::  a special report //

Cross Movement Ministries, Inc., has partnered with American Bible Society (ABS) to produce urban/hip-hop Bible tracts!   American Bible Society (ABS) has formed a team of urban leaders and musical artists to head up a new special project called, "Elementz of Life™."  This special project will result in the production of Hip-Hop evangelistic & discipleship materials, including an evangelistic CD.  The team that ABS has formed is called the "Elementz Taskform" team.  There are currently 13 members on the team.

Our very own Brady Goodwin (aka Phanatik), Vice President of CM Ministries, is co-chair of the  Elementz Taskforce.  Tony Bruno who is also on staff with CM full-time is on the team.   Also Tru-Life.  The three phases of the Elementz Project are (1) evangelism, (2) discipleship, and (3) leadership.  Below is a little bit more about this new "Elementz of Life™" Project, provided by ABS.

Mission
 
The mission of Elementz of Life™ is to assist and provide the church and para-church groups with faith-based programs and Scripture resources that present the Gospel in formats relevant to youth and young adults affected by contemporary urban culture.

Program Overview
 
As the soul of youth culture increasingly becomes more urbanized, ABS will use Elementz of Life™ to present the Bible and its Scriptures in unconventional and relevant forms— without compromising the Gospel message—to address the felt needs of youth and young adults, ages 12 to 25.  Elementz of Life™ will also  develop and provide the training tools necessary to sensitize and equip pastors and youth leaders in working with this target group. 

In February 2002, the Elementz™ Taskforce held its first meeting in Tampa, Florida, at Crossover Community Church, a church nationally known as the model for Hip-Hop ministry.  Crossover's Senior Pastor, Tommy Kyllonen (Hip-Hop recording artist, Urban D) along with Brady Goodwin of Cross Movement Ministries (aka rapper "Phanatik), are co-chairing this taskforce.  On the taskforce are sub-committee members assigned for each project. The Taskforce will ensure the Elementz of Life™ program will adequately meet the unique needs of the targeted audiences and also maintain a high level of excellence and integrity. 

In the next five years, Elementz™ will develop three strategic components in three levels: Evangelism, Discipleship and Leadership. Each component will have specifically designed programs and resources.  See below for details of each compoent.

LEVEL 1: EVANGELISM 
Audience:

• NON-Believers

• In Detention Centers

• Gangs

• Native American Reservations

For churches and urban music artists that seek to reach youth in either intimate or large settings, the Elementz of Life™ program will introduce the non-believer to the basic foundational principles of Christian living, teach them life skills and encourage them to experience a vital, living relationship with Jesus Christ.

Gospel Hip-Hop CDs, Scripture magazines, and a website will use stories, art, music and testimonies to deal with key topics head-on. These resources will be developed as part of a Christian Music Camp Module. The curriculum for this 12-week program will challenge youth to translate the Scriptures into song, music, poetry or visual form, learn basic technical aspects of music, and engage youth in the Scriptures to address and guide them through specific issues.

LEVEL II: DISCIPLESHIP
Audience:

• New-believers/churched

Level II of the Elementz of Life™ program will disciple young people who are seeking to develop their personal relationship with Christ.

Booklets and correlating interactive music CDs will give the user direction, discipline and leadership principles to overcome specific issues. Fresh study material and other exciting content (including music and music videos/concert footage) will be provided on the website to deepen their growth and understanding on each topic. Urban Gospel artists, youth leaders, pastors, youth, and Christian athletes will write all content.

LEVEL III: LEADERSHIP

Level III of the Elementz of Life™ program will be developed in year three to teach young Christians how to become Godly men and women of purpose. 

THE END

Related Article:  Read about Hip-Hop Culture on Native American reservations

Related Article:  Support Cross Movement Ministries, Inc.

To visit the American Bible Society online, log onto americanbible.org.