Those are words not from a pastor, a theologian, or even a quote from the Rev. Billy Graham.
This came from Damon, a normal 11-year-old, who probably enjoys video games, sports and cartoons like most boys.
But what makes Damon different is that he’s now committed to something those even quadruple his age often find to be a daunting task — confidently sharing his faith every chance he gets.
Studies by the Barna Group show that Americans are five times more likely to come to Christ between the ages of 5 and 12 than after age 19.
That means for many, “What you believe at age 13 is what you will die believing,” says Chad Miller, Director of Children's and Youth Evangelism Training at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
This impressionable stage of adolescence is the driving force behind BGEA’s Dare to Be a Daniel program. The initiative offers evangelism training kits for kids ages 9-14 and curriculum guidance for church leaders and teachers.
Miller notes that, “More than half of teen Christians don’t know how to share their faith.”
“Picture the significance of children coming to Christ, growing in Him, and sharing their faith on their own with their friends,” he adds.
To date, at least 29,038 young people have completed the Dare to Be a Daniel training.
Damon is among the 11,000 teens and tweens who became trained “Daniels” at Dare to Be a Daniel camps.
“We see Dare to Be a Daniel visibly used and a viable part of camp ministry for the next 2-3 years, and we’re excited about that,” says Miller.
And although many of the kids who participate are already Christian, stories of salvation continue to pour in.
Miller says, “It’s not uncommon for every teacher that sends us a comment to say that someone came to Christ within the classroom while they were going through this.”
“They are confronted with the beauty and the simplicity of the Gospel,” he adds. “There is power, Holy Spirit power, in the Gospel.”
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