FYI - Female Young Influential - is all about getting alongside teen girls and young women, and helping them recognise who they are and why they're here. Following Jesus and living out your dreams is not for the faint-hearted. It takes strength, courage and a willingness to say, "Yes!" to God - whatever the cost. It's not an easy road, but it's definitely not boring! And it's not a road we're meant to walk alone. That's why FYI will be putting together podcasts, a blog, books, documentaries and events that encourage and inspire 15-30 year old women to be the influencers for Christ that they were created to be. FYI is not a club. It's a calling. Will you answer the call?

THE STORY BEHIND FYI

The concept for FYI was born during a lunch break at an Australian highschool. Singer/songwriter, Tanya Gordon, was talking to some of the students after performing a concert for them. Tanya's little girl, Olivia, was about 8 months old and was sitting on Tanya's hip. A ninth grader came up to talk to Tanya.

"I love babies!" she said, as she held Olivia's hand and patted her chubby little arm.

Tanya smiled, "I do too. They're gorgeous, aren't they?"

"Yes," she said. "I've lost three of my own."

At fourteen, this young girl had been pregnant more times than Tanya had. Tanya was 29 and married with two beautiful little girls. As she stood there in shock, she thought, "Where are your role models?"

As they kept talking, Tanya was relieved to hear that the girl had recently become a Christian. She'd been spending time with the school chaplain, who had obviously had a major impact on her life.

Tanya left the school that day with her eyes opened to the desperate need for Godly, female role models for this generation of girls and young women; role models who know there is a better way to live than what they see on MTV and in Girlfriend magazine.

FYI is about shining a spotlight on girls who passiontely love God and are using their influence to positively impact their world for Christ. It's Tanya's hope that, in telling their stories, other young women will be inspired to be more like Jesus too.

In addition to a daily devotional blog which will be written by a range of FYI's, an FYI podcast will be launched in February 08. The podcast will include interviews with FYIs from all over the world. There are also plans for two FYI weekend retreats in 08 - one in Australia and another in North America. If you'd like to be kept in the loop about what's happening at FYI, shoutmail your email address to FYI and we'll keep you posted.

God bless.

Tanya and the FYI team