36,000 Young Christians Gather In St. Louis To Find ‘Purpose & Identity … In God’s Word’

North American youth face a growing identity crisis: over 300,000 American teenagers identify as the opposite sex, while drug overdoses and suicide are the leading causes of death for younger Americans — claiming over 72,000 young lives in 2020 alone — as loneliness spreads among Gen Z.

These social contagions are fueled by declining numbers in church attendance nationwide, especially among young people. Surveys by Gallup and Pew Research show that increasing majorities of Millennials and Gen Zers do not belong to a church or attend services at all, and a sizable minority are now “religiously unaffiliated” — leading one writer to question if Gen Z should be called “Generation Atheist.”

Yet, in the midst of these problems, many youth have found purpose and identity in something greater — 36,000 teens and young adults from across the continent gathered last week for North American Youth Congress (NAYC), a biennial event that seeks to inspire young people to find purpose in faith and community service. NAYC is organized by the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI).

“The teenagers and young adults who attend NAYC give us hope for the future,” said UPCI Youth Ministries President Michael Thomas. He said NAYC is “a beacon of light and hope in a world that is being overrun by problems and strife.” 

The event took place last Wednesday through Friday in St. Louis, consisting of worship services, practical training sessions, and a community service project, in which attendees packed thousands of disaster relief buckets in partnership with Reach Out America.

Thomas described the event as a “counterculture” in that “we try not to allow societal trends to mold or shape our thinking and beliefs” and directly addressed transgenderism at the event Wednesday night, stating that “Biblical holiness” protects against “gender confusion.”

“How you were born is how you were intended by your Creator to be.” Thomas passionately proclaimed. “God did not put a question mark after your DNA — God put an exclamation point after your DNA! The Word of God says you were fearfully and wonderfully made. Don’t let the world erase how God made you!”

UPCI Superintendent Dr. David K. Bernard contrasted the event’s attendees with broader American culture, which he described as “increasingly secular and even hostile to Christian values.”

Despite the overall decline of religiosity in American youth, Thomas said his organization is experiencing rapid growth, especially among teenagers and young adults.

Meanwhile, author and NYU professor Johnathan Haidt points to “extraordinarily high rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide and fragility” among Gen Zers as a “national crisis.” Haidt linked the rise of “isolating” activities like social media use to increased rates of depression, particularly among teen girls.

A 2016 study by the National Institute of Medicine, however, suggests that membership in a religious group can decrease one’s risk of depression and other mental health problems. NAYC’s organizers and attendees echoed the study, saying the conference helps youth connect with others and find their purpose in faith.

When asked about the mental health crisis, Thomas said that for these young Christians, “purpose and identity can be found in the Word of God.” 

“This purpose and identity are given to us by a loving Creator,” Thomas told The Daily Wire. “In a world of increasing loneliness and isolation, this event solidifies to a young person that they are not alone in their journey or their walk with God.” 

“NAYC helps me find community … in the power of coming in unity with people from all over the United States and worshiping the same God,” said 15-year-old Kayleigh Stephens. Anita Sullivan Lewis, of Cross Plains, Tennessee, told The Daily Wire that NAYC “gives my nonverbal son who has Down Syndrome and autism a sense of belonging. All the kids in our youth group include him, pray with him, make room for his wheelchair, and give him high fives to let him know he’s loved.”

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Back home, many of these students and parents face intense cultural battles in their school districts. Recent protests have broken out over new mandates in favor of teaching transgenderism and sexually explicit material to kids, uniting Christian and Muslim parents alike. Meanwhile, other religious groups openly embrace Left-wing ideologies.

“It is through our relationship with God and His Word that certain questions about our identity can be settled, our direction and purpose in life can be answered, and we can live the whole and complete life we were intended to live,” Thomas concluded.

As cultural battles intensify across the country, many people of faith are conflicted about how to proceed. Yet, the organizers of NAYC see a path forward.

Dr. Bernard said that Christians can be both “loving and firm” in these battles. “We should seek to uphold important values for life, marriage, family, and society; and we should partner with others who share these goals,” he said.

“We should respect everyone as created in God’s image and as souls for whom Christ died.” he continued. “We shouldn’t be antagonistic, harsh, hateful, or bigoted, even when provoked. At the same time, we [should] be firmly committed to truth, and doing so isn’t bigotry.”

Thomas echoed Bernard’s call for a firm stand for Biblical values while loving those with whom they disagree. He said that “Jesus showed us the perfect model for this in the New Testament.” 

“Jesus told us to love everyone, but this does not mean we condone or endorse their lifestyle if it is contrary to His Word. Every word and action that we as Christians display should be motivated by and saturated with love,” Thomas said. “Disagreement should never become hatred.”

