Holding on to teenagers

Can churches hold on to teens and young adults?

"Many churches are losing young people because there's not enough activities or support," said Josefina Cespedes, a community educator and member of the Pentecostal Church John 3:16.

Many of the churches are old-fashioned, she said.

"Churches are failing in providing enough resources for support to adjust to the new generation," Cespedes said.

Even the pastors' children have expressed doubt. Two years ago, Pavon's oldest son, Edward, stopped attending church for six months.

"I wanted to explore the world," Edward Pavon said. "I didn't want to listen to my dad or mom. I was tired of it."

His rebellion left his parents in tears.

Read the Stamford Advocate story "Raised in the Church," and the other stories in the series they are currently running about churches and immigrants.