Why "The Big Dig?"

Most of you are aware by now that Cornerstone is bringing "The Big Dig" to Yuba City. I am sure that many of you would like a better idea of what it is and why we are bringing it, so let me try to catch you up.
First, as a dad with two kids in college and one graduated and newly married, I have spent much time thinking about the minds of my kids. What is college but an opportunity to grow the mind dramatically and intensively in knowledge? But what are they going to learn?
Unfortunately, way too many kids have gone off to college with a shallow faith, unaware and unprepared for the overwhelming attacks on Christianity that they will surely face. It is not a friendly world, and weak Christians are eaten alive every day.
When Stephanie (our oldest) was in High School, we recognized the dangers she would soon be facing... miles from home, accountability at a minimum, and spiritual maturity that was... what? Was it real? Was it faked? Was she going to examine her faith for real for the first time, and in an environment that was hostile? Was her faith about to be shaken by an arrogant and powerful man with lots of initials after his name? Would she realize that there really are strong and powerful arguments to defend her faith that would devastate the humanistic arguments espoused by most modern college professors?
As part of our efforts to prepare her and other teens, Juli and I taught Cornerstone's High School students in a class we labeled "Discerning Deception." We typically prepared material from Chuck Colson and others that was centered around defending the Christian Worldview. The point of these classes was simply to demonstrate that the Christian worldview is supremely defensible. We wanted the sons and daughters of Cornerstone to be "prepared to give an answer for the hope that lies within." We certainly did not want to be responsible through ignorance or apathy for the destruction of these minds.
Those of you who have been privileged to participate in The Truth Project can see the point I am making very clearly. One way to look at The Big Dig is to see it as a Truth Project in a day. The speakers have one thing in mind: Prepare teens to successfully defend their faith in a culture that is powerfully hostile to all they have been taught in church.
This one day seminar is a live event in Colorado Springs and is being broadcast via satelite over the entire country. Rather than miss out on something so valuable due to the cost of airfare and lodging to Colorado, our church has chosen to provide this content by committing to a relationship with CCN, a christian media company that delivers content in multiple ways, including satelite. While this event is not cheap, it is made affordable by the inclusion of participants coming from other churches in the area. Our plan was to pull a very powerful tool within the reach of our teens at Cornerstone. Our hope is that our parents will see the value of this tool and sign their kids up for this unique event.
This event is intended for "teens, parents of teens, and youth leaders." It is on August 8th and the cost is $25 including lunch. If you would like to sign up or volunteer, please contact the church office as soon as possible.
Will their Faith Fizzle?