November 18, 2025
What Should We Make of All the Revival Talk Among the Youth?
Many indicators suggest that there is an encouraging surge of curiosity in the supernatural, spiritual hunger, commitment to Jesus, and church attendance.
Articles for tag: Youth Ministry
November 6, 2025
This Generation is Now
We’re hearing stories from across the country about college ministries where thousands are giving their lives to Christ and being baptized in obedience to him. There’s something real happening in This Generation.
November 5, 2025
Ten Ways Parents Can Increase the Probability They Pass Down the Faith … According to the Data
The top ten ways parents can increase the probability they pass down their faith … according to the data!
July 1, 2024
‘None of the Above’
In life, I was trying to fit into all kinds of groups, but didn’t. Yet in this group called “the church” (where I didn’t want to fit), I fit! . . .
January 1, 2024
Investing in Your Leader’s Mental and Emotional Health
By Tim Harlow It’s worth pointing out that I was not asked to write about a deep doctrinal issue, or leadership, or how to respond to a difficult social problem. No, I was asked to share about the benefits of therapy for Christian leaders. I own it. I needed therapy. I need therapy. I have had very few seasons of my life when I had my stuff together. In fact, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the occasional counseling help I’ve received, specifically from the good folks at Blessing Ranch Ministries. I’ll share a specific example from a
November 1, 2023
The Best Next Step in a Crisis
By Megan Rawlings When I was in my twenties, I experienced what I now refer to as my “quarter life crisis.” Looking back, I suspect that many of my friends who had recently graduated college or just started their lives as adults in the workforce were also going through this existential crisis. The pressure of knowing what I would do for the rest of my life was one of the heaviest pressures I have experienced to date. MY ‘CALLING’ I started college with the “calling” to be a medical missionary. I was under the impression that my purpose in God’s
September 1, 2023
Gen Z Is Giving Us Hope!
By Jacob Stewart We have seen the data. We have heard the news. We get it. Gen Z is the worst. At least that is what I am accustomed to hearing. Generation Z (comprised of people born from 1997 to 2012) may go down in history as the most analyzed, picked on, studied, and bashed generation in the world . . . right next to Millennials (those born 1981–96). Have you seen the memes? It’s brutal out there. As a youth pastor for 10 years, I have worked closely with Gen Z. I agree with my current high school ministry
CIY Adding Sites, Equipment, and Staff to Extend Growth
Christ in Youth is expecting its busiest summer ever. The Joplin, Mo.-based youth ministry will host 56 middle and high school conferences this summer. It expects 53,000 students to attend—a record for the organization. About 2,000 students remain on waiting lists. . . .
June 12, 2023
Celebrating the Ministry of Rob Raynor
Rob Raynor of Lakepoint Community Church in Eatonton, Gal., is retiring this summer after nearly 50 years in ministry. His start in ministry was unlikely, and his time in ministry has been innovative. . . .
January 1, 2023
A Cheeky Article on Travel Baseball
By Tyler McKenzie I have three young children, ages 7, 4, and 2. With each passing milestone, my desire to see them grow in Christ deepens. As the pastor of a church made up largely of young families, I’ve found this to be a desire many parents share. At our church, we call it being an “intentional parent.” However, I have also found these same parents feel just as strongly that they are doing a bad job at it. When I ask what the problem is, their answers are the same, “Tyler, I just don’t know how.” I ain’t buying
November 14, 2022
‘Still Loving Kids’: Dan Garrett’s Ministry Cycles Back to Christian City
In the 1980s, young people from Christian City made a profound impact on Dan Garrett's youth ministry in Atlanta. Today, Garrett serves as director of church relations for the nonprofit that is still serving vulnerable kids (and also senior adults).
September 21, 2022
GNPI Sale of Studio Building to CIY Seen as ‘Win-Win’
Good News Productions, International has completed the sale of a building that houses two studios in Joplin, Mo., to Christ In Youth in a deal should advance the work of both ministries.
September 5, 2022
Preventing ‘Christian Dropouts’: Helping Students Stay Faithful Through the College Years
Everyone knows a student who turned their back on their faith during their college years. Maybe one of your children did—or you’re concerned that someday, one of them will. As the new school year begins, two experts—Robert Witte and Jim Musser—offer their advice to Christian parents of children of all ages.
September 1, 2022
Why Doesn’t God Stop School Shootings?
A tragic event like the unthinkable massacre of schoolchildren generates an understandable emotional response. The faith community often responds with the words “thoughts and prayers,” which incenses secularists who consider them to be “do-nothing” sentiments. But God uses the thoughts, prayers, and actions of dedicated Christ followers to change troubled young men into godly leaders. I know, because he used them to change me.
August 23, 2022
Where Jesus Is Needed Most
If Jesus were walking on this earth today, he would be in all the places no one else wants to go. . . .
July 15, 2022
An Invitation: Beer Parties or Bible Bowl?
As a young teen, I thought that value would come from being popular among my peers. The popular kids went to beer parties, so I wanted an invitation. . . . The invitation I ultimately received, however, was to join Bible Bowl. It changed my life forever.
CIY Returning to ‘Full Steam,’ but Facing Inflation Pressure
Christ In Youth could see record attendance at its conferences this summer after suffering two lean years because of COVID-19. But inflation pressures—including the price of diesel fuel for the tractor trailers that transport its gear to various venues—mean that challenges remain.
January 19, 2022
Sun & Sands: Minister Glad He Answered Call to Serve in Hawaii
When Bryan Sands answered the call to serve with Kaimuki Christian Church in Hawaii, he was following two ministers who served a combined 57 years. Sands hasn't regretted the move . . .
The Pipeline Problem: What Each of Us Can Do to Get It Moving Again
Jesus said much about the church’s leadership pipeline. In fact, he initiated it. Without it, the church’s proliferation from “Jerusalem . . . to the ends of the earth” would be impossible. And while we have few examples of how the original 12 apostles developed future leaders, we know they must have by how quickly the church expanded. The Bible describes in much greater detail the apostle Paul’s leadership pipeline—the individuals he discovered, developed, and deployed as well as the instructions he gave them to do the same. Two millennia later, however, Jesus’ church is facing a leadership pipeline problem.
April 22, 2021
Would You Choose This Man as Your Minister?
Our “pulpit was empty.” In the jargon of our church that meant that our professional orator in residence had left us for greener pastures and we were on the prowl for another. Then we got this letter from some preacher fellow that wanted to come for two weeks and live with us and preach to us on three Sundays.
