Millennials Rising
“Generation Y.” “The Mosaics.” “Generation ‘We.’” “The Millennial Generation.”
All names proposed to identify Americans born between 1982-2002, the age-cohort just now beginning to come of age in our nation. I prefer to call this new generation the “Millennials,” as they will rise to adulthood, influence, and prominence in the first few decades of this new millennium.
By whatever name they are called, they will ascend to the world’s stage in a time of great upheaval for our nation, our civilization, and the world. Not since the Depression/WW II, has a generation of youth emerged to face such a significant era of crisis.
SOI 21 – Sons of Issachar for the 21st Century – recognizes the strategic importance of this emerging age-cohort and is committed to help raise up Millennial “sons and daughters of Issachar.”
And, just what is a “son of Issachar”? I Chronicles 12:32 identifies the “sons of Issachar” as those “who understood the times and knew what to do.” Surely that is the great need of the hour: young men and women who understand their times, know their God, and know what to do.
The New G.I. Generation?
What this “Millennial Generation” decides to do with Jesus may largely determine the future of our country. I truly believe that America stands at the greatest crossroads in her history. Our nation is in crisis, both within and without. Our future literally hangs in the balance.
The only hope for America is the Church. The only hope for the Church is Revival. And, the only hope for Revival may be how the “Millennial Generation” responds to the message of the gospel.
The horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, like those on Pearl Harbor sixty years before, heralded the arrival of a dangerous new era in our history. In that last period of crisis in America, the “G.I. Generation” came of age and became the foot soldiers in the battle for our survival. Now, it is the “Millennial Generation” that will be called upon to fight the great battles facing America.
Amazingly, 65% of the “G.I. Generation” were Evangelical Christians. That percentage dropped to 35% for the “Boomers,” and only 16% for the “Gen-Xers.”
Tragically, the projected percentage for the “Millennials” is only 4 percent! If only 4% of this age group comes to know Christ in a meaningful way, America has no future!
Will Millennials Heal or Destroy?
There is good news, however, in that the “Millennials” are incredibly passionate and are looking for a “Cause.” The question is: What will that great “Cause” be?
I believe that the “Millennial Generation” has the potential to either destroy or heal America. On their current course, “Millennials” will likely further erode the Judeo-Christian foundations of America. They will move in destructive directions and finish what the Boomers started a generation ago. If so, they will do so passionately, with good intentions, believing they’re saving us, when in fact, they’ll be destroying us.
Or, “Millennials” could become vessels of Revival and Awakening, Reformation and Transformation. They could choose to re-establish the nation on its Judeo-Christian foundation, embracing what the Boomers rejected and sought to destroy.
Is There Hope for the Millennials?
The only hope for this generation is a nationally transforming Revival that would ignite their hearts, and send them for the glory of Christ into every arena of secular society. Every college campus in America is filled with “Millennials,” young men and women looking for their destiny! That’s why SOI 21 is committed to carrying the Sons of Issachar message to campuses throughout the nation.
What has the power to release Millennials into their destiny? I believe the answer begins with the birth of 24/7 prayer movements on every college and university campus in America.
But, prayer movements with a twist. Not just houses of prayer, but prayer communities. Prayer communities built on the foundation of deepening, dynamic, intimate, covenantal relationships with the Lord and with each other. Prayer communities that serve as a gathering place not only for prayer, but also for worship, discipleship, teaching, fellowship, and outreach. Prayer communities filled with men and women “who understand the times and know what to do.” Again, we need Sons of Issachar (I Chronicles 12:32).
SOI 21 is committed to a “hi-tech/hi-touch” approach, seeking to help establish both on-line and on-site communities, as vehicles to raise up “sons and daughters of Issachar” among collegiate youth. Students who understand their times, know their God, love one another, and passionately embrace the “Cause” of making Christ known in every arena of society.
Will you heed the call?
