Prior to taking on his current role in January 2007, Eldridge served two years as the Minister of Youth and Worship at the First United Methodist Church of Dunnellon, FL, and he took his youth from that church to Acquire the Fire two years in a row.

This year, he also plans to take about thirty teens to the event. “This particular youth group has not gone to Acquire the Fire, so I am excited to take them for the first time,” Eldridge said.

“I have seen God do amazing things in my youth every year at the Acquire the Fire events. A few of my youth even attended the Honor Academy, and have transformed from shy, timid individuals into bold activists for God's kingdom.”

He reflected on a several of his own past experiences. “One particular year, Ron Luce invited all the teens who had been struggling with tempts of suicide to come forward for prayer. I was amazed as I watched thousands of teens go forward. I was also dumbfounded that the most popular girl in our youth group went to the front for prayer. I followed her down the aisle and laid my hand on her back as Ron prayed. She began trembling and sobbing. I couldn't help but to cry, too. My heart was breaking for these youth,” Eldridge said.

“Another time God actually hit me without me expecting it. Ron Luce gave an altar call for those who had been rejected by their parents, and especially those who didn't have a parent or were adopted and were angry with their parents. I followed a few of my youth down the aisle to the front, and while I was trying to focus on them, I realized my own anger towards my birthparents and the things my family went through. (and I was a 32-year-old man.) It was like God ripped my heart open to get all the junk out. I was set free that weekend from pain that suffocated me for more than twenty years.”

As a result of this counter-culture, modern-day movement, teens are doing a number of different things to take a stand for Christ. For example, “My BattlePlan” is an online journaling location where teens can connect with others and talk about how they are shaping the culture. You Tube is a another place teens are posting videos they create. Some are taking a stand in other ways, such as writing letters or protesting the sale of products like the pornaments, which are pornographic tree ornaments that were sold in stores last Christmas.

“We are standing up and taking a hold of our culture,” Daniels said. “We are refusing to live like the rest of the world, by watching movies, or listening to certain types of music, or just by not being a part of what is going on, which is killing our culture. We are standing up and we are saying, ‘no, we are not doing this anymore.’ We are not going to let our generation shrivel away in front of us.”

The biggest challenge is getting the information out. “Teens need to be taught how to follow Christ in the middle of a generation running the opposite direction,” Luce said.

Everyone can play an active part and help to make a difference. Many ministries have already joined in this fight including Chuck Colson, Kay Arthur, Joyce Meyer and others. Denominations such as Open Bible and Foursquare are also on board.

 “It is up to us right now to do something and to take back this generation. Everyone who is a believer needs to find a way to get involved. Now is the time for all of us to get involved and win back the hearts and minds of our youth,” Luce said.

For more information, visit www.acquirethefire.com.