I live in a county that once was a middle class rural place with lots of values and traditions. Over the past 10-15 years an influx of people have moved into the area and the values of yesterday do not hold as much weight as they once did.

Even though the northern part of the county is still pretty rural, the southern part has turned into a metropolitan overflow from Baltimore City.

This morning I was talking with an influential elected official about the needs and demographics of the county. I asked him what needs or concerns did he believe needed to be addressed in the county. While many may have said more enterprise, or more funding for the schools, this gentleman said something that was quite personal yet huge!

He said that the traditions and values that he grew up with are not being translated into his 16 year son. He sees that kids don’t want to be in church or seek the values of the church and if there was a movement to reach out to the young people it would meet our counties needs in an incredible way.

I wonder if we keep going at the rate we are and young people keep leaving the church in the percentages they are what our cultures and communities will look like in 20 years time.

I believe it is time for individuals to come together and do whatever it takes to show these young people that it is not about a religion or a set of do’s and don’ts, but ‘The Church’ is about being life-givers to people who are dying and hurting. It is about finding purpose and joining with a community of people and fulfilling that purpose. It is about love, and showing an awesome God our love for him as he did for us!

Are you ready to be a life-giver to our young people?