My son Josh, age 13, epitomizes the typical emerging young person. He loves sports - he wants to play in the NBA one day. He enjoys music, and even plays the drums (LOUDLY). But unlike most his age, he has demonstrated some traits that make Dad mighty proud. Just a few weeks ago he led a lady about 30 years old to Christ. That is not the first time he has led someone to Jesus. He also plays the congas at our church with the "adult" praise band. Of course I am prejudiced; he is my son! But I believe Josh stands as an example of this coming generation of youth.

The Millennial generation, or Bridgers, Echoboomers, Net-Gens, or GenerationY, refers to those born roughly around 1982 and beyond. Not every marker of this generation pictures a promising future. They are entering a new world of postmodernism, relativism, and pluralism. Broken homes and a war on terror mark their age. But signs also indicate this may well be the generation of hope.

What are some of the marks of this generation? According to those who study generations, the coming millennial generation marks a departure from many of the GenXers' traits immediately preceding them. From what I have read, from discussions with multitudes of youth pastors, and from my own observations speaking to several thousand of this generation over the past couple of years, the core of this generation offers some promising signs:

They are not pessimists; they are optimists. Nine in 10 in a recent survey described themselves as happy, positive, or confident. The Princeton Religious Research Center found "a large majority of American youth report that they are happy and excited about the future."

They are not self-absorbed; they are team players. I have noticed a remarkable change in youth groups the past three years, particularly in their commitment to group activities, including evangelistic outreach. Upward Basketball's explosive growth represents this trend.

They are not distrustful; they accept authority. One study of 12-14 year olds said the people they looked to the most for answers were their parents.

They are not rule breakers; they are rule followers. From 1995-2000, homicide, violent crime, abortion and pregnancy among teens dropped at a faster rate than at any period previously. The Princeton Research Center found teens want "clear rules to live by; they want clarity."

They are not neglected; they are watched over. While broken homes abound like never before, this generation's parents show a greater concern for the well-being of their children than those immediately preceding them.

They are not racist; they are colorblind. In one survey of students, 82% said love is colorblind. If your church rejects people on the basis of skin color, you will have few young people there in the days to come!

They are not stupid; they are very bright. This generation understands technology better than their parents. My daughter was quite adept at CD-ROM technology at age four, for example.

They have not given up on progress; they believe in the future. The idealism of the 60s' generation is seen in this group without so much of the anti-authority edge.

They are not uninterested in spiritual matters, but they want a cause! The Princeton Research Center found that nearly one-half of all youth today volunteer. If evangelicals would learn from the Mormons' practice (not from the doctrine), we could see a radical new generation of students in our churches. Mormon youth save funds their entire lives until they take their mission, which they undertake while young. We must challenge this generation to greatness. I believe we will see a huge influx of students going to the mission field in the coming decade.

In 2006 and following there will be more teen-agers in the United States than any time in our nation's history. It is time to stop treating youth in our church like children finishing childhood, and start treating them like young adults entering adulthood. Are we entertaining children or training an army? We might be amazed at what God does with such an army.