lord and strive to serve him. It's also so special to see the friendships that I have made through the experience continue to grow, and it's amazing to see how God has connected most of my friends and I through CYIA. CYIA is such a life-changing experience and I am so glad that I listened to God's calling to participate in it!"
Previous CYIA Student
"As a kid growing up in a Christian home, I knew all the things I should have done to grow my relationship with Jesus. My main reason for attending Christian Youth In Action training was almost entirely an obligation - I felt I should cross an evangelistic activity off my Christian to-do list. Completing CYIA classes in an environment of prayer and enthusiastic Believers was the push I needed to truly pursue my relationship with the Lord. I am so thankful for my years at CYIA, in which God gave me motivation to follow Him, and showed me the joy that comes with it"
Previous CYIA Student
"I love CYIA so much! for me, there are two big reasons. First, CYIA is not easy. it's really challenging, but it's through the challenges that I've learned to depend on God the most for strength. And second, I love how supportive the community is. as we do training together, we struggle together, we learn to trust God together, and were there to encourage each other, help each other, and pray for each other. CYIA has been one of the best experiences in my life and I'm so blessed to have been a part of it!"
Previous CYIA Student
"I wish every week was like this! The way I was challenged and forced to trust in God for energy, nothing could grow my faith like that. On top of that, being surrounded by people who have the same desire to grow in their relationship with God is refreshing."
CYIA provides specific training to guide children to salvation in Jesus—you’ll have the opportunity to see God work in many ways as you minister on the field.
How are you planning to spend your summer? As relaxing as it may be to chill at the pool or hang out with friends, what if you chose instead to make an eternal impact in the lives of kids right where you live?!
Beyond the power of a program or a stylish event, CYIA emphasizes the power of the Gospel to make an impact, both in the life of the student and the lives of children they reach.
It goes beyond a few leadership classes with heady ideas. We work alongside students to help in developing their practical and spiritual skills, along with helping them find their gifts in relation to the body of Christ.
Right now, the Church needs bold, prepared leaders to go out and share the truth with a world that is lost and confused. You can respond to God’s call to proclaim the Gospel to the lost – CYIA gives you the tools, the people, and the opportunity.
If you have a heart for ministry and want to team up with other students in Minnesota to reach children for Christ in your community, then CYIA is for YOU!
This year, our campus is Crown College, a private christian institution founded in 1916 that we have partnered with to host CYIA.
The address is: 8700 College View Dr, St Bonifacius, MN 55375. We will have options for carpooling to campus as well.
CYIA goes from June 8th to June 19th, 2025. The first week is hosted at Crown College, splitting off into our seperate chapters to do clubs and training locally.
We also have an Orientation occuring at April 26th. At this event, teens are given the opportunity to meet with their teams, participate in fun activities, and get their materials for the summer. Orientation is mandatory for anyone participating in CYIA.
After training, we go out into the Minnesota community and put on 5 Day Clubs for 6 weeks, July 7th - August 16th. We ask that students participate in 5 Day Clubs for at least 2 of these weeks.
As you apply for CYIA, you’ll start in one of three different starting tracks offered to first-year students, each serving different ages and schedules.
Starter Tracks:
Higher Level Tracks:
No worries! The Assistant missionary program provides a smaller training thatn the full 2 weeks of CYIA, going from June 8th to June 10th. After that, the two weeks of teaching 5 Day Clubs is all that is required. We do strongly encourage students to participate in our full training to get the most out of the program, however.
Anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and is growing in your faith with a consistent walk with Him may apply. In order to attend CYIA, you must also complete our application and be in agreement with our Statement of Faith.
For regular summer missionaries, CYIA costs $750 to cover the cost of materials, housing during training, etc. For assistant missionaries, CYIA will cost $200.
We also work together with summer missionaries to help them raise funding for CYIA.
Child Evangelism Fellowship is the world’s largest children’s ministry reaching over 20 million children a year with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We’ve been around for 80 years and been taught by God a thing or two about children’s ministry. You can learn more about CEF at our international website.
PRAYER. Ask God for His wisdom and guidance about this major decision. Don’t take this lightly. This is a major commitment – to God. Like God’s Word says, you need to count the cost.
APPLICATION. Fill out everything online including a couple of references. Submitting the completed application before the application deadline.
INTERVIEW. You’ll go through an interview process and may have a few other things that your local CEF office will cover with you.
CEF MN State Office: 149 Thompson Ave, St Paul, MN
(612) 207-6769
Twin.Cities@cefmn.org