(This is a guest article by Andy Braner)
We all desire to have great kids, but probably our deepest desire is to see our kids develop a true authentic loving relationship with God. Our good friend, Andy Braner is our guest writer today. He speaks to thousand of kids each year and has a simply amazing camp in Durango, Colorado called, Camp Kivu.
Today’s world is more confusing for teenagers than ever before. Faith is something negotiable. The world claims all belief systems have equal value. And, if they even begin talking bout the Christian faith, they are dismissed as people who believe in fairy tales and old religious stories.
Current statistics show that 75% of teenagers who are raised in Christian homes reject their faith after their first year in college. It’s an ALARMING statistic, and in real time, we’re loosing ¾ of our future faith community and I believe it can be averted.
We’ve got to start paying attention to our teenager’s spiritual lives, or it won’t be long before the church in America starts looking more and more like the churches of Eastern Europe.
What can we do?
1.) We’ve got to engage our kids where they can give answers to the world’s questions.
On today’s high school and college campuses the questions are similar, and they can be answered. Teenagers are looking for the real meaning to life, where they can find truth, and why it matters. They’re turning to alcohol, drugs, and worldly philosophies; only to fill a gap where they can find comfort and security.
We need to start providing answers to these questions. At our place out in Durango Colorado, we’ve fused traditional summer camping with deep spiritual teaching. We white water raft, hike, bike, rock climb, and all the Colorado sports; but we also spend time teaching kids the foundations of a Christian Worldview.
2.) We must start looking for places where Real Faith can be put on display.
Not only are they attaching themselves to a worldly lifestyle, they’re looking for models and mentors who are living breathing examples of Real Christianity. They want to see people who live life congruent with how they preach. In a postmodern world where everybody can live however they want, teenagers will gravitate toward the lifestyles that work or at least seem to work.
Camp KIVU hires the ‘best of’ Christian staff from around the country. These “cool “ college students love God, and they love people. The teenagers that come to our place instantly see mentors who are living the life God called us to live, and it makes a difference!
3.) We need to model our faith at home
Finally, for the trend to curb, we need Moms and Dads to continue taking their spiritual lives serious. Studies show the worldview of a teenager is shaped greater by how Moms and Dads model their own worldview in every day living.
We are partnering with families all over the world to help Moms and Dads have a comprehensive worldview understanding. We believe as we lock arms with families, schools, and churches, we can provide a vital missing link for kids to know what they Believe, why they Believe it, and how they can put it into practice in the real world.
Come join us this summer for one of our 13 day terms at Camp KIVU. You can register at www.campkivu.com.
“Camp KIVU is located in one of the most beautiful parts of Colorado. The high mountains, rolling rivers, and lush green of the Colorado summer is a perfect backdrop for teenagers to learn God’s Word. Andy and the team at Camp KIVU are dedicated to seeing a teenage generation that Loves God, and Loves People.” – Gary Smalley