Christian Youth In Action

Summer Ministry Training for Youth & Young Adults

Children blowing bubbles
CYIA 2023 Promo Video

DATE: June 22-28, 2024
LOCATION: Master's University (21726 Placerita Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91321)
Total Cost: $600

[$100 Non-refundable Deposit Payment and online application are due on May 15 for CEF San Gabriel Valley Chapter; Remainder $500 payment is due on May 30. This is to ensure that we meet the payment deadline to the CEF Southern Califronia State Office in time prior to the training begins.]

What is CYIA?

Christian Youth in Action (CYIA™), is a missions program specifically designed for high school students and young adults. CYIA provides, training, materials, and ministry opportunities to help students confidently share their faith with children in their very own communities by teaching 5-Day Clubs throughout Southern California.

After this training, you will return to your local community and teach clubs at various locations with a team of other young people. These clubs take place out in the community with predominantly unsaved kids who don’t regularly attend church. You will be able to take the light of the Gospel to them in their apartment complexes, day care centers, neighborhoods, schools and other community locations.

How will you grow your relationship with God?

You will discover God's design for you through powerful class time, chapel, leadership development principles, and hands on training to complete your course. You will learn how to effectively share the Gospel with children. It will be a summer unlike any other!

How much does it cost?

To reserve a student’s spot, an initial $100 non-refundable deposit payment is required. It is requested that each student helps raise an additional $500 which goes towards the cost of materials, training, meals and lodging. Your local CEF representative will help you discover ways of inviting others to invest in the CYIA program to cover some of the expenses.

When is the Application due?

The initial $100 non-refundable deposit payment and online application are due May 15 for our CEF San Gabriel Valley Chapter. For the timely support of the program, it is requested that the remainder $500 tuition be made by May 30.

Important Dates

Parents & Leaders Information Day:
[Attendance is required for parents of underage CYIAers.]
Sunday, May 18, 2024 @ 2:30PM-3:30PM

Pre-Training Dates:
[Attendance is mandatory for both dates]
Saturday, June 15, 2024 @ 9:00AM-5:00PM

Location: 1114 E Mountain St, Pasadena, CA 91104 (CEF Pasadena Chapter Office)

After you've submitted your application online, below Screening Requirements are required by May 30.

Step 1: Register & pay the $100 non-refundable deposit payment by May 15; full payment is due by May 30.

Step 2: As per CEF Child Protection Policy, EVERY APPLICANT is required to complete and sign a Worker's Compliance Agreement prior to working with children.

Step 3a: If you are an underage applicant (age 13-17), the following two reference forms will need to be completed by the respective party, ie. a Church Pastor and a Non-Relative.

Step 3b: If you are an adult applicant (18+), California AB506 also requires LiveScan as part of your background check. First, please remit the $25 payment to our chapter online, via Zelle, or check, then email the proof of payment to [email protected]. Then a Pre-Paid Code along with the instruction on how to schedule your LiveScan Fingerprinting appointment will be emailed to you.

Testimonies from Past CYIA Students

 I give thanks to God that many children have come to faith in Christ. CYIA has been a great program for me because I got to learn how to use the CEF curriculums and materials to teach kids the Bible lessons and other stuffs as well. The teachers and instructors were very kind and friendly. The first time I heard about CEF was from a homeschool friend that joined CYIA for five years and they recommended me that I participate in this program. I also like making new friends from different churches and especially from different CEF chapters as well. I remember during our free time many of our CYIA friends were downstairs playing fuss ball and I can just hear them screaming with excitement and playing volleyball outside in the courtyard. I also remember one junior high school girl from 5 Day Club accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and many of the teachers were so happy for her. I also did Good News Club as well in a elementary school and it was a lot of fun teaching and interacting with the kids. My favorite part in teaching the 5 Day Club were the Bible lessons and the missionary stories. In the training, I learned that every child needs the gospel in order to receive eternal life in heaven. CEF is a great organization to bring kids about the love of Jesus and I highly recommend anyone who are planning for their summer consider to join this program. May God bless you all!
Samuel Penn
2nd Year CYIA Missionary in Summer 2023

For 6 years I have been waiting for the day that I could join CYIA like my Mom and sisters. When I started I was eager to start my training. As I was going through the training I learned to study hard and listen well. And after that I got to show my work and study by teaching a 5 Day Club on my own. CYIA was a great experience for me and I hope to do it again next year.
Joshua Mainit
Age 13, 1st Year CYIA Missionary in Summer 2021
(Heights Worship Center)

Every time I go, I see the need for more worker on the field. As the Bible said, "the harvest is plenty, but the workers are few" it's not easy to get out of my comfort zone, but through this training, I am able to become just a bit more bolder to share the Good News. I have been to CYIA for over 5 years, and each time it's like I'm a new student again. There will be some internal battles, but at the end of the day, it's not about myself. It's about being a messenger for God as He shows the kids His love through me. Highly recommend! (P.S. once you hear the reports of how God is working through the teachers, you'll want to continue telling the Good News!)
Steven Liao
5+ Year CYIA Missionary in Summer 2022
(Good Shepherd Taiwanese Presbyterian Church)

CYIA program is definitely the program you would to go if you like kids and want to share the gospel. You get training everyday so that you are prepare, you also make new bonds with people from other churches. I definitely enjoyed going, even though Im at a very young age I was so happy when I saw the kids at the club. Their bright smile when singing or dancing always brightens up my day more.
Emma Chen
Age 13, 1st Year CYIA Missionary in Summer 2022
The Church at Rocky Peack (Chatsworth)

My name is Gizel Mainit and I have done CYIA for 4 years. My first year of doing CYIA was not my choice. My mom was going and wanted to take me along, I went just to obey my mom. In all honesty, I had no desire to be there. However, after I led my first child to salvation, my mindset changed. I wanted to go to CYIA until I graduated as a 5th year student. Every year that I have attended CYIA has been such a blessing and has helped me grow with my relationship with Jesus. CYIA has not only helped my relationship with God grow, but also my confidence as a teacher. Now I am in college studying to become an elementary school teacher. Without CYIA, I would have never known that I had such a deep passion to teach kids. Lord willing, I plan to go this upcoming year for my 5th year!!
Gizel Mainit
4th Year CYIA Missionary in Summer 2021

CYIA is truly an amazing experience. It's challenging, it's life-changing. I was able to connect with amazing people of God and see first-hand how a 5-Day Club could change a child's life. The feeling when a child believes and is saved is unexplainable. It's wonderful!
Elizabeth Charune
Age 14, 1st Year CYIA Missionary in Summer 2022
Great Commission Church International

Yes! I am again reminded of how fervent and serious we should be in spreading the gospel and being a light to this dark world. My own spiritual life has been strengthened by being around like-minded people, and I'm encouraged that I'm well equipped to share the gospel wherever I go!
Esther Liao
5+ Year CYIA Missionary in Summer 2022
Good Shepherd Taiwanese Presbyterian Church