The GenSend Podcast

By North American Mission BoardChristianity

The GenSend Podcast episodes

March 25, 2025Leveraging College Life for the Gospel
In Episode 5 of Season 5, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor welcome guest Ellington Crabtree to the show. Ellington is a junior at the University of Kentucky and discusses how she is leveraging her life as a college student for the glory of God. Be encouraged as she shares how God is actively moving to ignite students with a passion for sharing the gospel and following Him fully in every aspect of their lives, on and off campus.

Also in this episode:
How to strategically reach college freshmen during their first weeks on campus
The impact of intentionally training and equipping the next generation
Why mentorship and church community are vital for college students to live on mission and thrive
How youth and college pastors can collaborate to bridge the gap for incoming freshmen
The role of the Holy Spirit to work in both large-scale revival as well as in the mundane moments of obedience
Helpful Resources:
GenSend Webinar: The Handoff
Personal Ministry Impact Worksheet
Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Sanders
Replicate, Robby Gallaty
Sacred Fire, Ronald Rolheiser
Not a Fan, Kyle Idleman
★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at GenSend.org
★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

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Shareable Quotes:
“The most important thing that the Lord has been teaching me is to include Him in everything that I do and getting to see college students join in on that. It expands, and you see the brokenness on the campus and want to see Jesus make change in that.”
—Ellington Crabtree
“Shout out to our college ministries that are focused on reaching freshmen. I want to double down on the reminder that this is such a pivotal moment, maybe one of the most pivotal moments in someone’s entire life.” —Paul Worcester
“Life change is walking day by day, moment by moment, discipleship, walking in holiness, in righteousness, in the right direction. Ministry is not a sprint; it's a marathon.” —Shane Pruitt
“This is a revival generation where we're seeing the resurgence of a new passion for evangelism and for discipleship.” —Lacey Villasenor
“College pastors have the opportunity to strategically help students think through their personal ministry, their spheres of influence. They can consider that their mission field.”
—Paul Worcester

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40 min
March 11, 2025Leveraging Post-Grad Life for the Gospel
In Episode 4 of Season 5, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor welcome guests Everett and Olivia Sinclair, who discuss leveraging their post-grad years for the gospel. Hear insights from their journey as they participated in GenSend Summer during college and intentionally chose to live on mission in Boston after graduation. Discover the essential role of the local church in equipping and preparing college students to fulfill the Great Commission after college ministry and graduation.
Also in this episode:
The role of prayer in living on mission
How to leverage your non-ministry vocation for the gospel
How church leaders can best prepare students for post-grad missional living
The impact of faith-filled, multigenerational church life
How to intentionally establish newlywed life for the gospel
Helpful Resources:
Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller
Spiritual Multiplication in the Real World by Bob McNabb
Meet Generation Z by James Emery White
Loveology by John Mark Comer
Church Membership by Jonathan Leeman
GenSend Summer
★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org
★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

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Shareable Quotes:

“Through college I saw the value of the local church, so I knew that I wanted to be invested in that post-grad as well. Our ministry gave us a solid foundation in the Word and taught us through example of how families and young adults live on mission.” —Olivia Sinclair

“They're actually helping students think through what they're going to do post-grad, not just occupation-wise, but thinking through where they're going to go live and to let it be a place of impact, and then find a job in that city, find a place to live on mission in that city.”
—Shane Pruitt

“Through college I was wrestling with whether to go into ministry or the workplace. During my last summer of GenSend, I was a part of a Faith and Work cohort and caught a vision for God's view of work and different ways to leverage a secular job for the kingdom.” —Everett Sinclair

“Pray for B.O.B. Pray for a Burden for the lost, an Opportunity to witness, and Boldness to proclaim Christ every morning.” —Paul Worcester

“Especially today, as we become more and more digital, people crave that in-person connection, and it's so rare. We have an opportunity as believers to show some gospel hospitality and open up our tables, open up our homes to lost people.” —Lacey Villasenor

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50 min
February 25, 2025Too Much Therapy?
In Episode 3 of Season 5, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor meet with pastor and licensed professional counselor, Dr. Shannon Thomas, to discuss the mental health crisis of the next generation and to answer the question, “Have we started to lean on therapy too much?” Join the GenSend team as they unpack the role of mental health resources in light of the victory found in the gospel. Discover the truths found in Scripture and what it looks like to live resiliently with the hope of Christ.

