|
Ron Luce knows the challenges teens face more than most. He’s been there.
And he wants the rest of the country to join the fight for students he calls “Generation Now”—before it’s too late. The founder of Texas-based Teen Mania Ministries and author of the book Battle Cry for a Generation recently spoke about the urgency to reach this generation to leaders and staff at Prestonwood.
Though he grew up in a church-going family, Ron’s parents were divorced when he was 7. At 15, he ran away from an abusive situation at home and went to live with his father. When a friend invited Ron to church, he accepted Christ. But soon after, his father kicked him out of the house because he was “too much of a Jesus Freak.”
Teen Mania Ministries was born out of Ron’s experience. He spoke to Life magazine about his passion and the urgency to reach students.
Q: You’ve been a strong advocate for teens for 20 years. What makes the needs of this generation different?
A: This generation is the largest in history, and it is being attacked like no other. They are caught in the middle of a spiritual and cultural war that is a far cry from a fair fight. Every day, teens face these attacks from the media, their schools, etc. New technology allows media to have a direct line to our kids and completely bypass the protective barriers God established in parents and churches. Parents often don’t even know what’s going on with their kids.
Q: You recently spoke to the staff at Prestonwood. Pastor Graham has declared 2007 “The Year of the Student” at Prestonwood. Is this a step in the right direction for what churches need to be doing?
A: Absolutely. Pastor Graham’s leadership by example is something I believe every pastor in America should emulate. We need to get everyone in the church focused on reaching out to teens. Everyone can do something from the teens themselves to grandparents.
Q: Do you think churches are basically in “neutral” when it comes to driving the student ministry bus?
A: Many churches do not realize the urgency of what is occurring among this generation. They don’t realize the cultural war that is raging around teens; capturing the hearts of their kids and destroying their lives. Whichever direction this generation chooses to go will determine the future of our nation and the effect it has around the world.
Q: What do we need to do as parents that we aren’t doing?
A: One of the best things you can do as a parent is spend time with your kids and just listen to them. Get involved with what is going on in their lives. Get to know their friends, what TV shows they watch, what music they listen to, what Internet sites they visit, and what games they play. ... Teach your kids to take a stand for Christ and to reshape the teenage culture of America.
Q: What one piece of advice would you give a church about reaching this generation?
A: Get everyone in your church involved. Involve as many people as possible to both help the lay people get informed and also help the rest of the congregation get a heart for young people and become involved with the youth in their local church and community. Get connected with other churches in the area and do everything you can to find new and creative ways to reach out to teens in the local high schools. If we are only concerned with our own kids, we will still lose the battle for this generation
| 
