The Crisis Among Our Youth

At least one in two teens leave the church in college.

Nine in 10 youth abandon the church upon leaving home. (Source: Josh McDowell)

Only 15 percent of Christian youth have a truly biblical worldview.

Bible knowledge among teens is at record-low levels. (Source: Grace University)

Most Christian parents don’t take the lead in spiritually training their kids.

At best, children’s and youth ministry co-exist in the church.

Few churches integrate children’s and youth programs from ages 2 to 18.

Awana offers a solution.

2007 Awana alumni study – an independent online research survey

When compared to other Americans, Protestants in general and the most religious segments of the U.S., Awana alumni are much more likely to …

Believe that Jesus is God’s Son (99 percent)

Attend church weekly (92.7 percent)

Pray daily (more than 80 percent)

Take part in Bible study groups (69.4 percent)

Be committed to the literal truth of Scripture

Be firmly rooted in biblical doctrine

Read their Bible regularly

Attend Sunday school

Volunteer in their church and community

Give money to church

Share their faith

Believe that premarital sex is wrong.

Two key findings …

1)Awana was a powerful influence on alumni’s spiritual foundation — as important as the rest of their church’s activities combined.

Importance of each primary influence in developing alumni’s spiritual foundation: Parents – 46.7 percent Awana – 26.9 percent Church – 26.4 percent

2) Scripture … over time … in an integrated system … with significant parental involvement … produces a remarkably positive and long-lasting result in youth.

About the national Awana alumni study:

721 Awana alumni were asked the same questions as a 2005 Gallup study for Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion.

92 percent of respondents attended Awana for at least six years. 74 percent attended Awana for 10 or more years.

Awana study’s margin of error was +/– 4%.