he ValueGenesis 4 (V4) Research Project is set to launch this October after being delayed by the COVID pandemic. It is a collaborative project of the North American Division's (NAD) Office of Education, and two La Sierra University (LSU) entities, the School of Education's Office of Research and the John Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministries. The project is a continuation of past studies (V1, V2, and V3), which took place in 1990, 2000, and 2010.

Some may ask, "Why do ValueGenesis again?". First, looking at the current state of Adventist youth in relation to their faith, values, lifestyle, perspectives, and commitment can tell us how we are inculcating positive factors in their lives. By comparing the findings of this study with what was discovered previously, we can see if we are doing better or worse than before. In addition, such a comparison might reveal patterns or trends that could indicate what might occur in the future.

 Once such trends have been studied, we may be able to explore why they happened and look for solutions if factors have deteriorated over time. The results can show past and perhaps predict the future relationship across Adventist School, Church, and Family, thus contributing to NAD, Union, and Conference policy discussion and development. These discoveries will also provide subject matter for dialogue between educators and families, ministers, and church leaders.

 A brief look at the history of ValueGenesis shows that the first three studies (V1-V3) were jointly conducted by the NAD Office of Education and the John Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry at La Sierra University (LSU). Professor V. Bailey Gillespie acted as the driving force for the first three studies and was the principal investigator for V2 and V3. The comprehensive V1 report, written by R. L. Dudley and V. B. Gillespie, came out in 1992. It is titled ValueGenesis: Faith in the Balance and was published in Riverside, CA, by La Sierra University Press. The V2 report was published in 2004. Titled ValueGenesis, Ten Years Later: A Study of Two Generations, it had four authors: V. B. Gillespie, M. J. Donahue, E. Boyatt, and B. Gane with the Hancock Center at LSU in Riverside, CA, as publisher. Unfortunately, no V3 Report appeared because of the deteriorating health of Bailey Gillespie and Michael Donahue that began shortly after the data collection and input. Bailey passed away in 2018.

 Another ten years passed, but the COVID pandemic made it unwise or impossible to carry out another ValueGenesis Research study (V4) until now. Planned as an October 2021 project, it will happen because of the collaborative effort of the NAD Office of Education, LSU's Office of Research in the School of Education, and LSU's John Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry. The NAD approved the V4 project in May of 2019. Subsequently, from November 2019 to May 2020, research team leaders visited Union Conferences to discuss V4 and seek support and suggestions from educators and education leaders. Many excellent ideas and suggestions resulted from this effort.

 As could be expected, ValueGenesis has evolved over the past three decades, with each survey differing from the previous one. Obsolete questions were removed while ones reflecting new and current issues were added. Yet, the principal purpose of ValueGenesis was never forgotten: to study Adventist youth religiosity and the influence of family, church, and school on their faith formation and lifestyle.

 The V4 survey is comprised of 387 questions, fewer than any of the previous surveys that had more than 400 each. Approximately 200 of these questions appeared in each of the V1-V3 surveys because they pertain to the central focus of the study: Faith Maturity, Religious Development, Perspectives on Salvation, Doctrinal Orthodoxy, Evangelism, Church Climate, Denominational Loyalty, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Family and School Climate, and Altruism. All of these core questions have been incorporated in V4. Accordingly, V4 results will help us determine what remains the same and what has changed about youth faith, religiosity, doctrinal beliefs, mental health, lifestyle, family, and perspective on the church school.

Besides, in V4, the scope of the mental health section has been expanded by the addition of questions about anxiety, suicidal ideation, sleep problems, and eating disorders. There are also brand new questions about trust in God, spiritual orientation, and Adventist identity. We will also tap students' views on equity and diversity, internet use and addiction, bullying, school satisfaction, and desire to work for the church. Other added questions pursue knowledge of positive psychological traits such as well-being, gratitude, resilience, self-efficacy, optimism, growth mindset, compassion, worldview, and life goals. While we could not incorporate all suggestions from educators and Union leaders, the vast majority of their recommendations were included. Another change in V4 will be the keeping and use of data and input from non-Adventist students to understand their perspectives and teach and serve them well.

V4 will adopt paper surveys because of the length of the questionnaire. However, web (online) surveys will also be available and accessible for schools that prefer online participation due to various technical or logistical reasons. In general, web surveys are advantageous in terms of speed, flexibility, and precision.

The questionnaire and online link will be mailed or emailed to the school administrators late in September with the instructions for administering the survey. We anticipate and request the survey be given during the first or second week of October 2021. Paper survey must be sent back immediately after its completion using the enclosed return envelope.

The project team hopes to present the first preliminary report of the V4 results in a NAD fall meeting. This presentation will be followed by regular newsletters, reports, presentations, and publications, including a full report in three to four years. We acknowledge the help and support of those in the North American Division, Union Conference, and Local Conference Education Departments with gratitude. We thank each person who listened and offered suggestions and ideas for this project. Together with God's Spirit, we can learn how to become a greater influence for God in the lives of our youth.

Chang-ho Ji

Chang-Ho Ji PHD

Dean of the School of Education, Professor of Research Method, Educational Psychology, & Social Science Education, La Sierra University