Today’s teens are growing up in a world and culture that doesn’t just ignore biblical truth, but one that actively works to normalize everything that is in opposition to it. Teenagers are navigating a complex web of ideologies, many of which directly challenge or contradict objective biblical truth, and too often are disconnected from reality and objective truth. From public schools to social media and even within some private Christian schools, young people are increasingly exposed to ideologies and ways of thinking that erode the building blocks of faith over time.
This environment underscores the critical need for intentional, immersive worldview training. It is because of this need that PA Family’s City on the Hill program was designed to equip teens with a robust, Christ-centered, objective-truth-oriented framework for understanding and engaging the world around them.
Why does a program like this matter? Here are three key reasons every family should consider:
Most Teens Are Being Formed by a Secular Worldview
For teens, worldview isn’t just about their personal beliefs, it’s about how they understand the nature of reality itself. In public schools, especially, young people are immersed in a system that teaches them not only what to think, but how to think, and it’s divorced from biblical truth.
In subjects like science, history, and even literature, teens are often taught that truth is relative, identity is self-defined, and moral authority rests with the individual. These aren’t just personal values, they’re moral frameworks that shape the way students perceive everything: from politics and relationships to purpose and identity.
Even in some Christian schools, cultural conformity can creep in through curriculum choices or a reluctance to challenge prevailing narratives. If a student doesn’t have a solid biblical foundation, they may adopt the worldview of the loudest or most persistent voices around them, especially when those voices come in the form of some authority.
Deconstruction Is Real—and It Starts Early
According to Barna Research, over one-third of Christians—36% of practicing Christians and 37% of non-practicing Christians—say they have gone through a period of “deconstruction” in their faith. Among young adults, that number appears to be even higher. This so-called deconstruction typically involves a reevaluation of Christianity from false premises that leads to a rejection of biblical and objective truth.
While asking hard questions isn’t inherently bad (in fact, it’s essential to a maturing faith), the danger comes when those questions go unanswered. Without training, teens are left vulnerable to doubt, often believing the lie from culture and confusing unanswered questions with unanswerable ones.
That’s where Biblical worldview training becomes essential. Programs like City on the Hill don’t just tell teens what Christians believe—they explore why we believe it, and how to articulate that truth with grace and conviction. Teens are challenged to engage real questions about life, truth, justice, identity, science, government, and more from a biblical perspective. That training becomes a shield against the shallow slogans of a post-Christian world.
College Will Test Their Faith—Will They Be Ready?
For many students, college is the first time their faith is directly challenged, and it often comes in a classroom led by a charismatic professor who scoffs at biblical beliefs and in front of the very peers they seek acceptance from.
I know this firsthand. As a former student who attended City on the Hill, I can honestly say it was one of the most formative experiences of my life. The biblical worldview I developed that week gave me the tools and courage I needed to thrive spiritually and intellectually in a secular college environment. When classmates or professors mocked or challenged my worldview, I wasn’t shaken. I had been trained not only to respond with confidence, but also to stand firm with compassion and clarity.
Programs like City on the Hill and the biblical worldview training it offers will prepare students for those very moments. It teaches them reasonable answers to the questions and challenges for objective and Biblical truth exists and can be found. They learn from many leading voices of reason that are successfully defending and affirming our Biblical worldview in today’s culture. Students leave with more than just knowledge. They also gain courage, conviction, and community.
Why City on The Hill?
There’s something uniquely transformative about stepping away from the distractions of daily life to spend a week immersed in deep learning, leadership development, and Christian fellowship. A concentrated, weeklong program like City on the Hill fosters the kind of transformation that a single day cannot provide on its own.
Another reason City on the Hill stands out is the lineup of high-caliber guest speakers. PA Family brings in leaders in law, science, government, the church, and more; men and women who model what it means to live out the truth boldly, thoughtfully, and intentionally. Students have heard from high-profile experts such as Ryan Bomberger of the Radiance Foundation and Joseph Backholm of the Family Research Council. This year, they’ll hear from Scott Klusendorf of the Life Training Institute and Katy Faust of Them Before Us, among others. These experts show students that following Christ is intellectually credible and grounded in truth and reason, offering real answers to today’s biggest questions. For many teens, listening to City on the Hill speakers marks a turning point, where doubts are replaced with clarity and conviction.
City on the Hill brings together students from across Pennsylvania who are serious about their faith and their future. They are mentored by leaders who model biblical thinking in action and are encouraged to wrestle with real-world issues. Whether it’s through mock legislative debates, group discussions, or nationally renowned speakers, students come away better prepared to lovingly and confidently stand for objective truth and Biblical principles.
If you’re a parent or youth pastor or have a high school student in your life who wants to be better equipped to live faithfully and confidently in a confused world, now is the time to act. Register today for City on the Hill at www.pafamily.org/coth.
The deadline to register is May 31st.
Don’t miss the opportunity to invest in a young person’s faith and future. A week of training today could make the difference for a lifetime of influence tomorrow..
