High school: a great mission fied

Tom Greene is national director for the Assemblies of God National Youth Ministries. NYM uses ministries such as Speed the Light (STL), Fine Arts Festival and The Seven Project to spread the gospel to today’s youth. Greene recently spoke with Staff Writer Isaac Olivarez.

PE: What are some issues teens are facing in today’s high schools?

GREENE: The issues they face in their schools are similar to what they face in society — violence, immorality, various temptations that go with that. High schools are a reflection of what we teach our young people, not only through what we say but our actions in life. Problems in high school reflect the society we’re handing off to this generation.

PE: What are A/G teens doing to revolutionize their schools for Christ?

GREENE: The biggest thing they’re doing is, as individuals, committing themselves to be campus missionaries. We don’t look for it, but if ever the day should come when Bible clubs are no longer allowed on the campus, the students will still be there. Probably the most beneficial investment we can make in our young people is to prepare them to be soul winners to their campus.

PE: How should people be praying for today’s teens?

GREENE: Students need to be empowered with boldness. I’m speaking of the empowering of the Holy Spirit to be able to speak out their personal convictions. They are part of a society that tries to convince them that truth is whatever you want it to be. We need to pray that our young people will become strong students of the Word of God and that it becomes foundational to their lives. In the day we’re living in I think it’s appropriate to pray for their physical protection as well. We need to depend on the Lord to encamp around our young people.

PE: Are today’s youth facing unique challenges?

GREENE: Their challenges are unique in the sense that the lines are more specific than they’ve ever been. In the past we saw the good guys as the church kids and the unchurched as the bad guys. It’s not so much that way anymore. Now it’s more than being the church kid, it’s being the committed believer. Those who are truly committed to serving Christ would have been considered radically committed by previous generations.

PE: What makes youth such a vital part of the church?

GREENE: The energy they bring to the church. They expect God to be active in their lives; they look for a move of God rather than going through the motions of church attendance. The more we can have them in a position of platform ministry the better because it brings energy to the church that could be lacking otherwise. And while we’re involving them today, it’s also an investment in our future. They will be better prepared to assume the reigns of leadership if we will give them opportunities.

PE: Why is it important for teens to make a stand for their faith in school?

GREENE: To make an impact on their friends and to touch those who are unchurched. More than 20 million American teenagers will not go through the door of a church on a weekly basis. So Christian students obviously have one of the greatest mission fields in the world. Something we overlook is that witnessing in school sets a lifestyle. It sets a habit they’ll follow the rest of their lives. If they’re bold with their faith as teenagers, it’s not as difficult to continue with that for a lifetime.

E-mail your comments to pe@ag.org.