Taking Stock; Setting Priorities; Taking Action…Now
Folks, this is a fact.
If we do not pass down the Christian values on which this country was founded to our youth, everything, we, adults know and believe about America will go to the grave with us.
I know that was blunt, but I can’t think of any other way to say it.
Last week, I was engrossed in planning for the spring and summer. Through my youth leadership non-profit, Reach America, we are making plans to impact hundreds of youth this summer. When I got to the end of the week, it hit me; I didn’t put out an IVA Update!
After experiencing a momentary twinge of guilt, I put it behind me. Simply put; the need to empower today’s youth is immediate. If this is the only column I write this week; so be it. I believe our country will make it without a few words published from Gary Brown. I am not so sure America stands a chance without our youth.
For example, today’s high school juniors and seniors will be voters in 2012. Conservative groups on our Idaho College and University campuses are forming, now. I have been speaking to more youth groups and visiting individually with youth; they want to lead their generation and they want to be trained and supported, now.
Through Reach America, we are taking action, now.
On February 19th, I sat in my living room with five young adults who are Idaho’s and America’s present. That right, I said “present” not future. I will no long refer to the generation, ages 29 and under, as our “future.”
They are ready, now; and frankly, we need them, now.
This Saturday, March 12th, I will sit in my living room with a dozen or more young leaders. These young people, ages 29 and under, are committed to reach their generation. They are ready to lead their schools, their communities, this state and America back to Christ and to America’s founding Christian principles.
To jump start this movement, Reach America is hiring two summer interns. Our two interns are University of Idaho students, Tyler Smotherman and Rachael Hackwith.
Tyler graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 2010. At CDA High, Tyler had a cumulative GPA of 4.226; he graduated third in this class and was Student Body President. At the University of Idaho, Tyler majors in Political Science and International Studies; his minor is Military Science. Tyler’s GPA at U of I is a 4.0.
Rachael was born in Idaho, but spent the majority of her childhood years in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rachael graduated from high school in 2010 as the Valedictorian of her class. She was a member of the National Honors Society and participated in Varsity Mock Trail. At the U of I she majors in Political Science and Spanish; she an International Studies Minor. Like Tyler, Rachael is a 4.0 student.
No doubt, Tyler’s and Rachael’s resumes are impressive. But what impresses me most about these two is their love of Christ, their peers and their country. Both have a servant’s heart. Their humility and dedication to Christ and America, frankly, humble me.
We must take action and the next six months are critical to 2012.
Through the years, as a pastor, I have had many (too many) visits with troubled teens and their parents facing teen drug and alcohol addiction problems. Lately, my conversations with parents have been very different. Christian, conservative parents are concerned about their children’s liberal leanings.
In the past few weeks, I have met with several Christian, conservative parents who are raising their children to follow Christ and love this country but have discovered that their children do not hold Christian or American values.
Even youth raised in good homes are not getting it! It is time to raise up young leaders.
Folks, Gary is now 51 years old. Sure, youth can still love older adults. Youth will love and respect anyone who loves and respects them. But youth need someone their age to reach out to them. I am in no way discounting the tremendous influence of parents, family, pastors and mentors. But, as they grow into their teen years, youth need solid, peer leaders.
God has led us to two young leaders who are growing into the kind of young adults we all want our children and grandchildren to become.
Is God leading you to help us?
We want to provide our interns with some funds to help them through their college years. The Reach America Board has approved a stipend of $3,000 for each of our interns. We would like to raise another $4,000 for programming. We want to conduct two retreats and a large event this summer.
We are moving forward with our plans. We hope to train up 50 strong leaders during the summer, impacting hundred’s of youth across Idaho.
For a gift of $10,000, or a number of gifts totaling $10,000, we can get the job done. I know times are tough, but I believe we all would agree that we are quickly losing our youth.
FACT: the generation ages 29 and under put Barack Obama in office.
If we do not impact this generation, now; removing Obama in 2012 is futile. Should we succeed in 2012, they will just elect another “Obama” in 2016.
Want to contribute? Make your check out to Reach America, designated to Summer Interns. Remember, your contribution is tax deductable. Then mail your check to:
Reach America
PO Box 683
Rathdrum, Idaho
83858
Thank you very much!
