GEORGIA
Contents A Letter to Church and Parachurch Ministry Leaders 1 Are We Connecting with the Next Generation? 2 What We Learned 3 Connection Points 4 5 6 7 8 How Ministries Are Connecting with Young Audiences 9 Programs and Activities 10 Evangelism 11 Discipleship 12 Scripture Engagement 14 Youth Leadership 16 Holistic Ministry 18 Ministries that Click-to-Connect 20 Value, Access and Use of Technology 20 Connecting the Dots, Illuminating the Needs 24 Gospel Reach 25 Appendix 27 About, Acknowledgments and Contact 29
A Letter to Church and Parachurch Ministry Leaders 1 Since it was founded in 1987, OneHope has been focused on transforming the eternal lives of children and youth around the world through God s Word. As an outcome-based ministry, we start by identifying a desired result, then build a program to achieve that purpose. Research has proven to be key to our efforts, as we consider the heartfelt needs of children and youth around the world. This research initiative gathers data about how churches and parachurch organizations in more than 40 countries are reaching the children and youth of their nation with the Gospel message. Our goal is to share actionable insights with the Church and other Christian ministries around the world, equipping them to make an even bigger impact for Christ. This report, created in partnership with the Georgia Pentecostal Union, reveals the state of the ministry to Georgia s children and youth. Importantly, it sheds light on both successes and gaps opportunities to reach even more young people. We invite you to dig in and uncover a wealth of information that will help to make your ministry even more effective. Prayerfully, we hope the findings here offer fresh inspiration to you and your team, and that they can help you usher in a season of divine change for the young people in your sphere of influence. We are excited about the doors this can open for your ministry, for the Church and for the Gospel! In Jesus, Kenny Osborn Regional Director, Central Asia OneHope
Are We Connecting with the Next Generation? 2 Georgians understand struggle. From ancient times they have persevered in spite of multiple invasions and repeated periods of oppression. They are a resilient people. In spite of recent political struggles both internally and with geographic neighbors the Georgia of today is thriving by global standards. Georgians boast low rates in poverty and death, and high rates of literacy. And most citizens have access to clean drinking water, education and medicine. GEORGIA Georgia s greatest wealth is found in its 1.5 million children and youth, 1 representing 31% of the nation s 5 million citizens. Statistics suggest that many of those children and youth are growing up with at least some understanding of faith, as 83.9% of the population claim to be Orthodox Christian. Though the high rates... Georgia s greatest wealth is found in its 1.5 million children and youth... appear encouraging on the surface, in reality, they warrant a deeper analysis. Does the high rate of Christianity mean they have experienced the transforming power of the Gospel? How can ministries know they are making an impact? How can efforts be improved in reaching children and youth in Georgia? To answer these important questions, OneHope launched an investigative effort which explores the work of churches, ministries and parachurch organizations in 40 nations, including Georgia. In Georgia, OneHope surveyed 190 churches and parachurch organizations, documenting how they interact with the next generation. The findings reveal important outreach gaps, ministry opportunities and evangelistic trends. All provide insights that support Georgia s ministries as they seek ways to better share the Gospel message with the next generation. 1 The World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cs.html, May 15, 2015.
What We Learned Are We Connecting with the Next Generation 3 In Deuteronomy 6 and 11, God commands parents to teach God s Word to their children. God wanted ancient Israel to understand that the precarious future of their small nation in the face of powerful enemies was dependant on the faith of their children. Georgia is surrounded by hostile nations and its fate is dependant on the strength of their children. God s encouragement to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 My grace is sufficient for you, for My Power is made perfect in weakness should also encourage Christians in Georgia, where basic survival may be a struggle. In equipping future generations, Georgia must begin with the Gospel. This survey solicited feedback from many ministry teams who shared their experiences and observations about reaching Georgia s next generation. In this report, children are categorized as ages 5 to 11 and youth are categorized as ages 12 to 19. Ultimately we wanted to know how effectively the Church was spreading the Gospel among these age groups in Georgia. To measure this Gospel Reach, we looked at interactions where churches presented the Gospel directly to children and youth. Key Findings On average, churches in Georgia are each reaching 250 children and youth per year with the Gospel. Among the ministry programs explored, churches in Georgia place the strongest emphasis on discipling children and youth. Developing youth leaders is second. While churches in Georgia generally are not large, they are reaching significant numbers of children and youth. And their ministries to these groups are experiencing significant growth.
