We offer a special thank you to all of our members for helping to make Shepherding the Next Generation’s first year a success! In recent months, we have primarily been active in Tennessee. Together, we made strides in strengthening American families and communities, with a special focus on children at-risk.
In 2009, Shepherding the Next Generation members:
1) Published opinion editorial articles and letters-to-the-editor in newspapers across Tennessee. The articles highlighted voluntary early education, which strengthens families by increasing the long-term involvement of fathers in their children’s lives, increases rates of high school graduation and marriage, and reduces crime and teen pregnancy.
- The first op-ed was submitted by Pastor Scott Roley of Nashville and published in the Tennessean.
- The second was co-submitted by Pastor Wendell Lang and Pastor Ted Leach, and published in the Jackson Sun.
- The third was published in the Leaf Chronicle, submitted by Pastor Ted Denny of Clarksville.
- Most recently, Pastor Terry Hunley had a letter-to-the-editor published in the Jackson Sun.
2) Held two meetings with state legislators, encouraging them to support family-strengthening initiatives.
In June, 2009, we held our first meeting inviting Christian leaders to join Shepherding the Next Generation, and we have since grown to 34 members in Tennessee and 23 members in other states.
We appreciate our members’ continued support and prayers for families in need, and look forward to continuing to work for the next generation in 2010!