Background to Youth Challenge

As the work of Child Evangelism Fellowship became established in Ireland in the 1960's and 1970's, it became clear that something needed to be done to retain contact with young people after they became too old for the children’s activities. CEF leadership also recognised the potential of training young people for the work of reaching children with the Gospel.

During these years the youth work of CEF in Ireland was on an informal basis. Then in the late 1970's the young people’s work took on the name of Youth Challenge. The work grew rapidly during the 1980's under the leadership of David & Ruth Irwin, with Junior and Senior Youth Challenge groups being set up throughout Ireland and a full camp programme being established.

David & Olivia Crutchley became Youth Challenge co-ordinators for Ireland after their marriage in Ocober 2001. David had been part of the Youth Challenge team since 1996. Olivia joined CEF in October 2000, having been involved for some years as a Good News Club teacher and camp counsellor and committee member.

In October 2003 Angie McKee joined the team as a Youth Challenge worker. Angie had been actively involved in the work of Youth Challenge as a camp counsellor and JYC leader.

David , Olivia & Angie now look after the full range of Youth Challenge activities in Ireland. They can be contacted by e-mail.