TeenPact’s National President  Stephen Blunk and TeenPact graduate Sarah Greek talk about the very powerful impact of TeenPact on their lives.  With studies showing about six out of ten Christian/church young people “losing their faith” when they go to college, TeenPact’s help in strengthening a Christian/Biblical worldview greatly helps yo0ung people to improve on this sad commentary.  

From www.teenPact.org …

“What is TeenPact?

“TeenPact is a dynamic, hands-on leadership school for Christian students. Our mission is to train youth to understand the political process, value their liberty, defend their Christian faith and engage the culture at a time in their lives when, typically, they do not care about such things.

“The TeenPact experience is one of intentional growth, education and encouragement. We believe that God gives every young person a great spiritual capacity as well as a scriptural mandate to cultivate and use their talents – even before they are old enough to drive, work or vote!  TeenPact trains these young people to embrace their call as the next generation of leaders by giving them tools, teaching and opportunities.

“Each TeenPact program is marked by spiritual discipleship, student leadership, parental involvement and a commitment to excellence. Our loyal base of parent volunteers and student leaders keep the vision alive and growing as we continue to expand nationally. Founded in 1994 by Tim Echols, TeenPact currently offers classes in 38 states and counting.

“Changing lives to change the world” is more than a motto to us. It’s literally what we do every day.”

Joni Hannigan spent the week before the 2010 Super Bowl in south Florida covering it for Baptist Press. 

She writes about … and talks on radio about … 

• The Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad and its widespread discussion and support by the players;
• Interview with Michael Oher (oar) of Ole Miss and the Baltimore Ravens whose story is featured in the smash him movie, “The Blind Side;”
• Testimonies of faith in Jesus, openly expressed by pro athletes … several from both Super Bowl teams;
• Second generation Haitian Pierre Garcon of the Colts, member of a Belle Reeve, Fl, Haitian Baptist Church;

Quotes from www.bpnews.net and www.gofbw.com, such as …

Kevin Mawae, center for the Tennessee Titans, said after the Pro Bowl: “I’ve been married 17 years and my wife Tracy is my No. 1 accountability partner, and that’s the only way you can do it. A man can’t be on an island by himself; he’s got to have someone there to keep him spiritually healthy and keep him accountable to himself and to God.”

Drew Brees, the Saint’s quarterback since 2006, recently told a Christian magazine writer he invited Christ into his life on his 17th birthday during a Sunday church service in his hometown of Austin, Texas.
 
Rookie Colts defensive back Jerraud Powers delivered a stirring testimony about God’s work in his life."I just started asking my mom a ton of questions about God, about Jesus, about sin, about everything. And when I was 12 I ended up getting saved."

Nearly 200 South Florida Baptist Churches composed of mostly Haitians…and many others Baptist teams involved in disaster relief … on the ground in Haiti providing great help there (100% of all donations through www.flbaptist.org go to Haitian relief -- administration and salaries are paid from other sources);
 
The added pain of many Haitian mothers having to “split” their families … Haitian children born in the US, thus citizens, allowed into the USA, and their other children, born in Haiti, not allowed in.

Joni and I briefly reminisce about our shared happy time of serving on the board of the terrific Christian school, Hannibal-LaGrange College in Mark Twain’s Hannibal, MO.  (I rotated off. She’s is still serving … where she and her husband went to college.)

And much more …

Joni Hannigan is the Managing Editor of the Florida Baptist Witness which partners with Baptist Press News Service for coverage of major news events. During Super Bowl XLIV she and two Baptist Press colleagues are providing extensive coverage this week. Again, her inspirational articles and many more can be found at www.bpnews.net and www.gofbw.com. (Shouldn’t these websites be added to our “favorites?”)

Part 1

Part 2

It began with 16-year-old twin brothers Alex and Brett Harris writing a “blog.” Five years later it is a “full blown” nationwide movement!  Their website, for instance, has received more that 35 million “hits.”  Now The Rebelution tour  (www.therebelution.com) is visiting cities through the USA, challenging their fellow young people to “do hard things” (www.dohardthings.com). During this radio time Alex tells the story of its development, noting upcoming tour visits to such cities as Atlanta, Nashville, and on August 28, 2010 St. Louis, MO.  Hear Alex discuss The Rebelution in his own words.  

Alex Harris’ bio:

With his brother Brett founded TheRebelution.com in August 2005 and today is among the most widely read young writers on the Web. He and his twin brother Brett serve as the main speakers for The Rebelution Tour conferences, and have been featured nationally on MSNBC, CNN, NPR, and The New York Times, as well as in publications like WORLD magazine, Breakaway, and Ignite Your Faith. Their first book, Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations, was released in 2008 by Multnomah Books. Their second book, Start Here, came out just this year.

Sons of homeschool pioneers Gregg and Sono Harris and younger brothers of best-selling author Joshua Harris (I Kissed Dating Goodbye), Alex and Brett have a passion for God and for their generation. Their personal interests include politics, filmmaking, music, basketball, and soccer. And food. They like food.

Sadly, their mother (of seven children) died on Independence Day, July 4, 2010, just 16 days before this recording.  In his comments Alex said something like: “She went home to Heaven with the celebration of fireworks!”

The Missouri Baptist Children’s Home Annual “Strawberry Festival” combines family fun with helping children in need. MBCH’s publicist Derald Harris tells about this festive event in St. Louis each first Saturday in June for more than a century. Crafts, games, performances by many musical groups, food, and, of course, the featured ice cream and strawberries … with the income going to provide for children of the Home. 

One service not widely known is for anyone to confidentially call the Children’s Home (313 739-6811) with any question re your needs pertaining to children.  President Bob Kenison promises an answer … or to point you to someone who can help.

