growing up christian essay

The Blessings of Growing Up in a Christian Home

I consider it the greatest privilege, the highest act of God’s providence, that I grew up in a Christian home. I consider it no small responsibility to ensure my children, likewise, are growing up in a home that is distinctly Christian. Then, it is my sincerest desire and confident hope, that my grandchildren will have this same privilege.

What are the benefits belonging to those so blessed? They are, perhaps, too many to list, and only eternity will fully enumerate them. But these few resonate in my heart today.

The privilege of prayer . To be born into a Christian home is to be born into a house of prayer. Before I even existed, my parents prayed for me. From the moment I was conceived, they prayed for me in particular. From the moment I was named, they prayed for me by name. From the moment I was born, they prayed over me, by me, and with me. I have only ever known a life of prayer, for I was born to praying people.

The privilege of Scripture . To be born into a Christian home is to be born into a house ruled by the Book. As soon as I was able to hear, I heard God’s Word. As soon as I was able to see, I saw my parents studying it. As soon as I was able to understand, they began to read it to me. As soon as I was able to memorize, they led me to store it up in my heart. As soon as I was able to read, they taught me the discipline of daily devotion. I have only ever known a life guided by the Book, for I was born to people of the Book.

The privilege of gospel . To be born into a Christian home is to be born into a house declaring the gospel. From my youngest days I was told of the great Savior and assured of my need for him. As soon as I was able to know names, I knew the name of Jesus. As soon as I was able to grasp my need for forgiveness, I was told of the forgiver. As soon as I was enabled to express faith, I expressed my faith in Jesus. I have only ever imagined a life submitted to Jesus, for I was born to people belonging to Jesus.

The privilege of community . To be born into a Christian home is to be born into a community of believers. Most of my earliest memories are of Christian churches and Christian worship, of songs, sermons, and sacraments. Those saints loved me as their own and love me still today. They prayed for me before I was born, they baptized me after I was born, they told me of my need of Jesus and of being reborn. It may not take a village to raise a child, but it certainly takes a church. I have only ever lived in Christian fellowship, for I was born to people committed to Christian fellowship.

The privilege of godliness. To be born into a Christian home is to be born before examples of godliness. I was born to new believers, but to sincere and motivated ones. They knew their task was to not only describe their faith with their words, but also to display it with their lives. Even as I was growing up under their care, they were growing up under God’s care. I saw them put sin to death, I saw them come alive to righteousness, I saw them serve as examples of Christian wisdom and character. I have only ever lived around examples of godliness, for I was born to examples of godliness.

In these ways and so many others, I experienced God’s grace and enjoyed an inestimable privilege. I hope, pray, and trust my children and grandchildren will be able to say the same.

New and Notable Christian Books for August 2024

We live at a great time to be readers! Christian publishers labor diligently to provide us with good books on every conceivable topic. Once a month I like to sort through all the new releases and put together a list of some of the new and notables. Here are my picks for August, 2024.

A La Carte (August 27)

A La Carte: Keith Green, Bill Hybels, steeples, and bells / Did negligence kill my baby? / Rethinking nostalgic postpartum advice / Yes, all things / We can’t be friends / Kindle deals / and more.

Nothing Can Separate Us from God

This week the blog is sponsored by Zondervan Reflective. This excerpt from The NIV Application Commentary on the Bible: One-Volume Edition explains the original meaning of Paul’s words in Romans 8:31-39 and shows how his message can apply to our lives today. We begin with words from the Apostle Paul: 31 What, then, shall we…

I Used To Dream Big Dreams

I used to be a dreamer. I used to lie awake at night thinking of the great man I might be, the great awards I might win, the great deeds I might accomplish for the Lord. I would eventually drift to sleep convinced of my own potential and glimpsing visions of my own grandeur. As…

A La Carte (August 26)

A La Carte: Don’t wait until you feel like it / Faithful presence after the Evangelical fracturing / 7 things that make the gospel of John unique / Pastor, your ministry is a noble ask / The case for and against door-to-door evangelism / Lots of great Kindle deals / and more.

To Fail in Our Commitment

Nowhere does the Bible command a daily “quiet time.” Yet often does the Bible commend an earnest commitment to reading the Bible, meditating upon it, and diligently applying its truths. Often does it commend those who lived according to it.

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My Sweet Experience of Growing up in the Church Life

One verse that I have really been appreciating is Matthew 20:16 – “Thus shall the last be first and the first last.”

I grew up in the church in Chicago to a biracial couple: my mother is Chinese and came from the church in Manila, Philippines, and my dad was saved on the campus in Indiana when the saints migrated to Indianapolis. My parents were 8 years apart in age and very different culturally, so they had a challenging marriage.

The first 14 or 15 years of my life they both met in the local church. I was very much raised by the dear saints in Chicago. I was cared for by many brothers and sisters who helped me, came to visit me, took me with them to preach the gospel, went for walks, spent time together, and much more.

I recall the time when many saints went to Taiwan and several of them came back and shepherded me. We went knocking on doors to preach the gospel together and did all kinds of fun things together.

The saints who cared for me in that way really met my need when my family life was not so great; I felt like I had a place to get some relief from the troubles at home. I also slowly but surely developed a relationship with the Lord Jesus.

I will always appreciate a serving brother who drove us to Anaheim to the semi-annual trainings where I feel the Lord really captured me. There were many young people there from all over the country and they were all on fire for the Lord.

We heard Witness Lee speak and his speaking was so wonderful that, even as a junior higher, it just pierced me at times. I would bring a tape recorder and record the singing in the meetings. It was just glorious. I had a shoe box of all these tapes that I bought, traded, copied, or recorded and would play them nonstop in the car.

I remember the day brother Lee finished the Life-Study of the Bible, I had my flash camera and my tape recorder. I felt we were in the third heavens all in that one room together.

Often we hear stories of the meetings at Elden Hall, but my “Elden Hall” was at the meeting hall of the church in Anaheim on Ball Road at the summer and winter trainings, singing and speaking the hymns all in one big room enjoying the Lord together.

I know brother Lee didn’t like having pictures taken, but at that time I think he was just so taken up by the Spirit to have completed the Life-Study messages , there was just a sea of flashes of light and he didn’t tell anyone to stop taking photos.

Instead, he just kind of sat and smiled, contemplated, and was at peace that he had finished what the Lord had commissioned him to complete.

It wasn’t until a few years ago that I completed reading through the Life-studies of the entire Old and New Testaments. I do pray that the Lord will give me the opportunity to read them many more times.