Connection Points 4 Georgians are known for their hospitality. As a people, they have a reputation for loving life, song, dance, art and community. Christians know that faith deepens the bonds of national community. Churches and ministry organizations offer more than meeting places; they offer opportunities to be a part of a community that will endure into eternity. In Georgia, 180 of the country s 340 Protestant, Anglican and independent churches participated in our survey. This sample included a variety of denominations, congregation sizes and population densities. For the purposes of reference and categorization, each responding church was grouped by attendance as Small (with 1-19 people regularly attending), Medium (with 20-44 attending), or Large (with 45+ attending). These labels reflect attendance only and do not indicate any judgment of value between or among churches of varying size. In addition to churches, we surveyed and analyzed data from 10 parachurch organizations. Surveyed Churches Province/City Sample % Ajara 9.4% Guria 2.8% Imeriti 11.1% Kakheti 19.4% Kartli 12.8% Kvemo Kartli 6.7% Kvemo Svaneti 0.6% Mtskheta-Mtianeti 1.7% Mtskheta-Tianeti 2.2% Samtskhe-Javakheti 2.8% Samegrelo 6.1% Shida Kartli 8.9% Tbilisi 15.0% Other/Unknown 0.6% 36.7% Children s Pastor Attendance: 1 19 Surveys: 60 58.3% None of the Above Staff 3.3% Youth Pastor 1.7% Children s & Youth Pastor 44.4% Children s Pastor Attendance: 20 44 Surveys: 63 19.0% None of the Above Staff 15.9% Youth Pastor 20.6% Children s & Youth Pastor Attendance: 45+ Surveys: 57 3.5% Youth Pastor 14.0% Children s Pastor Staff 75.4% Children s & Youth Pastor 7.0% None of the Above Attendance: n/a Surveys: 10 Staff n/a 76.7% Rural 41.9% Rural % Location 13.3% Suburban Urban 30.6% Urban Location 27.4% Suburban 10.5% Rural 61.4% Urban Location 28.1% 40.0% Suburban Rural 20.0% Suburban 40.0% Urban Location
: 1-19 people regularly attending Connection Points 5 A third of the surveyed churches reported attendance of less than 20 people. Three-quarters of these churches were found in rural areas. The remaining Small churches were divided between urban and suburban locations. While about one-third of these organizations had a children s ministry leader, most had no leader dedicated to ministering to children or youth. These Small churches engaged in the evaluated ministry activities at much lower rates than larger churches. Only 45% of them offered Sunday school or children s church. But 80% offered personal mentoring and church camps/retreats the two most common activities among the Small churches. Small Church Programs Holistic Ministry 1.6 Evangelism 4.0 Discipleship 7.0 Youth Leadership Scripture Engagement 7.5 5.7 Ministry Growth: Small churches saw the smallest growth among church sizes. Still, about 60% reported an increase in the number of children and youth with whom they interacted over the past year. Only one church experienced any decrease. Reach: Small churches in our study reached an average of 90 children and youth with the Gospel in the past year. Growth Trends in Children s and Youth Ministries 57.6% 57.6% 39.0% 39.0% Children Youth 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 0.0% 0.0% Increased by more than 10% Increased by 10% or less Stayed about the same Decreased by 10% or less Decreased by more than 10%
: 20-44 people regularly attending Connection Points 6 Just over one-third of the surveyed churches were categorized as Medium. These churches were fairly evenly distributed among the rural, suburban and urban areas, although a few more were located in rural communities. Almost half of these organizations had a children s ministry leader. Only about 20% were without any leader dedicated to ministering to children or youth. Almost all the Medium churches offered church camps or retreats. The next three most common activities were personal mentoring, Sunday school/children s church, and person-to-person evangelism. More than 80% of the surveyed Medium churches engaged in these activities. Medium Church Programs Holistic Ministry 2.5 Evangelism 5.0 Discipleship 8.4 Youth Leadership Scripture Engagement 8.1 6.9 Ministry Growth: Three-quarters of the Medium churches experienced growth in their children s and youth ministries over the past year. Only a few reported a decrease in their attendance. Reach: Medium churches in our study reached an average of 158 children and youth with the Gospel in the past year. Growth Trends in Children s and Youth Ministries 73.0% 71.0% Children Youth 20.6% 22.6% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 0.0% 0.0% Increased by more than 10% Increased by 10% or less Stayed about the same Decreased by 10% or less Decreased by more than 10%
