Barna Statistics

Urgency to reach children for Jesus (updated March 2010)

George Barna is the founder of Barna Group, a market research firm specializing in studying the religious beliefs and behaviour of North Americans. In his book, "Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions" he states:

>A child's spiritual identity is largely set by age 13
85% of those who make profession of faith do so within the age range of 4 to 14
About 30% of the world's population is age 14 or younger (2003)

(For more statistics and up to date information, please see the websites below)

Therefore the answer to the quesions, "At what stage in life is a person undergoing the greatest moral and spiritual development? And, "At what stage in life do individuals have the greatest openness to the Gospel? Barna states and we agree: IN CHILDHOOD! Jesus says the same in Mark 10:13-16 when He says, "the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these!"

The foundation of the war for people's souls, minds and hearts is waged against our children. So...when upper elementary children come into our drop-in centres and gym blast programs, attend our lunch programs and camps, we at YFC want to remember the very special place that these children have in our Father's eyes.

Research more about the urgency to reach children for Jesus:

Click on:

Christianity Today

http://www.awana.org/about/default.aspx?id=844

http://www.whitehutchinson.com/religiousfacilities/childrenministry.shtml

Children's Ministry EXPO

Kidz Blitz July 15-16, 2010

Quotes from Barna's book,

"Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions"

http://www.coldwatercafe.com/barna.htm