At these trainings, the young people would get together and pray and we were just enjoying the Lord so much. My spirit was really fostered during those times, while other kids were celebrating Christmas and the Fourth of July, we were all enjoying the Lord together.

It was such an exhilarating experience that when I would come back to school and everything else, I was a different person, who couldn’t stop speaking about the Lord to others.

I felt I was brimming with reality but was at the same time surrounded by friends who did not share that spark which I experienced when I was with the saints.

In a short span of about one year, I went from being popular to unpopular at my school. But the Lord is so wise because my school had a very high dropout rate and a big problem with drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and gangs on campus.

The Lord built a wall around me and saved me from all the negative influences at my school and from so many negative things that could have happened.

Since my parents worked a lot, the church life was my salvation. I would not have had a chance of making it out alive if I had been hanging out with these influences instead of being with the saints.

I also very much appreciate my mother for being so solidly consecrated to the church life. She was very busy with work but she was also committed to attending the meetings.

She passed away 4 years ago, but I will always treasure all my memories of sitting next to her in the meeting, singing with her, and being able to talk to her and even being able to encourage her at times. She could not afford to fly to conferences or trainings so I really appreciate her allowing us to go by van to Anaheim.

Everywhere I go the saints are just so welcoming, and we truly feel that we have known each other forever even though we may not even know each other’s names or situations.

Over time I met other young people in the cities around where I lived who had the same heart and we would call one another to pray together before school, often spending our weekends together pursuing the Lord.

I had such a heart for the Lord at that time and even now that I have children, when I look back I just can’t help but wish I still had that same burning hunger for the Lord. Now that my oldest daughter is getting to that age, I am realizing how important it is for me to be found in Christ so that she can also be shepherded in the same way that I was.

I do very much appreciate and am thankful that all three of my children, 8, 6, and even 2.5 really love the saints and love the meetings and love singing to the Lord. We just LOVE singing all the songs together – even my toddler son, he loves belting out “ This is the year of Jubilee ! Proclaim our liberty in Him!”

It reminds me of the story my dad always tells about me singing in McDonald’s, “The church is the house of the living God, the church is the pillar and base of the truth, and great is the mystery of godliness: that God was manifested in the flesh!”

My favorite hymns were these three: What a Happy Day , Deep and Wide , and Surely Goodness and Mercy (which for many years I thought was about a sister in Chicago named Shirley).

I went to college at Northwestern University where there were about 30 saints who lived nearby and had a sweet church life.

After I graduated I attended the full-time training in Anaheim for one year. I was probably too self-aware as a young single sister to really get the full benefit of the training although I do appreciate experiencing a church life somewhere else and being among the saints in a different place.

I also appreciate having had the time to really read the word and the ministry since I was not busy with school or work. After the training, I drifted for about 4 years, mostly because I was not sure where I wanted to be and I was trying to get into design school so I got very busy with that as well as trying to support myself financially through another 4 years of private school.

I went to art school in San Francisco which was VERY different than all that I had been used to but after I completed art school, I returned to the church life in the Bay area and began to meet with the saints again. I met my husband online.

He was not a Christian but by the Lord’s great mercy, he slowly received the Lord and was baptized, and just like the verse says, the last shall be first. He eventually came into the church life and has far surpassed my fervour for the Lord, my hunger and thirst for the Lord, and the vision that I have for the Lord’s recovery.

I feel the Lord has really blessed me to have been born in the church life and yet someone who didn’t know any of this until they were 30 is even more blessed. We are all blessed to have the opportunity to participate in the Lord’s move in this age.

I know some people do not share that same enthusiasm but honestly I feel this is the most blessed place, much more blessed than to be the children of a famous or rich person because the Lord allowed me to hear and receive the riches in the Bible and to know the revelation of God’s economy and His purpose on this earth and to be among the members of His Body.

It is the most glorious experience to be sitting with brothers and sisters singing from the depths of our hearts hymns to the Lord, praising Him and enjoying Him and being able to touch our spirits together. Where can one experience this? I only wish I would enjoy Him more and more every day.

Every day I am very aware of how unworthy I am of it all, realizing how much grace He has bestowed upon me and the brothers and sisters, but what I appreciate time and again is that we believe in what He can do and we are endeavoring to fulfill it.

When I lend my ear to all the back talk or the conspiracies that have circulated around it just drags me down into hell. When I am with the saints I am in the third heavens. There is no becoming someone, or being something or gaining something.

We are dying to ourselves day by day, we are gathering with people we don’t even like in our natural man but by the Lord’s blood we are together, regardless of our race or our language, we are giving up our preference for pretty things or nice things or nice places or great places to raise our this and that…it is a huge sacrifice to meet with a local church and yet what we are sacrificing is dung in comparison to what we have gained.

I have many times been offended , many times thought it might be easier to give up or go somewhere else, but at the end of the day, who am I? I am nothing. We are all nothings.

We just toss all our baggage on the altar, everything we think we have a problem with. We give it to Him. It’s His church! Lord, this is Your church! The Lord just works it out. The Lord works out forgiveness in our hearts for the saints and also covers us for all the stupid and offensive things we have done to one another.

Lord keep us going on! I enjoyed that hymn this week: I won’t give up! No! I will keep running until I have attained the goal of my calling! I will press on, yes! I must pursue until I lay hold of Him who laid hold of me!

Testimony by Priscilla Barton – her sweet experience of growing up in the church life. 

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Growing Up in the Christian Community

Children have a natural and evolving relationship to God and to the earth. At birth they come to us from another home, their home with God. With us, they hope to find on earth a memory and a reflection of the home from which they have come.

The Christian Community offers several religious activities for children. First there is the Baptism. In this sacrament, the child is received like a seed into a community that promises to carry this child within itself, and to help nourish the child’s relationship with God. Baptism does not make the child a member of the church; for membership will be his or her free choice as an adult.

With their entry into first grade, children step into the wider community as a learners. Now religious instruction begins. It is given mostly in the form of stories, plays, songs and verses that show the divine wisdom in nature, in  the Old Testament history, and in the New Testament. For school age children, the practice of religion is now widened to include worshipping  together with other children at the Sunday Service for Children. The content emphasizes the importance of learning the great lesson of earthly life: that Christ is love’s teacher in life’s learning and work.

In the Sunday Service for Children, the heart gently awakens the will to worship God. In religious instruction, the heart gently awakens the head to the understanding of the working of God. These two complement and balance one another, developing the child’s religious life from both sides, in a way that will enable him or her later to make a free but informed choice about religion as an adult.

