Note: This article is adapted from Alvin L. Reid, Radically Unchurched: Who They Are and How to Reach Them. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2002. For more information go to www.alvinreid.com.

"P.S. Honestly, I want to live completely for God. It's hard and scary, but totally worth it."

These words were written by Cassie Bernall the night before her death at Columbine High School, handed to her friend Amanda the next morning at school.

Cassie Bernall demonstrates the hope the current generation of young people offer America. Today many adults consider the youth population as a problem to face rather than an opportunity to grasp. Yet, the first martyrs in American history on American soil are young people at places like Columbine High School and Wedgwood Baptist Church. Further, the Census Bureau reports that beginning in 2006 the United States will have more teen-agers than at any time in history. Does our sovereign God not take notice of this? Should we?

In Acts 11 Barnabas was sent by the church at Jerusalem to investigate the reports of new believers in Antioch. The Bible says he rejoiced when he saw this brand new generation of believers, all Gentiles, who had come to Christ. As we look at a new generation, do we rejoice, and do we see the grace of God at work?

Perhaps we do not see God's hand at times because we do not look for His work. Cassie Bernall for a time certainly gave no outward evidence of the grace of God. In She Said Yes, Cassie's mom, Misty, recounts how Cassie shifted from an all-American girl to a dark, troubled, even evil child during middle school. Even her youth pastor questioned whether Cassie could be reached, so dark was the path she trod.

"In retrospect," Misty recalled. "Cassie's change from a trusting child to a sulking stranger was so gradual that it blindsided us. It was only when we started getting calls from Beaver High School (not its real name) about her ditching classes, when unexpected D's and F's showed up on her report card, and when we caught her in one too many little lies - that we began to take things more seriously. We were losing our daughter."

The discovery of letters by Misty filled with hate and darkness led to the parents taking drastic action, moving Cassie to another school, isolating her from her negative friends, and refusing to allow her to listen to unholy music she enjoyed, including the songs of Marilyn Manson.

At a youth retreat, Cassie met the Lord Jesus. Most who knew her were shocked, the change was so sudden and dramatic. Cassie is an example of the power of the gospel and the need to speak the truth clearly to young people.

But wait a minute, you may say. Cassie's zeal for Jesus cost her life -- is that something for which we can rejoice? Yes, indeed it is, for remember that Cassie, the very moment she died, stepped into the very presence of Jesus. She is not sorry right now she paid the ultimate price.

And by her death, she still speaks. Susan Teran, a sixth-grader in Wichita, Kan., demonstrates the power of Cassie's story. She said, "If there was a shooter in my school, I'd volunteer to sacrifice my life. I'd say, ‘Don't shoot my friends, shoot me,' because I know where I'll go when I die." How can a 12 year old be so bold? "Susan has reached a personal decision," Time reported, "one based on the example of her new hero, . . . Cassie Bernall."

Many youth today denote a new breed of evangelical Christians. But do we see this?

"Unlike their evangelical parents, who often defined themselves as outsiders, today's campus Christians," says Barnard College religion professor Randall Balmer, "are willing to engage the culture on its terms. They understand what's going on and speak the language. Teen evangelicals have their own . . . clothing lines, like Witness Wear; and in the omnipresent WWJD (‘What Would Jesus Do?') bracelet, their own bracelet accessory.

"And now their own martyr."

This generation of youth need a generation of adults who, like Barnabas, rejoice at the hand of God at work among them. Do you see His hand?