Also in this episode:
The impact of social media on our anxiety and lack of connection
How to recognize the signs of a mental health crisis
The role of biblical community in times of struggle
How a right view of God’s sovereignty helps us in our suffering
The ways we’ve allowed culture to sway our values as the church
Helpful Resources:
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier
The Calvary Road by Roy Hession
Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill
Going Higher with God in Prayer by A.W. Tozer
A Creative Minority by Jon Tyson and Heather Grizzle
★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org
★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
Shareable Quotes:

“Students are living in a fear of missing out in real time. They’re aware of everything going on around them and what they’re being left out of. It drives up that fear and anxiety.” —Shane Pruitt
“If my entire world is really in the palm of my hand, and if you take that away, what else do I have? There’s not much social connection or community when all community happens electronically.” —Dr. Shannon Thomas
“When life gets hard, boredom hits, or you are getting anxious, you just turn to your phone to numb it out instead of learning to cope with your feelings or the situation you got yourself in.” —Lacey Villasenor
“We’re almost building a community around how we label ourselves. There’s been a high focus on transparency and authenticity as core values for young people, and then we turned this cliche into a core value of the church when it really started in culture.” —Shane Pruitt
“Part of what we have to do is teach ourselves and each other is, ‘Okay, when I’m experiencing anxiety, what is really going on? What am I anxious about? Or what is causing this anxiety?’” —Dr. Shannon Thomas
“In terms of our relationship with Jesus Christ, we have victory, hope, and a deep sense of wellbeing—to know that no matter what my circumstances are, victory is on the other side of this.” —Dr. Shannon Thomas

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46 min
February 11, 2025Creating a Residency/Internship that Works
In Episode 2 of Season 5, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor meet with Brandon Gilbert and Cody Carroll, the residency director and college director of Redeemer Church in Lubbock, Texas. Tune in as the GenSend team unpacks the impact and inner workings of the residency program at Redeemer from those who have led, built out, and participated in the early days of the program. Be inspired to raise up the next generation of ministry leaders through a meaningful residency that can change lives—and leadership trajectories—for the gospel.
Also in this episode:
The benefits of support raising and how you can get started with confidence
Why grittiness, creativity, hunger, accountability, and teachability are essentials for prospective residents
Why seminary and residency training do not have to be at odds within your ministry
How you can effectively develop your program’s interview and pipeline processes
Why the freedom to fail is so vital for the next generation of ministry leaders
Helpful Resources:
Calling Out the Called by Scott Pace and Shane Pruitt
Reliant Mission
The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
“Creating Your Collegiate Leadership Pipeline” by Paul Worcester and Wes Smith
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Center Church by Tim Keller
Gaining by Losing by J.D. Greear
The Making of a Leader by J. Robert Clinton
The Critical Journey by Janet O. Hagberg and Robert A. Guelich
★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org
★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

Shareable Quotes:

“The biggest thing I gained was the freedom to fail, to learn what does or doesn’t work, and to be really, really safe in the midst of figuring out if ministry was what God was calling me to.” —Cody Carroll
“The skills you develop in raising support are the same kind of ministry skills that you develop when starting a new church or ministry.” —Paul Worcester
“The people we want are hungry, faithful, available, and teachable. We’re not looking for perfect, polished people. We’re not looking for who has it all together.” —Brandon Gilbert
“In college ministry, if you can create an almost staff-level, intern-level role, you can do a lot of good training and utilize their gifts through your college ministry.” —Paul Worcester
“Is there a passion for the Lord and for spiritual disciplines? If we’re having to convince people to surrender to a calling to ministry leadership, then that hunger for the work is probably not there.” —Shane Pruitt
“Both seminary and residency training can be super helpful in sharpening you for the kingdom and for the local church.” —Shane Pruitt

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58 min
January 28, 2025Navigating Your Calling into Vocational Ministry
Welcome to Season 5 of The GenSend Podcast! Join hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor as they launch the new season and are joined by special guest and friend of the podcast Mauricio Villasenor. Tune in as this campus-pastor-turned-church-planter shares his experiences in navigating his calling into vocational ministry. Discover your next steps in discerning where God is leading you to live on mission in leadership, as well as how you can move with confidence as you follow God’s calling upon your life.

