After graduating with a BA in Religion, Christian Ministry Concentration from Olivet Nazarene College in May of 2001, I began searching for the place that God wanted me to serve Him. My search began on the internet and that is where I found the Gentle Shepher Church of the Nazarene. My wife, Charlene, and I came for an interview and felt that this was the church where God wanted us to be.
I believe that there are many issues that face teens today. One of the biggest issues, however is that teens are pulled in so many different directions. For example, mom and dad have very high expectations for their teens. These expectations tend to be driven by society's idea of success. Then, there is the media who pulls for the teen's attention through music, sex, and entertainment. Teen's also have to deal with their friends pulling for their attention. As if these distractions and pressures are not enough, you then have the church who holds a different set of expectations. We as a society are trying to make adults out of teens before they are ready!
The Christ-like Individuals Association (CIA), which is made up of the teens of Gentle Shepherd, strives to help each other and other teens become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