During the summer there are two-week children’s sleep-away camps and in some regions family camps. These constellations provide another level for the healthy weaving of the religious life into a communal life, forming a reservoir of inspiration for the children for the rest of their lives. Confirmation at age fourteen is both a culmination and a new beginning.  The seed of the young person’s religious life, which has been surrounded and nourished by the community, is released into life. The young person attends The Act of Consecration of Man as an independent adult, and at Confirmation receives his/her first Communion. After this, their attendance is their choice. Many still attend with their families. Much depends on whether there is a group of people their own age.

They may later want to become counselors in the children’s camps or to attend Youth Conferences or camps.  There are also International Youth Conferences where older teens and those in their twenties find their own connections before settling down into the more local communities as young adults. Often it is the arrival and Baptism of their own children which stimulates their re-entry as active participants and creators of the life of The Christian Community.

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What It Means to Grow Up in a Christian Family

Table of Contents

Introduction: Nurturing Faith and Values

Growing up in a Christian family is a unique experience that shapes a youth’s values, beliefs, and worldview from an early age. It’s a journey that goes beyond attending stuffy church services and includes the integration of faith into every aspect of life. In this blog, we will delve into the profound impact of growing up in a Christian family, exploring the ways it influences personal development, friendships, intimate relationships, decision-making, and the broader outlook on life.

Foundation of Faith

At the heart of growing up in a Christian family lies the foundation of faith. Children in Christian households are introduced to the Bible, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the principles that guide the Christian way of life. This early exposure fosters a deep understanding of God’s love, the concept of salvation, and the importance of leading a righteous life. Regular family prayers and devotions create an environment where spirituality becomes a natural part of daily routine.

Think of it as a clear set of good values that gives direction on how to act and interact with others. It’s a system of leadership that many homes and families lack.

Moral Compass and Values

Christian families emphasise the importance of moral values such as honesty, compassion, humility, and forgiveness. These values are not only taught but also demonstrated by parents and older family members. The Christian faith provides a solid moral compass that helps children navigate the complexities of right and wrong, leading to the development of strong character and integrity. This foundation becomes a guiding light in their interactions with peers, teachers, and the wider community.

Identity and Belonging

Growing up in a Christian family offers a strong sense of identity and belonging. Children learn that they are part of a larger spiritual family that transcends physical boundaries. This sense of belonging instills a feeling of security and purpose, as they understand their place in the grand narrative of God’s plan. Family traditions, like attending church together, celebrating religious holidays, and participating in community service, reinforce this sense of identity and help children connect with their faith on a personal level. They’ll make friends growing up in similar environments, with similar values that can be bonding for life. They can meet friends in Christian youth groups or as part of the church community . Here is a list of Christian youth events i n New Zealand.

Decision-Making and Ethics

One of the most significant aspects of growing up in a Christian family is the guidance it provides in decision-making. The teachings of Christ offer a framework for ethical choices, empowering children to make decisions rooted in love, empathy, and wisdom. From choosing friends to making career decisions, the Christian upbringing equips individuals with principles that guide them through life’s challenges and dilemmas. In most cases, the ethics of a Christian community deem it safe and an environment of trust with minimises the opportunity for certain anxieties.

Relationships and Love

Christian families place a strong emphasis on love, both within the family unit and in relationships with others. Children witness the love between their parents, siblings, and extended family members, which becomes a model for their own interactions. The concept of unconditional love, as demonstrated by God’s love for humanity, shapes their understanding of healthy relationships and encourages them to treat others with kindness and respect.

Challenges and Critical Thinking

While growing up in a Christian family provides a solid foundation, it’s not devoid of challenges. As children mature, they inevitably encounter questions and doubts about their faith. This is where the nurturing environment of a Christian family proves invaluable. Encouraged to ask questions, seek answers, and engage in thoughtful discussions, they develop a stronger and more personal faith that can withstand adversity and doubt.

Responsibility and Service

Christianity teaches the importance of service to others, and growing up in a Christian family instills a sense of responsibility toward one’s community and society. Children are encouraged to participate in acts of charity, volunteer work, and supporting those in need. This fosters a mindset of selflessness and empathy, emphasising the significance of giving back and making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Conclusion: A Lifelong Journey

Growing up in a Christian family is a journey that shapes not only childhood but also adulthood and beyond. It provides a solid foundation of faith, moral values, and a sense of belonging that become integral parts of one’s identity. The lessons learned within the family unit extend into every facet of life, influencing decision-making, relationships, and personal growth. While challenges may arise, the nurturing environment of a Christian family encourages critical thinking and a deeper understanding of one’s faith. Ultimately, the values instilled during upbringing serve as a compass for navigating life’s challenges and joys, making a lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities alike.

Join the Revelation

Join our New Zealand Christian mailing list and be the first to hear about fun upcoming events, and receive good value stories as pick-me-ups and motivations. If you’re curious about becoming a believer, and to take footsteps towards a spiritual journey in the word of god, then you’re very welcome to reach out, or just sit back with an open mind and join our newsletter. We encourage young Kiwis to learn about the life-changing path of Jesus Christ.

These events are free, so if you register and then don’t turn up, you won’t be allowed to attend for 2 weeks. Spots are limited, and this is pretty fun, so don’t deprive anyone from grabbing a spot. If you do have an emergency, just log back into your account and de-register from the event.

Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. We’re on a mission to change that. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ.

Eight Steps to Christian Maturity

P.J. Tibayan Twitter @pjtibayan

On raising men for ministry, aim your boy at manhood, will membership make a difference, should i leave my church, happily ever after.

Pastor, Bellflower, California

Church-movers are focused on making a difference in society — a real difference. We believe that if we move our church, we change the world. Why? Because the church changes people. And people, as ambassadors of Christ, shape our neighborhoods, cities, and nations.

When I say “move your church,” I don’t mean move the building. And I don’t mean move the weekly gathering, either. I mean move the people . Move the whole body, and individual members of the body. Eventually, they’ll move others, who move others, and so on.

Okay, but move them where ?

We move specific people from the darkness of sin to the light of Christ. The apostle Paul said we turn people “from darkness to light” (Acts 26:18). Ultimately, God does this through us (Colossians 1:13). We move them from the left to the right ( not politically, but spiritually). We move people from ignorance and unbelief to saving faith and repentance (conversion). Then we move them from immature Christianity to mature Christianity (Colossians 1:28–29; 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

We move people by consistently sharing ourselves with them (1 Thessalonians 2:8). Paul commands those who have tasted the mercy of God to persistently and intentionally weave themselves into other people’s lives.