Also in this episode:
The impact of mentorship and a deep prayer life as you navigate your calling
Knowing when to transition from one role to the next
Key characteristics to develop within yourself as a prospective ministry leader
What you should ask from others as you discern your calling into ministry
Helpful Resources:
Calling Out the Called
Youth Leader Coaching Network
The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken
Disappearing Church and Reappearing Church by Mark Sayers
The Pastor’s Justification by Jared Wilson
Tactics by Greg Koukl
★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org
★ Subscribe to “The GenSend Podcast” on your favorite podcast platform.

Shareable Quotes:

“I’m so thankful for the leaders who discipled me and then even let me start serving, knowing that I was going to make a mess of things, but who also knew that serving would be a part of that journey.” – Shane Pruitt
“It’s a combination of the Lord putting burdens and passions on your heart and then people speaking into your life, and doors of opportunity opening up.” - Lacey Villasenor
“Your primary job is to focus on the depth of your ministry, sit at Jesus’ feet, and grow in godly maturity, character, wisdom, and integrity. Then, the Lord will take care of what the platforms look like.” – Shane Pruitt
“God is a lot more likely to direct us if we’re moving full-speed towards His mission.” – Paul Worcester
“God is not the changing God who changes His mind on things. He’s consistent. So, if He called you to something, He’s not going to call you out of that thing unless He releases you.” - Mauricio Villasenor
“It's good to be patient. When you have a call to ministry, it doesn’t mean you’re going to be on stage rocking the mic right away. Sometimes, you grow into ministry; you don’t go into ministry.” – Paul Worcester

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55 min
November 12, 2024Sharing Your Faith with Other Religions (with Lee Strobel)
In Episode 7 of Season 4, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor meet up with author, apologist, pastor, and professor Lee Strobel to discuss his insights on training the next generation of Christ followers to engage those outside the Christian faith with the hope of the gospel. Discover new, practical ways that you and your leaders can engage the lost with the love of Christ and go deeper in relationship with those who are searching for answers. Learn why the Lord is calling us away from earthly comforts so that we can see lives changed through the power of His Word.
Also in This Episode:
The biggest hurdle young people have when engaging others in gospel conversations
The #1 tool for Next Gen evangelism (and why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach!)
Why relational connection is essential for training students to share the gospel
Effective questions you can ask to gauge a person’s spiritual openness
How your awkward conversations could change the trajectory of a person’s life forever!
Helpful Resources:
The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith: Check out Lee’s series that takes a deeper look into many of the hard questions of Christianity, as well as the most common “heart barriers” to accepting the Christian faith
Is God Real?: Check out Lee’s new book that considers the bigger questions surrounding God’s existence amidst the reality of human suffering. Explore these questions as you engage more deeply in the world of apologetics.
Contagious Faith: Discover your own natural style for sharing the love of Jesus with others and unpack Mark Mittelberg’s five approaches to evangelism.
How to Share Jesus Using Gospel Appointments: Nervous about sharing the good news with others? Read through our step-by-step guide to having intentional gospel conversations with strangers.
Life Essentials: These 6 short videos by Shane and Paul discuss what to do now that new believers have received eternal life. What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?
NAMB Apologetics: As you share the gospel with friends, neighbors, coworkers, and more, you may encounter questions about your faith and other religions. Find answers to the most common questions here.
The One-Verse Bridge Diagram: Incorporate this tool into your next gospel conversation to help you demonstrate the truth of Romans 6:23 using a visual diagram to assist you as you engage the lost with the gospel.
Q Place: Receive coaching to grow in confidence as you help others discover Jesus in our culture today. Learn how to start and lead a group for the purpose of building relationships and inviting friends into safe spiritual conversations.
Shareable Quotes:
“Being Jesus to people is much more effective than trying to be ‘Mr. Apologetics’ and giving intellectual reasons for something.” – Lee Strobel
“Sharing the hope of Christ with people turns us into listeners. A lot of times in evangelism, it can very quickly turn into us doing all the talking, but asking questions turns us into listeners, which was the model that Jesus often led with.” – Shane Pruitt
“A lot of theological and apologetics questions start at the head, but what you’re doing is bringing it down to the heart level and connecting with the person in love. People need to know that we genuinely love them, and love covers a multitude of sins.” – Paul Worcester
“When I say the word ‘evangelist,’ I would like your name to come to mind, that you’re an evangelist. Even though you don’t see yourself that way, you can be yourself and share Christ in a way that syncs up with who God made you to be, and God will use you.” – Lee Strobel
“The more we hear ourselves articulate the gospel, the more confident we’ll get. And the more confident we are in what we’re saying, the more we will be able to share it.” – Shane Pruitt