: 45+ people regularly attending Connection Points 7 Almost two-thirds of the Large churches were located in urban environments. Just over a quarter were in the suburbs, and about 10% were set in rural locations. All but 7% of these churches had someone dedicated to ministering to children or youth. The Large churches in the survey engaged in more of the evaluated ministry activities, at greater rates, than smaller churches. Almost every church offered Sunday school/children s church and church camps or retreats. The next two most common activities were leadership training/ development and personal mentoring. Large Church Programs Holistic Ministry 3.1 Evangelism 6.0 Discipleship 9.4 Youth Leadership Scripture Engagement 8.6 8.0 Of the 57 large churches in the Georgia survey, six reported attendance of 250 or greater. Ministry Growth: Large churches experienced the greatest growth in their children s and youth ministries among church sizes. All but about 10% reported growth and none of them reported a decline over the past year. Reach: Large churches in our study reached an average of 525 children and youth with the Gospel in the past year. Growth Trends in Children s and Youth Ministries 84.2% 84.2% Children Youth 3.5% 5.3% 12.3% 10.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Increased by more than 10% Increased by 10% or less Stayed about the same Decreased by 10% or less Decreased by more than 10%
Parachurch Organizations Four activities were most prevalent among the surveyed parachurch organizations: Bible clubs/ Bible studies, person-to-person mentoring, leadership training/development, and church camps or retreats. When considering their most important type of ministry program, four parachurch organizations reported it to be Evangelism. Three others said Discipleship and three more reported Benevolence as their most important. Nine of the ten evaluated organizations shared additional information about how they operate. Three work directly with children and youth. Parachurch Organization Programs Holistic Ministry 3.4 Connection Points Evangelism 5.0 Discipleship 6.8 Youth Leadership Scripture Engagement 7.3 6.6 8 Surveyed Province/City Sample % Georgia 20.0% Kvemo Kartli % Tbilisi 60.0% Zemo Svaneti % One provides resources or support to other ministries. Five of them engage in both direct ministry and support services. Ministry Growth: While not nationally representative, analysis of the parachurch organizations growth still provides some insight. In particular, the growth of ministry to youth was higher than that directed to children. Growth Trends in Children s and Youth Ministries 60.0% 33.3% 30.0% 33.3% 33.3% Children Youth % 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Increased by more than 10% Increased by 10% or less Stayed about the same Decreased by 10% or less Decreased by more than 10%
How Ministries Are Connecting with Young Audiences 9 God alone does not change (Malachi 3:6), but the Body of Christ is diverse. This, plus a little creativity, is the perfect combination for making the Gospel accessible to diverse groups of people. To explore how ministries in Georgia have implemented an array of activities to accomplish this goal, our survey captured data on 31 different activities for all organization types plus an additional question about leadership roles for churches only. The findings were aggregated to analyze five main types of ministry programs: Evangelism, Discipleship, Scripture Engagement, Youth Leadership and Holistic Ministry. Scores were calculated on a 10-point scale based on the frequency reported for specific ministry activities. These scores do not reflect the strength or success of the surveyed programs, just the organizations commitment to them. A score of 10 represents