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. . . . Be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:10, 12–15)

And we move people by continuing to share Jesus with them, even after their conversion, “speaking the truth in love,” so that the body of Christ grows and is built up, shaped, and transformed (Ephesians 4:15) — so that it is moved .

Eight Moves Toward Christian Maturity

There are different ways of conceptualizing and articulating steps for moving people toward saving faith in Jesus, and then further into Christian maturity. This article takes its cues from The Trellis and the Vine .

The Bible gives all kinds of instructions, examples, and pathways to help move Christians with various backgrounds and personality types to engage more fully in the Great Commission. I like this approach because it simplifies the process for me, making the steps clear and practical. When I walk through the stages and think of particular neighbors on my block, I’m rebuked for complacency, and inspired to initiate in trying to move them toward Christ.

Take whatever you find helpful, and create categories and pathways that mobilize you to actually love and disciple your neighbors — Christian and non-Christian.

Meet your neighbors and remember their names. Learn how to specifically love and care for them. Learn the basics of who they are: name, what brought them to your neighborhood, family details, occupation, and key relationships.

Embrace the small talk and surface-level conversation — not just to be polite, but to love them by getting to know them.

2. Converse

Get into the habit of asking good questions to generate meaningful conversations. Learn the art of drawing people out. Many only ever experience small talk, and rarely enjoy any kind of meaningful conversation. Let them know you’re the kind of friend willing to go deeper. Share your life and be vulnerable first . Invite them to share more of themselves by sharing more of yourself.

Small talk usually repeats the same familiar lines over and over. “I’m fine.” “Did you watch the game last night?” Though important, this is all in the realm of “contact.” In conversation, we’re going beyond mere factual statements on the surface to what we each think and feel — ultimately to new levels of vulnerability. Dialogue at deeper levels displays the beginning of a more meaningful friendship. This takes time, good listening, thoughtful questions, and being vulnerable and open ourselves first.

3. Community

This move can come before or after the next one (sharing the gospel). Community and gospel really undergird and influence this whole sequence, but the two are unique enough to make them their own steps.

As your neighbor (or coworker or classmate) learns you are a Christian and begins to have meaningful conversations with you, introduce him to your Christian community. That should be your church family. Jesus taught that people will know that the Father sent him by our unity with one another (John 17:21, 23). And Jesus tells us that people will know we are his disciples by our love for one another (John 13:34–35).

But those apart from Jesus will not see our love for one another and our gospel unity in the midst of our differences without being exposed to our shared life as a church. (I’m not primarily referring to your church services but to the informal moments of friendship). So, find ways to bring them into your community.

When they come around, edify and minister to your church family like you would if your non-Christian friends were not there. Just be you. Don’t put on a show. Be edifying. Love one another. They will see something noticeably different from what they’re used to. They’ll witness a heavenly love. They’ll get a little taste of the powerful effects of the gospel. No other community on earth shares life like the Christian church.

If you have had meaningful conversations with your (now) friend and introduced him to your community, he has probably heard the gospel already, at least in small ways. He has probably heard a few sentences here and there about Jesus — his life, death, and resurrection — and what he means for you or your church family.

At some point, sooner than later, we need to clearly explain the gospel to others and call them to respond. What is the gospel? You might tell the story slightly different than me, but if you don’t know how to tell it, you can read how I explain the good news to non-Christians . Whatever approach you use, choose one concise way to share the core message of the gospel.

Around this time you can offer to read the Bible with them , which will open up more gospel conversations.

If they have understood the gospel, call them to trust in Jesus Christ and turn from their sin. Faith comes by hearing the message about Christ (Romans 10:17). The flip side of faith in Jesus is repentance — abandoning faith in ourselves, our sin, our righteousness, our old way of pursuing life and happiness.

When someone repents from selfishness and sin and trusts in Jesus, he is converted. So, tell him to call on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13). If converted, he has been transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of the Son (Colossians 1:13). He is a new Christian.

Jesus never wants our faith in him to stay private. Truly trusting and following Jesus will be public. It’s made public initially through baptism (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38–41) and formally committing ourselves to Jesus Christ’s body, the church.

So, help the new Christian go public by joining a gospel church through baptism, and to stay public through active church membership (expressed regularly in the Lord’s Supper).

If the person is a committed member, you need to help him grow in conviction  about what the Bible teaches and in character  (how he lives). Teach him the Bible and theology (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Most of all, continue to proclaim Christ to him. The apostle Paul proclaimed Jesus by warning and teaching people with all wisdom, laboring and striving for their joy with God’s divine strength (Colossians 1:28–29).

Continuing to disciple the convert with the Bible and theology will strengthen his conviction. Rebuke and correct him. Teach him to obey everything Christ commands (Matthew 28:20). Teach him to rebuke, correct, and restore you, as well. These interactions will strengthen his character as he kills sin and loves God more and more in practical, everyday decisions.

Growth in Bible knowledge and personal holiness is never enough. We must (and get to) serve others. Jesus tells us to go make disciples. So, teach him to go and help others move to the right.

Train him to contact, converse, invite into community, share the gospel, convert, commit, and grow others in the church and in the neighborhood. He will train others to go do the same. The more he does that, the more he moves to the right into Christlike love and maturity. And the more he matures, the more the church is moved to the right — and the more lost people are moved into the church.

You probably know different people all along this path. Name them. Try to determine where they are in this process and where they need to move next. Encourage them toward maturity. Pray for them to move to the right. Invest yourself in helping them. Make a difference where you live by moving your church somewhere new.

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Balrog on the Bridge

September 18, 2018

Religious upbringing and adolescence.

• The research indicates that, on average, the effects of a religious community are profoundly positive. Tweet This
• Parents who bring up their children religiously can be reassured that, on average, they are creating important psychological and behavioral health benefits that their children will carry with them into adulthood. Tweet This

Growing up in today’s world can be complicated. Parents are often worried about how their children will navigate the social, behavioral, and developmental challenges of life, especially during adolescence, which can be a particularly difficult time. Our research, which was recently published out of Harvard’s Chan School of Public Health and co-authored by Ying Chen at the  Human Flourishing Program at Harvard , suggests that a religious upbringing can profoundly help adolescents navigate the challenges of these years. We also found that a religious upbringing contributes to a wide range of health and well-being outcomes later in life.

