Ron Luce
Encyclopedia
Ronald Allen “Ron” Luce is the co-founder and president of Teen Mania Ministries
located in Garden Valley
, Texas
. Together with his wife Katie, Ron founded Teen Mania in 1986 in his van. The ministry has expanded greatly and has become influential within today's Christian
youth culture. Each year, thousands of young people travel with Teen Mania around the world to spread their views on the Gospel
of Jesus
.
One of Ron's early involvements was with Willie George Ministries where he was involved in the Fire By Nite
Christian variety show that was distributed to subscribers, and syndicated on television.
Luce also hosts weekend Acquire the Fire youth rallies and ministry clinics in large venues nationwide, many attracting tens of thousands of teens and youth workers. He also hosts a weekly TV show, Acquire the Fire, telecast on the Trinity Broadcasting Network
and other Christian television stations. Training and ministry experience is provided for young adults wishing to enter into youth (and other) ministries, as interns in the Honor Academy. Luce expanded his operations in 2005 by starting the Battle Cry Campaign
.
Some have criticized his organization, citing frequent militant statements by him such as: "This is war. And Jesus invites us to get into the action, telling us that the violent—the ‘forceful’ ones—will lay hold of the kingdom," and exhorting his young followers to proclaim in unison: "I will keep my eyes on the battle, submitting to Your code even when I don't understand."
Luce has also publicly condemned "purveyors of popular culture" as "the enemy," who according to Luce are "terrorists, virtue terrorists, that are destroying our kids... they're raping virgin teenage America on the sidewalk, and everybody's walking by and acting like everything's OK. And it's just not OK." This type of imagery is said to be used under the context of a spiritual "battle" between good and evil.
Ron Luce was one of the leaders of a youth rally, "The Fine Line," held in support of California Proposition 8
on October 1, 2008 at Rock Church in San Diego. Proposition 8 was an initiative that would constitutionally prohibit same-sex marriage in California. Luce presented the "8 for 8" action plan at the conclusion of the event.
Luce became involved in drug and alcohol abuse while living with his father. Luce was taken in by a pastor, under whose roof he became a Christian. He then committed his life to evangelizing and training young people. He received his bachelor's degree in Psychology
and Theology
from Oral Roberts University
and his Masters in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tulsa
. In 2002, U.S. President George W. Bush
appointed him to the White House
Advisory Commission on Drug-Free Communities, on which he served until 2004. Luce joined the board of trustees of Oral Roberts University
in January 2008.
Other works by Luce include the "Over the Edge" devotional series, and the "Rise Up," "Dig In," "Band Together," "Move Out," and "Double Vision" curricula associated with the Battle Cry Campaign
.
Teen Mania Ministries
Teen Mania Ministries is an Evangelical Christian youth organization located in Garden Valley, Texas. Teen Mania focuses primarily on four key programs, with a few additional smaller endeavours....
located in Garden Valley
Garden Valley, Texas
Garden Valley is a crossroads community about 9 miles west of Lindale.Historically, prior to the formation of nearby town of Van in the late 1920s when oil was discovered there, Garden Valley was a town with a post office, stage coach station and a hotel...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Together with his wife Katie, Ron founded Teen Mania in 1986 in his van. The ministry has expanded greatly and has become influential within today's Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
youth culture. Each year, thousands of young people travel with Teen Mania around the world to spread their views on the Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
.
One of Ron's early involvements was with Willie George Ministries where he was involved in the Fire By Nite
Fire By Nite
Fire by Night was a Christian variety show produced by Willie George Ministries and Church on the Move in Tulsa, Oklahoma. FBN was hosted by Blaine Bartel for most of its production and marketed primarily to Christian youth...
Christian variety show that was distributed to subscribers, and syndicated on television.
