Many children and teenagers today are quietly carrying heavy struggles—anxiety, shame, identity confusion, spiritual questions, and wounds they don't always know how to talk about. As parents and leaders, we often want to help, but we're not always sure where to begin.

In this episode, we talk with Jennifer Barnett, author of Next Generation Prayer: Helping Youth Overcome Their Struggles by Connecting with God, about how prayer can become a powerful pathway for young people to encounter God, experience healing, and grow in spiritual freedom.

Jennifer shares about her journey in Freedom Prayer ministry and how years of walking with people in prayer led her to focus specifically on helping children and teens. Through those experiences, she began to see how deeply young people long to connect with God—and how transformative it can be when they are given language, space, and guidance to bring their struggles honestly before Him.

In our conversation, we explore:

-Jennifer's personal journey into Freedom Prayer ministry

-Why prayer ministry is so important for children and teenagers today

-The kinds of struggles young people commonly carry beneath the surface

-How prayer can help youth experience healing, truth, and connection with God

-Practical ways parents and leaders can guide children and teens in prayer

-How churches can create environments where the next generation encounters God in meaningful ways

Jennifer also shares insights from her book about how parents, youth leaders, and children's ministry leaders can walk alongside young people as they learn to bring their hearts, struggles, and questions to God.

This episode is an encouragement for anyone who cares about the spiritual lives of the next generation. Whether you are a parent, mentor, children's ministry volunteer, or student ministry leader, you'll come away with practical wisdom and renewed hope for how prayer can shape the lives of young people.

Get a free print copy of Jennifer Barnett's book Next Generation Prayer: Helping Youth Overcome Their Struggles — just pay shipping! Just click on http://oakspress.com/thehills to check out. If you want to buy in bulk (as few as two copies can be "bulk") to give this book away, click on https://oakspress.com/nextgenbulk to check out.

https://freedomprayer.org/

The transition from high school into the next stage of life—whether that includes college, work, trade school, a gap year, or another path—is one of the most significant seasons in the life of a young person and their family. During these years, young adults begin asking deeper questions about identity, purpose, relationships, and faith. At the same time, parents are learning how to shift from direct guidance to supportive presence.

In this episode, we're joined by the founders of Emerge Collaborative Rachel Collins and Falon Barton who work with families to help them navigate the unique challenges and opportunities that come during this transition into young adulthood. Drawing from years of experience working with students and families, they share insights into what young adults are really experiencing during these formative years and how parents can walk alongside them with wisdom, patience, and hope.

Special Opportunity for Parents of Seniors

Following this conversation, we're excited to host the founders of Emerge Collaborative for a live Zoom conversation for parents of seniors and young adults.

During this 90-minute interactive session, they will go deeper into the transition from high school into young adulthood, offering insight, practical tools, and space for questions from parents navigating this stage with their students.

Title: Navigating Faith and Life with Your Young Adult 📅 Date: Sunday, April 19 ⏰ Time: 6-8:30 pm 📍 Location: Live on Zoom Register here and you'll receive a Zoom link

This will be a valuable opportunity for parents to learn how to:

-Understand the developmental and spiritual shifts happening after high school

-Support their young adult without overstepping or withdrawing

-Maintain strong relational connection during a season of growing independence

-Encourage lasting faith during a time when many young adults wrestle with identity and belief

If you're a parent preparing to launch a senior or already walking alongside a young adult navigating life after high school, we hope this conversation encourages you and reminds you that this season—while sometimes challenging—is also full of possibility and growth for both you and your child.

https://www.emerge-collaborative.com/

Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

We close the series with wisdom. In a candid and grounding conversation, Joseph and Makaila share how they're learning to embrace limits, practice rest, and follow Jesus at a sustainable pace in a demanding world.

https://thehills.org/young-adults

@thehillsyoungadults

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

Practicing the Way

Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Worship: This episode explores worship as an expression of love, surrender, and identity. These worship leaders (Micah and Valeria) share how cultivating a worshiping culture leads people to Jesus—not through performance, but through presence.

https://thehills.org/young-adults

@thehillsyoungadults

Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Prayer: Prayer is learned, practiced, and often messy. In this conversation with Isa and Nick, young intercessors share how God is forming spiritual depth, teaching perseverance, and awakening faith for transformation through prayer.

https://thehills.org/young-adults

@thehillsyoungadults

Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Mission & Service: Mission doesn't start overseas—it starts where you already are. This episode with Cam and Jodeci highlights everyday obedience, showing how classrooms, cafés, airplanes, and neighborhoods become places of transformation when we live sent.

https://thehills.org/young-adults

@thehillsyoungadults

https://paismovement.com/

Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Intergenerational: This episode with Clara, Delayla and Makaila expands the conversation on community into inclusion and legacy. Hear a beautiful reflection on radical hospitality, generational honor, and how love creates space for everyone to belong at the table.

https://thehills.org/young-adults

@thehillsyoungadults

Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Community: Culture doesn't happen by accident. In this episode with Ariana, Clara and Makayla, we explore how community is created and maintained—online and in real life. With creativity, joy, and intentional care, these leaders are turning events into family and connection into discipleship.

https://thehills.org/young-adults

@thehillsyoungadults

Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Leadership: After hearing how it all began, this conversation with Cris and Kyana explores how it's being sustained. Two leaders reflect on building something that lasts—sharing wisdom on humility, vision, and raising up the next generation with care and intention.

https://thehills.org/young-adults

@thehillsyoungadults

Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Beginnings: From living rooms to hundreds gathered—Makayla, Tyler and Valeria tell the origin story of the young adult minsitry at The Hills. Hear how friendship, consistency, and obedience created space for God to move in powerful ways. This is a story of humble beginnings, faithful yeses, and a spark that grew into something only God could orchestrate.

https://thehills.org/young-adults

@thehillsyoungadults

Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.