U N I T E D S T A T E S :
MISSION TEAMS UP TO TAKE BIBLE-BASED MESSAGE TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The leading producers of motivational school assembly programs have teamed up with Youth With A Mission to expand the reach of their hard-hitting, fast- moving multi-media presentations.

Around 40 million teenagers coast-to-coast - and in Canada and Australia - have been challenged to resist negative pressure and strive for personal excellence through Motivational Media Assemblies' productions over the past 13 years.

Now YWAM staff will man all the mobile units that take the program - which mixes movie clips, music and inspirational messages from film stars and musicians - to US high schools, middle schools and elementary schools.

Through the mission's newly established Mobile Action Teams International there are also plans to take the presentation to other countries, including some where overt evangelism is prohibited.

"This association will enable us to concentrate on what we do best - producing the actual programs - and give the presentation part to people with a lot of experience in ministry and a heart for young people," said Mark Letts, vice-president of Burbank, California-based MMA.

"It's a seed planting thing," he added. "We're able to talk about character and values from a biblical perspective to kids many of whom have no biblical background whatsoever. We trust the Holy Spirit to grab their hearts, because truth is truth."

Because the programs - such as Take The Lead, about being a positive influence on others - are part of mandatory assemblies, explicit Christian content is not allowed. But the programs feature some Christian music - by such well-known artists as Jars of Clay - and the presenters do have an opportunity to talk more directly about their faith if they are asked questions by students, or in one-on-one conversations.

"If you look at the gospels, Jesus spent most of his time loving and serving people, not preaching the gospel at them," said Letts. "We are totally happy with just serving people with a positive message if that's what God gives us in a particular school. Next time we might have an opportunity to speak more directly."

Presenting programs in some 5,000 schools each year "means that we are reaching a lot of young people in a short period of time, many of whom may never go to church," said Steve Stark, who directs MAT International in Colorado Springs, Colorado. "Many are searching for truth, but they don't want to hear it in religious terms they don't understand."

Since the partnership was announced, YWAM leaders in Asia and the former Eastern bloc have expressed an interest in having similar programs in their countries, he added.

Mobile Action Teams International:
3371 Chestnut Glen Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, USA.
Email: ywam_mati@msn.com.

Motivational Media Assemblies, Inc.
148 South Victory Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91502, USA.

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