No. 1041 - WHY KIDS ARE LEAVING CHURCH!
No. 1041
Jim Davidson -- NEWSPAPER COLUMN
WHY KIDS ARE LEAVING CHURCH!
Several weeks ago we had a most unusual and dedicated man visit our community. He is pastor Antony Simon of Zion’s Hope Ministries based in Jerusalem. Tony came to America for a 2½-week stay, not to raise funds but to preach the gospel. His visit to Conway was only one of several stops he made. Tony was invited by Mrs. Adair Howell, my long-time friend who had worked with him during two evangelical mission trips to Israel with friends. Adair told me about how exciting it was to walk the streets of Jerusalem, sharing the love of Jesus with travelers and locals.
Tony was born in Manchester, England, to Jewish parents. When he was 18 years of age he traveled to Israel to work in a Kibbutz, a voluntary democratic community where people live and work together on a non-competitive basis. When a Christian roommate read a scripture to him, he said, “I am Jewish, I don’t want to know about Jesus.” He said he later learned that the scripture was written by King David, who lived 1,000 years before Jesus came to earth.
This scripture, along with several other prophecies, led him to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. He says, “Living in Israel, I see the reality of the Bible every day. I am always working to spark a conversation about the Bible. I am trying to talk with people, to challenge people.” He also visits Iraq for 10 to 12 days each month to spread the gospel. Due to the rise of ISIS in the Middle East, there are a large number of refugees. He hands out Bibles written in different languages, brings food and blankets in the colder months, and also provides some heaters.
Tony spoke several times while he was in our community, but I was privileged to hear him when he came to address the Wednesday morning prayer group that I have been attending for the past several years. Adair asked me to stay over and visit with him following the meeting in hopes that I would share some of his powerful message with you. At this point, I can tell you truthfully that his message had a great impact on me. It was so refreshing to hear someone who is not bound by political correctness, but boldly speaks the truth about the love of Jesus.
One of the things near and dear to my heart is when he spoke about our nation’s young people and why so many are leaving the church. While it is something that some people may not want to hear, Tony spoke the truth. He said, “Our churches do not need more programs, praise bands, and different ways of entertaining them. What they need to hear is Jesus, and more Jesus and how much He loves them.”
It has been my personal conviction for a long time that a young person will not leave church if he or she understands that they are a sinner, that Jesus died for their sins, and then they accept Him, are baptized and follow Him as their Lord and Savior. Rather, they will see themselves as part of the Body of Christ, and have a lifetime commitment to His church.
Here is what is at stake. Former Russian Premier Vladimir Lenin said, “Give me just one generation of your youth and I will change the whole world.” As it has always been, parents hold the key to our nation’s future. When they know and love the Bible and teach it to their children, we will see positive changes on every hand. The mass shootings will stop, crime will go down and the American people will feel good about the heritage we are leaving for our precious children.
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(EDITOR’S NOTE: THE DEAL OF THE CENTURY – Begin your day on a positive note – 365 days for $12. This will benefit the Bookcase for Every Child project. Go to www.apositivemomentwithjim.com to subscribe.)
