In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Kansas City Youth For Christ (then the largest youth ministry in America) decided to expand across the nation by starting satellite ministries in each state. As a result, Iowa Teens for Christ was formed in 1981. In 1991, when the Kansas City Youth For Christ was experiencing financial troubles, they gave each ministry the decision to either shut down or spin off on their own. And so Iowa Teens for Christ became an independent youth ministry in 1991. In 2006, Iowa Teens for Christ partnered with Dave Bass, a missionary to Mongolia, who was looking for a new missionary agency to partner with. As a result, Iowa Teens for Christ began the satellite ministry Mongolia Teens for Christ, its first foreign mission. As a result, Teens for Christ International was formed.