Faith
Scripture-Centered Youth Ministry Urged
Faith Facts
- The Church faces challenges engaging Gen Z shaped by digital culture and complex issues of identity.
- Ashish Hirday stresses relational discipleship rooted in Scripture and empathy for young people.
- He advocates for parents to take a leading role in teaching biblical values at home, supported by the Church.
The rapid changes in today’s world have left churches seeking ways to connect with a generation questioning identity and morality. Ashish Hirday, of the World Evangelical Alliance Youth Commission, insists the foundation must be God’s Word and not shallow programming.
He said
“Many pastors understand what young people are going through, and they want to help.”
“But the problem is how to help.”
“Seminaries never trained us to have counseling talks about issues like sexuality or identity.”
“Those conversations are happening now whether the church is ready or not.”
Hirday observes that pastors often lack the relational skills needed to walk alongside youth wrestling with tough questions. Listening with true compassion and addressing past hurts is essential to meaningful discipleship.
He said
“If someone comes to church and says, ‘I’m gay,’ we immediately say, ‘He’s a sinner.'”
“But we don’t listen further.”
“We don’t ask what happened in that person’s past or what led to this point.”
He draws from Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, noting the balance between acknowledging sin and showing hope.
He said
“Jesus knew her sin, but He still spoke into her life, naming her reality while offering hope.”
“That’s what changes people—truth with compassion.”
In his own ministry, Hirday has seen genuine transformation by welcoming people as they are and nurturing real relationships based on the gospel. Emphasizing love opens hearts and allows truth to take root.
Formation, Hirday believes, starts at home—parents must reclaim their biblical duty to train up children in God’s ways. He urges churches to equip parents, not replace them, and calls for better training on parenting within seminaries.
He said
“More than pastors, parents have the key role in speaking about sexuality and identity.”
“And not just about biology, but about the deeper questions of purpose, temptation, and boundaries that their children face.”
Bridging generational gaps, especially with Gen Z, takes humility and a willingness for leaders to step down from authority and truly listen. Hirday shares that genuine relationships grow when leaders approach youth as friends and co-learners rather than just authority figures.
He said
“When leaders insist on keeping a distance, they lose the ability to influence.”
“But when we show vulnerability, we gain respect.”
Finally, he calls for deeper mentorship—life-on-life investment that breaks out of formal structures and lives out the love of Christ through everyday moments. The future of the Church depends on passing down faith through families, humble leaders, and genuine discipleship centered on Scripture.
Invest in the next generation by equipping parents, practicing empathy, and bringing God’s Word to the heart of youth ministry. Together, we can nurture faith that stands firm and lights the way for our children and nation.
Faith Facts
- Advent recalls both the 400 years of biblical silence before Christ and the reality that God works even when He seems quiet.
- The hidden years in Jesus’ life remind us that quiet, faithful seasons are foundational for future service.
- Key figures in the Advent story, like Mary, Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna, show us that steadfast waiting produces discernment and prepares us for God’s perfect timing.
Advent invites believers to trust that God’s timing is perfect, even when circumstances feel uncertain or progress seems unseen. Our periods of waiting are often God’s opportunities to form character and deepen our reliance on Him.
Scripture reassures us that invisible obedience is never forgotten by God, and unseen seasons are where spiritual strength is developed. As we remember Christ’s arrival, we are reminded that God’s work often unfolds behind the scenes, setting the stage for what is to come.
Let us faithfully embrace the Advent season, knowing that God is preparing us for His good purposes, shaping hearts for His glory and the good of our families and communities.
Stand strong in faith, cherishing the assurance that hidden years are in God’s hands, and trust that nothing devoted to Him is ever wasted.
Faith Facts
- A University of Oklahoma student, Samantha Fulnecky, received a failing grade for citing only scripture in a Psychology essay on gender and upholding biblical truth.
- Her instructor insisted empirical evidence was necessary, but the university decided the assignment would not impact her final grade after public outcry.
- Christian academic Krish Kandiah encouraged Fulnecky to continue sharing her faith with wisdom, accountability, and respect in public discussions.
The courage to defend biblical values in the classroom is vital in a society drifting from its Christian foundation. Samantha Fulnecky’s stand for biblical truth challenged the secular boundaries set by her university and created a platform for Christian voices in education.
Her experience highlights the ongoing need for students to express their faith with both boldness and grace, following Christ’s example of love while standing firm on scriptural principles.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
As believers, we are called to responsibly handle the Word, expressing our convictions thoughtfully and charitably in every sphere—especially where Christian perspectives may face hostility.
Stay informed and stand where faith, freedom, and biblical values are at stake. Encourage Christian students to persevere and seek guidance from mentors grounded in God’s Word.
Faith Facts
- The US National Security Strategy warns that Europe faces the risk of “civilizational erasure” due to migration and demographic challenges.
- Article 17 of the Lisbon Treaty ensures ongoing dialogue between EU institutions and religious communities.
- There are two visions for Europe’s future: one urging preservation of identity through fear, and another fostering unity through faith-based dialogue.
Recent events reveal a stark contrast between American and European approaches to the continent’s moral future. Washington’s narrative emphasizes Europe’s vulnerability, while Brussels highlights cooperation rooted in Christian and moral values.
The European Union, guided by Article 17 of the Lisbon Treaty, invites faith and philosophical dialogue, reflecting a commitment to pluralism and the common good.
“The spirit is not nostalgic but collaborative. Enshrining freedom of conscience, it reflects a vision of Europe as a community of diverse traditions, each bringing moral, social, and spiritual resources to the common good.”
Christian values—justice, care for the vulnerable, and community—are seen as foundational to shaping EU policies, echoing the biblical call to seek justice and love one’s neighbor.
Dialogue among faith communities enriches public life, strengthening social cohesion and promoting inclusion rooted in biblical principles.
The US strategy, however, views cultural change with suspicion, framing Europe’s challenges as threats rather than opportunities for unity in diversity.
“Where Article 17 sees dialogue and pluralism as part of Europe’s democratic fabric, the US strategy sees it as distraction, a threat to survival.”
The choice for Europe’s future lies between fear-driven isolation and values-driven dialogue that honors faith and freedom. Only through sincere engagement can we uphold a civilization built on Christian values and responsibility.
Stay committed in prayer, faith, and civic engagement to defend Christian values in public life. Encourage leaders to choose dialogue, not division, for Europe’s future.
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