(Taken from our Fall Newsletter.)
Over the following months we will be posting blog-sized sections from a paper Dan is writing called, 'All The Children Of The World'. As Youth Champions in Rural Paraguay we whole-heartedly believe in the biblical importance of youth ministry; equipping churches around the world to fulfill God’s commission to reach the next generation for Him. Did you know that among college-aged youth who have grown up in the church today there is a world-wide exodus? I do not think that the term ‘exodus’ is too strong a word since recent studies show that 60 percent of young people ages 15-29 have left active involvement in the local church. This trend is happening all around the world, not only in North America, but also in Africa, Asia and South America. What a crucial time for us to be championing the importance of youth ministry in the heart of South America!
Do you see the importance of youth ministry in this day and age? Many do not and some are even giving up on organized youth ministry because of its past failures discrediting it as unbiblical. The truth is that youth ministry was instituted by God in ancient times when He gave us the greatest commandment to love God with all our heart, soul and strength. There, in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 He established that we as the people of God should be continually teaching our children about Him through relationship. If you think we are struggling to do this in North America consider how sorely equipped churches in majority world countries like Paraguay are to reach their youth where more than half of the population are youth (56% in Paraguay)!
'All The Children Of The World' attempts to define biblical youth ministry in the Majority World, addresses some of the challenges in youth ministry, and offers hope for churches that have a heart to reach their young people. We hope you too can keep up with the paper on our blog and find it both interesting and insightful!
Do you see the importance of youth ministry in this day and age? Many do not and some are even giving up on organized youth ministry because of its past failures discrediting it as unbiblical. The truth is that youth ministry was instituted by God in ancient times when He gave us the greatest commandment to love God with all our heart, soul and strength. There, in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 He established that we as the people of God should be continually teaching our children about Him through relationship. If you think we are struggling to do this in North America consider how sorely equipped churches in majority world countries like Paraguay are to reach their youth where more than half of the population are youth (56% in Paraguay)!
'All The Children Of The World' attempts to define biblical youth ministry in the Majority World, addresses some of the challenges in youth ministry, and offers hope for churches that have a heart to reach their young people. We hope you too can keep up with the paper on our blog and find it both interesting and insightful!
I am happy to see that you are doing that. Many of our young people in my children's generation have been a part of this movement away from the church. Many of them that go away to school and are influenced by others there as well as the encouragement to "think for yourself". Many of them were raised in the type of environment that you provide there and enjoyed Christian fellowship from the time they were baptized until they went away to school. I will be very interested in what you have to say about the age group that you reference there. God bless you in your work. Hope that Sarah is feeling well. Our love to you all.
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