Youth

The Virginia House Education Committee has passed the "Tim Tebow Bill," which would allow home-schooled children to play varsity sports for public schools, in a 14-8 vote Wednesday.

Bill HB 947, named for the Denver Broncos quarterback who was also home-schooled, looks to amend the Code of Virginia that prohibits "participation in public school interscholastic programs by nonpublic school students."

Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell has presented the bill as part of his education package. HB 947 is expected to pass the House floor, where Republicans hold two-thirds of the seats. more >>

A large majority of Americans consider it appropriate for public schools to be allowed to rent to churches and other community groups, according to a new study by LifeWay Research.

While those opposed to churches having access to schools willing to rent their space say doing so would violate a part of the Constitution addressing separation of church and state, 65 percent of those polled by the research group think differently.

LifeWay Research released the study as the deadline for banning use of New York City schools by churches is scheduled for Feb. 12. Up to 160 congregations that have used school buildings for worship services in the last year will be directly affected by the ban, which can be reversed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The mayor has not taken any action. more >>

An Iowa woman gave birth to one of the biggest babies a hospital had ever seen Jan. 26. At nearly 14 pounds and 23-and-a-half inches, newborn Asher Stewardson is one big baby.

And he was born completely naturally: no painkillers, no cesarean section.

The parents of the infant, Kendall and Joshua Stewardson, say they've been blessed to have not one, but two children born completely healthy, and very, very big. Their other son, Judah, was born at a whopping 12 pounds. more >>

Acquire The Fire kicked off its 2012 tour in Houston earlier this month and will be stopping at 25 cities in hopes of inspiring young people to go above and beyond the status quo for American teenagers.

"Normal's Not Enough," the theme of this year's tour, emphasizes the idea that young people were created to live their lives for God – not for sports, video games or other distractions – and that their lives should look radically different from the lives of non-Christians.

"So our hope is to provoke curiosity in young people that there's something better than normal that they can aspire to," Ron Luce, founder of Teen Mania Ministries and ATF, told The Christian Post. more >>

A Las Vegas pastor on the run has been arrested in Mexico and brought back to Nevada for trial stemming from child sex abuse charges.

Otis Holland, now in federal custody and awaiting extradition in San Diego, is being charged with 11 counts of sexual assault of a victim under 16, one count child abuse and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime, Henderson Police said.

He is accused of counseling troubled teens, bringing them home to a sound-proofed "torture" room in his home, and even videotaping them as he abused them. more >>

Correction appended

A new project by The United Methodist Church called Spark12 is focused on reaching and keeping youth in the church. The initiative will give young people tools, and funding, to create ministries that tackle their interests.

The Rev. April Casperson, an executive member of the Spark12 team, told The Christian Post that many young adults are already involved in secular social justice initiatives. She said her team found "that young adults want to make a difference in the world, but don't always have the confidence in religious organizations." more >>