the highest frequency. In Georgia: The frequency of ministry activities generally increased with church size. Discipleship activities were the most common ministry type across all organizations, followed by Youth Leadership. Ministry Programs by Organization Type Small Church Programs Holistic Ministry 1.6 Evangelism 4.0 Medium Discipleship 7.0 Youth Leadership Scripture Engagement 7.5 5.7 Church Programs Holistic Ministry 2.5 Evangelism 5.0 Discipleship 8.4 Youth Leadership Scripture Engagement 8.1 6.9 Large Church Programs Holistic Ministry 3.1 Evangelism 6.0 Discipleship 9.4 Parachurch Organization Programs Holistic Ministry 3.4 Youth Leadership 8.6 Scripture Engagement 8.0 Evangelism 5.0 Discipleship 6.8 Youth Leadership 7.3 Scripture Engagement 6.6
Programs and Activities How Ministries Are Connecting with Young Audiences 10 Ministries seek to capture the imaginations of youth and children for heart transformation using a variety of programs to deliver God s truth. Through different activities, ministries provide programs that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and relationship-focused. In Georgia, churches and non-church ministries employ a broad spectrum of programs. Among the surveyed organizations, church camps/retreats, personal mentoring, person-to-person evangelism and Sunday school/children s church were the most common programs targeted to young people. Church camps or retreats 91.0% Personal mentoring 87.8% Person-to-Person evangelism 77.2% Sunday school/children's church 77.1% Leadership training/development 76.6% Sports ministry 69.8% Scripture/Literature distribution evangelism 69.8% Large evangelistic/outreach events 68.3% Bible clubs or Bible studies 66.1% Food or water programs 49.2% Orphan or at-risk children or youth care 45.0% Music or drama ministry 43.9% Outreach programs in schools 29.6% Media or technology ministry 24.1% Other educational programs 16.9% Literacy programs 9.5% Life skills or job skills training 7.9% Mental health, addiction or trauma recovery 6.9% Health or medical 4.2% Ministry to youth in jail or prison 1.6% Microfinance 0.5%
Evangelism How Ministries Are Connecting with Young Audiences 11 Georgia is a land of beauty that connects the coast of the Black Sea with the Caucasus Mountains and borders both Europe and Asia. Not only does the location present an opportunity to be a connecting point geographically, it can be a strategic point for spreading the Gospel. To evaluate Evangelism efforts aimed at the next generation in Georgia, we evaluated four specific ministry activities. Scores were assigned based on the frequency of the following activities.* Person-to-person evangelism Scripture/literature distribution for evangelization Large evangelistic/outreach events Teaching children and youth to share their faith with non-believers Evangelism Activities Person-to- Person 3.1 Person-to- Person 5.0 Children Youth Scripture Distribution Large Events Teaching to Share Faith Person-to- Person Scripture Distribution Large Events 1.4 1.3 1.6 1.3 3.5 Children Youth Scripture Distribution Large Events Teaching to Share Faith Person-to- Person Scripture Distribution Large Events 1.9 2.0 2.4 3.4 5.8 9.8 Teaching to Share Faith Teaching to Share Faith Person-to- Person 6.3 Person-to- Person 4.7 Children Youth Scripture Distribution Large Events Teaching to Share Faith Person-to- Person Scripture Distribution Large Events 2.9 3.0 3.9 4.8 7.5 Children Youth Scripture Distribution Large Events Teaching to Share Faith Person-to- Person Scripture Distribution Large Events 1.9 3.1 4.4 4.7 5.8 6.9 Teaching to Share Faith Teaching to Share Faith 8.1 Observations: Teaching children and youth to share their faith with others was a high priority to churches in Georgia. Evangelism efforts were directed toward youth more often than children. *Within the Evangelism category, person-to-person evangelism, scripture/literature distribution, and large evangelistic/outreach events received the highest scores when they occurred weekly. And ministries that categorized the frequency of teaching children/ youth to share their faith with non-believers as very often received the highest score for that Evangelism activity. All scores are delivered in a 10-point scale.
