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DECADAL EMPHASIS ON CHILDREN & YOUTH

"We are the people of the 21st century," sang the 350-voice children’s choir opening the Saturday night service of the 25th General Assembly. Dr. James H. Diehl spoke eloquently on "Jesus the Hope for All Generations." He read the proclamation from the Board of General Superintendents declaring the next 10 years a decade of emphasis on children and youth.

Today, children and youth have lives marked by uprootedness, disruption, insecurity, danger, and fear. Jesus the Hope is the answer. Every child saved at an early age has a lifetime to give to God. Rev. D. L. Moody was asked about a service where he preached. He answered, "Two and one-half people accepted Christ."

"Do you mean two adults and one child?"

"No," replied Rev. Moody, "on the contrary, it was two children and one adult. Adults have only half their lives left."
The Church of the Nazarene desires to reach children and youth and connect them and their families with faith in Jesus Christ.

The question is, "Will you make a difference? Will you commit to touching the lives of children and youth in the next 10 years?"

We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done (Psalm 78:4).

W. Talmadge Johnson
General Superintendent
Church of the Nazarene

CONNECTING A NEW GENERATION

WHEREAS children and youth make up more than one-third of the world’s population;

WHEREAS children and youth are being increasingly influenced by forces outside the family and church;

WHEREAS many children and youth live lives increasingly scarred by uprootedness and disruption, resulting in helplessness;

WHEREAS the Church of the Nazarene desires to become an intergenerational faith community where children and youth are loved and valued;

WHEREAS the prime age to win a person to Christ is between the ages of 4 and 14;

THEREFORE THE BOARD OF GENERAL SUPERINTENDENTS CALLS THE CHURCH TO A DECADE OF EMPHASIS ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH—–CONNECTING A NEW GENERATION.

WE HEREBY PROCLAIM JANUARY 2002 THROUGH JANUARY 2012 TO BE A DECADE FOR CONNECTING A NEW GENERATION WITHIN THE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE.

Connecting A New Generation challenges each church to:

• Assess the needs and critical issues facing children and youth in its community.
  
• Create ministries that will meet the needs of children and youth.
  
• Support and nurture the family unit.
  
• Integrate children and youth into the faith community.