Our  study  used a large sample of over 5,000 adolescents, followed them up for more than eight years, and controlled for many other variables to try to isolate the effect of religious upbringing. We found that children who were raised in a religious or spiritual environment were subsequently better protected from the “big three” dangers of adolescence. 

For example, those who attended religious services regularly were subsequently: 

• 12% less likely to have high depressive symptoms
• 33% less likely to use illicit drugs

Those who prayed or meditated frequently were:

• 30% less likely to start having sex at a young age
• 40% less likely to subsequently have a sexually transmitted infection

Moreover, a religious upbringing also contributed towards to a number of positive outcomes as well, such greater happiness, more volunteering in the community, a greater sense of mission and purpose, and higher levels of forgiveness. For example, those who attended religious services were subsequently: 

• 18% more likely to report high levels of happiness
• 87% more likely to have high levels of forgiveness

Those who prayed or meditated frequently were subsequently: 

• 38% more likely to volunteer in their community
• 47% more likely to have a high sense of mission and purpose 

These are relatively large effects across a variety of health and well-being outcomes. Religious practice and prayer or meditation can be important resources for adolescents navigating the challenges of life.

Some might wonder if these associations truly imply that religious and spiritual practices really  cause  the health and well-being outcomes. Could it be that those who are already happier or who refrain from drug use, are those who are naturally drawn to religion? Might this explain the associations, rather than a causal effect of religious and spiritual practices on subsequent health and well-being?

We attempted to deal with this issue in several ways. First, the religious upbringing variables were measured 8-14 years  before  the health and psychological well-being outcomes were evaluated. This more rigorous longitudinal design helps establish the temporal ordering of the relationships, and in this way is superior to most prior studies on this topic, which used cross-sectional data (where everything is measured at the same time). Second, wherever possible, we controlled also for the health and psychological characteristics of the adolescents at the time that the service attendance and prayer/meditation was assessed to try to rule out  that it was just positive health or psychological states that was leading to greater religious practice. Third, we controlled for numerous other social, demographic and health characteristics at the time of adolescence to try to rule out that these might explain the relationship. Finally, for each and every outcome examined, we reported a new measure, called the  E-value , that assesses how robust or sensitive results are to potential unmeasured variables, and thereby helps evaluate the evidence for causality (see endnote below for examples). 1 Although it is difficult to prove “causality,” with the sort of observational data we used, the evidence for the effects of a religious upbringing on some of the health and well-being outcomes is, in fact, here quite strong.

But what are the implications of this research? Here, some additional nuance is probably needed. People generally do not make decisions about religious involvement based on health, but rather on beliefs, values, truth claims, relationships, experiences, and so forth. However, for parents and children who already hold religious beliefs, such religious and spiritual practices could be encouraged both for their own sake, as well as to promote health and well-being. 

Modern life is very busy, and it can take a strong commitment to participate in a community, or to set time aside for prayer or meditation, and to encourage children in these practices. Our study suggests that for those who already hold these beliefs, setting such time aside in parenting, and for adolescents to engage in these practices, is worthwhile.

Although it is difficult to prove “causality,” with the sort of observational data we used, the evidence for the effects of a religious upbringing on some of the health and well-being outcomes is, in fact, quite strong in our study.

There has also been some concern expressed in various settings about whether being raised religiously might be harmful. The sexual abuse scandals in the Catholic Church have led some parents to question whether their children should be present in such settings at all. Certainly, these instances of sexual abuse need to be addressed, and some progress has already been  made  in that regard, though more work  still needs to be done. Those who covered up the abuse cases need to be held accountable; and for the victims of abuse, their harmful and horrifying experiences need to be acknowledged and addressed. 

Our own research is based on averages: the statistics average over all of the positive experiences and also all of the negative experiences, too.  The research indicates that,  on average , the effects of a religious community are profoundly positive. This does not in any way excuse the incidents of harm by religious leaders or institutions, but it does make clear the substantial benefits of religious practice overall. Ceasing those practices will, on average, likely lead to worse health and well-being outcomes.

Some have gone even further in expressing concern that a religious upbringing may be harmful. Recently, the Oxford biologist Richard Dawkins likened a religious upbringing to child abuse, going so far as to claim in a  lecture  that, “Horrible as sexual abuse no doubt was, the damage was arguably less than the long-term psychological damage inflicted by bringing the child up Catholic in the first place.” The point was reiterated in his book  The God Delusion  (p. 356), and he has even gone on to write another book on  Atheism for Children , which he plans to publish this fall. 

Our study shows that on a number of important health and well-being outcomes, Dawkin’s claim just isn’t true. It is disrespectful of those who have experienced sexual abuse, and it is just plain wrong with regard to the average effects on health and well-being that religious practice brings. Religious upbringing is of positive benefit for many health behaviors and psychological well-being outcomes. Before making his claims, it would have been good if Dawkins, the scientist, had actually looked at the science. At the very least, parents who bring up their children religiously can be reassured that, on average at least, they are creating important psychological and behavioral health benefits that their children will carry with them into adulthood.

Questions are sometimes raised as to why these positive effects are present and why they are so substantial. This is a more difficult question and goes beyond what we have in the data. My own speculation would be that, for religious service attendance, we observe these effects, in part, because of the benefits of a shared set of beliefs, and practices, and values; and also, because the adolescents have other adult members of their community, beyond their parents, who can serve as mentors and role models. As for the positive effects of prayer and meditation, as I recently shared with IFS, my speculation would be that an integrated spirituality gives rise to an experience of God or of transcendence so that an adolescent need not turn to drugs or risky sexual behaviors in their search for something more. Moreover, that experience of God may fundamentally make a person more other-oriented, leading to greater volunteering, forgiveness, and a sense of mission, and these things ultimately make one happier and protect against depression. Adolescence is a particularly critical time of development and self-understanding, and the establishing of these practices may shape health and well-being throughout life.

Too often in public health, we do not think very much about religious community or parenting practices. However, the results of our new study suggest fairly substantial positive effects on a number of different health and well-being outcomes. Religious practices, such as attending religious services and engaging in prayer, do shape the health of populations and need to be discussed and considered more frequently. Religion and spirituality are important resources for parents and adolescents alike.

Tyler J. VanderWeele, Ph.D., is Professor of Epidemiology in the Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Harvard School of Public Health, a faculty affiliate of the Institute for Quantitative Social Science, and Director of the Program on Integrative Knowledge and Human Flourishing at Harvard University.

