First Baptist Natchez is bringing a powerful, motivational speaker to the Miss-Lou area this Sunday and Tuesday. Dean Sikes is speaking at FBC at 5 p.m. Sunday to bring his message of hope to teenagers throughout our area. He has spoken at thousands of events in eight nations of the world with audiences that exceed 2.1 million students. Dean Sikes and his YOU MATTER Campaign: Eradicating Hopelessness is dedicated to ministering words of hope to a generation of teens challenging them to more fully know God and his plan for their lives.

Through personal testimony and God’s word, Dean offers hope and encouragement to prevent suicide. Dean received his call to speak life to teenagers from Proverbs 24:11, “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.” Dean believes that true, eternal hope is a gift from God that is available to anyone, anywhere at any time.

Patsy Collins, a member of FBC Mission’s committee heard of Dean through her pastor’s daughter in Carthage. They had been having an epidemic of teen suicides in that area earlier this year, and after another one occurred and so much grief, the pastor reached out to Dean. He came to speak to over 1,000 people in an auditorium on a Sunday night, and many decisions for Jesus occurred. He also spoke in 16 schools in 4 counties where over 320 students stopped their plans of committing suicide. God did amazing work there.

As a youth pastor, I can confidently share that what our teens face today is so much more than I did as a teenager. I have often counseled teens; some of them are not only depressed but have also contemplated suicide. Other teenagers need advice on how to help a friend who is considering suicide. The Natchez community needs to understand that here in our wonderful town and area, there are many teens who seem wonderful on the outside but are desperate on the inside.

Teen suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens. By 2020, suicide among teenagers is expected to double. Teens experience depression triggered by many things, including the death of a loved one; divorce; the break-up of a relationship; physical, verbal and sexual abuse; humiliating situations; alcohol or drug abuse; bullying and low self-esteem. Many teens I have counseled have expressed these reasons.

We know that hopelessness is not God’s plan for teenagers. As a community, we must wake-up and begin investing in teenagers’ lives and praying for them. We must listen to them and share the message of hope.

Dean Sikes is coming to Natchez: He will be speaking at 5 p.m. Sunday at FBC. He will also, be in 5 area schools Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 28 and 29.

We are very grateful to God for opening the doors for Dean to speak at Delta Charter, Morgantown Art Academy and Natchez High School on Monday and Adams County Christian School, Cathedral and Trinity on Tuesday. Please make every effort to be at our church or your teens’ school if they are hosting this. Pray for God’s hope to truly change our teenagers’ lives forever.

 

Dan Ratcliff is the Associate Pastor of Student of Student Ministries at FBC Natchez.