Discipleship How Ministries Are Connecting with Young Audiences 12 James tells us that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). True faith fuels action. Discipleship equips new believers to live their faith in a way that impacts daily life. To measure the scope of the Discipleship efforts in Georgia, churches and parachurch organizations were asked how often they engaged in the following activities:* Sunday school Bible clubs or Bible studies Teaching children and youth to make life decisions based on God s Scriptural guidance Teaching children and youth to develop a habit of prayer Teaching parents to rear their children and youth according to Biblical principles Discipleship Activities Sunday School 3.5 Sunday School 8.0 Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies 1.6 Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies 4.7 Children Youth Life Decisions Habit of Prayer Biblical Child-Rearing Sunday School Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies Life Decisions 1.5 3.5 Children Youth Life Decisions Habit of Prayer Biblical Child-Rearing Sunday School Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies Life Decisions 4.8 8.0 9.8 9.8 9.7 9.9 Habit of Prayer Habit of Prayer 9.9 Biblical Child-Rearing Biblical Child-Rearing 9.9 Sunday School 9.6 Sunday School 4.2 Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies 7.8 Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies 5.6 Children Youth Life Decisions Habit of Prayer Biblical Child-Rearing Sunday School Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies Life Decisions 7.6 9.9 9.9 9.3 Children Youth Life Decisions Habit of Prayer Biblical Child-Rearing Sunday School Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies Life Decisions 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.4 7.8 9.2 Habit of Prayer 9.9 Habit of Prayer 8.9 Biblical Child-Rearing 9.9 Biblical Child-Rearing 8.1
How Ministries Are Connecting with Young Audiences 13 Observations: Churches in Georgia conducted Discipleship-related activities with greater frequency than all other ministry activities. Teaching children and youth to make life decisions based on Scripture and to develop a habit of prayer were high priorities for churches in Georgia regardless of size. Georgian churches were actively coming alongside Christian parents to encourage them to minister to their children as God s authority on earth. *Within the Discipleship category, Sunday school and Bible clubs received the highest scores when they occurred weekly. Ministries that categorized the frequency of the activities as very often received the highest score for that Discipleship activity. All scores are delivered in a 10-point scale.
Scripture Engagement How Ministries Are Connecting with Young Audiences 14 God s Word is powerful. Psalm 119 encourages believers to delight in Scripture for it brings understanding, purity, wisdom, security and even salvation. Unleashing the power of God s Word in our lives takes instruction and practice. Ministries that help children and youth engage in God s Word help them know God intimately. And there is no greater way to commune with the Lord. In evaluating Scripture Engagement in Georgia, organizations responded to questions about activities that encourage a deeper understanding of Scripture and establish a day-to-day dependence on God s Word. The frequency of these four ministry activities were considered:* Scripture/literature distribution for evangelism Bible clubs or Bible studies Encouraging children and youth to personally engage with Scripture Teaching children and youth to make life decisions based on God s Scriptural guidance Scripture Engagement Activities Scripture Distribution 1.4 Scripture Distribution 2.4 Children Youth Children Youth Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies Encouraging Engagement Teaching Life Decisions Scripture Distribution Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies Encouraging Engagement Teaching Life Decisions Scripture Distribution Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies Encouraging Engagement Teaching Life Decisions Scripture Distribution Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies Encouraging Engagement 1.6 1.6 1.5 3.9 4.8 7.8 7.6 9.9 9.9 Children Youth Children Youth Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies Encouraging Engagement Teaching Life Decisions Scripture Distribution Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies Encouraging Engagement Teaching Life Decisions Scripture Distribution Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies Encouraging Engagement Teaching Life Decisions Scripture Distribution Bible Clubs/ Bible Studies Encouraging Engagement 3.4 4.7 4.8 4.4 4.7 5.6 6.4 6.1 7.8 8.9 9.8 9.8 9.9 Teaching Life Decisions Teaching Life Decisions 9.2
How Ministries Are Connecting with Young Audiences 15 Observations: Regardless of size, churches made encouraging children and youth to engage with Scripture and to seek guidance from Scripture a high priority. Scripture Engagement activities were directed to youth more frequently than to children, especially by the surveyed parachurch organizations. *Within the Scripture Engagement category, Scripture/literature distribution and Bible clubs received the highest scores when they occurred weekly. Ministries that categorized the frequency of encouraging and teaching children/youth to engage with Scripture as very often received the highest score for that Scripture Engagement activity. All scores are delivered in a 10-point scale.
