Thomas and Bernice Speckhardt

Thomas grew up at West Side and they have been West Side supported missionaries for decades. They continue to remain West Side members.  

Thomas founded Youth Compass when they served in Germany years ago. Youth Compass seeks to address the unique needs of Third Culture Kids, international high school and middle school students. Their leaders develop relationships with international students challenged with the difficult questions of adolescence in a cross-cultural and mobile environment. Many West Siders have helped as leaders and chaperons of Youth Compass service projects in Eastern Europe. Youth Compass serves international communities in Malaysia, Germany, Switzerland, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates, as well as helping volunteers in many other cities across the world meeting with international students.  

Thomas is now the Director of Diaspora Ministry for Youth for Christ International. This global role encompasses ministry to migrants, immigrants, refugees and expats. He serves on the World Leadership Team of Youth for Christ International, helping to lead 60,000 staff and volunteers. The role of the World Leadership Team is ministry management as well as development and implementation of strategic plans. They also assist member nations and pioneer ministries in achieving their planned outcomes by providing research and development, training in fund development, ministry models, standards of measurement, facilitation for staff mobilization and overseeing compliance and chartering. 

 Thomas also serves as the Director of Global Partnerships for Youth for Christ International, creating and maintaining global partnerships with organizations such as Alpha, Barna, World Vision, One Hope, and others. For example, he is working with Alpha to translate their Alpha Youth Series into many of the languages where YFCI operates. Thomas is also responsible for YFCI’s participation in the Lausanne Movement, NGO advocacy with the United Nations and World Evangelical Alliance.