Luce also hosts weekend Acquire the Fire youth rallies and ministry clinics in large venues nationwide, many attracting tens of thousands of teens and youth workers. He also hosts a weekly TV show, Acquire the Fire, telecast on the Trinity Broadcasting Network
Trinity Broadcasting Network
The Trinity Broadcasting Network is a major American Christian television network. TBN is based in Costa Mesa, California, with auxiliary studio facilities in Irving, Texas; Hendersonville, Tennessee; Gadsden, Alabama; Decatur, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Orlando, Florida; and New...
and other Christian television stations. Training and ministry experience is provided for young adults wishing to enter into youth (and other) ministries, as interns in the Honor Academy. Luce expanded his operations in 2005 by starting the Battle Cry Campaign
Battle Cry Campaign
The Battle Cry Campaign is an organizing initiative of a parachurch organization known as Teen Mania Ministries. This initiative, started in 2005 and headed by Teen Mania founder Ron Luce, has an evangelical Christian orientation; it primarily seeks to influence American and Canadian social and...
.
Some have criticized his organization, citing frequent militant statements by him such as: "This is war. And Jesus invites us to get into the action, telling us that the violent—the ‘forceful’ ones—will lay hold of the kingdom," and exhorting his young followers to proclaim in unison: "I will keep my eyes on the battle, submitting to Your code even when I don't understand."
Luce has also publicly condemned "purveyors of popular culture" as "the enemy," who according to Luce are "terrorists, virtue terrorists, that are destroying our kids... they're raping virgin teenage America on the sidewalk, and everybody's walking by and acting like everything's OK. And it's just not OK." This type of imagery is said to be used under the context of a spiritual "battle" between good and evil.
Ron Luce was one of the leaders of a youth rally, "The Fine Line," held in support of California Proposition 8
California Proposition 8 (2008)
Proposition 8 was a ballot proposition and constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008 state elections...
on October 1, 2008 at Rock Church in San Diego. Proposition 8 was an initiative that would constitutionally prohibit same-sex marriage in California. Luce presented the "8 for 8" action plan at the conclusion of the event.
Luce became involved in drug and alcohol abuse while living with his father. Luce was taken in by a pastor, under whose roof he became a Christian. He then committed his life to evangelizing and training young people. He received his bachelor's degree in Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
from Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University , based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the United States, is an interdenominational, Charismatic Christian, comprehensive university with an enrollment of about 3,790 students from 49 U.S. states along with a significant number of international students from 70 countries...
and his Masters in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tulsa
University of Tulsa
The University of Tulsa is a private university awarding bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. It is currently ranked 75th among doctoral degree granting universities in the nation by US News and World Report and is listed as one of the "Best 366 Colleges" by...
. In 2002, U.S. President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
appointed him to the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
Advisory Commission on Drug-Free Communities, on which he served until 2004. Luce joined the board of trustees of Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University , based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the United States, is an interdenominational, Charismatic Christian, comprehensive university with an enrollment of about 3,790 students from 49 U.S. states along with a significant number of international students from 70 countries...
in January 2008.
Published works
Luce has written or co-written a number of books:- Battlecry for a Generation
- Battlecry for My Generation
- Guard Your Heart
- It's Only a Tattoo
- Power of One
- When Teens Pray
- Re-Create: Building a culture in your home stronger than the culture destroying your kids
Other works by Luce include the "Over the Edge" devotional series, and the "Rise Up," "Dig In," "Band Together," "Move Out," and "Double Vision" curricula associated with the Battle Cry Campaign
Battle Cry Campaign
The Battle Cry Campaign is an organizing initiative of a parachurch organization known as Teen Mania Ministries. This initiative, started in 2005 and headed by Teen Mania founder Ron Luce, has an evangelical Christian orientation; it primarily seeks to influence American and Canadian social and...
.
External links
- Teen Mania Ministries
- Acquire the Fire (ATF) youth rallies
- Battle Cry web site
- Honor Academy - youth ministry training
- Global Expeditions - Foreign Missions
- Extreme Camps (youth ministry and training camps)
- BattleCry Newsroom
- ORU Alumni Feature: Ron Luce
- Biography of Ron Luce at Christian Leadership University
- Anti-Ron Luce Blog