CHRISTIAN YOUTH IN ACTION
Christian Youth in Action exists to develop LEADERS by challenging students to GROW in their relationship with Jesus and to TRAIN AND EQUIP them to share the GOSPEL with children in their community.
CYIA
DEVELOPS
LEADERS
CYIA
TRAINS &
EQUIPS
CYIA
ENCOURAGES
GROWTH
CYIA
INSTILLS
THE GOSPEL
How does CYIA develop leaders?
Gain more confidence and skills with each track you finish.
Support Track is a day camp style training for 11–12 year olds who want to grow as leaders and serve others. By stepping into real support roles at Summer Good News Club, they will develop teamwork skills, responsibility, and meaningful friendships.
Learn more about Support Track here.
Assistant Track (for ages 13+) is the first track of our week-long CYIA training. Students will explore Gospel truths through discussion-oriented classes and learn how to teach small portions of Summer Good News Club. They will try their hand at teaching while receiving attentive guidance from experienced teachers.
Teacher Track (2nd-3rd year students) combines previous training with Bible teaching skills. Students will learn how to present the Gospel through biblical narrative and learn how to lead all portions of a Summer Good News Club. Over two years in this track, they will master their skills and become capable teachers.
Advanced Track (4th-5th year students) shifts the focus from teaching to leading. These students will be taught how to coach and lead younger students. They will learn how to organize Summer Good News Clubs and connect with club hosts. Ultimately, this final track is designed to develop strong leaders.
What should students expect at CYIA?
Classes
Classes help students dive into Scripture and understand the Gospel in a deeper, clearer way. Instructors guide them through lessons, create space for personal growth, and strengthen biblical knowledge. In class, students learn practical skills they can use immediately, both at camp and back home in their churches.
Coaching
Coaching gives students consistent support from leaders who care about their growth. Coaches listen, encourage, and challenge students as they navigate new experiences and opportunities to serve. Through conversations, observation, and personal feedback, coaches help students recognize areas of growth and develop both character and ministry skills. As students learn, teach, and serve, they have leaders alongside them who model humility, teamwork, and dependence on Christ.
Friendships
Friendships grow as students serve, learn, and experience ministry together. Students form meaningful connections as they teach clubs, prepare lessons, and share the joys and challenges of serving. Time spent working alongside one another creates opportunities for encouragement, accountability, and support. Beyond ministry, students have time to laugh, talk, and simply enjoy being together. Many leave CYIA with friendships that continue long after camp ends.
Fun Activities
Fun activities give students time to relax, connect, and enjoy the week together. Games, challenges, and group activities provide a break from training and create opportunities for students to have fun and recharge. These shared experiences help students build friendships, work together, and enjoy being part of the CYIA community. From daily evening activities to the final bonfire, these intentional moments of fun create lasting, joyful memories.
CYIA 2027
DATES: Thursday, May 27th - Wednesday, June 2nd
LOCATION: Twin Lakes Bible Camp (Manson, IA)
COST: $450
APPLICATION: Opens January 1st
☑ Develop as a leader.
☑ Grow in your faith.
☑ Learn to share the Gospel.
☑ Reach children for Jesus.
FAQs
Who should apply for CYIA?
CYIA seeks young Christians (ages 13-19) who are eager to deepen their faith journey. We’re looking for students excited to live for Christ and ready to embrace challenges that strengthen their faith.
CYIA participants take on significant responsibilities in learning and sharing the Gospel during summer ministry. Applicants should demonstrate faithfulness, maturity, and commitment to Christ in their daily lives. We are excited to meet students passionate about their faith and eager to grow as leaders!
What does the application process look like?
The student application opens January 1, 2027. After submitting an application, students will attend an interview and receive study materials to complete before training in May.
Don’t worry—you won’t have to navigate the process alone! Once your application is submitted, we’ll be in contact with you every step of the way to help you know what to expect and make sure you’re ready for training.
Who leads the training?
The full-time staff team at CEF of Omaha leads the training, alongside volunteer CYIA staff who have gone through the program themselves and return year after year to coach and encourage younger students.
All CYIA staff are godly men and women who love the Lord and want to see students grow in their faith and ministry skills. Adult cooks and local pastors also serve throughout the week.
Can my student get financial help?
Absolutely! We want cost to never be the reason a student misses out on CYIA. We offer payment plans, funding strategies, and scholarships to help make training accessible to every student.
Scholarships are also available; however, all students seeking financial assistance are encouraged to first register for Fuel the Mission (see bottom of page) to help raise funds toward their training expenses.
Many churches are willing to contribute toward CYIA expenses as a summer missions opportunity. Consider reaching out to your church leadership to see if this could be an option for your student!
Can carpools be arranged?
Definitely! We understand that our training location makes travel hard for some families. Reach out to the CEF Omaha staff team - we can help you locate or coordinate a carpool so that your student can attend CYIA.
What is the CYIA 2027 theme?
We are excited to release the CYIA 2027 theme soon. Check back for more information!
Why are the dates different this year?
Because of a scheduling conflict at Twin Lakes Bible Camp, our dates for 2027 will be Thursday, May 27 - Wednesday, June 2 instead of our normal Sunday-to-Saturday scheduling. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the office.
Note: We understand that these dates may create a conflict with the end of the school year. If this becomes an issue for your student, please reach out - we may be able to work with the school to help make attendance at CYIA 2027 possible.
When can my student pick up their study materials?
All students are asked to complete pre-training study materials before they arrive at CYIA in May. This year, our Material Pickup Nights are April 20 and May 3, 2027.
Please plan on dropping by our office on one of these days (or make other arrangements to get your student's materials at a different time)!
Please reach out to Brandon Shippy (brandon@cefofomaha.org) if you have any other questions.
CYIA Payment Timeline:
Application Opens:
January 1, 2027
($50 deposit due at time of application)
Earlybird Discount ($50.00 off!):
Ends April 1, 2027
CYIA Application Closes:
May 14, 2027
All CYIA Fees Due:
May 21, 2027
CYIA Application may be canceled if payment has not been received by May 21, 2027.
CYIA Payment Options:
OPTION 1:
Use our online portal to submit your payment.
OPTION 2:
Pay by check!
Make the check payable to “CEF Omaha.” Send check to:
5426 S. 99th St. Omaha, NE 68127
Payment FAQs
We believe every student should have the opportunity to attend CYIA, regardless of financial circumstances. To make this possible, we offer various discounts, payment plans and funding strategies for families who may be in need of them. Our goal is to ensure that no one misses out on this valuable training due to cost.
Are there discounts available?
Earlybird Discount: For those students who apply before April 1, 2027, a $50.00 discount will automatically be applied.
Sibling Discount: The second and following students who apply from the same family will receive a discount of $25.00. For example: the first student from a family to apply for CYIA will be charged $450.00. The second (and following) students from the same family to apply will be charged $425.00.
Can discounts be combined?
These discounts (EARLYBIRD & SIBLING) can be added together. For example: multi-student families who register for CYIA before April 1, 2027, the first student will be $400.00 and following students from the same family will be $375.00.
Are there scholarships available?
While scholarships may be available upon request, we first recommend pursuing involvement in Fuel The Mission (see details below). Our desire is to ensure that no one misses this training opportunity due to financial concerns.
How can my student raise funds to cover costs?
Read more about Fuel The Mission below!
What are the payment deadlines?
More information coming soon!
Please reach out to Brandon Shippy (brandon@cefofomaha.org) if you have any other questions.
CEF of Omaha hosts an annual training and partnership event to support CYIA 2027 called Fuel the Mission Night. More information about this event will be coming January 1, 2027.