Next Gen Now

Graduating high school is one of the most significant transitions in a young person's life. It marks the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood—new freedoms, new responsibilities, and new opportunities to follow Jesus. In this episode of the Milestones Podcast, we talk with WFW Student Minister Jackson Sanford about Senior Sending & Blessing, the milestone where The Hills Church comes alongside families to celebrate graduating seniors and commission them into their next season of life. This conversation explores why this milestone matters, how parents can intentionally disciple their student during this transition, and how the church partners with families to pray over, bless, and send seniors into the world as followers of Jesus. Whether your child is graduating this year or still years away, this episode will help you think about how to prepare students not just for college or careers—but for lifelong faith. Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

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.

In this episode, Jill sits down with Eunice Lin Nichols, Co-CEO of CoGenerate and co-author of the groundbreaking report Honest Conversations: Faith Leaders on the Real Work of Intergenerational Collaboration. Together, they explore what it really takes for churches to bring generations together in meaningful, transformational ways—not just on paper, not just symbolically, but in ways that change culture, repair conflict, share power, and deepen relationships across age groups. This conversation is honest, hopeful, and deeply practical for pastors, parents, ministry leaders, and anyone who cares about the future of the Church. Conversation Highlights • The story behind Honest Conversations and why CoGenerate turned its lens toward faith communities • How power dynamics between generations can either fracture or fuel transformation • Why intergenerational work begins with repair, not programming • What Next Gen and Senior Adult ministries can learn from each other • Real-world examples of churches that are living out "cogeneration" • How to move from intent to practice in building bridges between generations Featured Guests Eunice Lin Nichols Co-CEO, CoGenerate Co-author, Honest Conversations: Faith Leaders on the Real Work of Intergenerational Collaboration Eunice has led groundbreaking initiatives to bridge generational divides, from Encore.org's Gen2Gen campaign to local models of service and mentorship that bring youth and elders together for social impact. Resources Mentioned • Read the Honest Conversations report • CoGenerate.org — inspiring stories and tools for bridging generations • Sympara.org — helping communities reimagine sacred assets for the common good Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

In this episode of Next Gen Now, Jill sits down with missionary, discipler, and children's author Bradyn Boone, whose book The Boy Who Falls Up has been sparking conversations about identity, freedom, and the transforming love of God. Bradyn shares the story behind the book, how identity exchange became central to his ministry, and why he believes God is reshaping how this generation sees Him—and themselves. Together they explore: • The surprising origin story of The Boy Who Falls Up • What "identity exchange" means and how it can reshape your daily life • Strong starting steps for parents, mentors, and ministry leaders • A simple truth Bradyn is praying over people in this season The Boy Who Falls Up book https://bradynboone.com/the-boy-who-falls-up/ https://www.identityexchange.com Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

To conclude Season 7, Jill sits down with a spiritual mother, Debb Webb — a Kingdom teacher whose journey has moved from leading a traditional church to cultivating Spirit-led, home-based Kingdom communities as part of the Legacy Conversation series. This episode draws from a deep well of wisdom. It's the kind of conversation that may feel like drinking from a fire hydrant — dense, layered, and overflowing with revelation. Together, Jill and Debb explore themes that range wide and deep: -The meaning behind the title "Son of Man" and key Hebrew words that reveal God's heart -The original human mandate and how it shapes our purpose today -How to discern the Spirit of God in community -The nature of revelation and prophecy -What it means to live in faithful obedience to the Father's will This is a rich, Spirit-filled conversation for those hungry to understand the Kingdom more deeply — an invitation to listen slowly, reflect prayerfully, and let wisdom take root. The advent guide referenced in the intro can be found on The Hills website - www.thehills/christmas - and on The Hills App under Daily Habits, Guided Reflection. Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

In this Legacy Conversation, Jill sits down with longtime friend and fellow educator Chad McNatt, now the Head of Seattle Christian School. From serving together as principals in Rwanda to leading schools and ministries today, their conversation explores what it means to lead to and with the next generation while preparing them to lead in the future. Together they talk about: -The three threads the next generation needs most — Truth, Trust, and Identity -What today's students need from leaders and mentors -How to equip and empower young people to lead now -The kind of leaders the next generation is becoming -How parents, teachers, and ministry leaders can guide them for this moment and this mission Chad also references two books that have shaped his thinking about engaging culture and forming resilient faith: So the Next Generation Will Know by Sean McDowell and J. Warner Wallace A Practical Guide to Culture by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle This is a practical and hope-filled conversation for anyone investing in the next generation — from parents and pastors to teachers and mentors — offering wisdom for how to help students build lives anchored in truth, shaped by trust, and secure in their identity in Christ. Seattle Christian School The advent guide referenced in the intro will be included in next week's podcast show notes. Reach out to us at [email protected] and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.