Teddy James
AFA Journal staff writer
March 2011 – As many teachers and parents will attest, the process of lawmaking is anything but exciting to most young students. How a bill becomes law by moving from the floor to committee to being voted on is, to many, boring. TeenPact, a national organization whose mission is to “turn students into statesmen,” is committed to changing that.
TeenPact participants Maddison Douglas, Marie-Margeret Douglas, Anne Marie Prochaska, Austin Eldridge and Anna Kate Minyard recently spoke to the AFA Journal about their experience with the organization whose focus is to equip young Christians for civic leadership.
Minyard, a TeenPact counselor, said, “Our motto is ‘Changing lives to change the world.’ We get young people to start with a state class. Then they go to their state capitol and learn how a bill becomes law. Then they meet legislators to talk with them and ask them questions. They write their own bills in mock legislature and debate them.”
TeenPact started in 1993 when Tim Echols met in the basement of the Georgia Capitol with a small number of pastors. The name comes from wanting to teach teens to make an impact. One of the emphases contained in the TeenPact curriculum is understanding how one’s worldview affects how he see things. TeenPact teaches students the relationship between God’s law and civil law
But the students learn much more than just the nuts and bolts of government. Through the TeenPact camps and programs they grow in character and confidence.
Maddison, a 15-year-old from Hernando, Mississippi, said, “The director of Mississippi’s TeenPact stresses that the word ‘teenager’ is misused in a sense. We’re not really teenagers because that is really putting a negative connotation on us. We are young adults. I think that’s really good for all of us to know.”
Anne Marie, a 14-year-old Mississippi native, stated, “TeenPact has taught me about not letting people look down on you because of your youth.
Even though you are young, you can still be politically active. Some people think it is strange that I’m so young and I’m also interested in topics such as politics. I don’t mind. I like learning, so I think TeenPact has helped me see that it is okay to be different.”
While the goal of TeenPact is to turn students into statesmen, not everyone who attends its events plans a career in politics. Maddison said she wants to go into the medical field. “I am interested in politics, but just being an informed voter is being involved in politics,” she said.
Austin said, “I am looking at going into some form of communications. I hope to intern with TeenPact eventually, but my dream is really communications. I really want to start a band and see how that goes.”
TeenPact can inspire those who want to be doctors, those who want to be musicians and those who want to teach, like Marie-Margeret. She said, “I really like teaching and want to teach younger children.”
For the alumni, those who have attended the four-day class, TeenPact offers several opportunities to grow in their Christian walk. This year, a conference in Tyler, Texas, will focus on helping teens answer difficult biblical questions.
Endeavor is for girls age 15 and older. The event focuses of teaching young women about godly beauty. It includes lessons on photography, cosmetology and hospitality, among others.
The Challenge program trains young men to stand against opposition. Training takes place on an actual military base and combines military life and Christian discipleship.
Guys and girls participate in Survival, a program that focuses on knowing God through His creation. The schedule includes daily worship, shooting events and one of the most popular sports in TeenPact, Ultimate Frisbee.
“If someone asked me about TeenPact, I would just tell them to do it,” said Austin. “Don’t even hesitate. It is awesome and it’s one of the greatest things I’ve ever done. Not only do you learn about government, you get to go out and do it hands on. And it’s all from a Christian worldview. On top of all that, you get to play some really awesome Ultimate Frisbee.” 
Learn more
Prior to attending a TeenPact camp, first-time students are required to read selected chapters from Real Citizenship by Tim Echols; pray for their state representative and senator and send them an encouraging letter; write a one-page bill on an issue relevant to their state; memorize I Timothy 2:1-3; and learn their state legislative district phone numbers and the names of the people currently serving as senator and representative in their district. For more information: www.TeenPact.com or 1-888-343-1776.
