"Spontaneous combustion" is a term often used when talking about the roots of Youth for Christ. In 1944 George Beverly Shea counselled Dr. Torrey Johnson that there was a multitude of large, rally type evangelical meetings going on all around the U.S. Upon study it was found that there were meetings of this nature going on in over 200 different cities! In 1945 Dr. Johnson was challenged to bring these ministries together under one movement and Youth for Christ was formed. Dr. Billy Graham was hired as the first full-time employee, and operating from a small room with just a desk and phone, he set up engagements and travelled the country speaking and helping these local programs in their mission. God also moved the founders of YFC with a vision for the world and Youth for Christ set out to reach the world's young people for Jesus Christ. Born out of YFC have been many incredibly successful and influential evangelical organizations such as: The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, World Vision, Greater Europe Mission, The Far East Broadcasting Co. and many, many others.

The work immediately crossed states, countries and oceans with amazing speed. Torrey Johnson took a team to England. Doug Fisher, Don DeVos and Spencer DeJong began work in Holland. Bob Pierce and Dave Morken went to China, and the Palermo Brothers went to Italy. In 1948 Noel Lyons directed the first World Congress in Beatenburg, Switzerland, and in the next twelve years World Congresses were held in Brussels, Belfast, Tokyo, Caracas, Sao Paulo, Copenhagen, Madras, Mexico City and Bristol. After days of planning and prayer in the World Congresses, the leaders would scatter into the surrounding cities and countries for further evangelism. Today, God continues to burden Youth for Christ with the need for worldwide evangelism. YFC International (YFCI), also known as Juventud Para Cristo and Jeunesse pour Christ, is in over 80-chartered nations and nearly 50 pioneer and target nations. Over 1,800 paid staff members and 16,500 volunteers now serve around the world! YFCI has strategically divided the world into five areas: The Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East/North Africa and Asia Pacific working with nearly 5 million young people each year, with 130,000 of those coming to Christ annually!

Youth For Christ has been active in the Asia-Pacific Area since the late 1940's, beginning with India YFC in 1947, and by the early 1950's, YFC had sprung up in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Korea, Sri Lanka, China and Japan. The Pacific Arena of World War II created the impetus and the interest for YFC to begin in these nations.

World Congresses were held in Tokyo in 1953 and in Madras, India in 1959. Today YFC has active work in over 22 Asia-Pacific nations.