Next Gen Now

A production of The Hills Church Next Gen Ministry

Episode 139 - Legacy Conversations: Drinking Deep - Wisdom for the Generations 11/17/2025

Episode 138 - Legacy Conversations: Truth, Trust & Identity - Leadership for the Next Generation 11/10/2025

Episode 137 - The Power of Blessing 11/03/2025

Episode 136 - Faith Like a Child: A Conversation with Lacy Finn Borgo 10/27/2025

Episode 135 - More Than We Can Ask or Imagine: Ask for Nations & Generations Weekend 10/20/2025

Episode 134 - Meet Samantha Williams: New Kids Minister at WFW 10/13/2025

Episode 133 - Meet Deborah Overall: New Early Childhood Kids Minister at NRH 10/06/2025

Episode 132 - From Student Ministry to Intergenerational Impact with Dr. David Fraze 09/29/2025

Episode 132 - From Student Ministry to Intergenerational Impact with Dr. David Fraze In this episode of Next Gen Now, we’re joined by Dr. David Fraze—former student minister at The Hills, now a national leader in youth and family ministry. Dr. Fraze reflects on how his time in local church ministry shaped his passion for intergenerational discipleship and explores how faith, family, practices, community and service intersect to form resilient young believers. We also dive into his role in the Tenx10 initiative, a nationwide effort to help faith matter more to the next generation. From practical wisdom to personal stories, Dr. Fraze offers encouragement for parents, pastors, and leaders as they seek to pass on faith across generations. Whether you're in student ministry or simply care about the future of the Church, this conversation will inspire and equip you. David Fraze (D.Min., Fuler Theological Seminary) is a Professor and Endowed Chair of the Youth and Family Ministry Program at Lubbock Christian University. David has been in student ministry and has worked with students for over 35 years. David is a popular speaker at Youth Events, Public/Private SchoolEvents, Ministry Trainings and Seminars. David is a writer who has contributed articles for youthspecialties.com, ENGAGE, the quarterly journal of The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, Youth WorkerJ ournal, Journal of Student Ministries, and the Fuller Youth Institute. He authored Practical Wisdom for Youth Ministry: Not-So-Simple Truths That Matter and contributed a chapter to Owning Faith. David has co-authored a book entitled Practical Wisdom for Youth Group Parents: Partnering With Your Youth Minister. David also wrote Practical Wisdom for Athletic Families: How to Survive and Thrive in Competitive Athletics. David worked withYouth Specialties (www.youthspecialties.com) as the leader of Ministry Coaching and was a seminar speaker at the National Youth Workers Convention and is the Co-Editor of the Youth Specialties Blog. He is a speaker and partner with the Fuller Youth Institute speaking on the topics of Sticky Faith, Growing Young and Right Click (a seminar of technology). He is a coach with the Dallas Cowboys Football Youth Academy and a resource for various Dallas Cowboys youth and coach education programs. He writes and is the on-camera personality for the KCBD 11 “That’s Good Stuff” news segment. He also serves as Character Coach for the Friendship High School Football program. He has been married to Lisa for 32 years. They have two children, Braeden and Shelbee. Braeden is married to Jenna and they have their first child, Olivia Rose. - Download Pintetops Study Reach out to us at and find more information about The Hills Church at . /episode/index/show/8e0393c6-4cc2-492b-953e-13e7bcca8f81/id/38389635