And don’t forget the quilt auction … with come and go attendance for several hours … all hand stitched, usually done throughout the year by many church groups throughout Missouri. (Derald reports that one once sold for nearly $4,500).

Again, in St. Louis each year 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM the first Saturday in June… the “Strawberry Festival.”  See www.mbch.org.

Luther Harrison was in Joplin the Monday morning following the Sunday evening massive tornado there.  Luther, Director of North American Projects of Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse (www.samaritanspurse.com), tells of how God’s people and ministries, including Samaritan’s Purse, quickly and significantly became Jesus’ “hands and feet” immediately following the deadly 2011 “twister.”

Donna Hearne is the leader and voice of the Constitutional Coalition (www.constitutionalcoalition.org), sponsor of the important Educational Policy Conference that gatherings annually in St. Louis, MO. Threats to some of our basic freedoms – such as being able to teach full truth in our own homes and proclaim full truth in our pulpits – are among the driving motivations of the Conference and the solutions it provides.

More than 30 articulate experts/spokespersons/authors from all over the country are once again being brought into the upcoming 24^th Annual Educational Policy Conference held on January 26 – 28, 2012 in the Frontenac Hilton in St. Louis, MO. They offer Biblical and positive responses to the threats that we face as followers of Jesus and as Americans.

It might have been an ongoing neighborhood upset, but our Kansas City son revealed that he is indeed a “…man of peace…” (Luke 10:6). One of Stephen’s daughters was helping her brother deliver newspapers in a hurry, running from house to house in the process. One of the papers hit against a subscriber’s door. The neighbor came out to see our granddaughter running away. Thinking she was doing some mischief, he yelled at her…and brought our sensitive granddaughter to tears. I was so moved and pleased when I heard the story of how our son and daughter-in-law handled this delicate situation that otherwise could have “festered” into neighborhood misunderstanding and resentment for years. That same day, after his work Stephen went to the neighbor’s home to calmly address the matter. You will love our 12-minute radio time of the story of the resulting peace, blessing, and bonding that emerged from this Christ-like approach to crisis. And we are delighted that our grandchildren saw firsthand from Godly parents of how God can work in doing things the right way.

It’s a fun radio conversation with Peter Herschend of Herschend Family Entertainment (www.hfecorp.com), owners of Silver Dollar City of Branson, MO, and 16 other very family friendly major entertainment venues in nine states.  They include Dixie Stampede’s, The Branson Belle, Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta, Dollywood (in partnership with Dolly Parton) in Gatlinburg, TN, and numerous others.  The Herschend Family Entertainment mission is to “Create memories worth repeating;” and its purpose is “Bringing families closer together.” Pete takes gratification in the fact that visitors can take their grandparents…or their grandchildren…to any of the Herschend  properties and enjoy it without embarrassment.  The Caring People (www.thecaringpeople.org), a ministry to single moms, founded by JoDee (Mrs. Peter) Herschend, is referenced.   Peter Herschend was just recently inducted in the 2010 MO Sports Hall of Fame as a cyclist, having raised ¼ Million $s for the MS Society.  Some laughs during the conversation are at the expense of Peter’s college roommate and longtime friend, Rev. Bill McConkey, Senior Pastor of Sutter Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, MO.  Listen, laugh, and look ahead as you consider your next family friendly and fun vacation destination.

John Hiskey, former 18-wheeler truck driver who, with his wife Rachel, began taking mission trips to Guinea Bissau in West Africa, one of the poorest nations in the world.  This led to their call to be career missionaries there.  In the move of God in GB, more villages began requesting pastors to be sent to them than there were native pastors to be sent.  Thus was birthed the vision for that nation’s first Christian radio station.  Its signal would cover that entire small nation wherein virtually everyone has access to a transistor radio.  At the conclusion, be blessed by the “loaves and fishes” story, except in this case it is the multiplying building blocks for the station!  My wife Joan Hendrick and I have the joy of contributing to this historical ministry project, both in publicity and in finances. The new station’s development is advancing in three phases: (1) a goal of $30,000 for the large generator to power it (the nation has no electrical power system) and the protective structures encasing it; (2) a goal of $20,000 for all the radio equipment and studio necessities to record and produce many Gospel radio programs (to at first be aired through purchased time on the one other station there in Gabu, GB, and later broadcast when the new station is “up and running”); and (3) the purchase of the transmitting tower, license from the government, and whatever else required to begin an independent radio station.  The more precise financial goal of Phase Three will be established as we draw closer to the project’s completion.  Please note that the wonderfully successful Trans World Radio (www.twr.org) is our consultant and guide in the project, assuring us that things will be done right!  (The transmissions of the Gospel of Jesus by Trans World Radio stations can be accessed by 85% of the peoples of the earth … in languages (over 200) understood by 85% of the world’s population.)

Donations are tax deductible and should be designated for the Guinea Bissau Radio Project.

Donations for Phase One: send to Servants to Missions,
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 988, Dewey, AZ 86327-0988
Tax ID# 91-2159136 (www.servantstomissions.org)

Donations for Phase Two: Trans World Radio,
Mailing Address: P.O. Box P.O. Box 8700, Carey, N. Carolina 27512
Tax ID# 22-1690564 (www.twr.org)

Donations for wherever most needed toward the Guinea Bissau Radio Project:
Great Commission Society, P.O. Box 400, Arnold, Mo 63010
Tax ID# 43-1939213 (www.greatcommissionsociety.com)

Monies given over and above the amounts needed for Phases One and
Two will automatically “roll over” to fund Phase Three.