This form of love resounds with young Stephens, and she said her mission as she returns from the conference is “to impact my community and school by showing the love and compassion of Christ, to see people filled with His Spirit, [and] their families renewed and restored. … I want lives to be changed and miracles to be performed.”

Amid the cultural battles in public schools across the country, attendees told The Daily Wire how NAYC inspires them to be strong in their faith despite facing opposition in their schools.

“I have been inspired in many ways,” said Talyha Bonny, 14, of Worcester, Massachusetts, who teaches Bible studies at her school over fierce ridicule by her classmates. “NAYC inspired me to put God first because when I do that, I will be strengthened, and I won’t be afraid.”

Stephens, from Troy, Missouri, described being a Christian in her public school as “a hard thing to do in the world we live in.” She said, “NAYC empowers me to tell my school about Jesus and the good he has done for me. It is hard to speak out and tell people about Jesus and the ‘why’ behind my acts,” she said, “but it is beyond rewarding seeing my friends go to church with me and ask me questions about my faith.”

NAYC was last held in 2019 with a pre-pandemic record of 37,000 attendees and took place virtually in 2021 due to the virus. The event will be held next in 2025 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

DeSantis Fires Back After Some Republicans Promote Kamala Harris’ ‘Lies’ About Florida Curriculum

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis fired back late this week at those who are promoting what he slammed as “lies” about Florida’s African American history curriculum in an apparent attempt to damage him politically as he campaigns for president.

The claims began circulating last weekend when Vice President Kamala Harris took a trip to Jacksonville, Florida, to attack the new curriculum, claiming that “in the state of Florida, they decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefited from slavery.”

Harris seized on one sentence from the 216-page curriculum that noted that freed slaves at times used skills they learned and developed during slavery to help themselves later in their lives: “Instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”

The language in the Florida curriculum is virtually identical to the language that the College Board includes in its current curriculum for AP African American Studies, which is available in thousands of schools across the U.S.

Dr. William Allen, former chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and Florida’s African American History Standards Workgroup member, blasted Harris, teachers unions, and anyone else promoting the allegations, saying that they are spreading “lies.”

The claims from Harris were then echoed by a few African American Republicans, including Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who has endorsed former President Donald Trump in his 2024 campaign; Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who is running for president; Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX), who also endorsed Trump; and Rep. John James (R-MI), likewise a Trump supporter.

Donalds was the first to parrot Harris’ talking points, writing on Twitter on Wednesday: “The new African-American standards in FL are good, robust, & accurate. That being said, the attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery is wrong & needs to be adjusted. That obviously wasn’t the goal & I have faith that FLDOE will correct this.”

Manny Diaz Jr., Florida’s Commissioner of Education, responded directly to Donalds: “The federal government won’t dictate Florida’s education standards. This new curriculum is based on truth. We will not back down from teaching our nation’s true history at the behest of a woke @WhiteHouse, nor at the behest of a supposedly conservative congressman.”

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The federal government won’t dictate Florida’s education standards.

This new curriculum is based on truth.

We will not back down from teaching our nation’s true history at the behest of a woke @WhiteHouse, nor at the behest of a supposedly conservative congressman. https://t.co/UOypM5tSJx pic.twitter.com/Npz022qBwe

— Manny Diaz Jr. (@CommMannyDiazJr) July 26, 2023

DeSantis also responded directly to Donalds, telling him: “Floridians should stand up for Florida. Don’t side with Kamala Harris and liberals who are demagoguing this.”

Gov. @RonDeSantis responds to attacks from the Trump campaign’s Byron Donalds:

"Floridians should stand up for Florida. Don't side with Kamala Harris." pic.twitter.com/DuMtpKz72U

— Never Back Down (@NvrBackDown24) July 28, 2023

Scott was the next to take an apparent swipe at DeSantis over the issue, telling reporters on Thursday: “What slavery was really about was separating families, about mutilating humans, and even raping their wives. It was just devastating. So I would hope that every person in our country — and certainly running for president — would appreciate that.”

DeSantis also responded directly to Scott: “Part of the reason our country has struggled is because D.C. Republicans all too often accept false narratives, accept lies that are perpetrated by the Left. And to accept the lie that Kamala Harris has been perpetrating even when that has been debunked, that’s not the way you do it. The way you lead is to fight back against the lies, is to speak the truth. So I’m here defending my state of Florida against false accusations and against lies. And we’re going to continue to speak the truth.”

“Part of the reason our country has struggled is because D.C. Republicans all too often accept false narratives, accept lies that are perpetrated by the Left. And to accept the lie that Kamala Harris has been perpetrating even when that has been debunked, that's not the way you… pic.twitter.com/oDfCPIKkwR

— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) July 28, 2023

Congressman Hunt then took the attacks to a new level on Friday, tweeting: “As the direct descendent of a slave, I have a hard time understanding Governor DeSantis’ position that transferrable skills learned in bondage are somehow a net benefit. If Ron DeSantis spent more time doing the job the people of Florida elected him to do and less time on his failing Presidential campaign, perhaps Florida’s curriculum on slavery would more accurately reflect the pain and heartbreak experienced by millions who suffered through the original sin.”