Episode 131 - Imagining All Generations 09/22/2025

Episode 131 - Imagining All Generations What does it mean to be a truly intergenerational church—and why does it matter more now than ever? In this episode of Next Gen Now, we sit down with Wilson McCoy to explore the heart behind his new book, Imagining All Generations: A Renewed Vision for an Intergenerational Church. Wilson shares practical insight and biblical imagination for how the Church can bridge generational divides and become a community where every age is needed, known, and empowered. Many churches today face worry and concern over their collective future. One tragic consequence is that growing anxiety can turn inward on communities of faith. A subtle distancing and dividing can occur, often happening along generational lines. Us-versus-Them thinking morphs into Old-versus-Young. Instead of a culture of generation to generation, churches are shaped and formed more by a culture of generation versus generation. Imagining All Generations offers a better, more faithful way forward by remembering our identity as the generational people of God. The volume features nineteen authors from around the world, providing fresh theological reflection, innovative practical wisdom, and a unified call for all churches to move into a more intergenerational future. If you care about the next generation, the future of the Church, or the discipleship of all ages—this conversation is for you. Listen for: • Why the Church must move beyond age-segregated ministry models • How generational imagination shapes community and discipleship • What Gen Z and Boomers need from each other Practical steps churches, leaders, and families can take today Wilson is a contributing author to Intergenerate: Transforming Churches Through Intergenerational Ministry (2018) and All Ages Becoming (2023). He is currently serving as editor of the forthcoming book “Imagining All Generations” (ACU Press, 2025). Wilson earned his Doctorate of Ministry in 2016 with a focus on intergenerational ministry. This project developed into a passion as he saw the unique benefits for a church to embrace this vision of bringing all ages of the church together in meaningful ways. Since then, Wilson continues to work with churches and leaders in America and around the world to help them see and explore the power intergenerational ministry. Reach out to us at and find more information about The Hills Church at . /episode/index/show/8e0393c6-4cc2-492b-953e-13e7bcca8f81/id/38302630

Episode 130 - Leader Equip #8- Better KIDStorytelling 09/15/2025

Episode 129 - Leader Equip - Jesus and Trauma Informed Care 09/08/2025

Episode 128 - Gen Z - Spiritual But Not Religious 09/01/2025

Episode 127 - Leader Equip #9 - Ignite: The Power of Prayer 08/25/2025

Episode 126 - Interns Takeover Next Gen Now 08/18/2025

Episode 125 - Celebrate Summer, Get Ready for Fall 08/11/2025

Episode 125 - Celebrate Summer, Get Ready for Fall Summer is a sacred time in Next Gen Ministry—full of camps, late-night conversations, first-time commitments, and unforgettable moments with Jesus. But summer is also a launching pad for what God wants to do in the school year ahead. In this episode of Next Gen Now, we sit down with our Global Kids Minister and Global Student Minister to reflect on what God did this summer and what’s ahead for Fall 2025. You’ll hear stories that encourage your heart, insight into what’s shaping our strategy this year, and a clear invitation to join us in discipling the next generation—at home, at church, and in your everyday rhythms. Whether you're a parent, a group leader, or simply someone who cares about kids and students, this conversation will equip and inspire you. Listen in for: • The fruit of camps, service projects, and student leadership • How to partner with your kids during spiritual momentum moments • What to expect this fall in both Kids and Student Ministry • Why this year’s curricluum matters for your family • Tangible ways to pray, serve, and lead the next generation with purpose NRH Only - What is ION and Why Are We Offering It? As our middle schoolers take their next step in faith and maturity, we’re excited to offer something intentionally designed just for them. Beginning Promotion Sunday at 9:30 AM in Room 272, our ministry team will lead students through the ION Course—Identity. Ownership. Navigation. Created by FourFiveSix Ministry, ION is a discipleship experience tailored to the unique needs of preteens and young teens. Over the course of the semester, students will engage with truth, discussion, and spiritual practices that help them: • Discover their identity in Christ, • Take ownership of their faith journey, and • Learn to navigate real-life decisions with wisdom and courage. ION runs during the full 9:30 service time and is a key part of how we’re equipping students for the transition into middle school. As 5th graders begin to serve on Sundays and step into more intergenerational rhythms, ION helps prepare them not just to attend church—but to be the Church. We’re passionate about walking alongside your family during this formative season and can’t wait to see how God works through this next step in your child’s faith journey. Reach out to us at and find more information about The Hills Church at . /episode/index/show/8e0393c6-4cc2-492b-953e-13e7bcca8f81/id/37655865

Episode 124 - From Student Ministry to Shepherding Generations 08/04/2025

Episode 123 - End of Season 6: Meet New Faces in Next Gen: Jon & Darrell 05/26/2025

