We read every day about the current state of teens in America. The numbers never cease to amaze us as we look at the sexual activity, abuse of drugs, depression, body image issues and pressures that affect every teen. These are our kids who walk on our intermediate, middle and high school campuses across our nation every day. Let’s not kid ourselves; the same things are happening down the street on our own local school campuses in our own communities that are happening on the other side of the country. We are not isolated. Many will ask, “What should we do?” The good news is that the answer for changed lives is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. That is why the vision of God’s ministry of First Priority has always been to see the Hope of Christ in Every Student.
The thing that we don’t hear as often is that there are some incredible young Christian leaders on our campuses trying to make a difference for Jesus in the world they live in. We may see them gather at the flag pole annually to pray for their fellow students or attend a youth service at church weekly. But, more than that, many of these students minister to others on their campus day in and day out. They pray for them, they serve them, they love them. It has been said many times that it takes a village to raise a child. It will take the Body of Christ to reach a generation!
This is the generation that will impact the world. They will be the ones who will take the Gospel to the corners of the earth. They are starting now and starting where they live. How can we help? The most important place to start is prayer. We should be intentionally praying for our schools (students, faculty, administrators, staff, etc.) on a daily basis. What if hundreds of adults in a community were praying for their local schools every day or every week? We should also be promoting all of the good things that our students are doing. We hear the bad all the time. Let’s stop that cycle and be our students’ biggest cheerleaders. Lastly, I am asking you to provide. Students in First Priority need your help to make this happen. Will you join us?
Matthew Wilson
Executive Director
Learn more about how you can help reach this generation at www.gofirstpriority.com.