How Ministries Are Connecting with Young Audiences 16 Youth Leadership Youth and children hold the promise of the future. Only by investing in them as leaders, can the Church of Georgia hope to survive. If the Church hopes to thrive, it must actively develop the next generation to be bold leaders who bravely proclaim the Gospel. To evaluate efforts to grow future leaders in Georgia, organizations were asked how often they invest in training up the youth (ages 12 to 19) within their sphere of influence. Five specific ministry activities were assessed:* Leadership training and development for youth Teaching youth to disciple others Teaching youth to serve in the local church body Providing opportunities for youth to take leadership roles The numbers of youth serving in leadership roles (churches only) Youth Leadership Activities Leadership Training 2.3 Leadership Training 3.8 Teaching to Disciple Others Teaching to Disciple Others 9.8 Teaching to Serve the Church Teaching to Serve the Church 9.9 Opportunities for Leadership Roles Opportunities for Leadership Roles 9.8 Youth with Leadership Roles 5.5 Youth with Leadership Roles 7.3 Leadership Training 5.2 Leadership Training 4.2 Teaching to Disciple Others 9.9 Teaching to Disciple Others 8.1 Teaching to Serve the Church 9.9 Teaching to Serve the Church 8.3 Opportunities for Leadership Roles 9.8 Opportunities for Leadership Roles 8.6 Youth with Leadership Roles 8.3 *Within the Youth Leadership category, leadership training and development received the highest scores when it occurred at least weekly. Ministries that categorized the frequency of teaching youth to disciple and serve as very often received the highest score for those activities. For youth in leadership roles, churches were awarded the highest score when they very often provided opportunities for youth to serve in leadership and when at least 11% of their youth were serving in leadership roles. All scores are delivered in a 10-point scale.
How Ministries Are Connecting with Young Audiences 17 Already represented in the scores above, this chart shows the actual rates of youth serving in leadership roles in Georgia. Youth in Church Leadership Roles None 33.3% None 7.9% 1-10% 23.3% 1-10% 38.1% 11-25% 21.7% 11-25% 28.6% 26-50% 18.3% 26-50% 20.6% Over 50% 3.3% Over 50% 4.8% None 0.0% 1-10% 11-25% 26-50% 28.1% 33.3% 36.8% Over 50% 1.8% Observations: The survey results reveal that churches in Georgia were heavily invested in developing leaders within the next generation by actively training them for the task. About half of all churches reported that greater than 10% of their youth were serving in leadership roles. As church size increased, the number of youth serving in leadership roles increased.
How Ministries Are Connecting with Young Audiences 18 Holistic Ministry The Gospel finds fertile ground when it is planted in prepared soil. One of the ways churches and organizations can prepare the soil for the Gospel is by showing genuine care for people beyond their spiritual condition. By attending to the needy, providing clean water, medical care or training, Christians have an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ in a very real way. To evaluate holistic outreach efforts, Georgia s churches and parachurch organizations were asked about the frequency in which they participated in these six outreach activities:* Literacy programs Care of orphans or at-risk children/youth Food or water programs Life skills or job skills training Health or medical care Microfinance Teaching children and youth to serve in the local community Holistic Ministry Activities Literacy Programs 0.0 Literacy Programs 1.0 Orphan Care 0.6 Orphan Care 2.5 Food & Water Programs 1.0 Food & Water Programs 3.5 Life Skills Training 0.0 Life Skills Training 0.6 $ Health or Medical Microfinance 0.0 0.0 $ Health or Medical Microfinance 0.1 0.0 Teaching to Serve Teaching to Serve 9.7 Literacy Programs 1.3 Literacy Programs 2.2 Orphan Care 4.5 Orphan Care 4.4 Food & Water Programs 5.1 Food & Water Programs 4.1 Life Skills Training 0.7 Life Skills Training 4.1 $ Health or Medical Microfinance 0.1 0.0 $ Health or Medical Microfinance 0.6 1.4 Teaching to Serve 9.8 Teaching to Serve 7.2
Ministries that Click-to-Connect 19 Observations: Other than teaching the next generation to serve in the community, churches and parachurch organizations in Georgia did not engage in frequent Holistic Ministry activity. Caring for orphans or at-risk young people and food/water programs were the two most common activities that directly served the social needs of the community. *Within the Holistic Ministry category, literacy programs, orphan/at-risk care, food/water programs, life/job skills training, health/ medical care and microfinance received the highest scores when these activities occurred weekly. Ministries that categorized the frequency of teaching children/youth to serve in ministry in the local community as very often received the highest score for that Holistic Ministry activity. All scores are delivered in a 10-point scale.