Episode 122 - Family Worship - May 25 05/17/2025

Episode 121 - Celebrating Mother's Day with New Mom Alexandra McAulay 05/12/2025

Episode 120 - World Religions 05/05/2025

Episode 119 - Leader Equip #7 - LGBTQ+ 04/28/2025

Episode 118 - Leader Equip #6 - The Priesthood of Presence in An Age of Anxiety 04/21/2025

Episode 117 - What's Baptism All About? 04/14/2025

Episode 117 - What's Baptism All About? We pause our Leader Equip series to interview Evangelism Minister Reid Overall where we discuss all things baptism in anticipation of Baptism Sunday, April 27. For Kids We have a free baptism booklet designed for children ages 5-12 to help guide conversations about baptism. To receive a booklet, reach out to your Kids Ministry Team at the Welcome Desk. Use the QR code inside the booklet to let us know about any next steps your child may want to take. For Students Younger students (6th-7th grade) may still find the baptism booklet helpful. One-on-One Conversations: Students can schedule a meeting with their campus student minister to discuss baptism further. We also encourage parents to have open conversations with their students about baptism, offering guidance and support as they explore this important step in their faith. Ready to Take the Next Step? Baptism Sunday is coming up on April 27, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! If you’ve been considering baptism, this is your opportunity to take a bold step in your faith journey. Baptism is a public declaration of your decision to follow Jesus, and we’re here to walk with you every step of the way. Whether you’re ready to take the plunge or just have questions, we’d love to connect. Let’s take this step together—sign up today and be part of this powerful day of transformation! Baptism is: · Commanded by Jesus: Baptism is a key part of making disciples, commanded by Jesus in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). · Repentance and Forgiveness: It symbolizes repentance and the forgiveness of sins, with a promise of receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). · Salvation through Faith: Baptism is tied to belief and salvation, showing outward faith in Jesus (Mark 16:16). · Union with Christ's Death and Resurrection: Through baptism, believers are symbolically buried with Christ in His death and raised to a new life, identifying with His resurrection (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12). · New Identity in Christ: Baptism represents putting on a new identity, being clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27). · Spiritual Rebirth: Jesus teaches that baptism represents being born again by water and the Spirit, necessary for entering the kingdom of God (John 3:5). · Conscience before God: It’s not just an external act but a spiritual appeal for a clear conscience through the resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 3:21). · Cleansing from Sin: Baptism is a symbolic washing away of sins as believers call on the name of Jesus (Acts 22:16). · God’s Mercy and Renewal: Baptism reflects God’s mercy in regenerating and renewing believers by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). FAQs about Baptism What is baptism? Baptism is a beautiful ceremony where a person who has decided to follow Jesus Christ is immersed in water to demonstrate their faith in Him by publicly declaring Jesus Christ as their Lord and King. Baptism is the way Scripture teaches that we are united with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). Baptism was a command of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20) and Jesus himself was baptized (Luke 4:21-22). Baptism is for everyone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and has decided to give their lives to him. Why does the Hills practice baptism by immersion (going under the water)? The word “baptism” we find in Scripture comes from a Greek word “baptizo” which means “to dip or immerse.” The examples we see in the New Testament show that the people who were being baptized went down into the water (Acts 8:26-38). And going completely under the water shows that we are participating with Jesus in his death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). When we go under the water, it’s as if we are dying and being buried. When we come back up from underneath the water, it’s a sign of our resurrection and coming out of the grave as a brand new person. These are several reasons why we practice baptism by immersion at the Hills. Should I be baptized if I was baptized as an infant? Many people are baptized as an infant because their parents desired to dedicate them to the Lord and for his protection to be on their lives. We believe that choosing to be baptized later on in life honors that choice made on your behalf by someone else. As we read the New Testament, we see that the examples of all those who are baptized are people who are older and who are able to commit themselves to following Jesus Christ. So we welcome all those who have been baptized as an infant to be baptized again as a way to declare I personally choose to follow Jesus the rest of my days. Should I wait until I get my life together before I am baptized? We would emphatically say “no”! Waiting to come to Jesus until you get your life in order is like telling someone with a