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53 min
October 29, 2024Faith and Politics (with Dean Inserra)
In Episode 6 of Season 4, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor team up with pastor Dean Inserra for this virtual webinar to discuss practical insights for navigating election season while still fostering a biblical worldview. Join the over 300 Next Gen leaders who attended this virtual webinar and discover ways to equip your students and leaders to see everything through the lens of the gospel, as well as the church’s role in a polarizing world. Tune in to hear more tangible ways to cultivate an atmosphere of thinking biblically and living missionally from the walls of your ministry to the world beyond.
Also in This Episode:
How Jeremiah 29 gives us insight as political exiles in a polarizing world
The three institutions God calls His people to faithfully invest in
The impact of leading with both courage and compassion in the modern political landscape
Why it’s essential for Christians to speak into the cultural conversations of today
What it means to “be loving anyway” in an affirming culture
Helpful Resources:
The Unsaved Christian: Check out Dean’s book on reaching cultural Christianity with the truth of Christ’s gospel
How Should Leaders Address the Topics of Gender, Sexuality, and LGBTQ+ Issues?: Tune into our episode with Sean McDowell that connects modern-day issues with Scripture’s eternal truth
Trevin Wax: Content Creation for the Next Generation: Join the GenSend team as they discuss the importance of holding fast to a Christian worldview in the digital age
Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at gensend.org.
Subscribe to “The GenSend Podcast” on your favorite podcast platform.
Shareable Quotes:
“Gen Z enjoys talking about politics more than millennials do. They don’t shy away from it and have been voting at a higher rate than millennials. Not only do they want to talk about it more, but they’re also more engaged in the entire process.” – Paul Worcester
“It’s not that the church has gotten more political; politics have gotten more theological and spiritual. We could almost get away with saying the wrong thing theologically or biblically before we could get away with what someone else deems wrong politically.” – Dean Inserra
“We make a big mistake when we try to get our churches to think about politics less. I think we just need to think about being salt and light more.” – Dean Inserra
“Truly, you’re never going to be loving enough if you go and speak out against the sacred creeds of our culture today. Be loving anyways.” – Dean Inserra
“What are we going to do on November 6? I’m going to do the same thing I’ve been doing for over 20 years as a believer: pray for the president and preach about the King.” – Shane Pruitt

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1 hr 7 min
October 15, 2024Innovations in Reaching Gen Z
In Episode 5 of Season 4, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor welcome Keith Wieser to discuss the latest challenges and strategies for reaching the next generation of college students. Keith shares insights from his 17 years of ministry, including the key cultural shifts affecting students today, such as the roles of anxiety, identity, and technology in their lives. The conversation dives into practical approaches for discipling students in a rapidly changing culture and highlights the importance of relational evangelism, multiplication, and being led by the Spirit.
Also in This Episode:
How emotional intelligence plays a greater role in ministering to students
Practical strategies for identifying and discipling spiritually open students
The critical role of multiplication in maturing student disciples
Navigating the impacts of anxiety, social media, and identity in student ministry today
How to equip student leaders for mission and evangelism
Helpful Resources:
The Resonate Collective: Learn more about Keith Wieser’s church planting and leadership resources.
Evangelism for Collegiate Leaders: Discover how to equip and empower those in your student ministry to share the gospel with others.
eBook Series on Collegiate Church Ministry and Planting: Check out this four-ebook series that explores how to help college students live on mission.
Shareable Quotes:
“I think almost every college minister I’ve talked to is like, “Man, the challenge is getting people to be in a committed thing. ‘Are you coming to this event?’ So, there’s a sense of needing to recognize and recalibrate to that lower level of commitment.” — Keith Wieser
“It’s okay to not be okay, but it ain’t okay to stay that way when there’s another way. And Jesus is the way.” — Shane Pruitt
“I haven’t found anything better to help someone overcome that inward focus, that anxiety, than being a part of the movement of God on mission via evangelism, disciple-making, and living on mission.” — Paul Worcester
“Non-believers have more clarity related to their spiritual interests. Either I’m interested in spiritual things, or I’m not.” — Keith Wieser

