I just returned from an incredible trip in Asia with my son Cameron. We were in Indonesia for4-5 days and then proceeded to Singapore for a couple of days. The event in Indonesia was over whelming to say the least. Some 10,000 participants had come to this conference from allover Asia, including hundreds from China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore - literally all over the regions of 49 countries gathered to talk about reaching the next generation with the gospel. I was invited to be a key note speaker at this Empowered 21 Asia conference.

I felt humbled to be speaking in front of so many people who had been jailed and sacrificed so much for their faith. Our Korean brothers and sisters have taught us so much about prayer and small groups and those in Thailand had to learn to disciple people after they'd convertedfrom Buddhism . . . and here I am to speak to them. Mostly, of course, I am speaking to them regarding how to avoid getting their young people caught up in the culture that the United States is pumping out to the nations, which, in many cases is destroying people’s faith or their openness to Christian faith.

Throughout the course of the week I developed a number of relationships all over Asia. Many invited us to come as a ministry and send teens to places that have previously seemed closed. I met one of our contacts who actually helped Katie and me smuggle Bibles into China when we were 25 before we ever started Teen Mania! He has proceeded to help our teens smuggle Bibles into China. He told me, "Ron, do you realize your team has smuggled hundreds of thousands ofBibles into China over the years?" I had no idea.

Cameron who has a heart for Asia and feels called to live in Asia as a missionary got to accompany me. For him it was like pure ecstasy all week, developing relationships, and getting more in tune with his life calling.

As we call teenagers across the country at Acquire the Fire to feel God’s heartbeat for nations and give them an opportunity to experience overseas missions through Global Expeditions I seethe passion of Cameron and think of the young army that is being trained to “passionately pursueJesus Christ and to take his life-giving message to the ends of the earth.”

Kaitlyn and Tammy are just a few of the many reminders of why Teen Mania exists. They attended Teen Mania’s Ac quire the Fire in Toronto this weekend and told us on Facebook:

 “You guys not only changed my life completely, but you saved it too. Thank you. ” ~ Kaitlyn

 “just got home from ATF Toronto! AMAZING weekend…changed my life forever and changed our entire youth group! NORMAL IS NOT ENOUGH!” ~ Tammy

A young generation passionately pursuing God and refusing to go back to a worldly standard of “Normal” is possible. And it’s not just possible here in the USA but throughout the world! My son, Cameron and I kicked off a 10 day trip from Dallas to Canada, Indonesia and Singapore. We’ll show you some video highlights throughout the international journey yet to come but check out the following clips to join us on the adventure so far.

This weekend we experienced ministry to a young generation at a whole other level. Acquire the Fire launched the “Normal is Not Enough” tour in Amhurst, MA. With more than 6 months of anticipation of building a theme, creative components, technical advancements, video scripting and editing, etc – our heartbeat was to make improvements in every dimension of the event. We wanted young people to worship like never before. Both the songs and the leadership from stage were focused on wooing young people to God’s throne. We prepared our more than ever before to build a progression throughout the course of the weekend of what kids would hear, and experience so the message would be forever etched in their minds and hearts. Thousands of hours and prayer and preparation have been invested in making this first event successful.

A Spectacular Crescendo

Little did these 2,400 young people realize what was about to happen to them when they walked in. We opened on Friday Night with the first installment of our full length theatrical, “Plan BE”. This was shown in three different iterations throughout the weekend to set the tone for each of the sessions. Friday night began with a description of the "Story of God", trying to engage young people in understanding some solid scriptural theology, and also helping them to more fully understand what they've been redeemed from (or are about to be redeemed from). We talked not just about the beginning of creation, but before that - how God existed as the Father, as the Son, and Holy Spirit. We painted a picture, both with words and visuals, to get them to try to imagine what the nature of the trinity might feel like - the essence of it being relationship.

The story then introduces the entrance of evil when Lucifer and a third of these massive beings called angles fall away with an ensuing crisis in the cosmos as a result. We try to give a small glimpse of what it might have looked like as God created the "heavens and earth" (Genesis 1) with a dramatic display of His creative beauty splashed across a massive 23x 40ft screen. (New projection equipment makes these images crystal clear even to the person seated in the back of the balcony.) Ultimately, as we concluded Friday’s message with the fall of man as Adam and Eve ate the apple bringing on both the entrance of death into this world and entrance to sin nature to all of mankind. We tried to illustrate it with what turned out to be a very somber moment at the arena. As darkness covered the face of the Earth, it wasn't just physical darkness, it was darkness of the heart that follows mankind even to present day. We demonstrated how every war, every disease, every heart break, every piece of destruction and broken heartedness known to man all started right there. The heart of man is truly dead until we meet Jesus face-to-face. We invited students who felt the sign of deadness in their heart...which we illustrated lots possible signs of deadness . . .  to respond and fully surrender their life to Christ. Hundreds of them jumped out of their seats, practically running to the altar, and began crying out to God.

