“You’re never gonna let me down….”
The words resounded around the room, as the 50+ youth and children’s workers gathered to declare the goodness of God and support each other in their joint pursuit of the next generation.
In a generation marked by huge and rising issues with self-doubt, mental health problems, low self-esteem and the constant fear that those around them will leave them out, the words of the worship song are all the more poignant.
God is never going to let them down. And the people in the room all knew it to be true.
It was a very soggy Monday night in June and we were gathered in Upper Gornal Pentecostal Church for the second ever Next Gen Equip Night. The evening allowed those present to connect with God, with worship lead by Walsall’s fantastic Room 1 Project.
It also created an opportunity to connect with others “in the same boat”, sharing encouragement and ideas about how we can help the children and young people we work with to transition, as they face a change in academic year groups and potentially, a move from being a “child” to becoming a “youth” or a “young adult” in church.
Deb Chamberlain, our LBC Next Gen Champion, shared a short and inspiring word around the theme of transition based on Joshua 3:8. You can watch her talk below. Pizza was then shared and crucial relationships strengthened as time was spent talking in smaller groups.
Through our Next Gen network, we are doing all we can to support, encourage and further equip those called to reach the next generation in as many ways as we can. Monday night’s Equip Night was just another string to the bow of our pursuit to reach them.
The Church has a message that has spanned every generation before us. Its truth is unchanged and just as powerful. God is never going to let this generation down.
If you’re passionate about reaching the Next Generation, we invite you to connect with like-minded people through one of our borough hubs. Click here to find out when your borough hub will be meeting next.