More than 1,250 high school students will learn about the issues and discover ways to overcome the overwhelming statistics of absent fathers during a weeklong program in Cleveland, Tn., hosted by Christ In Youth. Organizers said, "Many of America’s social problems are directly attributable to the issue of absent fathers."
More than 30 different churches from across the country will be in Cleveland this week to attend CIY’s MOVE, which has been a part of CIY programming since the organization’s inception more than 40 years ago. The five-day high school-only event is designed to amplify the call of Christ on students’ lives to become Kingdom Workers. CIY will host 24 different MOVE events over the summer, with more than 23,000 students attending at various locations throughout the country.
The CIY produced documentary “Becoming Sons & Daughters” will be shown at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, as an introduction to the attending students of the social issues surrounding absent fathers. Throughout the week the young people will be challenged with harsh realities – 71 percent of pregnant teenagers live in a fatherless home, for instance; and 85 percent of young men in prison grew up without a father.
“Fatherlessness is killing America's future,” said Eric Epperson, programming director for CIY’s MOVE as well as the film’s writer and producer. “But we believe there are people doing something about that. ‘Becoming Sons and Daughters’ tells stories of ordinary people stepping into the lives of fatherless kids. They prove that doing little things, and simply being present, can change a kid's life.”
Attendees will be led in worship throughout the week by popular Christian artist Aaron Pelsue Band, while speaker Rob Maupin – student minister at Canyon Ridge Christian Church in Las Vegas – will challenge the students with dynamic preaching.
CIY’s MOVE will take place at Lee University, 1120 N. Ocoee St. – a Christ-centered liberal arts university that offers two- and four-year degrees. The high school students will stay in Lee dorms for the week and interact with university students while participating in MOVE activities.