In this episode of A Beautiful Church Podcast, Adam Whitescarver sits down with Tony Souder, CEO of One Hundred Years and founder of the Pray for Me Campaign, to discuss his work with Chattanooga’s youth leaders and his mission to connect generations through intergenerational prayer. Tony shares his journey into ministry, the early days of founding the Chattanooga Youth Network, and the development of the Pray for Me Campaign, which equips churches and individuals to build lasting, impactful relationships between adults and young people through prayer.

This episode highlights the importance of intergenerational relationships in the church, the development of prayer practices for youth, and how ministries can be more effective in discipling the next generation. Listen in to learn how you can engage with the Pray for Me Campaign to foster deeper community connections within your church.

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Jump Through the Conversation

[0:00] Introduction to the podcast and purpose of A Beautiful Church Podcast by Adam Whitescarver.

[0:25] Introduction to Tony Souder, his background, and ministry roles with One Hundred Years and the Pray for Me Campaign.

[0:40] Tony briefly explains his current work and role in intergenerational prayer and youth ministry.

[1:21] Tony’s personal journey and history: Born in Valdosta, Georgia, and his experience growing up in a military family.

[3:12] How Tony ended up in Chattanooga through his role as the first director of the Chattanooga Youth Network.

[4:07] The genesis of the Chattanooga Youth Network under the Chattanooga Resource Foundation.

[5:04] The strategy behind supporting youth leaders and building connections in Chattanooga through the Youth Network.

[6:10] Early challenges and successes of starting the network, including funding and building a collaborative culture among youth pastors.

[7:20] How Chattanooga’s youth pastors came together, overcoming perceived competition to work collaboratively.

[8:24] Building connections between youth leaders and forming regional networks and leadership communities for youth pastors.

[9:50] The role of prayer, accountability, care, and training in shaping the leadership communities and supporting youth leaders.

[12:18] The influence of Matt Brinkley and the importance of prayer and community in youth ministry leadership.

[13:15] The structure of these networks and gatherings for youth leaders, including prayer, training, and accountability.

[14:03] The development of the Pray for Me Campaign and its foundation in research showing the importance of multiple adult believers investing in young people's lives.

[16:17] How the Pray for Me Campaign creates intergenerational relationships to support youth and foster Christ-centered growth.

[17:39] The challenges of naming the campaign and how a key conversation with a church member led to the Pray for Me focus on prayer.

[19:20] The process of developing the Pray for Me Campaign into a practical ministry tool.

[21:04] How the Pray for Me prayer guide helps adults pray effectively for young people, focusing on Christ’s formation in their lives.

[23:15] How churches implement the Pray for Me Campaign: Recruiting adults as prayer champions for young people and fostering relationships across generations.

[25:16] The long-term impact of having three adult prayer champions for each youth throughout middle and high school.

[27:03] How the Pray for Me Campaign works across different church settings, from traditional youth ministries to family-focused ministries.

[29:09] Tony’s experiences working across denominations and making the Pray for Me Campaign adaptable for different church cultures.

[30:01] Tony’s personal journey and how prayer has shaped his ministry, especially through difficult times with his wife’s health.

[32:30] Stories of the Pray for Me Campaign’s impact: The powerful connection between Mr. Allen and Isaac, and how it illustrates the fast-tracking of belonging and relationships through prayer.

[34:18] How the Pray for Me Campaign builds community within churches and connects families across generational lines.

[35:02] The different age groups that can participate in the Pray for Me Campaign, from kindergarten through college.

[38:26] Barna research on the importance of intergenerational relationships for youth retention in churches.

[41:10] The Pray for Me Campaign’s reach and success: Translated into multiple languages and implemented in thousands of churches.

[46:08] How to implement the Pray for Me Campaign in your church and where to get resources.

[48:50] The importance of having a church champion for the Pray for Me Campaign and the step-by-step resources provided to help churches get started.

[51:25] How the Pray for Me Campaign is a valuable discipleship tool and its potential for creating deep relational connections within churches.

[54:23] The importance of prayer in building intergenerational relationships and fostering a sense of belonging within churches.

[58:22] How listeners can pray for Tony Souder, his family, and the continued growth of One Hundred Years and the Pray for Me Campaign.

[1:01:57] Tony’s vision for the future of the Pray for Me Campaign: Creating belonging and security within churches, leading to boldness in reaching out to others.

[1:04:22] Closing remarks and thank you from Adam Whitescarver.

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Prayer Requests for the Pray for Me Campaign:

Pray for the continued growth of the Pray for Me Campaign, both nationally and internationally.

Pray for the youth leaders, pastors, and volunteers working to connect generations in meaningful prayer relationships.

Pray for more churches to embrace intergenerational ministry and for stronger connections between adults and young people.

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Links and Resources:

Pray for Me Campaign website : https://prayformecampaign.com/

One Hundred Years website: https://ouronehundredyears.com/

Youth Leader Collective website: https://youthleadercollective.com/

Pray Chattanooga website: https://www.praychattanooga.com/