Contact: Meg Biallas, 630-915-1508, mbiallas@shepherdingthenextgeneration.org

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Recognizing child abuse and neglect as an epidemic that killed 1,560 children in 2010 and affected nearly 700,000 children nationwide, Christian leaders will hold an audio news briefing on Tuesday, March 27, at 1:30 p.m. EDST (10:30 am Pacific Time) to discuss efforts encouraging congregations to observe Blue Sunday on April 29, with prayer and reflection for abused children as well as recognition of the heroes who rescue and protect children. To learn more about these efforts, go to www.1560reasons.org.

"Christians can and should help lead efforts to end America's epidemic of child abuse and neglect," says Dr. John Crupper, national director of Shepherding the Next Generation and a frequent contributor to the Christian website, Crosswalk. "We are calling on pastors and ministry leaders to rededicate themselves on April 29th to the belief that children are a gift from God and harming them violates not just the law. It violates biblical principles."

Shepherding the Next Generation is sponsoring the press conference, which will include representatives from Moody Radio, World Vision and the Fairhaven Church in Dayton, Ohio. Besides focusing on the problem of child abuse and neglect, participants also will discuss effective ways to address the epidemic including high-quality voluntary home visiting programs that can reduce abuse and neglect by as much as 50 percent.

Greg Wheatley of Moody Radio will serve as moderator. Janet Magee, founder of Blue Sunday, will discuss her ten-year commitment to Blue Sunday and her personal efforts in Texas to reduce child abuse and neglect. Romanita Hairston, World Vision's Vice President of U.S. Programs, will discuss the moral imperative of helping children at risk.

To join the audio news briefing on March 27, at 1:30pm EDST,
call Meghan Biallas at 630-915-1508.

Join the conversation online with #1560reasons.

PARTICIPANTS:

Dr. John Crupper, National Director, Shepherding the Next Generation

Greg Wheatley, Host of "Inside Look with Greg Wheatley," Moody Radio

Romanita Hairston, World Vision, Vice President of U.S. Programs

Janet Magee, founder of Blue Sunday, Port Isabel, Texas

Don Solin, Pastor of Next Generation Ministry, Fairhaven Church in Dayton, OH

Renee Pettinger, Senior Associate, Shepherding the Next Generation