OF INTEREST TO WRITERS FOR TEENS

American Teens Lie, Steal, Cheat at an 'Alarming Rate' New Study Shows: Awana and David C. Cook Partner on New Project for Parents, Teachers, and Youth Workers--How to Grow Great Kids

In the recent AFP news article, "American teens lie, steal, cheat at 'alarming rates'", experts revealed the sobering statistics from an independent survey of over 30,000 high school students from across the United States. An overwhelming majority, 83 percent, of public school and private religious school students admitted to lying to their parents about something significant. When asked about cheating on exams, students from non- religious independent schools had the lowest cheating rate, 47 percent, compared to 63 percent of students attending religious schools. Of greater concern, 93 percent of students surveyed indicated they were satisfied with their own character and ethics saying that when it comes to doing what is right, they thought themselves to be better than most people they knew.

"In today's world Christian children and teens are in serious crisis," says Larry Fowler, Executive Director of Global Training for Awana and author of the new book Raising a Modern-Day Joseph: A Timeless Strategy for Growing Great Kids, (David C. Cook, January, 2009.) "What we see happening in the world is merely a reflection of what is happening in the church. Most Christian teens succumb to the world and fall away from the Lord by the time they leave home." According to Josh McDowell Ministries, denominations are seeing anywhere from 69 to 94 percent of teens leave the church after high school.

"The Spiritual goals we have for our youth are failing," continues Fowler. "Churches and families need a clear target and a definite plan of action; a collaborated strategy to build a scripturally sound foundation for their children's faith." Statistics show that even children who grow up in Christian homes, go to church on a regular basis, and participate in youth group activities are abandoning their faith at an alarming rate. With so much opposition, how can we forge sons and daughters of faith and fortitude? How do we raise children whose character and values are built upon an unshakeable faith that endures for a life time?

"The Old Testament Joseph embodies what Awana strives to produce," notes Fowler. "He maintained his faith in spite of challenging circumstances." In the new book, Raising a Modern-Day Joseph, Larry Fowler utilizes the biography of Joseph as recorded in the book of Genesis as a model desperately needed by 21st Century parents and youth workers to help grow their children into faithful, Godly adults. "Our partnership with David C. Cook has made the Modern- Day Joseph project and Awana even stronger as we work together to achieve this goal."

"Awana has always been the benchmark for how to effectively reach and disciple children with the Gospel," says Don Pape, Publisher for David C. Cook Trade Books & Study Resources. "When they approached us with the Modern-Day Joseph project, we knew we wanted to be a part of it. We talked with Larry Fowler about publishing his new book, Raising a Modern-Day Joseph, and discussed ways we could work together to get this outstanding and effective evangelistic tool into more churches. We are thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic ministry, working together to have a positive impact on the next generation of believers."

Based in the Chicago area, Awana is the only organization with fully integrated evangelism and discipleship programs for ages 2 to 18 that actively involves parents, church leaders and mentors. The founders of Awana derived the Awana name from the first letters of Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed as taken from 2 Timothy 2:15 of the Bible. Each week, more than a million children and youth, 250,000 volunteers and 300-plus field staff take part in Awana in over 17,000 churches in the U.S. and internationally.

For more information visit David C. Cook on the Internet at www.davidccook.com.