Primary Family's Faith

• Over 65 percent of all adults professing a vital Christian faith made their commitment before the age of 18 while less than 20 percent made this decision after the age of 25. The most significant influence in a child's life is his family's primary faith and values. Therefore, the primary gateway for a young person to enter the Christian faith is through the example and teaching from his parents.
  
  

Relationships and Friendships

• For those without a significant Christian influence in their family, friendships often serve to sway their decisions toward a faith-filled life. Because the Christian faith is about a relationship with God and His only son, when a friend lives and models her Christian faith, that friendship often serves as the gateway for non-practicing Christians to express a new personal commitment to Christian faith.
  
  

Events and Conferences

• Large stadium events, such as concerts by Christian musicians, evangelical crusades, or youth, men's and women's conferences, provide a gateway for individuals to pursue their Christian faith. Within a concert or weekend conference environment that includes pointed and comprehensive teaching regarding Christian themes, individuals make decisions to pursue their Christian faith. Attendees receive answers to questions which may have previously been obstacles in their conversion.
  
  

Marriage

• In a study conducted by "USA Today," interfaith marriages were shown to be a gateway for individuals to pursue a vital Christian faith. When adults join their lives together in marriage and one spouse attends church regularly, her influence and lifestyle can provide the foundation for her non-practicing spouse to pursue a vital Christian faith.