iShine recently sponsored the SHiFT leaders event, encouraging parents, ministry professionals and other people of influence to reevaluate and shift their approach when it comes to teaching, leading and interacting with this young population. Partnering with New York Times Best-Selling author, Francis Chan (Crazy Love, Forgotten God), and esteemed Best-Selling author and founder of the Barna Group (a faith-based research institute), George Barna (Maximum Faith: Live Like Jesus, Revolution, Transforming Children Into Spiritual Champions), iShine is launching a movement for the sake of the nation's children and their future.

"The point is that we as industry leaders and influencers have to pay attention to one of the most important audiences today-that is tweens," says Beeson. Barna echoes that notion: "After years of research, it is my discovery that the most productive, influential, world-changing ministry is ministry to children…sadly, the body of Christ has consciously decided not to prioritize ministry to children. What we're doing isn't working."

Pictured (l - r) at the iShine sponsored SHiFT event in Nashville are: musical guest and in:cite media recording artist Rachel Chan, Francis Chan, Robert Beeson, George Barna, Bema Media LLC president Brad Mathias and host Chris Spradlin, founder of EpicParent TV.

Unfortunately, statistics affirm that statement. "According to our research and based on a survey of 8- to 12-year-olds conducted by the Barna Group," says George Barna:

1% possess a biblical world-view
18% believe in moral absolutes.
32% believe that Jesus was resurrected
36% believe that the Bible is totally accurate
40% believe that the purpose of life is to love God fully
67% believe that being a "good person" equals salvation
68% believe that good people can earn salvation
70% of 8- to 12-year-olds in America believe there is no Satan
80% say the Bible, the Koran and the Book of Mormon teach the same truths

"Satan would probably love 90% of what goes on in the church in America," says Francis Chan. "'I don't even need to deceive them. They're deceiving themselves.' We must set the example as people who live by faith."

Creating such an example is the very foundation of iShine and their challenge to parents and leaders everywhere.

"Shift your focus and pay attention to the 8- to 12-year-old people in our communities," implores Beeson. "What is scary to me, especially as a dad, is that media is what is shaping these children's lives. They spend 60 hours a week ingesting media and on average only 1 hour a week in church (source: The Kaiser Family Foundation). If we don't shift our focus to this age group, we risk losing this generation."

With a nationwide tour launching this fall, featuring Mission Six, The Rubyz, Jamie Grace, Rachel Chan and more, iShine is doing its part to provide resources, events and destinations for young people to plug in to life, to community and, most importantly, to Christ.

"Children are still teachable," says Barna. "They haven't picked up the skepticism or cynicism yet. They are our greatest opportunity to change the world for Christ and to build the church of the future."

ABOUT iSHINE
iShine is a Christian media group dedicated to ministering to "tweens" and their families. iShine reaches today's "tweens" through Biblically-based live concert events (iShineLIVE!), unique television programming seen weekly on TBN (iShine KNECT), iShine artist releases to CD and DVD, interactive websites and an entire line of books and Bibles all specifically designed to be relevant to this vital audience. For more information, visit iShine online at http://www.ishinelive.com and http://www.ishineministries.com.

 

 

 

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