Vertical: Our Strategy
Studies have shown a very disturbing trend; nearly seven out of ten teenagers who grow up in evangelical churches and come through modern youth ministries end up abandoning their faith in Jesus Christ once they reach college. This same study shows that a majority of these students don’t return to their faith or the church later on in life. (Josh McDowell and Ron Luce, It’s Time for a Revolution in Youth Ministry, May 2003)
Families at war
Dads and Moms:
You may not realize it, but you are at war! You’re family is being attacked! The hearts, minds and souls of our children are being constantly assaulted by three very powerful enemies: Satan, the world (and its philosophies) and their own flesh! Daily, these enemies seek to destroy our children by keeping them from knowing God. Parent, you must fight for your children! You have been commissioned by God, as the primary faith former in your teenager’s life, to fight these enemies. God has also given you, as the parent, the greatest influence with your children.
There is good news! You are not alone in this battle -- this church and ministry exist to help you. You can win! George Barna, in his recent book Revolutionary Parenting states: “…one of the lessons that emerged from the research which my earlier book was based was that churches alone cannot have much influence on children. In fact, the greatest influence a church may have in affecting children is by impacting their parents.” Josh McDowall, a man who has ministered to young people for more than 40 years, gives us a very clear perspective when he says “…we must bridge the gap that exists between traditional youth ministries and parents”.
Evergreen and the Vertical Teen Ministry exists to help equip and support parents to win with their teenagers. This ministry recognizes the unique role that God has given parents and we cannot do what you can do. We believe that there is no youth ministry that can have the depth of influence that parents have with their children. We are committed to ministering to our teens while creating opportunities and space for parents to connect with their sons and daughters.
