A major event in the life of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) which is looking exactly at these issues is just over two weeks away and plans are shaping up well.

Missing is the flagship event of the BUGB's Younger Leaders'Forum (YLF), taking place at the International Mission Centre in Birmingham on October 13.

Earlier this year the YLF launched the Missing Generation website (nominated last week for a national award), and is laying the foundations for understanding who the missing generation are, and what can be done to engage with them.

Speakers at Missing include Rachel Jordan, national adviser for Mission and Evangelism for the Church of England, and youth evangelist Phil Timson of Hope.Group sessions look at building a network of churches; focusing on the issues this generation are up against; and looking at ideas as to how we can make a difference. Posts exploring these in more detail have gone up on the website.

Networking and supporting each other is a key theme, explained current YLF moderator Ben Christine, who hopes the event will be the first of many.

'For us, networking is key to developing this vision of rebuilding and supporting young adults, and the website is a resource and tool in that.

'So, as the day of the event rolls on, we want to encourage all to get to know those around you and share with them your experiences. I hope this will help us all recognise that we aren't alone and that God has a greater plan.'

Lizzie Hughes, a YLF member in the Central Baptist Association, added that many long to see a transformation in this generation - and are excited to see what comes out of the event. 'We are desperate to listen to others, to begin to feel people's hunger to see change in this generation and to have fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

'I am praying that through the fellowship we share we can get rid of these bad impressions and opinions so many have had of young people, and move into an encouraging, positive and Spirit-led generation, seeking God and seeing his kingdom come.'

Meanwhile Tim Haines,student pastor at Bristol Road Baptist Church in Southside, Weston-Super-Mare, warned of the dangers of not tackling this issue.
'For this age group it's a time of change causing deep questions of their identity,' he said.

'If this event can just assure one person that God has a purpose for them in their local church it would have been a success.

'Without this encouragement and edification, we could have the most dynamic, missional, biblical churches today – and in 30 years they would be abandoned.'

Visit www.missinggeneration.com