Leveraging a growth sector within the music industry, the tours will provide a full range of activities and events for tweens and junior high students in 30 markets. A key member of this partnership for both iShine and Christ in Youth, Allan Hardin says “For years the tween and junior high markets have been underserved. The development of this channel through these organizations will provide numerous ministry benefits.”

Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world’s leading entertainment agency, represents iShine and will book the tours.

The iShine events will bring worship, acrobats, speakers and music groups such as iShine trio The Rubyz and former “Believe” tour guest artist Robert Pierre to markets in a two and-a-half-hour event. Celebrating its 10th year, Christ In Youth’s “Believe” will continue to host two-day events for sixth, seventh and eighth graders in venues across the country. Both tours will bring music to the tween audiences along with ministry and service opportunities to emphasize the value and identity with in each student at a young age.

“It’s about wrapping our arms around this audience who at this age are hungry and open to understanding the truth of their value and identity in Christ. Allan and I began discussions last fall about how to serve this market and he introduced me to the amazing work CIY has been doing in this arena,” says iShine President Robert Beeson. “Together CIY and iShine are committed to embracing this group of students and pray we expand the reach of this vital movement.” Beeson also emphasizes the message of the events using “identity” as the meaning of “I” in iShine.

Christ In Youth’s “Believe” Director Johnny Scott echoes the enthusiasm, “This age group has been long over-looked when it comes to programs and resources. What iShine and Believe are seeking to do is intentionally reach this age group with a positive message at a time in their lives when they are most seeking to develop their own spiritual identities. God has given them an identity in Christ and we want to amplify God’s call to help them discover who they are in Him and become Kingdom workers in their families, schools and futures.”

Industry veteran Robert Beeson helms the newly formed iShine, home to new young trio The Rubyz and former “Believe” tour guest artist Robert Pierre. The label hopes to fill a void for the younger market that is, according to Beeson, “hungry for music." For more information go to www.myspace.com/ishinelive.

Christ In Youth has been serving student ministry for 40 years with 50,000 unique students attending their trips, events and service projects each year. “Superstart!,” their pre-teen intentional program and “Believe,” their junior high intentional program, will be in the following markets next school year:

Dates 2008 - 2009 Believe “Speak” Tour can be found at www.ciy.com/believe

Dates for 2008 – 2009 “Super Start” Tour can be found at www.ciy.com/superstart

Since 1968, Christ in Youth has offered events, trip and resources for student ministry that amplify Christ’s call to become Kingdom workers. More than 50,000 participants take part each year in age-intentional programs, like “Believe,” missions experiences with contact to more than twenty foreign countries and access a growing list of small group and educational resources. For more information, go to www.ciy.com.