Ministries that Click-to-Connect 20 Around the world, access to and use of technology wireless and Internet is changing how we stay in touch. Because of this, reaching young people where they are and in a relevant way means high-tech connections are a mandatory part of any ministry model. In Georgia, there are more than 5.5 million mobile connections 2 and a mobile penetration rate of 129%, 3 which means some people use multiple devices. Internet penetration hovers just above 50%. 4 Value of Technology To evaluate how churches and parachurch organizations view technology as a communications tool, OneHope asked each to consider the value of digital technologies for ministry to children and youth in their communities. Digital technologies were specified as texting, email, social media, websites or blogs, etc. The reported value of technology by churches and by youth increased as church size and population density increased. The surveyed youth valued technology at rates similar to their respective churches. Value of Technology by Organization and by Youth Organization Technology Value 6.7 7.3 Youth Urban 8.4 Technology Urban Value 8.3 Suburban Suburban 7.3 6.8 7.5 Rural Rural 6.8 7.4 7.0 8.4 7.3 8.3 8.4 0 = low value of technology 10 = high value of technology 2 https://gsmaintelligence.com 3 https://gsmaintelligence.com 4 http://www.internetlivestats.com/internet-users-by-country/
Access to Technology Ministries that Click-to-Connect 21 The youth in Georgia had the greatest access to cell phones, followed by the Internet. About half of the youth had access to smartphones. Additionally, access to all technologies broadened as church size grew and as population density increased. Youth Access to Technology by Organization and Population Density Smartphones Urban Cell Phones Urban 7.0 9.8 Suburban 4.3 5.5 9.1 Rural 5.6 4.3 9.8 6.4 6.5 9.9 8.0 Suburban 9.4 Rural 9.4 Internet Access Urban 9.6 8.9 9.5 6.3 7.9 Suburban 7.4 Rural 6.6 0 = low access to technology 10 = high access to technology
Use of Technology Ministries that Click-to-Connect 22 Texting was the most common digital technology used by churches and parachurch organizations for communicating with youth, followed by social media. Youth reported that those same technologies were their favorite as well, although they used them with greater frequency. Again, the use of these technologies increased with church size and population density. Use of Technology by Organization and by Youth Organization Youth Website Urban Use 7.7 Website Urban Use 9.1 Suburban 5.6 6.7 8.4 Rural 6.9 6.0 8.5 7.8 6.5 8.6 7.5 Suburban 7.7 Rural 8.4 Organization Email Use 1.5 3.1 Youth Urban 5.0 Email Urban Use 6.2 Suburban Suburban 3.6 3.8 4.0 Rural Rural 1.8 5.0 4.1 4.7 7.0 5.3 7.0 0 = low use of technology 10 = high use of technology
Ministries that Click-to-Connect 23 Use of Technology by Organization and by Youth (continued) Organization Texting Use 8.1 8.7 Youth Urban 9.5 Texting Urban Use 9.6 Suburban Suburban 8.6 9.4 9.4 Rural Rural 8.0 9.8 9.6 9.3 8.0 9.6 9.0 Organization Social Media Use 6.3 8.1 Youth Urban 9.1 Social Urban Media Use 9.4 Suburban Suburban 8.0 9.3 9.4 Rural Rural 6.5 9.4 9.2 8.9 8.5 9.4 9.0 0 = low use of technology 10 = high use of technology
Connecting the Dots, Illuminating the Needs 24 To gain deeper insight into the realities of church efforts in Georgia, we asked them to describe their greatest needs for and the greatest obstacles against ministry to children and youth. Churches indicated finances was by far the greatest need. A lack of resources was the greatest obstacle. Church Obstacles to Ministry to Children and Youth 33.9% Lack of resources Political or legal obstacles Cultural attitudes toward children and youth 2.2% 0.0% Church Needs for Ministry to Children and Youth 67.2% Finances 47.2% Training for volunteers and/or staff 43.9% More volunteers 30.6% Materials or curricula with better content 23.9% Advocacy and vision for children's and youth ministry 18.9% Better knowledge of children and youth ministry practices 18.3% More materials or curricula in our language
