Bob Lenz with Life Promotions

Bob Lenz is a true evangelist! I had an opportunity to hear him speak at Creationfest years ago, and his message still resonates with me. During his presentation, he suggested that the church should be doing a better job of evangelizing to youth and children. I don’t think anyone in the crowd disagreed. However, we were all further compelled when he laid out the reasons why.

He offered three specific reasons why the church should be focusing our evangelism efforts on children and teens. Over the years, I have witnessed the validation of all three, so I thought I would share them with you, in hopes that they might help your local church as well.

1. The Statistics

Bob explained how two out of every three people who come to know Christ, experience salvation under the age of eighteen. For whatever reason, either God’s Spirit moves in a more significant way within young people, or young people are softer to God’s spirit.

When considering the statistics, the challenge was to use 2/3 of church time, energy and resources on reaching people under the age of eighteen. What would the church look like if we took that challenge seriously?

2. The Spiritual

Bob explained some of the chaotic situations that teens in western society face today. He referenced the high amounts of assaults, depression and suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, and straight teenage rebellion. I would add to it the identity and sexuality confusion that they’re pounded with constantly.

He then suggested that the enemy knows the long-lasting power when a youth or child comes to Christ. Moreover, the enemy would strategically be working overtime to hurt the people in which the most salvations are taking place. In response, the church should be guarding against the enemy and doubling down on caring for and evangelizing to the up-and-coming generation.

3. The Scripture

Finally, he shared a couple of key Scripture references, where we see Christ’s heart of young people.

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matt. 18:1-6)

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. ” (Mark 10:13-16)

Bob’s Conclusion

As someone who has served in Youth and Camp Ministry, and who now has a teenager, Bob speaks my language. His message and ministry engergizes pastors and church leaders with more zeal to reach children and teens with the Gospel. And it should be noted, that Bob doesn’t just challenge the adults.

Following his message, as he concluded, he took a few minutes to speak directly to the teenagers in the crowd. He asked them why they were not serving and mentoring the children in their local churches. He gave them statistics on percentages of salvation before the age of fourteen, then before the age of five. He explained to them, how they can have a major impact on bringing these children to the Lord.

This was truly an amazing moment!

As I looked over at our students, they were hanging on every word. Their eyes were glued on him, as he challenged them to start taking the Gospel seriously and start making some younger disciples. It was a powerful message and a powerful day for our students, with lots of great conversations that followed throughout the next few days.

I have watched from a distance, that those students grow into adults, and most of them are now serving Christ in their local churches. I am certain that the conference trips and events, and key-note speakers, were touch-points of challenge for them, leading them or at least confirming decisions that they now hold to. How many other children and teens are experiencing the benefit of Bob’s challenge and others like it?

Interested in Bob’s ministry?

For those interested, here’s a powerful video on Bob Lenz and his ministry “Life Promotions“.  This should give you a small idea of what I experienced at Creationfest that day.

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts

• Why do you think the local church doesn’t focus more time, energy and resources on youth and children?
• What can you do in your church to shift that focus?