Teen Mania Launches Battle Cry for a ''Generation in Crisis''
Teen Mania Ministries has launched a new movement to fight for and win back a ''generation in crisis,'' that is suffering because of their lack of Biblical beliefs.
Teen Mania Ministries has launched a new movement to fight for and win back a "generation in crisis," that is suffering because of their lack of Biblical beliefs.
The strategy seeks to achieve this goal by partnering and networking with families, churches, and ministries, as well as leaders in the secular world to expand the influence of Christ in the teen culture today.
Statistics show that out of those born around the World War II period, “Builders,” 65 percent held Biblical beliefs. Of the “Boomers,” that number halves to just 35 percent. The percentage halves again to just 15 percent for those known as “Busters” 1965-1983.
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The trend becomes alarming in the youngest “Bridger” generation, where only 4 percent hold Biblical beliefs, said Teen Mania in a newly-released statement.
Developed in the course of Teen Mania's 19-year history, the new strategy seeks to capture a young person's heart for God, root them in Biblical foundations, develop them with supportive fellowship, and help them understand the greater purpose of the movement for Christ.
"This is about building an army of young people who know what they believe and why they believe it—not just nominal, illiterate Christians. They need to discover truth for themselves—not just passively accept what has been preached to them or passed down from their parents," according to Teen Mania.
Looking at the struggles we face now, especially the "sexualization" of the nation's youth, the breakdown of the family, the destruction of America's "spiritual identity," and violence in media and music, "what will it be like with only 4 percent of the population’s dominant generation holding to core Biblical truths?"
"This generation is even larger than the Boomers."
According to the ministry, the new three-part initiative includes the Battle Cry Campaign, the Regional Rescue Plan, and two types of Battle Cry events: one for youth and their families and one for youth workers and pastors.
The campaign seeks to address the problem holistically by correcting each of the core pillars that props up the current culture, such as media, entertainment, and schools. It will involve millions, including church leaders, parents, concerned adults, musicians, filmmakers, business people, corporations, government officials, teachers, etc. to “rescue a generation.”
Through partnerships, they will “aggressively deal with purveyors of popular culture who seek to profit from the destruction of our young people."
“We are prepared to work with partners to provide the strategy, training, tools, resources and events to reach a generation of young people and lead them down a path of spiritual transformation," stated Teen Mania's recent release.
The Regional Rescue will take place during an 18-month period, from October 2005 to April 2007 in the regions of Northern California, Michigan, and Washington, D.C. The Plan is to provide a comprehensive strategy and new resources that will help the Body of Christ reach teens and grow into vibrant churches. It is expected that 50,000 churches will be reached by April 2007.
The initiative also brings stadium events to the youth and their families, and leadership training gatherings for youth workers and pastors from ministries and churches.
At the BATTLECRY stadium events, young people will encounter God and be mobilized to stand up for Him in their schools, homes and communities. With inspiring speakers, top Christian bands, and a high-impact multimedia experience, the youth will become ‘one generation under God.’ To begin in the fall, they will be held in the Midwest and on both coasts.
The “Strategic Gatherings of Youth Workers and Pastors,” Teen Mania has partnered with Student Leadership University and the Great Commandment Network, to equip youth workers and pastors to build ministries that can effectively reach the emerging generation of young people and transform them.
The BATTLECRY Leadership Summit events already have world-class speakers and will be held in the San Francisco, Detroit and Washington D.C. areas in October-November 2005.
