MARIETTA—The Youth in Mission organization started by singer Phillip “Pip” Arnold hopes to fund 10 scholarships for young applicants in the Atlanta Archdiocese who need financial aid to go on a mission trip.

Pip Arnold

YiM, which has been awarding scholarships over the past two years, recently become a nonprofit organization and is focusing on helping mission-bound youth in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

“I’m hoping to fund 10 $1,000 scholarships, and I have a long way to go to raise necessary funds,” said Arnold, a member of St. Joseph Church in Marietta.

This year, Arnold will present the scholarships at a December event.

“In the past Youth in Mission has funded serious missions such as scholarships to a student going on a medical mission to Ghana, Africa, and students helping domestically with Mississippi hurricane relief,” he said in a press release.

A former finalist on NBC’s “The Voice,” Arnold’s concerts have raised money for mission trips to Haiti, Vietnam and Guatemala. When he made it onto the show, he saw it as a God-given way to connect with young viewers and spread the message of serving in mission fields. He prayerfully formed Youth in Mission to support youth desiring to serve who do not have the means to make the trips. Annual scholarships are awarded to aid in travel expenses. Teen groups and young adult ministries applying with YiM are carefully screened before selections are made.

Board members for the new nonprofit include Howard Cox, development officer at MUST Ministries in Marietta; Daniel Garcia, COO of C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. in Marietta; and Dr. Perry Fowler, pastor of Kennesaw First Baptist Church.

“Youth in Mission is ready to take this to a new level of public involvement with many more scholarships for youth involved in mission,” Arnold said.

He designed and wears a YiM silver fern wristband in honor of mentor and longtime friend Stewart Hay, a New Zealand native who lived his life for missions until he died in 2011. Hay organized, funded, served and involved youth, including Pip Arnold, in mission work until diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Arnold uses his talent to continue Hay’s ministry and legacy with Youth in Mission by wearing the wristband when he performs. Fans began ordering replicas of the wristband.

Local youth ministers are encouraged to visit www.yimcharity.com, click on the scholarship application and prayerfully consider a young person who would qualify for the funding. The new nonprofit status makes donations tax-deductible and Arnold is hopeful donations from the public will increase future scholarships.