Next Gen Now

Latest Episodes:

Episode 160 - Ask Anything: What happens when we die and what's going on with denominations? Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

In this week's episode, Stephen Grove and Jackson Sanford sit down with Senior Teaching Minister Rick Atchley to discuss eternal destiny and different denominations. They cover a variety of topics, including the rapture, heaven, and how to understand denominational differences.

Reach out to us at nextgennow@thehills.org and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Episode 159 - Ask Anything: What does it mean to hear from God and what's going on with Spiritual Gifts? May 25, 2026

Show notes

This week, Stephen Grove sits down with two student ministers from the North Richland Hills campus—Diego Reinoso and Trystian Broussard—along with Creative Arts Senior Minister Bailey Plake. Together, they talk through spiritual gifts and what it means to hear from God. These are important questions students are asking, so tune in for a meaningful conversation that will help you live out your gifting and tune your ear to God's voice.

Reach out to us at nextgennow@thehills.org and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Episode 158 - Ask Anything: Navigating relationships and spiritual growth May 18, 2026

Show notes

Stephen, Jackson, and Brooklin sit down to discuss all things related to relationships and spiritual growth. In this episode, you'll hear conversations ranging from romantic relationships to friendships—which may not be all that different. They also dive into details about something important to all Christians: growing closer to God.

Reach out to us at nextgennow@thehills.org and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Episode 157 - Ask Anything: How do I manage stress and what does healthy community look like? May 11, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Next Gen Now Podcast, the student team sits down with Executive Minister David Myer to discuss stress and community. In this episode, David and Alexandra share wisdom on how followers of Jesus can navigate seasons of busyness and how community plays a vital role in our lives. These topics are relevant for all believers, but especially for students who are constantly busy and surrounded by peers.

Reach out to us at nextgennow@thehills.org and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Episode 156 - Ask Anything: What's Going on with the Bible? May 04, 2026

Show notes

We are jumping into week two where our Student Ministry team is taking over the Next Gen Now Podcast. On this episode three of our Student Ministers sit down with Drew Ritchie to discuss questions that students are asking about the Bible. In this episode we cover a range of topics including the creation account, precieved contradictions, and how we should approach Gods word. This is an excellent episode for anyone who loves scripture and is seeking truth about what's going on with the Bible.

Reach out to us at nextgennow@thehills.org and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Episode 155 - Ask Anything: What is Successful Evangelism and Should I be Scared of God? Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Next Gen Now Podcast marks the first time the Student Ministry team is grabbing the mic and talking about real questions students are asking. In this episode, our Keller Student Minister, Stephen Grove, sits down with West Fort Worth Student Minister Jackson Sanford and Kingdom Expansion Minister Chris Shelby to have a conversation about evangelism and fearing God. In this episode we will look at questions like what does successful evangelism look like in our world and should we be scared of God?

Our Student Ministry team is really excited to get into these questions and we hope you join for each episode and pray it helps you grow closer to Jesus.

Reach out to us at nextgennow@thehills.org and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Episode 154 - Ask Anything: A New Chapter for Next Gen Now Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

We're wrapping this season of Next Gen Now in a new way—by handing the mic to the voices closest to students every week--our student ministers.

In this short intro episode, we introduce a couple of our student ministers who will be stepping in to host a special run of conversations centered around real questions students are asking about faith, life, and following Jesus. Most of our listeners are parents and leaders, and this is for you too. These conversations are designed not only to engage students, but to help you better understand what they're carrying and how to walk with them in it. And if you're a student listening—this is for you. Your questions matter, and this is a space where they can be explored honestly and faithfully.

What to Expect in This Series -Honest conversations around real questions students are asking -Voices from student ministers who are walking closely with this generation -A conversational approach to faith and discipleship -Practical insight for parents and leaders to better engage students

We believe discipleship grows in environments where questions are welcomed, not avoided. When students are given space to ask honestly, it opens the door for deeper faith, real formation, and a more personal walk with Jesus. And when parents and leaders understand those questions, they're better equipped to walk alongside them. Students—we want to hear from you. Bring your real questions. Nothing is off the table. Parents and leaders—consider listening alongside your students or using these conversations to start meaningful dialogue at home or in your groups. If this resonates with students, this may grow into something even more—creating ongoing space just for them and their questions. Real questions don't weaken faith—they can deepen it.

Episode 153 - Another Legacy Conversations: - On Mission Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

In this special Legacy Conversation, Jill sits down with Dottie Schulz— a retired missionary, college professor, and counselor whose life has shaped generations of followers of Jesus. From serving in Holland with her husband, to mentoring college students in Nebraska, to walking with missionaries and third-culture kids through seasons of transition and re-entry, her story is one of steadfast faith and quiet fruitfulness.

Now retired, Dottie continues to invest deeply in her family and spiritual children. Through grief, transition, and decades of ministry, she has discovered that God's faithfulness never retires. Her wisdom reminds us that a life well lived is one rooted in the presence of Jesus, marked by perseverance, and overflowing with generational blessing.

Reach out to us at nextgennow@thehills.org and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Episode 152 - Milestones: Senior Sending & Blessing Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

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 nextgennow@thehills.org and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.

Episode 151 - Helping the Next Generation Experience Freedom Through Prayer Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

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/

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