YOUTH IN CRISIS OR YOUTH IN CHRIST?
We’ve all heard the resounding concerns and crippling statistics about our current generation of youth: obvious addiction to technology (social media, screen time, etc.), rapid decline in mental health, rise in antisocial disorders with a corresponding increase in teen suicide…just to name a few. Today’s parents have no premise for raising this highly unique generation that has experienced a global pandemic, has 24-hour access to an infinite amount of information with no distinction between what is opinion and fact, the rise of new addictions particularly related to social media, screen time, and untraceable cyberbullying.
News outlets, research studies, influencers, talking heads, all infiltrate our world with the same message…“Today’s generation of youth is in absolute crisis.”
In addition to this, a staggering decline in this generation’s relationship with Christ is seen in the permanent shutdowns of churches and youth groups since the 2020 pandemic, “millennial” parents who don’t have a relationship with Christ and/or don’t attend a local church, and most egregious, the flagrant restrictions social media outlets, public schools, and local and state governments place on Christ-centered and faith-based messaging. For the first time in U.S. history, today’s generation is a “post-Christian” generation, meaning less than 50% of U.S. citizens identify themselves as Christian.
Sadly, our youth hear the same messages of hopelessness about their generation as we do.
Fortunately, however, GOD’s Word instructs us on how to discern between the overwhelming amount of messages we receive at any given moment: “Dearly loved friends, don’t always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around.” (1 John 4:1)
Additionally, GOD’s Word speaks specifically to teens and youth:
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” (Timothy 4:12)
“But the LORD said to me, Say not, I am only a youth; for you shall go to all to whom I shall send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Be not afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 1: 6-7).
Since 2002, Amy Byers (a Charleston local) has felt GOD’s call to youth ministry. Since then, she has served as a youth counselor, mentor, and coach in various volunteer positions, and in
2020, was hired by a large church in Wilmington, NC to manage communications and serve as a youth leader. However, in 2023 Amy’s husband’s job moved their family to Charleston, SC, leaving her unemployed and recovering from extreme burnout. It was in that humble and vulnerable state that GOD started working on Amy’s heart, speaking to her through His Word and circumstances. Through prayer, lessons in humility, joyous convictions, and necessary surrender, GOD clearly directed and paved the way for Amy to create a fully virtual Christian youth community that provides real-time support and unconditional love and acceptance.
The Christian Youth Network (CYN) was launched in April 2023 and since then, GOD has already blessed this ministry with memberships and growth. CYN is the first and only completely online Christian youth community that offers the crucial support, encouragement, and Bible-centered direction that our youth need today. Through live, weekly video chats that consist of age and gender-specific Community Groups, topic-driven Support Groups, Group Bible Studies, and daily Devotionals, CYN connects youth from around the nation and offers a safe place where they can be their authentic selves without fear of judgment and rejection.
Additionally, the Christian Youth Network (CYN) recently launched CYN-U, a collection of free, online “courses” that educate and encourage members on important issues such as, What is all this Jesus stuff about?, How to Navigate Social Media, Dealing with Depression, and Teen Anxiety.
The Christian Youth Network (CYN) also offers individual and personalized services including motivational speaking, youth life coaching and mentorship, parental support sessions, live chats, and community forums to name a few.
Becoming a member of the Christian Youth Network (CYN) is entirely free and provides each member with a unique member profile, unlimited access to resources, 24/7 online chat, community forums, online group bookings, and much more.
To remove any and all financial barriers for today’s youth, the Christian Youth Network (CYN) relies totally on the generous donations of individuals, families, and businesses. If you would like to get involved with and/or support CYN, please send an email to info@youthnetwork.life.
Moreover, if you or a teen you know would like to learn more about this exciting ministry, please visit youthnetwork.life.
AMY BYERS BIOGRAPHY
Amy Byers is a Christian youth coach, mentor, and evangelical speaker who has served in youth ministry for over two decades. Driven to advance the Kingdom of GOD and lead youth to know and accept salvation through CHRIST JESUS, Amy founded the Christian Youth Network (CYN) in April 2023 to remove any barriers youth today have towards knowing JESUS.
Amy currently lives in Charleston, SC with her supportive husband and furbaby, Saban Mac.
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