Teen Mania to Conclude 2005 'Battle Cry' with D.C., Philly Summits
Over 1,300 youth leaders, ministry leaders, and pastors are rallying to win back the youngest generation, who has been bombarded with messages of alcohol, sex, drugs, and a self-centered lifestyle.
One of the largest youth ministries in America headed up by well known youth speaker Ron Luce is holding the last events of the year for youth leaders in both Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Dec. 19.
Over 1,300 youth leaders, ministry leaders, and pastors are rallying to win back the youngest generation, which has been bombarded with messages of alcohol, sex, drugs, and a self-centered lifestyle, according to Teen Mania Ministries spokesperson, Shawn Winn.
"I think that there has never been an attack on a generation like this before," said Winn. "They're being barraged from MTV and the Internet. All these things are being poured in day in and day out. Never before have we had such an attack on a generation like this."
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Research shows that alcohol ads reached more than 90 percent of the 12 to 20-year-old population, and they're effective. The average teen drinker begins to drink alcohol at age 13.
Nearly one in five teenagers have raided their parents’ medicine cabinets in an effort to get high off of prescription painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin, according to a study by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
Twenty-seven percent of 13-16 year olds have been sexually intimate, while half of their parents believe they have not gone beyond kissing.
Over 33 million teenagers live in America alone. Experts predict that at the current rate of evangelism, only four percent of today’s teens will hold core Biblical beliefs, according to Thom S. Rainer's Bridgers. Thirty-five percent of today’s adults, the Baby Boomers, hold these beliefs now.
Looking at today's struggles, especially the sexualization of the youth, the breakdown of the family, the destruction of America's Christian identity, and violence in media and music, "what will it be like with only four percent of the population’s dominant generation holding to core Biblical truths?" asks Teen Mania in a news release.
After ministering to teens since 1986, President of Teen Mania Ministries Ron Luce realized that there is a generation in crisis, and in May 2005, the ministry known for its "Acquire the Fire" evangelistic stadium events launched the new initiative, the Battle Cry. Their goal is to make senior church pastors, the government, and parents do something about the harmful messages sent to the youths in today's culture.
"This has to be just the local church, bigger than a bunch of youth pastors, but it's got to be senior pastors, parents, and lay persons. We really have to try to train and teach youth pastors, pastors, lay people, and parents that we have a role in this battle plan," said Winn.
"It's not just a one-sided thing, but it's a commitment that’s got to be made by every single Christ follower in the nation today," he added.
Speakers of this past weekend's Battle Cry Summit included CCM artist Michael Grungor, Executive Director of Teen Mania Canada Kemtal Glasgow, Muslim turned Christian David Nasser, President of the National Association of Evangelicals Ted Haggard, and President of Teen Mania Ron Luce. The speakers all have one thing in common: a heart for the youth.
Oftentimes, senior pastors rely on their youth pastors to connect to the youth, but the problem is bigger than the youth pastors can handle. That's why awareness must be raised, said Winn.
"Youth pastors are out there working as hard as they can, doing all they can," the spokesman added. "Youth pastors are out there on the front lines, but we're still seeing a decline in evangelism today."
The campaign seeks to correct each of the 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, and teachers to “rescue a generation."
The three-part initiative includes the Regional Rescue Plan and two types of events: one for youth and their families, and one for youth workers and pastors.
The events will give churches and individuals books, Bible studies, curriculum, CDs, DVDs, videos, and training materials, many of which has been prepared by partners like Prison Fellowship, Precept Ministries, and Joyce Meyer Ministries.
"There's something that's tragic that's about to happen. Everyone's got to turn and look and see. This is not just a passing craze.
"This is an entire generation that's going to be affected," said Winn, who has been with the ministry since he was 19. The ministry has only 100 staffers, but near 600 interns.
Part of the Battle Cry Summit involves training the youth pastors to mentor and develop teens. A challenge to the leaders is to double their youth group every year for the next five years.
The belief is that if 100,000 churches double their youth group every year, the impact would be definitive, said Winn.
