Julie being interviewed for Charisma Indonesia Magazine
Q: Generations of Virtue began in 2003 and has been growing exponentially ever since. What do you think draws so many families to this message?
Julie: Parents are seeing the devastating effects that impurity has caused in our culture. Many in this next generation of young people are rising to the Lord's call to raise a standard of holiness and purity. It is time for a change in this culture, and Generations of Virtue has endeavored to answer this call full-force.
Q: You have authored several books regarding character. One of them, Beautifully Made!, is specifically for young women. What prompted you to write this much needed resource?
Julie: I wanted something to do with my daughter, who was nine at the time, regarding development and her body changes, and no resource I looked at approached this from a Godly perspective, where a mom and daughter could sit down and share honestly. So a group of moms and daughters got together and wrote Beautifully Made! from a Godly perspective for girls 8-13. And still, there is nothing available like this in a three book series for moms and daughters.
Q: Here is a question I know you encounter over and over again: "I want to talk to my children about purity, but I'm afraid of ruining their innocence." How do you respond?
Julie: Innocence does not mean ignorance. So we must give age-appropriate information from a Godly perspective. The Bible says the truth will set us free, and when kids hear from their parents who love them, the truth, in the right time, this will give Godly understanding instead of the world's understanding. In the Against the Tide Curriculum Guides, we have given some age appropriate guidelines to share with our kids year by year.
Q: Sounds like a great resource! Speaking of the world's understanding, what do you feel is the greatest deterrent to high risk behaviors?
Julie: Current studies show again and again that time spent with parents and family is the greatest deterrent to high risk behavior. No matter how it appears, research shows that parents are the #1 influence in a teen's life, for good and for bad.
Q: There seems to be such a lack of positive resources for boys, especially within the ages of 10-15. What are your suggestions to parents for this age?
Julie: After reviewing hundreds of resources, the very best one that we have found is Teknon and the Champion Warriors by Brent Sapp. It's an action-packed, Christian, Science-Fiction novel and study for fathers and sons ages 10-15. It covers character, purity, integrity and courage. Boys love its fast-paced storyline and parents love the positive message woven throughout its pages.
Q: You recently started an Internship Program for young men and women ages 17-21. What lead you to do this?
Julie: Young men and women are being trained for battle in the Lord's army. This internship challenges young people to take a stand against the selfish nature so prevalent in our culture and fight for a cause greater than themselves. During the 6-week training, these youth are equipped to serve others, grow in their personal walk with Jesus Christ and build Godly friendships. Check out this video for more:
