Originally published April 29, 2010.
I was not a kid with long-term vision at age 13, 15 or even 17. I was concerned with having fun, getting attention, working out my rebellion. When I gave my life to Jesus at 17, everything changed. My view of the world broadened; my vision for the future expanded; my hopes for my life matured. But do kids have to wait until they are (nearly) adults to see that they can impact the world positively?
Last week in Panama, I met Jenni Davies, CEO of Christian Camping International – New Zealand, who said her organization has an emerging leaders program that starts with 13-year-olds! (CCCA members have been developing a valuable program for several years geared toward those 29 and under already involved in camping ministry.) In the New Zealand model, teens join a program that teaches them how to be leaders in school, their neighborhoods, homes and churches. And as they grow, they reach a point where they are considered “junior leaders” at age 17. Then the process continues.
Through programs like this, teenagers can become prepared for a lifetime of leadership. I can’t adequately describe how revolutionary I think this can be for some young people.
Imagine if teenagers have a desire to make a difference in others’ lives, to discover how to respond to their God-given desire to lead, what a great benefit this type of program will be to them.
Should CCCA and its member camps and conference centers try to engage with even younger leaders than we currently do? Can we give kids a vision for the positive impact they can make on their communities—and the world—if they will prepare for their future deliberately and with great care?
What are you doing to expand the vision of the young people in your sphere of influence? I’d love to hear from you.