Welcome to Freedom for Youth Ministries’ Website. God birthed this ministry in 2004 through an 18-year-old girl found living under a bridge in downtown Des Moines. Since then He has grown the ministry to include after-school programming for inner-city youth ages 6-17 at our Freedom Center campus, transitional housing for homeless young adults ages 18-22, and even youth centers in rural communities of Iowa.

As you watch the video, peruse the program information and explore the many volunteer opportunities, you will see that God’s plan to rescue our lost and hurting youth in Iowa is nothing short of miraculous!

Jesus Christ is our foundation, our leader and the core of what we teach. To Him be all honor and glory and praise. Our mission can only be accomplished through His church as fellow believers come to serve and bring gifts.

After visiting our site, if God is touching your heart to get involved, we would love to visit with you and show you our campus.

God’s Peace,
Mark Nelson, Executive Director

Country Market

The Country Market  begins  Saturday, July 10th from 9am to 1pm. Rain for shine, come out for a drink, a sandwich, and handcrafted items by our Freedom for Youth students! The Country Market will happen EVERY Saturday from July 10th through August 7th. Be sure to invite all of your family and friends! It’s a great time to share what happens at the Freedom Center and to see some of our students in action as they work at the Country Market.

Sponsor a teen for summer camp

Our Freedom Quest participants (jr. high and high school students) will be attending Camp Appanoose this summer from July 26^th through July 31^st. If you would like to help us send our students to camp by sponsoring a youth, please call us today for more information!

Freedom for Youth Ministries wins the Hope Award

World Magazine nominated Freedom for Youth Ministries, along with two other ministries in the Midwest, for the Hope Award for Effective Compassion. Freedom for Youth was chosen to be recognized as the top ministry for the Midwest. Online voting will be available for the public in July for ministry supporters to choose the national Hope Award recipient.

Golf Outing Pictures

Thanks to our golfers and sponsors for a fun-filled day on the course raising over $23,000 to help with our many youth programs this summer!

A special thanks to Farrell’s extreme bodyshaping for their title sponsorship.

Our current operating budget is about $38,000/month. Contributions are received primarily from a broad base of individuals who make up 60% of the total giving. The remaining 40% comes from the church mission budgets, corporate and private foundations. We do not pursue any government funds, which we believe would compromise the mission of the ministry. We have no long term debt.

With minimal administrative and fundraising expenses, your gift will directly impact the lives of the youth we serve.