Meet and Greet the ladies behind Proof: see the evidence!

 Today, I'm excited to welcome Tanya Eavenson, Becky Dean and Shellie Neumeier....the dedicated women behind a new blog, Proof: see the evidence, especially for youth.  Grab a cuppa' your favorite beverage and enjoy reading about what these lovely ladies are up to. 

  

What inspired you ladies to do a blog for youth?

Tanya

Tanya:  It started fifteen years ago when the Lord called my husband and me into the ministry, but it wasn’t until I started writing a youth Bible study series for Christ to the World ministries, that I felt a burden to reach youth for Christ in a very specific way. I had contacted Becky Dean and Shellie Neumeier about the site and they seemed to like the idea. We planned and met at the ACFW conference last September and discussed a vision for this site. As we were sitting there, I knew it was God’s hand who laid these desires on each one of our hearts in unison.  

Becky

Becky: I had been wanting to start a blog for teens but hadn't gotten very far on my own. When Tanya contacted me, I was very excited about the vision she had. It's hard to be a teen who wants to live for Christ. Why not take advantage of all the technology that kids use to encourage them in their faith?

Shellie

Shellie:  Tanya casts a mean vision which when coupled with God’s hand around every turn; the blog captured my attention immediately. There are a number of teens who can’t or won’t step into a traditional church building or youth group setting. It’s a hard age to break into a new group much less one that carries a new language (Christianese), a new belief system, and maybe even a few new concepts. Online youth blogging removes the need for teens to look the part and if you’re a lurker, blogging even removes the need to say the right stuff. That way, teens can dig into their faith, whether it’s new or not-so-new, and focus on what really matters.

 How do you think this site will be effective?

 Becky: I hope it will be a place for Christian teens to meet others who share their faith and encourage one another. I would love if it also spurred discussion on tough topics and helped teens know they're not alone in their struggles and their successes.

 Shellie: I agree with Becky. The site is designed to be interactive so the teens and our guests will have the opportunity to meet and work through their faith. We won’t be shying away from the tough topics, so the site will be relevant and poignant for this generation. It will also be a safe place for teens to talk about what’s up in their lives with folks who will bring a Biblical perspective to the discussion.

Why Proof, see the evidence?

Tanya: I’d have to say, Proof, see the evidence is a place for Christians and non-Christians to find the truth of who they are in Christ and how He wants to have a relationship with them. To encourage and equip them to live a life pleasing to the Lord. I believe this site will also make them think but hopefully get them take a deeper look inside themselves about the way they are living. Are they really who they say they are and how can they tell? Is it by mere words or do actions play a role in their lives? It’s all about the relationship. A relationship with Christ.

 Becky: For a lot of teens , the only way they'll hear about Christ is from a friend. We want to encourage Christian teens to be the proof of Christ in their worlds. To be the evidence that He exists and show their friends through their actions that He can change lives. And for non-Christians who visit the site, hopefully they will learn about God through their peers who live their faith.

 Shellie: Well said, guys! =)

 

What piece of advice would you give to a teen who is searching for answers?

Tanya: I’d be honest, I do not have all the answers, though I wish I did, I know someone who does. Christ. That’s why God gave us the Bible so we can know Him better and understand how much He loves us. Honestly it took me years to truly understand God’s love. That no matter what I went through there was one person who would never leave me or forsake me. Who loved me for me and accepted me just the way I was. So my advice would be to let me introduce you to Jesus, the man who has loved me with all His heart even when I made mistakes, he stayed by my side. I found peace and acceptance and so can you.  

Becky: I certainly don't have answers either, although I like to pretend I do! I would advise teens to remember that they aren't alone. It's so easy to feel that no one else understands, no one else is going through the same things we are. But that's not true. Not only are other teens searching, too, but Christ understands and wants to give us answers and guidance. He wants to be found. And He doesn't mind if we have questions or doubts, as long as we keep seeking. 

Shellie:  I’d add that I’m right there with them. I’m still searching, but in this journey I’ve found one image very helpful. Imagine you are standing sideways with your arms stretched out to the sides. In each hand you hold the hand of someone else. One person in front…someone a little further along in their faith…someone who’s willing to help pull you forward, answer a few questions, find the right Bible passages. And one person behind, maybe someone newer to Christianity and they’re looking to you to help answer a few of their questions. You’re never alone that way—always pulling, always being pulled. So if a teen is looking for answers, I’d say ‘grab a hand, and we’ll look together.’

Proof: see the evidence

Thank you, Susan, for having us on today. Here is a link to our site: Proof, see the evidence. http://proofseetheevidence.org/ Our blog isn’t officially up until February 11, but we’ve given you a teaser for what is yet to come. Have a blessed New Year!