Choosing Curriculum with Janessa Aston and Mandy Phillips
Release Date: 05/01/2025
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...
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Choosing Curriculum with Janessa Aston and Mandy Phillips
NextGen Conversations
Who really has time to wade through all the available curriculums out there or even write your own curriculum? In this episode of NextGen Conversations, Janessa Aston and Mandy Phillips, youth and children’s leaders from Platte Woods UMC, share practical tips for finding resources that engage kids, equip leaders and reflect United Methodist values — without overloading already-stretched ministry schedules. Whether you’re full-time, part-time or a volunteer, this conversation will help you rethink how curriculum can serve your mission, not the other way around. About Janessa Janessa...
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Safer Sanctuaries with Rev. Shea James
NextGen Conversations
Safe Sanctuaries policies can sometimes feel like one more hoop to jump through when planning programming for kids and youth. Yet, with some planning and creative thinking, how your church implements its policy can be a strength. Rev. Shea James, director of youth and outdoor ministries at the West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church, shares examples and tips for creating a culture of safety at your local church. Related Resources About NextGen Conversations NextGen Conversations is a podcast that seeks to empower children’s, family, youth and college-aged leaders to...
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Marking Ministry Milestones with Morgan Scott and Rachel Whitmire-Griffith
NextGen Conversations
Whether you call it Launch Sunday, Promotion Sunday or something else, this special day is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s an opportunity to energize your church, engage families and set the tone for the season ahead. In this episode of NextGen Conversations, Morgan Scott, youth director at Cameron UMC, and Rachel Whitmire-Griffith, director of nextgen ministry at North Cross UMC, help us break down how to make a successful transition, whether it’s from second to third grade or moving up from children’s to youth ministry. Related Resources About NextGen Conversations...
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Intentional Discipleship with Chris Wilterdink
NextGen Conversations
In ministry, we talk about discipleship pathways, but what does that practically look like for our youngest disciples? In this episode of NextGen Conversations, Chris Wilterdink from UMC Discipleship Ministries discusses how churches can create intentional discipleship pathways that engage all ages, celebrate spiritual growth and build stronger faith communities. Plus, Chris shares about the faith-formation resources that are available to every United Methodist Church through Discipleship Ministries. About Chris Wilterdink Chris is the Executive Director of Congregational Vitality and...
info_outlineWho really has time to wade through all the available curriculums out there or even write your own curriculum? In this episode of NextGen Conversations, Janessa Aston and Mandy Phillips, youth and children’s leaders from Platte Woods UMC, share practical tips for finding resources that engage kids, equip leaders and reflect United Methodist values — without overloading already-stretched ministry schedules. Whether you’re full-time, part-time or a volunteer, this conversation will help you rethink how curriculum can serve your mission, not the other way around.
About Janessa
Janessa Aston is the Director of Student Ministry at Platte Woods Church, which is a fancy way of saying she works with students in grades 6-12. Student ministry is her jam! After working in student ministry for close to a decade, Janessa knows that working with teenagers is her life’s calling. Her favorite part of her job is seeing students have those “ah-ha” moments when it comes to faith as well as helping students see that church is fun through various special events like retreats, camps and hype nights. In her free time Janessa loves to road trip with her husband, Ty, to national parks and different NHL arenas (Go Kraken!). One of her life goals is to see every national park (so far, she has been to over 20). Janessa’s other hobbies include reading and hand embroidery. Janessa and Ty have two cats, Nimbus and Morticia, who complete their family.
About Mandy
Mandy Phillips is the director of Platte Woods Kids and provides programming for kids from birth through 5th grade. She has worked at Platte Woods Church for well over a decade. She absolutely loves working with kiddos, it is a dream come true! Seeing life through the eyes of kids is the best, even just for a minute or two. Mandy and her husband, Otis, have been married for many years happily. They have two adult children, one son-in-law, and a Black Lab named Lucy. Mandy lived in Omaha, Nebraska, from the time she was born until she was 18 years old. She greatly dislikes coconut, mushrooms, and, worst of all, being cold! Mandy loves to be outside taking walks or training for a triathlon – she has completed several. She also enjoys sewing, reading and family time in general.
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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!