Pruitt Sees Opportunity to Reach Gen Z & Tony and Lauren Dungy’s New Book

Shane Pruitt, national Next Gen director for the North American Mission Board (NAMB), says churches now more than ever have the opportunity to step into the brokenness of Generation Z with the hope of the Gospel.

In a video interview with Baptist Press, Pruitt said the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t create new problems for Gen Z, but instead “poured gasoline,” onto problems that were already there.

He encouraged churches to point to Jesus as the solution.

One important big avenue that Pruitt mentioned for connecting with Gen Z is through social media.

He explains that not only does social media allow the generation to know everything going on in the world good and bad, it also creates a weird social dynamic where they are “connected, but super lonely at the same time.”

Pruitt said he challenges the age group to prioritize time in God’s Word over time on social media.
He says there are benefits to social media as access to resources and relationships have never been more available.
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Retired NFL coach Tony Dungy and his wife Lauren see the key parts of their life — football and family — as forms of ministry.

The parents of 11 both lead Bible studies in addition to his work as a broadcaster on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” and hers as vice president of the Dungy Family Foundation.

Their new book, “Uncommon Influence: Saying Yes to a Purposeful Life,” set to release Tuesday (Aug. 9), aims to help people see their family, neighborhoods and workplaces as platforms where they can have a positive effect.

Married 40 years, Tony Dungy, 66, and Lauren Dungy, 65, gradually parented a growing family, modeling their support of adopting children and fostering “countless” kids. They are a part of a local church in Tampa, Florida.

Tony Dungy says he believes the world looks at Christians in our times of disappointment much more so than they look at us in our times of triumph. He says, “If I see someone who wins the Super Bowl and they give credit to God, I’m going to say, well, that’s normal. That’s a natural thing. How is that person going to be when it doesn’t go well?”

He says he tries to model his behavior on Christ and turn to him for strength in every circumstance.

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