Ron Luce: Why Teens Don't Like Church
CBN.com - NEW OPPORTUNITIES
A recent trend census documented a large percentage of young people professing “none” as their religious preference. “We are losing ground so fast among the young generation,” says Ron. “It’s alarming.” While teens may be faced with more challenges than generations before, they also have new and exciting opportunities. “It’s not just a youth pastor’s responsibility to reach the youth,” he says. Ron reminds all of us that we need to use new tools to focus on reaching the next generation for Christ.
Ron cofounded Teen Mania with his wife, Katie, in 1986. Since then they have expanded greatly and become influential within today’s Christian youth culture. Every year, Teen Mania partners with thousands of churches and hundreds of thousands of teens across the country through their Acquire the Fire events. They also send thousands of teens on missions all over the world through their organization, Global Expeditions. Additionally, teens attend their campus for a year internship at The Honor Academy where students learn about leadership, character development and develop skills to reach their generation for Christ.
SURGE EXPERIENCE
Ron says this October 9th and 16th (2 days only) they will host the largest youth group evangelistic gathering across the country. This interactive youth rally will be broadcast in over 500 movie theaters. They will utilize every social media available, including a smart phone app follow-up that will take new believers to the next level of faith. The interactives will take place during and after the event. “We want to face all of their fears,” says Ron. “They will text their answers live and we can help them handle the issue so they don’t make bad decisions.” Prizes will be awarded for posting Instagram photos with their youth groups.
Artists performing include LeCrae, the Newsboys and Casting Crowns. Speakers include Ron Luce and John Gray. For more information, please visit www.SurgeExperience.com.
UPDATE ON HANNAH
In May 2012, Ron’s daughter Hannah and four other former ORU students were flying in a Cessna 8-seal to an Acquire the Fire event in Iowa. The plane crashed in Chanuth, Kansas, killing two of the victims immediately. Austin Anderson, 27, who was an Iraq war veteran and ex-Marine,and Hannah were able to get out of the burning plane. While Hannah sustained injuries with burns over 30% of her body, Austin suffered burns over 90% of his body and died on Saturday, May 12th. Although Hannah was unable to speak, she wrote, “Austin saved me. Austin saved me.” The others who died were pilot Luke Sheets, 23, Garrett Coble, 29 and Steven Luth, 22. Today Hannah is able to walk again. She experienced hours of surgical skin grafts for the burns she suffered on her legs, back and hands. Hannah is scheduled to appear on The 700 Club on October 24, 2013 to update our audience in person.
