Lifeteams Information

Lifeteams is a program of Greater Vancouver Youth for Christ, an organization with nearly 50 staff operating for the last 30 years in the Greater Vancouver area. Worldwide, YFC has spread into 127 different countries since it's beginning in 1944. The Lifeteams program is patterned after similar YFC training schools in Britain, New Zealand, andSouth Africa, and has been in operation since 2001. We choose only a select number of students because we place a high value on mentorship and community living as character shaping tools. We've found these work best in a smaller learning environment. Lifeteams' courses are recognized by the Association for Biblical Higher Education as well as the Canadian Goverment Skills, Labour and Training. Will this training provide any future vocational benefits? Yes! Lifeteams courses can provide up to a year of transferable credit (27 credit hours) at a variety of Bible Colleges such as Columbia Bible College and Briercrest Schools. This allows students to continue their academic studies beyond Lifeteams if they choose. Students who fulfil the requirements of this program graduate with a Certificate in Youth Outreach, including 450 practicum hours, which will be useful on a resume for any individual choosing to pursue employment in the field of youth work. Over 60% of our students step into youth work careers with Lifeteams as their foundational training year. What does a regular week at Lifeteams look like? Generally speaking, most weeks follow our basic core schedule, with about 1 week out of 6 being "extra-ordinary" in nature. These weeks may involve a road trip to a first nations community, a group of teens descending on the house for a mission trip, a YFC staff retreat, counselling at a camp, or staffing a youth trip. In the regular schedule, Tuesday and Thursday are our in class days, with staff and guest instructors leading the team through a variety of course content in interactive and engaging ways. Wednesday and Friday are the days when students join veteran youth workers at their youth work placement site to learn more about youth work through watching and doing. Mondays provide the team with a day of community building through a variety of adventures and activities from rock climbing to spending the day hanging out with people living in poverty. Do the students have breaks during the year? The Lifeteams year offers students a few breaks, much like regular college programs, but the schedule is full and at times intense - somewhat like a one year mission experience might be. Students are given 2 weeks off at Christmas, and a 1 week reading break around Easter to rest and reconnect. Most weekends are free for students to do homework, enjoy community living, and connect with friends and family.