The Ridge

Our youth and young adults are facing an incredibly challenging world today.  When I think back to my teenage years, I can say a couple of things: First, I learned a lot, and many of those lessons weren't easy. I would add that being a teenager and a young adult is very challenging. But I would definitely add that things seemed a lot simpler for me in the 80's and early 90's, compared to what our younger generation is facing today.  You know, way back in a time before the internet, smartphones, social media, and many of the complex challenges of today. Life for our young people is so much more intense.  

I recently read something alarming in Psychology Today: "The average high school student of today has the same level of anxiety as the average adult psychiatric patient of the 1950's." 

The reality is that our teens are facing complex, heavy issues at a time of relentless social media coverage, juggling thoughts, information, and stimuli we never experienced decades ago.  If you are like me, you’re probably thinking, “I’m so glad I don’t have to grow up in today’s culture.”  But our youth and young adults do. They can’t escape it. 

At MRC, our hearts go out to the younger generation, and we would like to invest in and support them as they navigate this brutal world during their crucial developmental years.

That is why, in 2026, we are going to start creating a safe, relaxed environment for our youth and young adults to find support, connection, and God's Word to help them navigate all that this world is throwing at them.  So be on the lookout for upcoming opportunities to get our youth and young adults together and love and support their journeys into adulthood. 

Here are five of the most challenging issues our youth and young adults face today:

1. Mental Health and Emotional Pressure

So many young people struggle with anxiety, depression, stress, and loneliness.  We want to work to create a safe place where our youth feel known, heard, and reminded of their God-given value. 

2. Identity and Self-Worth 

Young people today are wrestling with big questions: Who am I? Do I matter?  Where do I belong?  And live in a world where social comparison, cultural messages, and online labels are confusing this process of grasping their identity and self-worth.  We want to create the space needed to help them find their identity in Christ rather than performance, popularity, or appearance.

3. Social Media 

Young people live in a state of constant connection, which brings comparison, cyberbullying, FOMO (fear of missing out), and so much pressure to create a perfect image.  We want to create a space that guides them through that complicated world with boundaries, Godly wisdom, and authenticity rather than projecting a fake or perfect image.  

4. Relationships and Belonging

Our young people feel so much pressure around friendships, dating, family conflict, and finding acceptance. We want to create a space that allows them to experience healthy relationships and also model and teach what living and loving well looks like within God's design.

5. Faith Doubts, Questions, and Moral Confusion

Our young people are inundated with information and exposed to countless worldviews today.  Most of which contradict each other, all of which oppose the truth of God. This leads to many questions about faith, truth, what is right, and what is wrong.  We want to create a space that welcomes and encourages asking those questions, where we can guide through the answers found in God's Word.

The Ridge will start activities in 2026 and aim to build a relaxed, safe environment where people can have fun, connect, and grow.  The lesson plans will center around these five challenges our youth and young adults face today. 

As events are planned, you will see them on the Events Calendar here on the Website and in our App!