1. For example, we reported in our study that for an unmeasured variable to explain away the association between religious service attendance and subsequent volunteering, that unmeasured variable would have to be associated with 1.9-fold higher service attendance,  and  1.9-fold higher volunteering, above and beyond everything we already controlled for (which was already a lot). It would thus take quite a lot of confounding to explain away that result. Similarly, to explain away the association between prayer/meditation and the much lower likelihood of subsequently have a sexually transmitted infection, an unmeasured variable would have to be associated both with a 2.7-fold higher likelihood of prayer and a 2.7-fold lower likelihood of a sexually transmitted infection to explain away the results.

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What it's like growing up in a house that revolved around the church, yes, my week, rather my life, revolved around church literally all the time..

Growing up in a very religious based household was always something I was so used to. Sunday morning church, Wednesday night Bible studies, Thursday night worship and Friday night Bible study. Yes, my week, rather my life, revolved around church literally all the time.

I was never allowed to celebrate Halloween because my family saw it as a disrespectful holiday that shouldn't be encouraged by anyone. What we usually did was go to a hotel for the night, swim in the pool, play in the game room and order a pizza. It was our own little family tradition that I was always excited about. The only negative part was going to school the next day and hearing about how everyone went trick-or-treating and got dressed up in their costumes and got all this candy, and I could never relate. Living this way, I could never relate to anyone.

I always felt like I couldn't do the same things as other kids could. I couldn't have sleepovers on Saturday nights because I had to go to church the next morning. The only way I could have a sleepover is if I brought my friend to church with me, or I left super early in the morning to go. I never really did that though, because none of my friends wanted to go to church with me.

"I don't go to church." "I don't believe in all of this stuff." "Why do you have to go?"

Sorry guys, I don't have the laid back lifestyle like you all do. I understand my lifestyle is seen as "abnormal" to all of you, but it's the way I am. If I say the word "crap" I get reprimanded. If I express not wanting to partake in church events, it's seen as the end of the world.

My house is decked out in scriptures and religious sayings and whenever people enter my house it's always the same reaction, "Wow, do I have to be careful with what I say around your parents?"

Yes. Yes, you do. If I have friends that act inappropriate or swear in my house, my parent's would think that they're not good friends for me and convince me to go hang out with more church kids.

And don't get me started on dating. Having a relationship in my household was the most complex thing. I'm the only child, so my parents, especially my dad, were very protective of me. I used to hide my relationships because I didn't want them knowing I was dating someone. If I didn't date other Christian boys, they would think I would go off and do bad things. When I got in my first serious relationship, my dad hated it. This boy grew up in a church household just like I did, he lived life the same way I was brought up. The only difference we had was that he turned towards the world and away from God before I did. Every relationship I was in, I had to explain how church had to be a priority for me and it always seemed to be a problem. I just wanted a normal life, all I wanted to do was go out with my friends or boyfriend at the time, and do what everyone else did.

I don't really blame my parents for raising me this way, I feel as if it taught me some life lessons and helped me as a person. Sometimes I just wish I had the chance to choose what I wanted, not be forced. I'm thankful for the community around me that helped shaped me into the person today, I don't regret meeting any of the people I did during my lifetime. Every situation and problem I came across, I always had someone to help me and guide me and I am fortunate enough to be able to say that. It would have been nice if some of the guidance wasn't always the same things, such as "pray about it" or "ask God". I understand that people centered around religion think that's the answer for everything, but sometimes I just needed some outside world advice.

Coming from the girl who grew up like this: please don’t force religion upon your kids one day. Let them have their chance to express what they want and what they choose to believe. If you feel it’s something meant to be for them to believe it, then it’ll happen.

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15 rhyme without reason greek life function ideas, when you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function.

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes .

1. Dime and a Mime

I think that this one would be super cute except one of the dates would have to not talk the entire function which would be extremely difficult.

2. Ramp and a Lamp

This is my personal favorite except it would be difficult to dress up like a ramp.

3. Hooters and Shooters

For this you could have one person dress up like hooter's girl and have one person wear plastic shot glasses with color glue in them.

4. Sherlock and Woodstock

For this one person could wear a cape and a Sherlock hat with a magnifying glass and the other person could dress up like the bird Woodstock or the festival.

5. Spaghetti and a Yeti

StableDiffusion

This would be the coolest idea to do. To dress up like a bowl of spaghetti and a Yeti. The only thing you would have to watch would to make sure that the Yeti didn't eat the spaghetti.

6. Whale and snail

This would be very cute. You could use a backpack or a laundry basket for the shell.

7. Ladder and Bladder

I don't know if you have seen the bladder cartoon but just imagine someone dressed up like that. Wouldn't that be so cute?

8. Rake and Snake

The snake could use the rake. This would be a very easy to dress up for.

9. Jam and Ham

You could dress up like a thing of jam or like a dollop of jam and just wear a single color.

10. Pig and a Twig

You could dress with pink and then the other person could dress with brown.

11. Banana and Nana

All you need for this one is a banana costume and old lady clothes

12. Dairy and Fairy

One person would dress up as a milk carton and the other as any kind of fairy.

13. Hibachi and Versace

I think that this is the most creative pairing that has ever been thought of. The hibachi person would definitely have to have one of those tall hats they wear.

14. Trash bag and American Flag

You could put your arms through the straps that come out of the trash bag and just wrap an American flag around yourself (as long as it doesn't touch the floor).

15. Gumball Machine and American Dream

This would be super cute if the person who was the gumball put puffballs onto their shirt and wore silver pants.

What is a rhyme without reason date function?

A rhyme without reason date function is a social gathering when partners show up wearing outfits that rhyme with each other. It opens up an opportunity for creativity. It is most popular on college campuses, though it can be extended to other parts of society as a fun way to play dress-up. It also gains additional popularity around Halloween time, given the interest in costumes and dressing up for that holiday.

What are some top ideas for a rhyme without reason?

There are so many options: A Dog and a Frog could be fun. A Ramp and a Lamp, a Whale and a Snail, a Rake and a Snake, a Trash Bag and a Flag, and Bob Ross and Dental Floss are just some ideas for a rhyme without reason date function. Using your own creativity, you could think of countless more options and if you explore the web, you'll find lists out there to provide inspiration . Rhyming without reason at the end of the day is all about having fun.

What are some sources of rhyme without reason inspiration?

For starters, TikTok has a whole collection of rhyme without reason ideas. You could browse those for quite some time and find plenty of inspiration. You might also look toward Her Campus for plenty more ideas or our handy list . There's no shortage of options around the web, but some of the best ideas may come from you. Start with the rhyming perspective and then think about what fun pairings would be for a real-life rhyme without reason costume party.

