Thanks for listening to the Be Bold for Jesus Podcast. This week we are hearing from Mark Martinez, founder of CROP Ministries which stands for Christian Rite of Passage. Learn more about his passion for raising up children in the Lord with a strong Biblical foundation.
CROP Ministries http://www.cropministries.org/index.html
Mark Martinez – Founder of Christian Rite of Passage
Founded by Mark Martinez, this Christian Rite of Passage program was designed initially for his daughters to help them prepare for their transition from childhood to adolescence in 2011. Together with a group of peers and their fathers, Mark facilitated discussions, allowing the children and parents a forum for discussions.
Parents found the initial program beneficial, and Mark began leading other groups. During the program, he found that his children had the ability to hear from their peer's parents rather readily about the pressures of society and how to cope with these constant pressures from a biblical worldview. He also found a means to structure their time into a program that can positively impact the lives of other parents and youth experiencing the same life stage. CROP Ministries is that program.
The Purpose: Helping parents be the primary teacher and influencer.
Parents today struggle with keeping up with their kids. Their child's world is moving so fast as a result of school, sports, music, and other extra-curricular activities. Technology has influenced our children to mature faster and be exposed to more things at an earlier age.
So how is a parent to keep up and to be the primary teacher and influencer in their child's life? The solution is a structured teaching program. A program in which the parent has to prepare very little, and only follow the lesson plans written with the child in mind.
Vision:
Each graduate of the program will have established strong and open lines of communication with their parent(s) or mentor and will strive to be a positive example of Christian conduct and character within their community. They will have learned to evaluate life situations from a Biblical perspective.
Teens learn how to make good choices in the face of temptations which honor God and edify others. They will come to understand that their parents are indeed wise and do care for them, and that their advice and counsel can be trusted.
Mission:
The CROP program will emphasize teaching and preparation by the adult to the child in order to maximize the child’s personal and spiritual growth. The optimum environment is a group of children with their parents working through the program together.
Upon completion of the program, a graduation celebration gathering open to family and friends would be held in which the youth will review to the gathering their rite of passage journey. An emphasis will be on lessons learned, the impact the program has had on their life and their relationship with their parent(s), and scripture verses that have been memorized. The parents will reflect on the impact that the child has had on their life and their family, followed by the father/mentor pronouncing and praying a blessing over the child.
