In an era where digital distractions and social media increasingly compete for young people’s attention, veteran youth ministry leader Ron Luce is orchestrating a nationwide response. His latest initiative, SURGE, represents a strategic evolution in youth outreach designed to meet the unique challenges of reaching Generation Z with the gospel message.
Responding to the Youth Ministry Vacuum
After 25 years of hosting “Acquire the Fire” stadium events across North America, Luce recognized a growing vacuum in mass youth evangelism. His response is SURGE—a coordinated, technology-enhanced outreach event scheduled for October 15, 2025, designed to simultaneously reach 100,000 teenagers through 1,000 participating churches nationwide.
“It is undeniable that in the past five-ten years the culture has declared war on the youth of North America,” Luce explains. “When we look to all the carnage in the values that social media is immersing our young people in, as well as the LGBTQ influence in schools, and pervasive binge-watching Netflix series with debased morals, now more than ever our youth need a cutting-edge experience that will help them encounter God in a fresh way.”
Unlike his previous stadium-based approach, SURGE will leverage the intimacy and follow-up capabilities of local churches, creating community-anchored experiences that foster lasting spiritual growth.
The Media Jungle: Addressing Digital Challenges Head-On
The event will center around helping young people navigate what Luce calls “the media jungle.” To support this theme, Ron and his wife Katie are releasing a book titled “Navigating the Media Jungle” in September 2025, just ahead of the event.
“During the event, as we use high-tech tools, connect to their phones, and feature celebrities, musicians, comedians, we’ll deliver a heart-wrenching message,” says Luce. “We will help young people come face-to-face with how social media is intentionally aiming to get them addicted to endorphins, compel them to be selfie-driven, and shape their minds and hearts with values and lifestyles all in the name of entertainment.”
This approach acknowledges the reality that today’s youth ministry must confront technology’s influence directly rather than simply condemning it. By engaging with digital platforms while simultaneously helping teens recognize their potential pitfalls, SURGE aims to meet young people where they are.
PROJECT 13: Research-Based Youth Discipleship
At the core of the SURGE initiative is PROJECT 13—a comprehensive discipleship system developed after studying successful youth ministries worldwide. The name references the critical age of 13, which research has identified as the most receptive time for spiritual formation.
“At its core, PROJECT 13 is a transformational process of reaching and discipling the young generation, containing four best practices that any church can implement no matter their history of youth ministry,” Luce explains.
These four research-backed best practices include:
- Training young leaders
- Holding epic events specifically designed for 13-year-olds
- Implementing “deep-dive” discipleship methods
- Building a church-wide ecosystem that supports youth development
Through his master class, Luce equips church leaders and parents with these strategies, providing practical tools for sustainable youth ministry beyond the one-night event.
Measurable Goals and Extended Impact
The SURGE initiative has established specific, measurable objectives:
- Equip 1,000 churches with PROJECT 13 tools for next-generation ministry
- Train 10,000 teenage leaders as disciple-makers before the event
- Host up to 100,000 youth nationwide, with thousands expected to commit to Christ
- Provide six months of post-event coaching via Zoom with regular effectiveness assessments
This comprehensive approach represents a significant evolution in youth ministry strategy. By combining a high-impact event with sustained discipleship resources, SURGE aims to create lasting transformation rather than momentary emotional experiences.
From Stadiums to Living Rooms: A New Approach
While SURGE’s central component will be the church-hosted events, Luce has also incorporated home-based watch parties into the strategy. This innovation allows families without access to participating churches to engage with the content in their homes, expanding the potential reach beyond the 1,000 host churches.
“This feels like a strategic move for the local and global church alike,” notes one ministry supporter. “Through SURGE, we can create a ripple effect that empowers our youth to be strong believers and leaders for the next generation.”
A Lifetime of Youth Ministry Experience
Ron Luce brings substantial credibility to this new initiative. His youth ministry career includes founding Teen Mania in 1986, reaching three million young people through hundreds of arena events, and collaborating with 100,000 churches during his “Acquire the Fire” years. More recently, he served as Executive Director for Jesus Global Youth Day in Manila, Philippines (2019), which gathered 50,000 youth from 30 nations.
With a PhD in Strategic Foresight and 30 authored books on teen culture, Luce combines academic understanding with practical ministry experience. Married to Katie for 40 years with three adult children, his personal life reflects the family values he champions through his ministry.
Getting Involved with SURGE
Churches interested in participating in this nationwide youth outreach can access resources and registration information at goge.org. The website provides details about the PROJECT 13 master class, upcoming training opportunities, and strategies for maximizing local impact.
As noted by Michael D. Butler, CEO of Beyond Publishing and Faith & Freedom News: “Good work brother Jesus’ timing.”
For more information on SURGE and Ron Luce’s youth ministry initiatives, read Julie Blim’s article at CBN.com.
This article was developed based on information from Ron Luce’s SURGE initiative materials and related press coverage.
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