Here’s an alarming fact:
According to a recent study done by Christian pollster and commentator George Barna, only 15% of adults who regularly attend a Christian church say that their relationship with God is their top priority in life. Shockingly, that same study went on to say that, on average, the pastors of those same churches believed that their relationship with God was the top priority for about 70% of the people in their congregation.

That’s quite a disconnect! And a frightening commentary on the state of the church. We’re obviously missing the mark. There’s obviously a million things to say when you encounter statistics such as these, but let me focus on this one thing: when the “Christians” in America and Canada are not living for God and are not shining His light, where can people - especially our young people - turn for hope?

After all, the majority of young people coming to Freedom Village come from “Christian” homes. But that doesn’t mean anything any more. The rate of divorce and instances of depression and teen suicide are as high in “Christian” families as they are in the rest of society. The Christian schools we visit and minister in are just as needy - and maybe more so - than our public schools. It is a sad situation.

The fact of the matter is that this has to change. God’s people - that 15% who genuinely trust Him to guide their lives - must get involved and make a difference. The church has to be a light again to this dark world. And that is why I am determined - despite any obstacle - to do more and reach more than ever.

We’ve done this generation of young people wrong. Our low living, self-centered style of modern Christianity has left them without hope. And I am determined to do all that I can to make a difference.