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Let me start with this: I see you. I see the calendars. The group chats. The late-night runs to practice. The pressure to give your kids every opportunity—from sports and school to friends and fun. It’s a lot. And it’s not bad. But it is loud. And in the noise of our culture, I believe one of the biggest challenges our students face today isn’t rebellion—it’s distraction.

And if we’re honest? We’re right there with them.

Wednesday nights Parent meeting Wasn’t About a Program—It Was About an Invitation

When we gathered with some of the parents, I made it clear: the purpose of our time together wasn’t to load you up with information or guilt. It was to extend an invitation.

An invitation to re-center.
An invitation to partner.
An invitation to push back on the cultural current that says,

Faith is private. Church is optional. Busy is best.

I don’t want you to feel pressure—I want you to feel permission.

Permission to say: In our family, Jesus comes first—not just in belief, but in how we build our week, our words, and our priorities.

What’s Ahead in Student Ministry This Year

 Why We’re Doing This: Biblical Literacy Matters

  • Only 4% of Gen Z has a biblical worldview (Barna, 2023)
  • 1 in 10 teens can name four of the Ten Commandments (Lifeway Research)
  • Just 34% of teens read the Bible weekly (Barna, 2022)

We want to help change that—not just in our students, but in their homes.

 What to Expect: Rhythms That Form Faith

  • Weekly memory verse challenges
  • Highlighted passages + short devotionals for family use
  • Sunday teaching that follows the F260 rhythm
  • A quarterly focus on living out faith:
    • Spending Time with God (Aug–Oct)
    • Spending Time with Others (Nov–Jan)
    • Using Your Gifts (Feb–Apr)
    • Sharing Your Story (May–July)

And here’s the hope: that discipleship wouldn’t just happen in a church room—but around your dinner table, in your car rides, and in everyday conversations.

You’re Still the #1 Spiritual Influencer!

I know it doesn’t always feel like it, but the research is clear:

  • Parents are the top spiritual influence in a teen’s life—far beyond youth pastors or peers (Barna, 2021)
  • Teens who regularly engage in Scripture, mentoring, and prayer are 3x more likely to remain in the faith as adults (Fuller Youth Institute)
  • And 66% of teens who stay in church into adulthood had parents who encouraged and modeled their faith (Barna, 2022)

So if you’ve ever doubted the impact of that one conversation, that small prayer, that moment of showing up—you can stop. It matters. And it’s working.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

This generation is facing more pressure than ever before:

  • Record levels of anxiety, digital overload, and identity confusion (Pew Research, CDC, Barna)
  • And 60% of Christian parents say they feel unequipped to disciple their kids (Barna, 2022)

But here’s the good news:
You don’t have to have all the answers.
You just have to show up.

And better still—you don’t have to show up alone.

There’s a growing community of parents just like you—imperfect but faithful—ready to walk together, support one another, and raise up the next generation to love God, love people, and join Jesus in making disciples one person at a time.

Want to Partner Without Adding to Your Plate?

There are simple ways to jump in—even if your schedule is full:

  •  Provide food on a Sunday night
  •  Help drive to events or trips
  •  Host a group or hangout
  •  Be a ministry advocate and help share what’s happening
  •  Pray for students, leaders, and our church


Fill out this parent feedback form if any of the above stir up a desire to jump in and  if you just want to talk more, dream bigger, or just check in—I’d love to grab coffee.

Final Word: Keep Showing Up

Thank you for being here. For caring. For choosing presence over pressure.
We’re in this together. And we’re trusting the Lord to use our small faithfulness to do something big in the lives of our kids.

Let’s keep pointing them to what matters most.
Let’s keep walking this road—together.

– Kenny Mattingly
 859-559-1797
kenny@loveshelbyville.com

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