God Sized Special Effects

One of the most moving dimensions of this evening was that it seemed as though God was augmenting any sound affects inside the stadium with His own sound affects using the weather outside. A number of times throughout the night thunder would clap and right after I had made a point that I would never want them to forget. It seemed improbable, but after a third or fourth time it was surreal to experience how thunder from the outside would roar, seemingly on cue, with points that were being made inside the arena. Every time I get on the stage in front of young people I wonder what I could possibly and better to help them experience a genuine encounter with God that is irreversible and - truly a pivotal point for the rest of their life. It seemed as though Friday night could have been that for many of these young people.

Throughout the course of the day on Saturday we built upon Friday’s message and helped them to see that such great darkness requires a great Savior – and go on describe just how great of a Savior we have!

No Return to Normal

Our hope and prayer as we put together the content of this year at the Acquire the Fire is that young people would see Jesus, the Savior that saved us not just from our sins but our sin nature – from the darkness of our heart. And as a result of seeing the great price He paid for the great rescue that was needed they would fall desperately, head-over-heels, irreversibly in love with Him - making the reality of being a common Christian or a “normal Christian” as no longer an option. As we all know, most "normal Christians" pretty much live the same lifestyle as a normal non-Christians. We wanted the glimpse of Jesus’ rescue of us to make it hopelessly impossible to live a normal life after this. We are praying that as these thousands of young people are in their schools today they are having a fresh start with Christ. Many of them are born again and set free from the chains around their neck for the very first time in the life.

It Takes a Team

I marvel once again how God uses us as fallible humans, not just me, but I mean all of the staff here at Teen Mania – those that work in our video production department, operations, marketing, sales and all the interns (many of them right out of high school). He is using regular human beings to see something supernatural happen. And it’s not just us! This weekend He used the youth pastors who had the vision to bring their students to a Christian youth event and the pastors we allowed them to come. He used deacons, elders, and the parents who care so much about this generation they would come as chaperones and serve in an ongoing way to be a part of rescuing this generation and helping them become the men and woman God has called them to be.

As Amhurst was the first city of the tour we are looking forward to see what God is going to do in the hearts of this young generation in the coming days and to hear reports as they go on to live the mission of Christ. I hope to see you in one of the events along the way this year!

Pray for these kids and just imagine you were there as you check out this link or watch the video below of highlights from the weekend. 

Imagine a place where young people are on fire for God. They can’t wait to see their friends, hear the preacher, take notes and be challenged. They are not only absorbing, but they are also pouring what they learn into others.

Imagine a place where young people come together and worship passionately with all their heart instead of just standing there through the worship service. They are so excited to be there that they actually run to the front at the beginning of worship. They are lifting their hands and down on their knees singing with all their hearts.

Imagine a place where adults have rallied around students so that there is no “us and them” mentality. Young people are embraced by every adult, and teens are actually involved in church ministry, from the worship team to the prayer team.

What does it take to build this type of church? Here are a few keys that I think must be part of making a church that welcomes and inspires teens.

Examine Your Hearts
To create a church that teens love, we must first examine our hearts. Students know when they are loved and accepted. Students also know when they are being judged. They are used to being looked down upon and criticized by the adults in their life. In return, they avoid these adults and the places associated with them – like church. 

Do you show teens unconditional love and acceptance? Does your church?

Make Services Relevant to Students
It’s important that young people don’t just “do time” when they come on Sunday morning. They should feel a connection to the pastors leading service and even embrace what the church stands for. So how does that happen?

Pastors can lead the way by incorporating students into their messages. When preparing messages, plan on engaging young people specifically with a few nuggets just for them to chew on. You can even ask for their input and perspective when planning your sermons. Let them know that they are a part of the church right now, not just an appendage!

Create a Subculture
Today every student is surrounded by a worldly culture that welcomes them and lures them away from God. Is church exciting, interesting, and a place they want to be? It can be when you create a subculture in your church to attract and pour into young people.

It is possible to create this type of subculture—just take a look at Hillsong Church in Australia. Amidst a very secular society, Hillsong has created a subculture for young people and adults now 30,000 strong. This type of culture inspires teens to do great things for God. It empowers them to take ownership and be in leadership roles. Most important, it clearly communicates to teens that you are committed to them in a very deep way.

To engage and disciple young people, we must create a culture in our churches that teens want to be a part of. Church as usual has to change, because church as usual is not reaching the next generation.