Kids and The Media

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 16, 2008

MEDIA CONTACT
Jo Kadlecek
Office of College Communications
978.867.4752
[email protected]


WENHAM, MA-Today's children and teens are more media-savvy than any previous generation, but that doesn't guarantee their safety or choices. They need help in navigating the maze of contemporary media. Some find it in the youth worker at their local church.
 
Because of the important role youth workers play in the lives of teens, Gordon College, a leading Christian liberal arts college on Boston's north shore, will host its first Denver-based seminar on media training. The event, Thursday, September 25, will be free to all area youth workers. Nationally known expert, Walt Mueller, will lead the interactive workshop entitled, "Media and Its Impact on Adolescent Life and Ministry."
 
"This is aimed at reaching our media-driven youth by giving youth workers an opportunity to better understand it and the impact it has on our kids," said Bob Whittet, associate professor of youth ministries at Gordon College and director of the Center for Student Leadership at Gordon College.
 
Gordon College has hosted such training symposiums before, but this is the first time it will be held in the Denver area. Whittet discovered through discussions with veteran youth pastors across Colorado that there was a need for continuing education training of this type. As a result, the College is partnering with Department of Youth and Family Ministries at Denver Seminary and Group Publishing to sponsor the Sept. 25th symposium. Volunteers, pastors and leaders from almost 100 churches and ministry organizations throughout Colorado's front range are expected to attend.
 
"Because we know how hard youth workers, paid or volunteer, work, we wanted to honor them by bringing in the best teacher in the field so they'll be challenged and equipped to effectively minister to their kids," Whittet said.  "This is our way of thanking them for what they do."
 
Mueller is the founder and president of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding and has been working with young people and families for 31 years. Because of his work with CPYU, he has become an internationally recognized speaker and author on contemporary youth culture. He has written extensively on youth culture and family issues and is the author of several books.
 
"If we take the time to understand and really know kids, then we'll be able to cross into their culture, close the gap," Mueller said. "As we do, we'll be able to give them the biblical answers and positive direction they so desperately need."
 
The symposium, "Media and Its Impact on Adolescent Life and Ministry" will be held Thursday, September 25, from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Denver Seminary's campus, 6399 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, Colorado. The training is free and lunch is provided. While there is no charge, registration is required.
 
For more information on the Denver symposium, please visit Denver Seminary's Youth Ministry Symposium page.
 
To request an interview or for additional information on Gordon's Center for Student Leadership, please contact the Office of College Communications at Gordon College at 978.867.4752.
 

 
Gordon College is a Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences on Boston's North Shore. The college offers majors in 37 fields and has graduate programs in education and music education. Leading the way in Christian college merit, Gordon is nationally ranked for its excellence in academics and its role in character building. These achievements recognize Gordon as one of the nation's top Christian colleges.

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