As was the case with the comments from Donalds and Scott, there was significant pushback online to Hunt’s remarks, including from Matt Rinaldi, who is the Chairman of the Texas Republican Party.

“This is a false statement, either uninformed or blatantly dishonest, and only helps the left,” Rinaldi said. “It’s possible to make a case for your preferred GOP primary candidate without sacrificing your credibility or repeating absurd race baiting Kamala Harris talking points.”

This is a false statement, either uninformed or blatantly dishonest, and only helps the left. It’s possible to make a case for your preferred GOP primary candidate without sacrificing your credibility or repeating absurd race baiting Kamala Harris talking points. https://t.co/3zyJ5y9gpu

— Matt Rinaldi (@MattRinaldiTX) July 29, 2023

DeSantis Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern responded to Hunt with a video of Dr. Allen, a top black academic who co-created the curriculum, disputing the talking point.

Let’s hear from Dr. Allen, who helped craft Florida’s new African American history standards: https://t.co/gvX1ueMlmy pic.twitter.com/ZMybzsCFVm

— Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) July 28, 2023

Rep. James then appeared to take Hunt’s remarks about “net benefit” and put them in quotation marks, in an apparent attempt to either attribute the words to DeSantis or to the curriculum, even though DeSantis did not say those words and they do not appear in the curriculum.

“#1: slavery was not CTE! Nothing about that 400 years of evil was a ‘net benefit’ to my ancestors,” James wrote on Twitter. “#2: there are only five black Republicans in Congress and you’re attacking two of them. My brother in Christ… 🤦🏾‍♂️ if you find yourself in a deep hole put the shovel down. You are now so far from the Party of Lincoln that your Ed. board is re-writing history and you’re personally attacking conservatives like @VoteTimScott and @ByronDonalds on the topic of slavery. You’ve gone too far. Stop.”

Several prominent voices on the right responded to James online:

My “brother in Christ” here is bearing false witness. These claims about the curriculum have already been debunked numerous times, and he either knows this or is so grossly misinformed he doesn’t belong in public office. But this is too often the price of close alignment with… https://t.co/PXmJ7kBMor

— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) July 29, 2023

Where is this "net benefit" talking point coming from? Why are you putting it in quotes and attributing it as a direct quote to DeSantis?

He's only ever quoted the author of the standards, Dr. Allen, who discussed the false narrative here: https://t.co/l2hsolijTh https://t.co/hO6f48qeRv

— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) July 28, 2023

Obviously they were sent their talking points, and they’re all repeating them. So embarrassing and shameful. Honestly disgusting https://t.co/9gQUj3HhOU

— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) July 28, 2023

The matter became such an issue on social media that Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts, who has a Ph.D. in American history, issued a statement slamming the lies and defending the governor.

“The outcry over Florida’s African American History standards is absurd,” Roberts said in a statement. “That happens to be my academic field as a historian; I use to write extensively—including curriculum standards—on the topic. So I took some time to review Florida’s. The bottom line: they are excellent.”

“In my experience as a historian of African American history, Florida’s standards actually are a model for other states,” Roberts added. “They are comprehensive in topics covered, do not shy away from difficult topics, and—as history should—use examples of heroic people who fought oppression.”

Roberts also directly quoted from Florida’s state standards: “Instructional materials shall include the vital contributions of African Americans to build & strengthen American society and celebrate the inspirational stories of African Americans who prospered, even in the most difficult circumstances.”

“This controversy about FL’s history standards has nothing to do with history, which is accurately & beautifully captured,” Roberts added. “Rather, it’s all about politics and trying to knee-cap one of conservatism’s leaders. God bless @GovRonDeSantis for his courage amid this ridiculous fire.”

2/9 In my experience as a historian of African American history, Florida's standards actually are a model for other states. They are comprehensive in topics covered, do not shy away from difficult topics, and—as history should—use examples of heroic people who fought oppression.

— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) July 28, 2023

5/9 In no way does mentioning that "personal benefit" for some slaves, in some instances, amount to defending slavery or making slavery sound better–rather, it shows the amazing, heroic perseverance of enslaved people amid an evil system.

— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) July 28, 2023

9/9 This controversy about FL's history standards has nothing to do with history, which is accurately & beautifully captured. Rather, it's all about politics and trying to knee-cap one of conservatism's leaders. God bless @GovRonDeSantis for his courage amid this ridiculous fire.

— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) July 28, 2023

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