In this launch episode of NextGen Matters Podcast, Rich invites ministry leaders to rediscover the eternal significance of reaching today’s youth by asking one of the most important questions in ministry: Why does the next generation matter? Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and decades of youth ministry, Rich explores the urgency of reaching, discipling, and empowering the next generation for Christ. From Psalm 78 to Deuteronomy 6, and examples throughout the Old and New Testaments, he unpacks biblical foundations for NextGen ministry and challenges leaders to see the eternal impact of their calling.

Grab your coffee and join Rich as he unpacks the scriptural mandate, the spiritual opportunity, and the discipleship pattern that calls leaders to rise with clarity, confidence, and consistency. If you’ve ever felt the tension between your calling and the chaos of adolescent culture, this episode will remind you why your ministry matters, why your leadership is essential, and why the gospel must reach the next generation—before it’s too late.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Navigators - https://www.navigators.org/
• Dawson Trotman, Born to Reproduce - https://www.navigators.org/resource/born-to-reproduce/
• United States Census Bureau - https://www.census.gov/
• Barna Group Research - https://www.barna.com/

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction: Why this next generation matters
• 01:30 – The biblical urgency of reaching the next generation
• 03:00 – Psalm 78 and the call to generational discipleship
• 05:00 – Rich's personal reflections as a grandfather and ministry leader
• 07:00 – The Shema and the call for family and spiritual community discipleship
• 08:30 – Old Testament models of multigenerational worship and teaching
• 12:00 – Jesus’ ministry to children and adolescents
• 17:20 – The urgency of the harvest: 84 million young people and the gospel gap
• 22:30 – Why adolescent ministry is crucial for shaping worldview and faith
• 24:40 – Generational discipleship and the warning from Judges 2
• 27:00 – Paul’s mentoring model: investing in the next generation of leaders
• 30:00 – Living with urgency: preparing future leaders of the Church
• 32:30 – The eternal value of investing in God’s Word and people
• 33:45 – Call to action: Thank God for your calling to serve this generation
• 34:30 – Closing encouragement: Your leadership matters because the gospel matters