broken leg to set the bone themselves, splint it, learn how to walk on it, and then go see the doctor. We would never keep someone from the person who could heal them. The same is true with baptism. You come to Jesus, not because you have it all together, but precisely because you don’t. The only thing we’ve proven on our own is that we can’t do it on our own. Jesus is the only one that can put us back together. And it is by surrendering to Jesus that we receive his life, his healing, and the power of the Holy Spirit who begins to transform us from the inside out. Staying away from Jesus keeps us away from the only power that truly can change us. Come to Jesus, surrender to Him, be baptized, and watch what God can do in your life! How much do I or my children need to know before we are baptized? We have often made entrance into the Kingdom of Jesus a matter of information, when in reality it is a matter of surrender. A person does need to understand that Jesus declared that He was the Son of God and that our faith in Him is what saves us. A person needs to be able to understand that Jesus invites us to give up control of our lives so we can follow his ways and not our own. Beyond that, a person is free to come and learn about Jesus with Jesus instead of learning about him from a distance. Baptism is a starting place on our spiritual journey, not a test we must pass before we can begin. Jesus wants us to walk with him, learn from him as we go, and share as much life together we possibly can. Remember, Jesus is a person to love, not a subject to study. If you or your children believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and you are ready to follow Him, you are ready to begin that journey. We invite you to come and be baptized this Sunday! I’ve been baptized before but I’m not really sure I knew what I was doing or I haven’t really followed Jesus since then. Do I need to be re-baptized? Certainly, when people are baptized, they need to be able to make a commitment that they believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that they want to surrender to Him. But remember, the power of salvation comes not from our knowledge and understanding of every aspect of the spiritual journey but from Jesus’ grace. Often what is needed is not re-baptism but a deeper surrender to the decision that was already made. In some cases, a person made the decision to follow Jesus and was baptized but then decided to follow their own path which could’ve even led them into deep sin and wandering. In situations like this, what is needed is not re-baptism but repentance. Jesus’ grace is so immensely powerful all that God is expecting from us is to turn our faces back to him and come home, making the decision to honor the commitment we’ve already made to follow him. And sometimes people are baptized because they had a parent or grandparent or friend who wanted them to be baptized and it wasn’t really a commitment they were making on their own. In these situations, we would encourage the person to consider being baptized again. Going through the practice of being baptized without commitment and without faith and is just an exercise in getting wet. It is faith that saves us, not water. What should I expect on Baptism Sunday? Baptism Sunday will be a very exciting day! We will have our regular worship service at the Hills. At the end of our time of preaching and sharing God’s Word, Pastor Rick will invite everyone who would like to be baptized to come towards the stage. There will be people there at the stage who will welcome you and walk with you back to get you registered. After we get you registered, we’ll take you back to the dressing rooms where we will have clothes you can change into for your baptism. The dressing rooms are private and are separated for men and women. After you change into your clothes, you can leave your things in the dressing rooms and they will be watched and kept safe while you are baptized. You can choose someone to baptize you or one of our ministers at the church can baptize you. If you are going to have someone personal to you baptize you, they will need to change into clothes, as well. They can bring their own if they’d like or they can change into clothes we will have available. You then will go into the baptistry (the water is warm and is heated) and you will be baptized in front of the church. You’ll then go back and change into your clothes. After changing, one of our elders will pray over you and your family and friends as you begin your new journey. There will also be photo backdrops set up so you can take pictures with family and friends on your big day! Reach out to us at and find more information about The Hills Church at . /episode/index/show/8e0393c6-4cc2-492b-953e-13e7bcca8f81/id/36119190

Episode 116 - Leader Equip #5 - Small Student Groups that Actually Talk 04/07/2025

Episode 115 - Leader Equip #4 - Authentic Connections 03/31/2025

Episode 114 - Leader Equip #3 - Students Who Lead 03/24/2025

Episode 113 - Leader Equp #2 - Teaching Kids to Pray 03/17/2025

Episode 112 - Leader Equip #1 - The Big Picture of Scripture 03/10/2025

Episode 111 - Meet KLR Kids Minister - Hollee Ford 03/03/2025

Episode 110 - Students that Follow the Way - Ty Siegmund 02/24/2025

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