The ministry of the Young Ladies Christian Fellowship as we know it began back in January 1991, with cousins Melissa Brink and Gretchen Glaser (then 6 and 7 years old). Their brothers had a “club” for boys that they called the “Tardogs” (patterned after the Sugar Creek Gang), so the girls decided they should have their own girls’ club, too! Since both Melissa and Gretchen really liked cats, they decided upon the name “Purry Kittens.”
The PK’s proudly celebrated their “fifth anniversary” in 1996 with 20 members. They had secret languages, club songs–and of course, a newsletter, called “P.K. News.” Soon Gretchen started a separate newsletter for younger girls”Kitties Korner” and one for teen girls called “The P31″–plus a book review newsletter called “Wonderful Books for Girls.”
In June of 1997, with thirty members to its name, the “club” underwent some major changes–it got a new name, new look, new focus, and new all-in-one newsletter, edited by Gretchen: “The YLCF Newsletter.”
In 1998, the YLCF went online. By spring of 1999, the YLCF Journal had grown to 28 pages published quarterly. In September 2003, the thirty-second and final issue of the YLCF Journal was printed. But the blog took over where the YLCF Journal left off.
As Gretchen was preparing to transition into married life at the end of 2005, she left her friend Natalie Nyquist, by then a longtime YLCF contributor, to continue the ministry. Natalie brought new life and quality to the YLCF, bringing in a group of writers in the form of the YLCF Team. Cheerful reflections, thought-provoking commentary, and daily interaction with other young ladies on the blog continued the trademark of YLCF.
In 2008, Natalie felt it time to hand the ministry back over to Gretchen’s management. Gretchen asked longtime YLCF team members Lanier Ivester and Ashleigh B. to join her as they formed the YLCF board of directors.
Lanier, Ashleigh, Gretchen, and the rest of the team continue to daily seek the Lord’s guidance as they endeavor to provide encouragement and fellowship for women young and old. Click here to read more about the mission and values of the YLCF.
