Teen Questions About Sex: BrakeThink.com

Last October, The Hannah Medical Center hosted its first ever, Silver Ring Thing (SRT) event! On Saturday, October 27th, approximately 400 students and adults came to the Municipal Auditorium in El Dorado, Arkansas. With a venue which included loud noises, big screens, pyrotechnology and a talented crew of 12 SRT members, our youth were not only educated but entertained!

Can the lives of teens really be changed by just one event in an atmosphere like the Silver Ring Thing? While we would like to have more time to influence the youth in our community, the results of this event are promising and prove that even high-energy, fast-paced messages can leave a lasting imprint. At last count, 156 commitment rings were purchased by youth. This means that 156 students pledged sexual abstinence until marriage. If each of these were to influence just one life of a friend and those lives would do the same, the result would be enormous! Students were encouraged to purchase their own rings re-enforcing their decision and giving them a sense of ownership for their actions.

Even more important than choosing abstinence (is there such a thing?) is the choice to accept Jesus Christ as one’s personal Lord and Savior. 56 youth either committed their lives or re-dedicated their lives to Christ. The Hannah Medical Center takes no credit for these results. We simply asked God to enable us to bring SRT here and because of His grace and the many who helped underwrite this event, lives were changed. God not only provided- He showed up in a mighty way!

We are thankful for each of you who participated on October 27th. Whether you gave your time and/or money, you are appreciated and we pray that God blesses you greatly in 2008. If you enjoyed this event as much as we did, or you were unable to attend, we are planning on bringing the Silver Ring Thing back in 2009! We’re expecting a much larger crowd next time and need your prayers. Be looking for details in the future.

Jennifer Bryan

One of three winning articles from our essay contest on the Media from Bearden H.S.

Dear Company;

I would encourage you to stop advertising women as sexual objects who need men. The shows need to show strong independent women who are confident in themselves and don’t need male attention for reassurance. There also needs to be more male characters who show respect and value women. Whether you believe it or not, teens are influenced by what you show them. So set positive examples and teens will follow. We are not ignorant. We know what’s going on and we want it to stop. I want to watch a television program and walk away having learned a positive message. We are the future of this country, so do you want us to be drug addicts or in prison or unwed mothers or have low self-esteem because we’re influenced by what you show us? Think about it. It’s a team effort. You show us the right things and we’ll do the right thing.

By: Summer B., Bearden High School, Arkansas

One of three winning articles from our essay contest on the Media from Bearden H.S.

Dear Company;

There are a lot of things I find wrong with what you (advertising companies) are advertising. There are millions of kids, teenagers, and adults who are influenced by the things you advertise every day. I know you’re making money but do you really want your children and other kids growing up in an environment where sex, drugs, and violence are the only things talked about? I really think you should consider creating a more positive and clean media for younger people. A benefit will come of it. As a teenager I am very concerned because I know there are a lot of things I have seen and heard that have an impact on my actions. I wish you would just consider what I am asking of you.

By: Cynthia C., Bearden High School, Arkansas