Maeyken Wens was the wife of an Anabaptist pastor in 16th Century Antwerp. She passionately followed Christ, but her beliefs about believers baptism were not tolerated in much of Europe. She was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death by burning. Before her execution, she wrote to her son Adriaen: My dear son, do not be afraid of this suffering; it is nothing compared to that which shall endure forever. . . . Hence cease not to fear God because of this temporal death; I cannot fully thank my God for the great grace which he has shown me. She did all she could to leave a legacy of faith to her son.

As I read her story, I remembered a mom of a former youth group member asking me not to challenge our youth to do too much. “There are already so many demands on their time,” she told me. Certainly we can over-challenge teenagers, demand too much of them . . . even at church. But I wonder if we short-sell teenagers by dumbing down the faith and making it all about pizza, games, and quick devotional Bible study. I long for a generation of teenagers who will say no to simplistic faith and will passionately pursue God, no matter the cost.

The vast majority of parents want the best for their children. Most of them sacrifice to give their kids the best start in life they can. They desire to see their children as healthy adults with good jobs, loving families, and rich lives. Christian parents want their children to grow up with a love for God. Ask parents if they would be willing for their children to make huge sacrifices if it would advance the Kingdom of God and they will hesitate. Honestly, it would be easier for most of us to contemplate making huge sacrifices for God ourselves than to ask our kids to do it.

As you seek to challenge youth with the amazing (and sometimes demanding) truths of the gospel, don’t neglect their parents. Find ways to lift the eyes of parents to what is truly most important in life: not a big house or a comfortable paycheck, but passionate obedience to Christ. When you involve teenagers in ministry, invite their parents to join you and to work side-by-side with their teenage children. Help them to see the incredible value of a life poured out in service to Christ.

Most teenagers will grow up to value what their parents value . . . for better or worse. Help the parents of your teenagers to see in their children the potential for Kingdom service in their kids. And encourage them to leave a legacy of more than church attendance, but true passionate service to Christ.