A long over due thank you note to my greatest passion.

Dearest Yoga,

You deserve a great thank you.

Never would I have thought a few years ago that I would be such a huge yoga fanatic, that I would be hitting the gym almost every day to get to class, and that I would be forming all these amazing relationships with so many incredible people who also share a love for you. You've enhanced my way of life in numerous ways that I need to thank you for.

Thank you for showing me my true strength. Not only physical strength, but more importantly mental strength. You've shown me that I am more than what others may think of me, and that I can rise above any obstacle that comes through my path.

Thank you for helping me to walk through life with grace and passion. To love what I do and love the life that I share with those around me. Before experiencing yoga, I never truly understood what it was like to be passionate about something. Now that I have, not only do I know what it's like to be passionate, but also have a willing to be passionate.

Thank you for teaching me what it is like to appreciate the small things in life. Which has only helped me more to appreciate the big things. You've shown me to not only appreciate the life around me, but also to give myself the appreciation that I deserve. And more importantly, give others the appreciation that they deserve.

Thank you for allowing me to let go. Whenever I feel as if I need a break from the world, the yoga studio is the first place I think of. As soon as I enter the studio, the outside world leaves my mind. You've allowed me an escape that I will be forever thankful for.

Thank you for turning me into a mindful person. Having mindfulness is harder than it seems, especially here in today's society. Over the past couple years, I have become more mindful to the world around me, I have been able to truly be myself and let everyone else be themselves -- all thanks to yoga.

And lastly, thank you for allowing me to breathe. As simple as it sounds, breathing is the one thing that I carry around most with me off the mat. Deep breaths are what get me through the day. Throughout tough situations, emotional battles, and stressful times, I always know to come back to my yoga, to come back to my breath.

I only hope that those around me feel the same way as I do about you, yoga. You have truly transformed my life in the best way imaginable. It is a gift and a great privilege to be able to experience the practice. Thanks to you, I have grown as a person, proved to myself the true strength I have, become more aware and have ultimately started living a better life.

You're the best,

Your Yoga-Obsessed Friend

Epic Creation Myths: Norse Origins Unveiled

What happened in the beginning, and how the heavens were set in motion..

Now, I have the everlasting joy of explaining the Norse creation myth. To be honest, it can be a bit kooky, so talking about it is always fun. The entire cosmos is included in this creation myth, not just the earth but the sun and the moon as well. This will be a short retelling, a summary of the creation myth, somewhat like I did with Hermod's ride to Hel.

The Norse cosmos began with two worlds, Niflheim and Muspellheim. These two worlds, the worlds of primordial cold and fire , were separated by a great fissure called Ginnungagap. The waters from the well Hvergelmir, at the center of Niflheim, by many rivers flowed into Ginnungagap and "when those rivers, which are called Elivagar, came so far from their source, the poisonous flow hardened like a slag of cinders running from a furnace, and became ice. ...Then layer by layer, the ice grew within Ginnungagap" (Byock 13). The northernmost regions of the gap filled with hoar frost and rime, but the southernmost were "the regions bordering on Muspell [and] were warm and bright" (Byock 13). Where the cold of Niflheim's ice and the warmth of Muspellheim's fire met in Ginnungagap the ice thawed, and "there was a quickening in these flowing drops and life sprang up" (Byock 14). From the ice came Ymir, known as Aurgelmir by the giants, the origin of all frost giants. As the wise giant Vafthruthnir says, "'down from Elivagar did venom drop, / And waxed till a giant it was; / And thence arose our giants' race, / And thus so fierce are we found'" (Bellows 76-77).

25 Throwback Songs You Forgot About

But you know you still know every word..

We all scroll through the radio stations in the car every once in a while, whether its because we lost signal to our favorite one or we are just bored with the same ol' songs every day. You know when you're going through and you hear a song where you're just like "I forgot this existed!" and before you know it, you're singing every word? Yeah, me too. Like, 95% of the time. If you're like me and LOVE some good throwback music, here's a list of songs from every genre that have gotten lost in time, but never truly forgotten.

1. "Big Pimpin'" - Jay-Z ft. UGK

Jay-Z gives us a ballad about, you guessed it, pimpin' big in NYC. Jay-Z's rhymes paired with that catchy beat is just bound to get stuck in your head for the rest of the night.

2. "Mr. Brightside" - The Killers

If you say that you don't know any of the words to this song, you're the worst kind of person... a liar. This classic has left stamps of its lyrics on 99% of the population, and has a forever spot in my soul.

3. "Lose Yourself" - Eminem

This song always leaves me feeling like I could sign a record deal and launch my career as a rap/hip-hop legend... and craving spaghetti.

4. "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) - Toby Keith

A ballad for the ages that brings the overly patriotic American badass out of all of us.

5. "Drop It Like It's Hot" - Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell Williams

SNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!

6. "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" - Green Day

This song makes me want to walk down a lonely road, preferably a dark one, and reflect on all of my life choices. Nevertheless, it's still a fantastic song.

7. "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" - Panic! At The Disco

If your friends don't "chime in" by screaming the chorus at the top of their lungs in the car with you, it's time to leave them there and find new friends. Also, did anyone ever tell the groom what his bride has been up to?

8. "Semi-Charmed Life" - Third Eye Blind

A life anthem for all of us. Third Eye Blind has recently released another album. My inner child is tingling.

9. "Baby Got Back" - Sir Mix A Lot

Nicki Minaj sampled this in her song "Anaconda" in 2014. Take a minute to realize that some people have heard that, but not the REAL jam that the sample came from. Now, cry.

10. "Get Low" - Lil Jon ft. Ying Yang Twinz

The real question is which version is better: Lil Jon's or Sandra Bullock's?

11. "Check Yes Or No" - George Strait

You don't have to be a country lover to know this song. My hardcore rocker/screamo friend even knows the chorus. Don't try and tell me you don't. I don't like liars.

12. "Ride Wit Me" - Nelly

"Ayyyyye, must be the monaaayyy!" - frequently screamed lyric

13. "Pony" - Ginuwine

Even though I can't hear this song without seeing Channing Tatum's half naked body in my mind, it's still one of my favorite songs to hear. Instant day brightener when I hear that funky beat at the beginning.

14. "Cleanin' Out My Closet" - Eminem

As sad as these lyrics are, Eminem really hit this one out of the park.

15. "Gangstas Paradise" - Coolio

10/10 would recommend listening to Weird Al's parody of this song.