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51 min
October 01, 2024Cultural Apologetics
In Episode 4 of Season 4, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor are joined by special guest Trevin Wax to explore the topic of cultural apologetics. They dive deep into ways that the next generation can engage with and navigate the prevailing ideologies of our time without being swayed by them. The discussion covers the most influential ideologies shaping the minds of young people today, including radical individualism, the quest for identity within groups, and the rise of pseudo-religions.
Also in This Episode:
How to communicate the truth and beauty of Christianity in a way that resonates with today’s culture
The importance of listening to and understanding the deep longings of those we engage with in evangelism
Practical advice on creating environments where students can ask tough questions and explore their faith deeply
Helpful Resources:
Reconstructing Faith Podcast: Trevin Wax offers perspective from church history and the church around the world to help listeners recommit to both removing the rot from the church and fortifying the foundations of unchanging truth.
NAMB Apologetics: As you share the gospel with friends, neighbors, coworkers, and more, you may encounter questions about your faith and other religions. Find answers to the most common questions here.
Shareable Quotes:
“Whether it’s social media, sermons, podcasts, or conversations at a coffee shop, church service, or large-group gathering on campus, whatever way we can get the story out there is what we want to take advantage of. We have the greatest story of all time.” – Shane Pruitt
“At some point when you cross the threshold of true conversion, you’re not simply saying, ‘This is true for me.’ You’re also saying, ‘I believe this is the truth about the world.’” – Trevin Wax
“The best stories win the day, and there’s nothing more compelling than the story of Jesus.” – Paul Worcester

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44 min
September 17, 2024The Forgotten Disciplines
In Episode 3 of Season 4, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor dive into a rich discussion on spiritual disciplines, focusing on well-known and often forgotten practices. They share personal experiences and practical insights on cultivating a disciplined spiritual life in today’s fast-paced, distraction-filled world. This episode addresses the rise of new-age spirituality and the importance of clearly defining and teaching biblical meditation and spiritual practices in contrast to secular trends.
Also in This Episode:
The role of spiritual disciplines in leadership development and personal growth
Encouragement for ministry leaders to lead by example in practicing spiritual disciplines
How to create a rhythm of Sabbath and rest in a busy ministry context
Insights on mentoring students in spiritual disciplines
Helpful Resources:
The Big 5 – Foundational Habits for Discipleship: A resource that addresses what truths and habits to instill in your disciples and the five main spiritual disciplines that encourage growth and commitment
Operation World App: A tool to help you pray for different countries daily
A.W. Tozer’s The Pursuit of God: A classic book recommended by the hosts for deepening your spiritual walk
Shareable Quotes:
“Whether it’s food, social media, or something else that’s taken a stronghold in our lives, fasting is about removing and replacing. So, we are removing what we’re fasting from, but hopefully, we’re fasting towards the Lord.” – Shane Pruitt
“True prayer and true intimacy with God can’t be rushed.” – Paul Worcester
“Sabbath is a practice of faith. It’s saying, ‘You know what? I’m resting, and this is a good reminder that the Lord doesn’t need me.’” – Shane Pruitt
“I like to say that silence and solitude—time alone in God’s presence—is an acquired taste. Once you experience and build that habit, it refuels you. It’s something you long for and look forward to throughout your day.” – Paul Worcester

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51 min

About The GenSend Podcast

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The next generation is the now generation. They're not just the future of the church, but they're the church today. So what will it take to reach them with the gospel? The GenSend Podcast is a podcast…