In 2006, iShine Ministries was founded to provide a positive, Christ-oriented, life-altering alternative to tweens (young people ages 8 to 12). Today, the multi-media organization produces one of the highest rated tween television shows in the country, “iShine KNECT,” one of the most highly attended tours in the country and books, music, websites and more, all oriented around the tween audience. Now, it’s ready to take it up a notch.
iShine recently sponsored the SHiFT leaders event, encouraging parents, ministry professionals and other people of influence to re-evaluate and shift their approach when it comes to teaching, leading and interacting with this young population. Partnering with New York Times best-selling author, Francis Chan (Crazy Love, Forgotten God) and esteemed best-selling author and founder of the Barna Group (a faith-based research institute), George Barna (Maximum Faith: Live Like Jesus, Revolution, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions), iShine is launching a movement for the sake of the nation’s children and their future.
“The point is that we as industry leaders and influencers have to pay attention to one of the most important audiences today—that is tweens,” says Beeson. Barna echoes that notion: “After years of research, it is my discovery that the most productive, influential, world-changing ministry is ministry to children…sadly, the body of Christ has consciously decided not to prioritize ministry to children. What we’re doing isn’t working.”
Unfortunately, statistics affirm that statement. “According to our research and based on a survey of 8- to 12-year-olds conducted by the Barna Group,” says George Barna:
1 percent possess a biblical world-view.
18 percent believe in moral absolutes.
32 percent believe Jesus was resurrected.
36 percent believe the Bible is totally accurate.
40 percent believe the purpose of life is to love God fully.
67 percent believe being a good person equals salvation.
68 percent believe good people can earn salvation.
70 percent of 8- to 12-year-olds in America believe there is no Satan.
80 percent say the Bible, Koran and Book of Mormon teach the same truths.
“Satan would love 90 percent of what goes on in the church in America,” says Francis Chan. ‘I don’t even need to deceive them. They’re deceiving themselves.’ We must set the example as people who live by faith.”
Creating such an example is the very foundation of iShine and their challenge to parents and leaders everywhere.
“Shift your focus and pay attention to the 8- to 12-year-old people in our communities,” implores Beeson.
“What is scary to me, especially as a dad, is that media is what is shaping these children’s lives. They spend 60 hours a week ingesting media and on average only one hour a week in church (source: The Kaiser Family Foundation). If we don’t shift our focus to this age group, we risk losing this generation.”
With a nationwide tour launching this fall, featuring Mission Six, The Rubyz, Jamie Grace, Rachel Chan and more, iShine is doing its part to provide resources, events and destinations for young people to plug in to life, community and most importantly to Christ.
“Children are still teachable,” says Barna. “They haven’t picked up the skepticism or cynicism yet. They are our greatest opportunity to change the world for Christ and to build the church of the future.”
