June 06, 2005

The Alabaster Generation

A youth group in Greenville, S.C. hopes to rename their generation the Alabaster Generation, after the story in the New Testament of the woman who poured an alabaster jar of perfume on Christ's feet.

"We want to come and pour out all that we are and fill ourselves up with all that God offers us," says Chris Armfield, director of the Shannon Forest Presbyterian Church's youth group. As many as 100 teens attend the Tuesday night meetings in a renovated house, and nearly 50 come back for a Saturday evening meal and more in-depth Bible study.

"Someone comes to Christ every single week that we meet," says Armfield. At least 400 teens have discovered Christianity in the four years of the ministry.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 10:04 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

May 17, 2005

Billy Graham Sees Future in Young People

Aside from Jesus, 86-year-old Billy Graham is probably the world's most well-known evangelist. He's currently preparing for his New York crusade, which some speculate will be his last. In an interview with USA Today he talks about his declining health but also the hope he finds in young people:

Yet, he says, "I don't have many sad days."

Indeed, his life is lit by joy when he looks to the future. Graham sees that future carried by young people "trying to make a better world and serve the Lord."

When he came to the microphone at his most recent crusade, in Pasadena, Calif., last October, the Rose Bowl was packed with young people, most of them teenagers. He expects the same in June at Flushing Meadow, in Queens.

"It's amazing to see how many young people are searching for something else and don't know what. They will come to the meetings out of curiosity — they want to see someone who has believed it (God's truth) and lived it."

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 12:22 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

May 12, 2005

How Well Do You Know Your Bible?

Not well enough, apparently. A recent Bible literary project asked English teachers what students should know about the Bible and then quizzed students to see how they ranked. 8% of teens thought Moses was one of the twelve disciples. But on the whole, teens know the major stuff. Lesser details like what happened at Cana and identifying what quote goes with what famous passage were a little harder--and Christian teens faired little better than non-Christians.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 09:15 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

April 19, 2005

meant4more.com

This site brings a worldwide message to teens, hoping to connect them with God and each other. There's plenty of questions about God and real life answered (my favorite: Is This Love? Or a Bad Taco?). (link via effective web ministry notes)

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 07:32 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 05, 2005

Remembering Pope John Paul II

"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song." -Pope John Paul II, 1920-2005

I'll be the first to admit I don't know much about Pope John Paul II. Growing up Baptist we never paid much attention to the head of the Catholic church. But the more I learn about him the more impressed I become. I especially loved hearing about his continued stance on the sanctity of human life, be it issues like abortion or war.

I know some Protestants have disagreements with the position of the Pope, but I would hope in light of his death that we could look past those disagreements and learn from his life. CNN and just about every other news source have extensive biographies. If, like me, you don't know much about the Pope, I'd encourage you to check them out.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 06:20 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 01, 2005

Jesus Christ Action Hero

A California company is selling a Barbie-sized Jesus doll that quotes scripture at the push of a button.

I can see it now, in bedrooms across America Jesus will be telling Barbie to go and sin no more and leaving his peace with G.I. Joe. But what does it mean when little kids pick the Power Rangers over the Messiah? I just hope he can turn water into Kool Aid. Now you can start the next separation of church and state debate at show and tell.

It seems Jesus should be more than this.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 11:49 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack