| NASHVILLE (BP) -- America is suffering the effects of a fatherless generation, born not only of single mothers, but of Christian fathers who fail to have an adequate presence in their children's lives, evangelist and author Jerry Drace said on Mike Huckabee's syndicated radio broadcast in a mid-January segment. "We have so many children in our nation who are growing up in single-parent homes. They have no concept what it is to be under authority, have a father figure in their life," said Drace, author of "From the Heart of a Father: Godly Counsel from Proverbs." "It's not just non-church people. It's dads needing to take time to back off and be dads," Drace said. "I've met pastors and other religious leaders who've spent so much time out there doing 'God's work' they haven't worked in their own family. It takes a lot of work." Drace, of Humbolt, Tenn., is a former president of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists. Drace's book on fathers complements the Hope for the Home family conferences he and his wife Becky have conducted internationally. Drace said he learned the need to focus on family ministry 20 years ago when he would ask pastors about their greatest challenge in ministry. "Their answer was, 'How do I effectively minister to the families in my church?'" Drace said, noting: "So often the children in our churches that are hurting the most are the preachers' kids or the step-kids." While the book covers a number of aspects of the Christian family, Drace focused on a few key points in the 15-minute interview with Huckabee. "I would say, 'Please, fathers, listen to your children,'" Drace said. "Give them time." Drace, whose two children Drew and Becca are now adults, encouraged the use of Scripture in building relationships with children. Continued... |