16. "It Was A Good Day" - Ice Cube

The first time I heard this may have been on Grand Theft Auto, but that doesn't mean that it isn't a great song.

17. "What's Your Fantasy" - Ludacris

Another song that I knew most of the lyrics to that I probably shouldn't have at a young age.

18. "Everybody (Backstreets Back)" - Backstreet Boys

They really were back, and we all wish they had stayed.

19. "Misery Business" - Paramore

I can't tell if I want to be Hayley Williams or be ON Hayley Williams. I'd be okay with either. #girlcrush

20. "Steal My Sunshine" - Len

This feel good song makes me want to rip open a popsicle and ride my bicycle around town.

21. "Fly" - Sugar Ray

As repetitive as this is, this song will never get old.

22. "Song 2" - Blur

23. "buddy holly" - weezer.

Weezer may have hated this song, but we are glad they recorded it.

24. "No Rain" - Blind Melon

Maybe it's just me who is obsessed with this song, but if you haven't heard it, I highly recommend.

25. "99 Problems" - Jay-Z

I have 99 problems, and this playlist solves all of them.

27 Hidden Joys

Appreciation for some of life's most discredited pleasures..

Life is full of many wonderful pleasures that many of us, like myself, often forget about. And it's important to recognize that even on bad days, good things still happen. Focusing on these positive aspects of our day-to-day lives can really change a person's perspective. So in thinking about the little things that make so many of us happy , I've here's a list of some of the best things that often go unrecognized and deserve more appreciation:

1. Sun showers

3. tight hugs, 4. discovering new foods you like., 5. laying in bed after a long day., 6. and being completely relaxed, 7. "this reminded me of you", 8. breakfast foods, 9. over-sized clothes, 10. contagious laughs, 11. car rides with that one person, 12. random (i miss you/ i love you) texts, 13. the city at night, 14. surprises, 15. blanket cocoons, 16. good hair days, 17. really good coffee, 18. days where you're in a good mood naturally and for no particular reason, 19. conquering a fear, 20. when they give you a lot of guac at chipotle, 21. being so comfortable with someone that you can literally talk about anything, 22. home-cooked meals, 23. tattoo stories, 24. leaves changing color in fall, 25. butterflies in your stomach, 26. peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, 27. when you can't stop laughing, trending topics.

Songs About Being 17 Grey's Anatomy Quotes Vine Quotes 4 Leaf Clover Self Respect

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Alexandra Osteen on Growing Up in Ministry and Embracing Her Role in Worship

• Michael Foust Crosswalk Headlines Contributor
• Updated Sep 13, 2024

For Alexandra Osteen, growing up in a megachurch and being raised by parents who are recognized around the globe felt, surprisingly, normal. The daughter of Lakewood Church's Joel and Victoria Osteen, Alexandra has made a name for herself in recent years as a worship leader at the Houston congregation, as well as being a powerful voice for Lakewood Music, which released its new album, Oh How Worthy , this month.

"They've always just been my parents, and I could brag on them for days on end," Alexandra Osteen told Crosswalk Headlines. "They're great parents, and who they are on stage is who they are at home."

Lakewood Church is the fourth largest congregation in the United States, drawing 45,000 attendees each week and millions more tuning into its worship services worldwide on television and online. Alexandra was about 7 when the congregation moved into the former Summit/Compaq Center, the former home of the NBA's Houston Rockets. 

"As I've grown up, I've… recognized [that] this is not normal," she said of the church's size. "This is the hand of God that's blessed us and given us this ministry. And we have to steward and do the best that we can with it, and always point to Jesus."

Oh, How Worthy  includes 13 tracks featuring collaborations with Tauren Wells and Alexander Pappas and songs written by Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, Mitch Wong, and Chris Brown, among others. 

The album testifies of the "goodness of God that we've seen in our lives," she said. It was recorded live at Lakewood Church.

Read the full story here ! 

Photo Credit: ©SWN/Canva Pro

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

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•  Cameron 46 at  St. Marys 21   
•  Shady Spring 49 at  Summers County 0   
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•  Calhoun County 0 at  Wirt County 50   

“When I Grow Up” Contest winners honored in ceremony

CHARLESTON W.Va.   The 2023-2024 fifteen regional “When I Grow Up” essay contest winners were honored today at the Cultural Center in Charleston W.Va.

The contest and ceremony were held by the State Treasurer Riley Moore and was hosted by Deputy Chief of Staff Gina Joynes.

The winners were given the opportunity to get up and read their essays in front the other winners and their families, where the jobs ranged from teacher, to wolf biologist, to astrophysicist.

The $500 dollar prize they were awarded was for them to start their SMART529 savings account for college or any higher education program of their choosing.

This contest has become big throughout West Virginia and people in the Office of the State Treasurer look forward to it every year.

“This is such a great event, that our office looks forward to it every year because we have this contest, it’s in its seventeenth year, and judges have selected fifteen reginal winners from around the state, and these students are in Kindergarten through fifth grade and they’ve all wrote about what they want to be when the grow up,” Joynes said.

When it came to kids writing these essays, Joynes says the possibilities of what these kids wrote about were endless, because they dreamed big.

“The possibilities are endless and these students they dream so big and they have such great ideas about what they want to be when they grow up,” Joynes said.

The contest was created with the students in mind, because it allows them to think about what is beyond secondary education.

“The real reason we do this is to encourage them to think big and look beyond high school, look beyond grade school,” Joynes said. “We want them to know that college, or some type of higher education, it doesn’t have to be a traditional four-year college, some type of higher education is within their reach and SMART529 college savings really promotes that.”

Joynes encouraged parents to look into the SMART529 college savings plan and familiarize themselves with what it is so they can start a college fund for their children while they are young.

Charlie Davis, a fifth grader at the time at Holz Elementary School in Kanawha County, was sitting in his library class, when he wrote about wanting to become a computer programmer and why.

“I just wrote that I wanted to be a computer programmer, because I love coding on Scratch, which is a little website where you can code games and other things,” Davis said.

And with his essay he was able to win his school, $500 along with his money that will begin his college savings account.

“I entered the essay in the SMART529 contest, and I won $500 for my school and $500 for my college account,” Davis said.

At the conclusion of the readings, the grand prize winner of an extra $4,500 was selected at random. The winner of the grand prize money was Emma Stover, who at the time was a Kindergarten student at New River Primary school in Fayette County. Emma wants to be a teacher because she wants to be nice to other kids and to help them learn.

The 2024-2025 contest will begin in January 2025, and they will pick the winners at the end of the school year.

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