Collaborative Ministry in Action with Janessa Aston and Rev. Cory Williams
NextGen Conversations
When churches work together, everyone wins. In this episode, we chat with Janessa Aston from Platte Woods UMC and Rev. Cory Williams from Liberty UMC about the Northland Fall Retreat, a longstanding connectional event for Kansas City-area youth and churches. Janessa and Cory detail how multiple churches collaborate to pull off a meaningful weekend and share how your region can start a similar event. About NextGen Conversations NextGen Conversations is a podcast that seeks to empower children’s, family, youth and college-aged leaders to create dynamic, Christ-centered ministries. Every...
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Reimagining Sunday Mornings with Amanda Bond and Paige Turner
NextGen Conversations
What happens when a growing church decides to completely rethink its Sunday mornings? At New McKendree in Jackson, two campuses came together to create one united Sunday morning experience. Executive Director Amanda Bond and Family Ministries Director Paige Turner share how a children’s ministry challenge sparked a full-scale reimagining of discipleship, worship and community. In this conversation we discuss data-driven decisions, building consensus, and the bold move that strengthened engagement across all generations. About NextGen Conversations NextGen Conversations is a podcast that...
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All About Big Worship, Little Disciples
NextGen Conversations
In this episode of NextGen Conversations, join the Missouri Conference NextGen Ministries staff as they dive deep into our new program called Big Worship, Little Disciples. Hear the "why" behind the program, the desired outcomes and how your church can get involved in 2026. Resources About NextGen Conversations NextGen Conversations is a podcast that seeks to empower children’s, family, youth and college-aged leaders to create dynamic, Christ-centered ministries. Every episode features a conversation with a ministry leader and covers innovative solutions to common problems faced in...
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Healthy Hiring Practices with Rev. Diannah White
NextGen Conversations
Hiring for NextGen ministry roles is no small task. And once you’ve found the right person, how do you set them up for success? In this episode, Rev. Diannah White, executive pastor at Good Shepherd UMC in Kansas City, shares about the challenges of hiring, the expectations placed on new staff and how churches can better support their employees. About Rev. Diannah White Diannah’s role at Good Shepherd allows her to be involved in operations for both of Good Shepherd’s campuses and to serve as a campus pastor for the N Oak location. Providing strategy, encouraging staff culture and...
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Advent for All Ages with Rev. Sarah Jo Adams-Wilson
NextGen Conversations
Christmas comes every year. How do we keep it both fresh and meaningful and welcoming for families? In this episode of NextGen Conversations, Rev. Sarah Jo Adams-Wilson, associate pastor at Missouri UMC in Columbia, share ideas and tips for reimagining church Advent traditions with an intergenerational lens. About Rev. Sarah Jo Adams-Wilson Sarah Jo is a cradle United Methodist born and raised in Mississippi. She previously served at Decatur UMC in Decatur, Mississippi, alongside her clergy husband, Jake. Sarah Jo graduated from Duke Divinity School in 2014 and was ordained an elder in 2017....
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Competing with Sports with Rev. Chandler Landis
NextGen Conversations
On this episode of NextGen Conversations, we chat with Rev. Chandler Landis, associate pastor at First UMC in Sikeston, about the reality of youth ministry in a world packed with sports, activities and extracurriculars. Chandler shares creative, practical ways to build trust with families, partner with parents and make ministry happen beyond the church walls and between touchdowns. About NextGen Conversations NextGen Conversations is a podcast that seeks to empower children’s, family, youth and college-aged leaders to create dynamic, Christ-centered ministries. Every episode features a...
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Fresh Starts and Fresh Produce with Madison Westermier and Emily Pikaard
NextGen Conversations
In the final installment of our special pitch episodes of NextGen Conversations, we welcome Emily Pikaard and Madison Westermier as they pitch ways to reveal a newly updated ministry space and raise a few additional funds. Emily dreams up a scavenger hunt-style launch event to help young families explore a newly renovated children's space, complete with unstructured play, classroom introductions and a strategic welcome back to church. Madison pitches a year-round church farm stand stocked with garden goods and homemade jams offered by donation and run in part by kids. It's a creative way to...
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Ideas for Connecting Across Generations with Rebes Bennett and Rachel Griffith
NextGen Conversations
In the final installment of our special pitch episodes of NextGen Conversations, we welcome Rachel Griffith and Rebes Bennett as they pitch ways to reach out and build relationships across generations. Rachel pitches a student-led open mic night designed to give teens a safe space to express their talents, be heard and feel supported. Rebes shares an idea about regular intergenerational programming designed to foster meaningful conversations. About NextGen Conversations NextGen Conversations is a podcast that seeks to empower children’s, family, youth and college-aged leaders to create...
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Creatively Engaging the Next Generation with Ryan Cohen and Micayla Baldwin
NextGen Conversations
In this special pitch episode of NextGen Conversations, we hand the mic to two new ministry leaders who are imagining creative ways to engage with students and families who both do and don’t attend church. Ryan proposes gamifying Bible learning through theater, storytelling and D&D-inspired Sunday school adventures. Micayla shares a vision for turning her church into a “third space” for young families through weekday, chapel-style story time and unstructured play. About NextGen Conversations NextGen Conversations is a podcast that seeks to empower children’s, family, youth and...
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Creative Church Events with Revs. Martin Leathers and Shelly Nall
NextGen Conversations
In this special pitch episode of NextGen Conversations, we hand the mic to two seasoned ministry leaders with bold new ideas for connecting with students and families. Rev. Martin Leathers, students pastor and middle school director at The Gathering UMC, shares a plan for a traveling tailgate tour that brings free food, fun and authentic connection straight to high school football games. Rev. Shelly Nall, NextGen director at First UMC in Blue Springs, pitches a parent prom, a joy-filled night to honor and uplift exhausted moms, dads and caregivers. About NextGen Conversations NextGen...
info_outlineThe church can be the first place someone turns to when they’re seeking mental health help. Yet, the Church isn’t usually equipped to handle the challenges and nuances of this tricky topic. Caroline Oas, a licensed professional counselor with a background in youth ministry, offers practical advice for pastors, leaders and parents on how to support the next generation’s mental health. Together tackle tough questions like recognizing when it's time to seek professional help, breaking down the stigma around mental health, and how church leaders can better equip themselves to offer support.
About Caroline Oas
Caroline is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Kansas specializing in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). She works with children aged 4-10 in a welcoming and accepting environment. CCPT is a great fit for children undergoing mental health issues, children who have experienced loss or major changes, or children who have experienced trauma. Caroline also works with teenagers and young adults using a person-centered approach and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques. She is passionate about working with young people and helping them find inner healing and purpose.
Caroline received her Master of Arts in Counseling from MidAmerica Nazarene University and holds a Certificate in Play Therapy from MNU.
Related Resources
- The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
- Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy
- Seen by Will Hutcherson and Dr. Chinwé Williams
- Inside Out and Inside Out 2
- Presence-Centered Counseling
- NextGen Ministries Mental Health Resource List
About NextGen Conversations
NextGen Conversations is a podcast that seeks to empower children’s, family, youth and college-aged leaders to create dynamic, Christ-centered ministries. Every episode features a conversation with a ministry leader and covers innovative solutions to common problems faced in churches today. We want to give you practical steps to transform the way you do ministry. It’s time to get in on the conversation!