Global Youth Leaders' Forum

What Global Youth Leaders' Forum does

Global Youth Leaders' Forum (GYLF) is a South Africa-registered non-profit organization (registration number 2016/226616/08), headquartered in Randburg, Johannesburg, and operating as a global youth initiative affiliated with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's Christ Embassy and Healing School ministry networks. Founded in 2016, the organization serves Christian youth aged 13-25 across 30+ countries, delivering youth leadership development, evangelism, and humanitarian outreach through a coordinated ecosystem of programs and platforms. GYLF maintains a globally distributed ambassador network that organizes mission trips, youth crusades, conferences, and community service initiatives in countries spanning Africa, South America, South Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.

GYLF's core product surface includes the GYLF Academy (a free online learning platform offering courses in Leadership Development, Information Technology, and Project Management), GYTV (a youth-focused streaming television platform featuring original programming such as Inside-GYLF and Echoes of Truth), the H.E.A.R.T Initiative (a strategic program structured around five pillars — Humanitarian Efforts, Evangelism & Ministry, Arts & Films, Representation, and Technology & Innovation), the International Youth Conference with Pastor Chris, Healing Streams Live Healing Services, Youth Voices on Air (radio outreach), and the Healing to the Nations Magazine. Underlying technology comprises a web platform with native mobile applications on iOS and Android, an online donation system, and a streaming media infrastructure. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer via self-serve digital channels (website, mobile app, GYTV) supplemented by field-based ambassador engagement.

GYLF operates a non-profit revenue model funded by individual donations (one-time, monthly, and planned giving), three-tiered corporate sponsorships (Mission Champions at $2,500, Hope Champions at $10,000, and Global Champions at $15,000), adopt-a-nation/project funding, and membership dues. The organization accepts donations through multiple payment rails including PayPal, Paystack, Quickteller, Kingspay, and the Espees crypto wallet. There is no evidence of equity funding, public listing, or institutional investment; the organization relies on donations and sponsorships from its affiliated ministry network and global donor base to fund operations.

Name

Global Youth Leaders' Forum

Legal name

The Global Youth Leaders' Forum

Website

https://globalyouthleadersforum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Global Youth Leaders' Forum (GYLF) is a South Africa-registered non-profit youth initiative, affiliated with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's Christ Embassy ministry, that delivers leadership development, evangelism, and humanitarian outreach to Christian youth aged 13-25 across 30+ countries through online academy courses, media platforms, ambassador-led events, and conferences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Leadership Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), Volunteerism, Service-Learning & Community Service (EDALAHAG)

Keywords

• Youth leadership development
• Online learning platform
• Humanitarian services
• Religious broadcasting
• Nonprofit youth programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Randburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Individual Giving: One-time donations, monthly giving, and planned giving from individual supporters
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Three-tiered sponsorship packages: Mission Champions ($2,500 for mission trips), Hope Champions ($10,000 for conferences and charity), and Global Champions ($15,000 for youth education sponsorship)
3. Adopt a Nation/Project: Donors can fund specific nation conferences, outreaches, crusades, or charity donations of their choice
4. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for GYLF network participation

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Global Youth Leaders' Forum is a non-profit organization that runs a global network of youth ambassador-led programs, online learning courses, media broadcasting, conferences, humanitarian outreach, and evangelism initiatives aimed at developing leadership and spiritual growth in young people aged 13–25. Its core offerings include the GYLF Academy online courses, GYTV streaming programming, the H.E.A.R.T Initiative spanning humanitarian, evangelism, arts, representation, and technology spheres, and major annual events such as the International Youth Conference with Pastor Chris and Healing Streams Live Healing Services.

Product overview

Global Youth Leaders' Forum (GYLF) operates as a unified ecosystem of interconnected programs and platforms rather than a single product. The core GYLF Forum serves as the central youth initiative for nurturing global leadership, supported by the GYLF Academy online education platform, GYTV media network, and the H.E.A.R.T Initiative covering humanitarian, evangelism, arts, representation, and technology spheres. Key programs include International Youth Conferences with Pastor Chris, Healing Streams Live Healing Services, Youth Voices on Air radio outreach, and ambassador-led missions trips. The organization also publishes the Healing to the Nations Magazine and maintains a mobile app for community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GYLF Academy: Online leadership development platform offering courses in Leadership Development, Information Technology, and Project Management for youth aged 13-25.
• GYTV
• H.E.A.R.T Initiative
• International Youth Conference

