Winona Lake Conference (July 22, 1945)

On July 22, 1945, forty-two delegates met at Winona Lake, Indiana, a lakeside Christian conference center long known for Bible teaching and revival preaching. With the Second World War ending and a restless generation coming home to uncertainty, these leaders sought to unite scattered, Christ-centered youth rallies into one coordinated effort. Their aim was not entertainment or novelty, but a clear call to repentance and faith, trusting that the gospel still reaches teenagers with transforming power. The gathering reflected earnest cooperation across churches and regions, marking a moment when prayerful conviction became organized mission.

Youth for Christ International (Founding and Purpose)

From this meeting emerged Youth for Christ International, a movement shaped by holy ambition and humble dependence on God. The rallies that preceded it had already shown that young hearts could be addressed directly with Scripture, testimony, and straightforward evangelism. The new organization provided shared direction, doctrinal clarity, and practical support so that evangelists and local workers could labor faithfully and consistently. In an age tempted toward cynicism, the founders emphasized courage, purity, and public witness—calling youth not merely to moral improvement, but to new life in Christ.

Torrey Johnson and the Call to Leadership

The delegates elected Torrey Johnson as president, a leader known for steady conviction and an ability to unite others around the essentials. His service modeled a kind of heroism often overlooked: patient administration, spiritual seriousness, and willingness to bear responsibility for the sake of the next generation. Johnson’s leadership helped turn a wave of rallies into a lasting evangelistic network, encouraging workers to speak plainly, pray expectantly, and resist compromise.

Billy Graham and the First Full-Time Evangelist

Soon Johnson recruited a young Billy Graham as Youth for Christ’s first full-time evangelist. Graham’s preaching embodied confident proclamation with an urgent invitation to trust Christ, demonstrating how God can use a willing vessel with a surrendered life. The early partnership highlighted a vital Christian attribute: collaborative ministry—different gifts serving one mission. Their work echoed Scripture’s confidence in God’s ability to call and keep the young: “Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers…” (1 Timothy 4:12). And it rested on the unchanging promise of salvation: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9).