25 Gospel Reach The Gospel promises eternal salvation, but it also impacts the daily life of the believer giving access to peace that surpasses circumstances, hope grounded in eternity and strength to persevere. This Gospel is so powerful because it is grounded in the steadfast love of God. How effective is the Church in Georgia at sharing this message? It s an important question. To measure Gospel Reach, churches were asked about three specific categories of interaction: 1. Engagement - any personal interaction with the organization 2. Reach - any personal interaction where the Gospel was presented 3. New Reach - the church s first interaction with a child or youth where the Gospel was presented Reach of Churches On average, churches in Georgia are each reaching 250 children and youth per year with the Gospel; 106 of these are first-time interactions between the child or youth and the reporting church. Engagement: Reporting churches interact directly with an average of 350 children and youth annually. Reach: Of these, 250 are directly engaged with the Gospel. New Reach: 106 of these are interacting with the church for the first time. Children Youth
Gospel Reach 26 Reach by Church Size Engagement Reach New Reach 377 268 409 105 257 113 41 48 104 42 48 75 83 13 15 31 34 122 Children Youth
27 Appendix Ministries to Watch Ministries naturally look to other like-minded organizations for best practices. For this reason, we wanted to learn which ministries are seen as the most respected, knowledgeable or influential in Georgia. Here, churches were asked to name the most effective organizations, both national and local, that minister to children and youth within their own communities. The surveyed churches identified these 16 organizations. Many of the surveyed churches partner with these organizations to achieve mutual ministry goals. Footprint Organization Name National National National National National National Both National Both National Both National National National National Local Appleton Alliance Church (Appleton, Wisconsin) Children s Union Coalition Christian Youth Camps From Heart to Heart Generation of Hope Generation of Life Gospel Faith Church Group Publishing (Loveland, Colorado) International Children s Society Promise to Orphans Samaritan s Purse Steve and Sophia (missionary family) Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship Word of Life Young Life YWAM
Appendix Popular Curricula and Publishers To develop an effective resource list, churches were asked to name the best tools or curricula for ministry to children and youth in Georgia. 28 These three specific curricula/publishers were mentioned by the surveyed churches: Discovery Land, Appleton Alliance Church Group Curriculum, Group Publishing Youth Alpha Course, Alpha International And these 15 ministry methods were named as the most effective (from most to least frequently mentioned): Camps Sports events/sports programs Gifts Excursions Concerts Showing films Games Dance/Dramas/Skits Distributing brochures/literature English classes Holiday parties/celebrating children s birthdays Children s clubs Centers for feeding children Street evangelism Books
29 About, Acknowledgments and Contact More than a billion children and youth have received a relevant presentation of God s Word from local churches around the world through OneHope. This year OneHope plans to reach one hundred million more young people with Scripture programs that are age- and culturally- specific based on research it conducts among children and youth, leaders and educators in the countries it works. Since 1987, OneHope has helped kids experience God s Story by collaborating with churches and ministries and working with local governments, schools and non-governmental organizations to bring a life-changing message to children and youth in every country of the world. www.onehope.net WellConnected is a resource for ministry leaders. We share insight, case studies and tools from around the world to help the Church reach the next generation effectively. www.wellconnected.is Acknowledgments Special thank you to Malxaz Kamxadze. This report would not be possible without the faithful partnership of the Georgia Pentecostal Union and the local churches in Georgia. OneHope is grateful for these relationships which set the foundation for this research and is hopeful that this work will bear much fruit. Contact For more information regarding this report, email Kenny Osborn at kennyosborn@onehope.net.
600 SW 3rd Street Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 1.800.GIV.BIBL (448.2425) www.onehope.net