iShine recently announced, at the 2008 Annual Creative Artists Agency luncheon, plans to partner with Christ In Youth to build the tween brand in the Christian industry with tours for the newly formed, non-denominational iShine and “Believe” events set to launch this fall.
Leveraging a growth sector within the music industry, the tours will provide a full range of activities and events for tweens and junior high students in 30 markets. A key member of this partnership for iShine and Christ in Youth, Allan Hardin says, “For years the tween and junior high markets have been underserved. The development of this channel through these organizations will provide numerous ministry benefits.”
Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world’s leading entertainment agency, represents iShine and will book the tours.
The iShine events will bring worship, acrobats, speakers, and music groups, such as iShine trio, The Rubyz, and former “Believe” tour guest artist Robert Pierre to markets in a two and-a-half-hour event. Celebrating its 10th year, Christ In Youth’s “Believe” will continue to host two-day events for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders in venues across the country. Both tours will bring music to the tween audiences along with ministry and service opportunities to emphasize the value and identity with in each student at a young age.
“It’s about wrapping our arms around this audience who at this age are hungry and open to understanding the truth of their value and identity in Christ. Allan and I began discussions last fall about how to serve this market, and he introduced me to the amazing work CIY has been doing in this arena,” says iShine President Robert Beeson. “Together CIY and iShine are committed to embracing this group of students and pray we expand the reach of this vital movement.” Beeson also emphasizes the message of the events using “identity” as the meaning of “I” in iShine.
Christ In Youth’s “Believe” Director Johnny Scott echoes the enthusiasm, “This age group has been long overlooked when it comes to programs and resources. What iShine and Believe are seeking to do is intentionally reach this age group with a positive message at a time in their lives when they are most seeking to develop their own spiritual identities. God has given them an identity in Christ, and we want to amplify God’s call to help them discover who they are in Him and become Kingdom workers in their families, schools, and futures.”
Industry veteran Robert Beeson helms the newly formed iShine, home to new young trio The Rubyz and former “Believe” tour guest artist Robert Pierre. The label hopes to fill a void for the younger market that is, according to Beeson, “hungry for music.” For more information, click here.
Christ In Youth has been serving student ministry for 40 years with 50,000 unique students attending their trips, events, and service projects each year. “Superstart!,” their pre-teen intentional program and “Believe,” their junior high intentional program, will be in the following markets next school year:
Dates 2008 – 2009 Believe “Speak” Tour can be found here.
Dates for 2008 – 2009 “Super Start” Tour can be found here.
Since 1968, Christ in Youth has offered events, trip, and resources for student ministry that amplify Christ’s call to become Kingdom workers. More than 50,000 participants take part each year in age-intentional programs, like “Believe,” missions experiences with contact to more than 20 foreign countries and access a growing list of small group and educational resources. For more information, click here.
