theCommune-ity | Youth Division United Pentecostal Church International

Book: Battle Cry for a Generation
Author: Ron Luce
A must read for all youth workers, pastors and parents is the book written by Ron Luce, founder of Teen Mania Ministries, entitled “Battle Cry for a Generation.”

This captivating and yet startling read states exactly what this generation is facing and experiencing; however, I must extend a word of caution. This book will challenge you as well as lay a heavy burden on your heart for the youth in whom the book speaks about. Do not be discouraged or afraid of the challenges ahead. We can reach this generation and we will!

Luce uses years of experience and research to enforce his many claims. Statistics from well-known satiations such as George Barna, the National Coalition for the Protection of Children & Families, David Burt of N2H2 and many others, give us a global illumination of the damage our young people have suffered thus far. Pages and pages of stats tell the true story of today’s youth. “Young people have access to 300,000 pornographic websites on the internet and growing, young people average 16 to 17 hours per week watching television and when you add video games and movies, teenagers spend 35 to 55 hours per week in front of a screen. The average age of a young person’s first sexual experience is 15.8 years, 23.4% of first time sexual relationships were “one-night stands” and 67% of sexually experienced teens wish they would have waited longer to become sexually active.” These are the facts and even I was startled to read the numbers. But as I became aware of the numbers, I began to realize that the numbers are unfortunately true.

Also, intertwined within the pages of “Battle Cry” are real questions and statements by teens that are crying out for help and direction. A girl by the name of Lauren writes this statement, “My mom is an alcoholic and she is a mean drunk, and so dad never comes home. And people are starting to not believe I fell and walked into walls, when I come in with another black eye. But I don’t know what to do, cause I don’t want to betray her by telling someone and last time I did she broke my cheekbone, but it was an accident. She doesn’t mean to do it she just does. She trusts me and I don’t want to hurt her. What should I do? Any prayers would be helpful.” Your heart weeps when you read statements like that but this is only a scratch on the surface of what teens are facing. They want help but they do not know who to turn to.

Another account comes from Kendra, who is a 14-year-old girl who writes to Luce, “I know the Bible says you can’t have sex before marriage. But why can’t you, if your in love with the person? It doesn’t feel wrong.” Moral confusion clouds the minds of today’s youth. Through MTV and Hollywood whose motto is, “Sex Sells,” youth are bombarded with images and encounters that God intended to be experienced between husband and wife. Luce describes in detail the filth that is polluting our airways and the minds of young people. I could go on and on but you will have to read it for yourself. Grab a highlighter and a notepad as you read. You will want to take notes and reference back to the pages later.

As you read you will hear the “Battle Cry” hollered by Luce. The cry that is too loud to be overlooked or ignored. This generation is in need of youth workers, parents and pastors who know where they are in life and know the challenges they are facing. Ron Luce does just that in “Battle Cry for a Lost Generation.”

- Brett Bockmann

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	Book Review Book: Battle Cry for a Generation Author: Ron Luce A must read for all youth workers, pastors and parents is the book written by Ron Luce, founder of Teen Mania Ministries, entitled “Battle Cry for a Generation.” This captivating and yet startling read states exactly what this generation is facing and experiencing; however, I must extend a word of caution. This book will challenge you as well as lay a heavy burden on your heart for the youth in whom the book speaks about. Do not be discouraged or afraid of the challenges ahead. We can reach this generation and we will! Luce uses years of experience and research to enforce his many claims. Statistics from well-known satiations such as George Barna, the National Coalition for the Protection of Children & Families, David Burt of N2H2 and many others, give us a global illumination of the damage our young people have suffered thus far. Pages and pages of stats tell the true story of today’s youth. “Young people have access to 300,000 pornographic websites on the internet and growing, young people average 16 to 17 hours per week watching television and when you add video games and movies, teenagers spend 35 to 55 hours per week in front of a screen. The average age of a young person’s first sexual experience is 15.8 years, 23.4% of first time sexual relationships were “one-night stands” and 67% of sexually experienced teens wish they would have waited longer to become sexually active.” These are the facts and even I was startled to read the numbers. But as I became aware of the numbers, I began to realize that the numbers are unfortunately true. Also, intertwined within the pages of “Battle Cry” are real questions and statements by teens that are crying out for help and direction. A girl by the name of Lauren writes this statement, “My mom is an alcoholic and she is a mean drunk, and so dad never comes home. And people are starting to not believe I fell and walked into walls, when I come in with another black eye. But I don’t know what to do, cause I don’t want to betray her by telling someone and last time I did she broke my cheekbone, but it was an accident. She doesn’t mean to do it she just does. She trusts me and I don’t want to hurt her. What should I do? Any prayers would be helpful.” Your heart weeps when you read statements like that but this is only a scratch on the surface of what teens are facing. They want help but they do not know who to turn to. Another account comes from Kendra, who is a 14-year-old girl who writes to Luce, “I know the Bible says you can’t have sex before marriage. But why can’t you, if your in love with the person? It doesn’t feel wrong.” Moral confusion clouds the minds of today’s youth. Through MTV and Hollywood whose motto is, “Sex Sells,” youth are bombarded with images and encounters that God intended to be experienced between husband and wife. Luce describes in detail the filth that is polluting our airways and the minds of young people. I could go on and on but you will have to read it for yourself. Grab a highlighter and a notepad as you read. You will want to take notes and reference back to the pages later. As you read you will hear the “Battle Cry” hollered by Luce. The cry that is too loud to be overlooked or ignored. This generation is in need of youth workers, parents and pastors who know where they are in life and know the challenges they are facing. Ron Luce does just that in “Battle Cry for a Lost Generation.” - Brett Bockmann