Helping Families Develop Mature Students

When I was the Northeast Director for YTN, I had the joy of first-hand experience with the resources and some of the families in the below testimonies. I believe that every church should make use of one or more of these resources, plus avail yourself of all the information and research shown below. I’d be glad to help your church get started. I suggest that you have a few parents watch the Influential Parenting and SUCCEED DVDs and read the Going Going Gone book, then start a small group and let your entire church become aware through this website. I’d be glad to give you pointers and share our experiences with you to get you quickly up to speed!. John Decker 315-656-7973 john@BelieversCollegePrep.com.

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS OF TEENS

DVD - Secrets of Influential Parenting

Youth Transition Network (YTN) has conducted leading research in the US about the current state of Christian maturity among youth, and developed excellent resources for families. These include website content, books, DVDs, and conferences. We will highlight some of the key features on their website: www.YTN.org. Click each image to learn more.

YTN kids

STORIES FROM PARENTS

Parent –Teen Relationships Growing

“Secrets of Influential Parenting brought me to a new place in parenting. It’s hard to put into words all that spoke to my heart. I have three teens–all “good” kids, and doing well in school. The material (on the DVD) helped me to understand their strong need for community as they head off to college. It also helped me realize that as a parent, I have a pivotal role to play–that of loving support for their times of triumph as well as their times of failure. YTN has done extensive research into their world. So many feel the pressure to be perfect, which can lead to a “double-life” syndrome. Jeff from YTN gives practical suggestions about how to prevent this, and how to prepare teens now for what they will face tomorrow.” - Patty Camloh, Mom of Pre-teens and Teens, Church of the Resurrection, East Syracuse NY.

A Father and Pastor – Healthy Relationships

“From a father’s point of view, Secrets of Influential Parenting is life changing! I don’t know how else to describe it. My wife and I have read many parenting books but none of them impacted us like this.. I am constantly looking for shepherding moments instead of getting on my kids for something! It has made a difference in how they respond. From a Pastor’s point of view this has healthy relationships written all over it! Healthy individuals make up healthy relationships…they also make healthy churches! Pastors should be jumping all over this!!!” – Mike McGinnes, Sr Pastor Wellspring AG, Brewerton NY.

Parent Opened Discussions with my Teen

A father attending a SUCCEED DVD session with his son said “ I could have never had the discussions with my son apart from the college student videos and speakers opening him up to the challenges and issues ahead, paving the way for discussion and giving me access to help my son in transition”.