Around the world, the youth population is growing rapidly, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Trends predict that in the coming years the populations of some of the quickest growing countries will be comprised of nearly 50 percent young people under the age of 24.
As the youth population grows, so does the church. In some areas, about 30 percent of regular church attenders are young people. This is wonderful news for the Christian church! But statistics also show that many of these young people who attend church with their parents will choose to leave the church as older teens and young adults. Many of them will abandon their faith altogether. The church risks losing a generation of disciples who will become tomorrow’s leaders and who have an important role to play in the church today.