Youth For Christ Mauritius

History

1974

The 1st YFC team came to Mauritius from South Africa (New Commandment) led by Geoff Rutter which included visits to Madagascar and Réunion Islands.

The 2nd team (New Commandment 76) came with a group with Terry Sparks as preacher and Pat Berning as speaker and visited Réunion Islands. New Commandment was the first music mission pioneered by YFC Southern Africa, which really initiated the movement in Mauritius.

1978

Terry and Pauline Sparks returned for a month (August) to conduct leadership seminars. Negotiations were conducted between St Columba Presbyterian Church and YFC for the Sparks’ to return to Mauritius.

1980

On the board meeting in October, it was proposed to officially register Mauritius Youth For Christ (MYFC) to the Registrar of Associations. YFC Mauritius was officially registered on 9 June. Cyril Palan, the actual Regional Director the Indian Ocean Islands Region, was presented to the Board. YFC also purchased a plot of land at Allée Brillant Branch Road.

1995

Cyril Louison held the first YFC local music group called Oneness. A major performance took place in front of 10,000 people for Billy Graham Live Global Mission at the Rose-Hill stadium where the YFC music group performed, organized by Scripture Union.

1998

Area Director for Africa brought David Kadalie, Antony Jennings, Dean Edwall, Thomas Resane, Brian Heslby and Theo Jansen, which gave a good boost to the Ministry.

1999

Antony Jennings conducted two series of Training Programmes on Leadership wchich contributed a lot to the development of the Ministry.

2000

Antony Jennings conducted two series of Training Programmes on Leadership. The 1st Kreol Gospel Concert in October raised artists from scratch, like King (Jenkins Kheejoo), Bernard Pêcheur (Chosen) to professionals. Also, YFC was the first interdenominational group to promote the Kreol Language.

2003

The first ever organized Gospel Festival was held on November at St. Mary’s College in Rose-Hill with local artists, Malagasy and South African ones.

2004

The Centre was inaugurated on 18 July by the Mayor of the town of Vacoas-Phoenix, Mr. Dhiraj Neerburn. It provides regular activities after its renovation to a multipurpose facility and can accommodate up to 150 persons. A Basketball Court was inaugurated 8 years later.

2014

YFC Mauritius hosted the First Competency Development Conference (CDC) for the Indian Ocean Region and the Area Leadership Team -ALT (Africa Region) with David Kadalie, Ravoniandro Maharavo Fetra, Anne Musya, Everhardus Johannes Van As (E.J), Anna Elizabeth Van As (Koekoes), including Hilary Lewis Nicol and Jean Baptiste Mugarura.

Now

Youth For Christ has empowered hundreds of youths that are serving the Church in various domains. Dylan Palan leads a youth programme initiative Youth in Action, first initiated by his elder brother Cédric Palan, with young, committed and gifted youngsters organizing regular activities coupled with outreach, camping and ministry. Together with his wife and a team of young leaders, he is bringing a new spirit and a shift to the ministry.