Dr. Richard R. Wynn, the seventh President of Youth for Christ/USA, passed away recently at his home in Florida. He was 71. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Janet; two children, Ronda (Dan) Chapin of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Jeff (Bonnie) Wynn of Chicago,
and four grandchildren.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at Kentwood Community Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A legacy fund in
honor of Wynn has been established at Youth for Christ. Donations can be made online.
Wynn faithfully served in the YFC ministry for 34 years, beginning in Pontiac, Mich., in 1962. As YFC/USA president from 1986-1991, he helped launch many new ministry initiatives, including a focus on middle school ministry, the DCLA national evangelism training conferences, and relocating the national headquarters to Colorado. Through his work with Youth for Christ International, Emerging Young Leaders, EQUIP and Crown International, he modeled a passion for the world, traveling to 75 countries for ministry purposes in his lifetime.
Dick loved the local church. As an ordained minister in the Wesleyan denomination, Dick founded Kentwood Community Church in Grand
Rapids, Mich., which now has attendance of more than 3,000 each weekend.
He recently served on the staff at Northland Church in the Orlando area and helped oversee major expansions of facilities, staff and
programs. He He was the recipient of many awards and three honorary doctorates.
Dan Wolgemuth, President of YFC/USA, said, “Dick was passionate about our evangelism focus and left his footprint on the YFC
movement. We stand on his shoulders today.”
