The Harris Family History

In 1974 Gregg & Sono Harris were led by God to take what they believed to be a more biblical approach to marriage, family life and child training. They did this by restoring some of the key responsibilities of the biblical household to their own home— home education, family business, ministry hospitality and community leadership. Their house became a place to live and serve together for the glory of God and the good of others. The idea to “do hard things” was planted early in their family culture and it became their way of life.

As the years have gone by the results of their approach started to show up in the lives of their kids. Beginning with their first-born, Joshua, and continuing on with second born, Joel, and then with their twins, Alex & Brett, the positive effects of their approach became more evident. It was not that every child had to do something big, but each one caught the vision before God to do the right things at the right times for the right reasons. By God’s grace, the Harris’s gospel-centered, family-based way of life was bearing good fruit.

In 2006, their 16-year-old twins, Alex & Brett Harris teamed up to start “The Rebelution” online by rallying Christian teens around the world to “rebel against the low expectations” of modern youth culture. Together they challenged their generation to “do hard things” for the glory of God and the good of others. The message struck a chord with teens and their parents.

Since then the message has exploded. Over 25 million unique visitors have visited the Rebelution website and read their blog. Over 275,000 have bought their book, Do Hard Things. Over 25,000 teens and their parents have attended the Do Hard Things conferences. (You can watch the promotional video for that conference HERE.) Of those who have attended, over 900 young people have stood boldly in response to Mr. Harris’s gospel presentation to confess “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Kids from Christian homes can be close, but not yet in the faith of their parents. God is using the conferences to bring them to Christ.

Recently, Alex & Brett were guests on Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family radio program HERE. They have also been featured on the Family Life Today radio program with Dennis Rainey HERE. It’s amazing what God continues to do.

With all of this going on, people began asking what the Harrises are doing differently. Their response has been that it is not their doing! God alone deserves the glory for what is happening. But in the light of God’s Word the Harrises are convinced that Christian parents can make a difference in the lives of their children. Parental responsibility is real and the choices that parents make do matter. Parents can begin by explaining the Gospel to their children early and often. They can follow up by trusting God enough to actually obey Him in their own everyday lives. Parents can lead by their own example. And they can include their kids on their family team.

Raising Kids to Do Hard Things is the Harris Household’s attempt to share the best of what God has taught them over the years about raising kids and managing their own household.

This past July 4th, 2010, God chose to take Sono Harris home to heaven by means of cancer. It was very hard of everyone. But even in this final chapter of her life on earth, she continued to be a shining example of what it means to live and die for the glory of God and the good of others. She is missed. But she would want the work of her family to carry on and finish well. This is why, in the words of the Apostle Paul, “We Mourn As Though We Did Not Mourn.”

Raising Kids to Do Hard Things will be a fast-paced seminar, sometimes humorous, sometimes serious, but always very purposeful. In this Friday evening and Saturday morning & afternoon you will learn how to “do hard things together” as a family. If that appeals to you, make your plans to attend the seminar nearest you.

Register HERE. Download PDF HERE

What People Are Saying About Alex & Brett Harris & Do Hard Things

“Do Hard Things is so important. It is challenging teenagers to rebel against the low expectations placed on them, not the least of which are low spiritual expectations. And the voices that are asking teens to rise to meet this challenge are voices from their own generation. That thrills me. If you’ve got a teenager — or if you have a grandson or granddaughter — I want to encourage you to pick up a copy of Do Hard Things. It would make a great graduation present or summer reading. And don’t just give them the book; make a point to ramp up your interaction with the teens God has put in your life. Become a spiritual mentor and help them rebel against low expectations. Help them become rebels with a good cause, seeking more out of life than mindless channel-surfing.”

Chuck Colson
Founder of Prison Fellowship
Best-selling author of How Now Shall We Live?

“Adult expectations for youth are too low. And these twins are out to raise them. Don’t adapt to the low cultural expectations for youth. Set high ones. Youth can become examples for adults. Think that way. Dream that way. Or as the Harris brothers would say, “Rebel against low expectations.” May God give us a vision for the next generation that glorifies the gospel of Christ, and leads thousands of young people to the cross where they find forgiveness of sins, and broken-hearted humility, and Christ-exalting courage to rebel against low expectations and “do hard things.”"

John Piper
Desiring God