Products and services

• GYLF Academy Online learning platform offering free courses in Leadership Development, Information Technology, and Project Management for youth aged 13–25 to support leadership and skill development.
• GYTV (Global Youth TV) Youth-focused streaming television platform broadcasting original programming including Inside GYLF and Echoes of Truth, live event coverage, and youth-oriented spiritual and leadership content.
• H.E.A.R.T Initiative Strategic initiative with five pillars — Humanitarian Efforts, Evangelism & Ministry, Arts & Films, Representation, and Technology & Innovation — designed to engage youth across all major spheres of society through structured programs.
• International Youth Conference with Pastor Chris Annual international youth conference and Easter camp with Pastor Chris featuring inspirational sessions, leadership training, and spiritual empowerment for young people from around the world.
• Healing Streams Live Healing Services Live healing services with Pastor Chris featuring miraculous testimonials and broadcast globally through multiple platforms and the Healing to the Nations Magazine.
• Youth Voices on Air Radio outreach initiative in which GYLF ambassadors conduct broadcasts on local radio stations to share the message of hope, healing, and salvation with broad audiences.
• GYLF Mission Trips Ambassador-led mission trips to various countries involving evangelism, charity services, and humanitarian outreach activities, sponsored through the Mission Champions tier.
• Healing to the Nations Magazine Magazine publication distributed during outreach activities containing testimonies, spiritual content, and information about healing services.
• GYLF Mobile App Mobile application for Android and iOS providing access to GYLF content, academy courses, live broadcasts, GYTV streaming, and community engagement features.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,890 people reached and 126 souls won in single crusade
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Teachers Without Boarders Association of South SudancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGYLF partnered with the Teachers Without Boarders Association of South Sudan for the South Sudan National Debaters Contest 2023. GYLF was recognized for its outstanding contributions to the success of the contest and was given a plenary session to introduce the forum, distribute ministry materials, and lead attendees to Christ.
• Congregación de CreyentesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGYLF team in Bolivia collaborated with Congregación de Creyentes to provide relief materials and food supplies to 25 vulnerable families during the pandemic.
• PayPalminorOthersPayment services provider for processing donations and payments on the GYLF website.
• PaystackminorOthersPayment services provider for processing donations and payments on the GYLF website.
• QuicktellerminorOthersPayment services provider for processing donations and payments on the GYLF website.
• KingspayminorOthersPayment services provider for processing donations and payments on the GYLF website.
• Espees WalletminorOthersDecentralized application for processing donations with merchant code GYLF.
• Healing School LimitedcoreOthersAssociated ministry entity through which GYLF operates bank accounts in UK (Lloyds Bank) for receiving donations.
• Christ Embassy Healing SchoolcoreOthersAssociated ministry entity through which GYLF operates bank accounts in South Africa (ABSA Bank) and Nigeria (Parallex Bank) for receiving donations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students): Worldwide federation of evangelical Christian student movements present in 180+ countries, focused on student leadership development and mission. Comparable youth/student focus, evangelical mission, and federated national-movement structure.
• Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ): One of the largest evangelical student/youth movements globally, providing leadership training, missions, and discipleship via local staff in 190+ countries. Comparable digital programs, global ambassador-style staff model, and youth leadership pipeline.
• Youth With A Mission (YWAM): Global evangelical Christian nonprofit running youth-focused training, mission trips, and discipleship programs across 100+ countries. Highly comparable in mission focus, ambassador/staff mobilization model, and globally distributed operations to GYLF.
• Youth for Christ: International Christian nonprofit focused on reaching young people worldwide through evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development. Directly comparable target audience (youth), faith-based mission, and global chapter network.
• Scripture Union: Global evangelical movement focused on children's and youth ministry, Bible engagement, and leadership development across more than 100 countries. Comparable faith-based youth leadership mission, country-chapter network, and educational programming.

Broad incumbents

• Compassion International: Large evangelical child and youth sponsorship nonprofit operating in 25+ developing countries with sponsor-funded programs. Comparable sponsorship/sponsorship tier model, youth focus, and global program delivery model.
• Young Life: Established US-headquartered Christian youth organization with global reach, focused on adolescent mentorship and leadership development. Comparable faith-based youth leadership mission, though heavier focus on Western markets and a more mature institutional structure than GYLF.
• World Vision Youth: Major global humanitarian nonprofit with dedicated youth leadership, sponsorship, and advocacy programs in 100+ countries. Comparable donor/sponsor tiering, global youth leadership development focus, and faith-inspired values.

Regional players

• HOPE International Development Agency: Faith-based international development nonprofit supporting youth education and humanitarian programs across multiple regions. Comparable faith-rooted youth empowerment and humanitarian mission, though a smaller geographic footprint than GYLF.

Emerging players

• Habitat for Humanity Youth Programs: International nonprofit with significant youth volunteer, leadership, and ambassador programs across many countries, focused on humanitarian service. Overlaps with GYLF's H.E.A.R.T. humanitarian pillar and youth ambassador-style volunteer mobilization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wearegylf
• Facebookfacebook.com/globalyouthleadersforum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gylf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Global Youth Leaders' Forum