You've heard the term ‘Next Gen’ a lot in the past few years, but do you know what it means for the EMCC? 

In the EMCC, ‘Next Gen’ has a broad definition which captures a generational cohort including people who are under the age of 25 at any given time. It's a big, general category that is incredibly diverse, holding lots of opportunity and brimming with vitality!

Year over year, the people in this category change, but the category itself remains an area that needs specific focus. That’s not because churches don’t care about young people—it’s usually because the urgency of the moment (budgets, buildings, burnout, traditions) crowds out the long-term work of nurturing the next generation. The EMCC has a team of people that is passionate about that long-term work and about helping other leaders to focus on it.

That’s why in our denomination ‘Next Gen’ also refers to the volunteer team of leaders serving people in our local churches who lead ministry areas for those under 25. These volunteers are ministry veterans who love the next generations as well as those who work with them.

So, who are these passionate people?

In Ontario, we have Genevieve Epp, who serves as the National Growing Young Coordinator and also as the Next Gen Team Lead.

She and Martin Niewets also serve as Next Gen Coaches for leaders of those under 25. Martin lives in Ontario as well.

Also in Ontario, Libby Peters has stepped into the role of Growing Young Prayer Coordinator.

Tony Baker, based in Alberta, is a highly qualified Next Gen leader who serves on the team as a Growing Young Podcast Developer and StoryTeller/Speaker, while Nicole Nowochin, also in Alberta, is the Next Gen Spiritual Formation Coach.

These individuals are seasoned Next Gen leaders who volunteer on an ongoing basis to support and provide resources to other EMCC Next Gen leaders. As you can see, the team is spread out across the country, yet they are committed to creating stronger connections among the people who lead our younger generations.

This team’s mandate is to strategically empower churches to initiate, continue, or expand their focus on engaging younger generations, and discipling and launching leaders into their Kingdom potential.

In the past, the Next Gen team supported local church leaders of those under 25 primarily through Next Gen Huddles—small groups that provided a space for leaders to listen in specific directions: up to Jesus and out to each other. The team also provided curated resources on the Enrich platform, workshops at Assembly and Regional gatherings, and regular “Connection Calls” on Zoom.

However, in January 2024, the team noticed a new theme as they networked. They increasingly received requests for help from churches who noticed their younger people were missing from the gathered community.

The Next Gen team came to believe that offering resources to address the urgency of this need was paramount, so they pivoted and created the "Growing Young Workshop" for Regional Gathering 2024, based on research from the Fuller Youth Institute. (You can watch that workshop here.)

Springboarding off of that workshop, the Next Gen Team then created a proposal to launch a Growing Young Cohort with the EMCC National Team which would create a pathway for churches to 'grow young'.

In February of 2025, the Growing Young Initiative was launched as a two-year pilot project led by the Next Gen Team. Their goal is to construct and launch an 18-month cohort experience that will serve up to 10 EMCC churches who are ready to participate in a whole church cultural shift to better engage those under 25. The pilot cohort will launch at the end of September 2024.

As the summer progresses and God uses this time to guide and grow us, the Next Gen team invites you to join them as they pray for all EMCC churches to be places where those who are under 25 experience Jesus, find a place to belong, and grow as followers of Jesus who are filled with His Spirit.

We believe that Jesus came to build the Church and it is His best creative work yet!

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If your church is looking to Grow Younger, reach out to the Next Gen team at nextgen@emcc.ca or gepp@emcc.ca

If you are interested in joining the cohort, be sure to fill out the Growing Young Cohort Application Form here.

For more information about the upcoming Growing Young Cohort, see our FAQ here.

Also, connect with us at the upcoming Fall Pastor’s Retreats in Alberta and Ontario!