The GenSend Podcast

Keith Wieser, an experienced leader in collegiate ministry, joins the hosts to tackle the challenges of connecting with Generation Z. He sheds light on cultural shifts like anxiety and social media's impact on students' lives. The discussion emphasizes the need for relational evangelism and emotional intelligence in ministry. Wieser also shares strategies for identifying spiritually open students and the importance of empowering leaders for multiplication, ensuring a robust and supportive community amidst rapid changes.

In Episode 4 of Season 4, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor are joined by special guest Trevin Wax to explore the topic of cultural apologetics. They dive deep into ways that the next generation can engage with and navigate the prevailing ideologies of our time without being swayed by them. The discussion covers the most influential ideologies shaping the minds of young people today, including radical individualism, the quest for identity within groups, and the rise of pseudo-religions. Also in This Episode: How to communicate the truth and beauty of Christianity in a way that resonates with today’s culture The importance of listening to and understanding the deep longings of those we engage with in evangelism Practical advice on creating environments where students can ask tough questions and explore their faith deeply Helpful Resources: Reconstructing Faith Podcast: Trevin Wax offers perspective from church history and the church around the world to help listeners recommit to both removing the rot from the church and fortifying the foundations of unchanging truth. NAMB Apologetics: As you share the gospel with friends, neighbors, coworkers, and more, you may encounter questions about your faith and other religions. Find answers to the most common questions here. Shareable Quotes: “Whether it’s social media, sermons, podcasts, or conversations at a coffee shop, church service, or large-group gathering on campus, whatever way we can get the story out there is what we want to take advantage of. We have the greatest story of all time.” – Shane Pruitt “At some point when you cross the threshold of true conversion, you’re not simply saying, ‘This is true for me.’ You’re also saying, ‘I believe this is the truth about the world.’” – Trevin Wax “The best stories win the day, and there’s nothing more compelling than the story of Jesus.” – Paul Worcester

Discover the vital role of forgotten spiritual disciplines like fasting, silence, and Sabbath in today's busy world. The hosts share personal stories that intertwine humor with practical insights on nurturing spiritual health. They highlight the importance of leading by example in ministry and stress the need for clarity in scripture against rising new-age trends. Dive into the tension between distractions and a deeper relationship with God, encouraging intentional practices that foster growth and connection in faith.

Evan Vela, a GenSend Journeyman, shares his journey into the world of mentorship, emphasizing its vital role in personal and spiritual growth. He discusses the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in developing meaningful mentor-mentee relationships. Practical tips for weaving mentorship into busy lives are explored, along with the transformative power of storytelling in fostering faith. The conversation encourages ministry leaders and parents alike to pursue mentorship as a tool for personal development and strengthening community ties.

In the Season 4 premiere of The GenSend Podcast, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor dive into the five key principles of leadership and discipleship that are vital for collegiate ministry. This episode highlights the importance of creating a prayerful, evangelistic, and leadership-focused environment that encourages students to live missionally. Also in This Episode: Insights on how to identify, train, and empower student leaders The significance of embedding a multiplication mindset from the onset of students’ ministry involvement A structured leadership development pipeline is needed to equip students for ministry roles within and beyond their campus context Tips for ministries desiring to initiate or enhance a culture of student leadership and multiplication Helpful Resources: Essentials for Collegiate Ministry eBooks: Discover the new series of eBooks on leadership principles for collegiate ministry (available for free!) Life on Mission App: A practical tool for sharing the gospel using the “3 Circles” method Creating Your Collegiate Leadership Pipeline: A guide for developing a structured leadership development process NAMB Evangelism Kit for Youth Leaders: Create a culture of evangelism in your youth ministry. NAMB Evangelism Kit for Collegiate Leaders: Create a culture of evangelism in your collegiate ministry. Personal Ministry Impact Worksheet: A practical tool to help you evaluate how effectively you are creating disciples and building the kingdom. Creating your Collegiate Leadership Pipeline: Design a structured plan to create Christian leaders at your ministry or church. Shareable Quotes: “If we’re just befriending people and not pointing them to Jesus, then we’re friending people all the way to hell. We have to reach a point of pointing people to Him. The most loving thing we can do is say that Jesus is the only way. Silence is more unloving.” – Shane Pruitt “If people aren’t being obedient where they are now, what makes them think they’re going to be obedient in another country?” – Paul Worcester “It’s not our job to save people; it’s our job to point them to the One who can save them.” – Shane Pruitt “More time spent with fewer people can create greater results for the kingdom of God.” – Paul Worcester

In this bonus episode of The GenSend Podcast, Zach Meerkreebs, who was deeply involved in the Asbury revival, joins hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester and Lacey Villasenor for the GenSend Spring 2024 Webinar. They explore the theme of “Revival Generation,” focusing on the awakening and mobilization of young adults toward spiritual revival. The discussion delves into the importance of personal repentance and communal awakening as catalysts for lasting change in both church and society. Zach shares his firsthand experiences from the Asbury revival, emphasizing the impact of authentic, humble leadership and the power of grassroots spiritual movements. Also, in this episode: Detailed insights into the dynamics of the Asbury revival and its lessons for leaders today The role of prayer, humility and community in fostering a revival atmosphere Challenges and practical advice for sustaining revival momentum in various ministry contexts Strategies for engaging young adults in meaningful spiritual practices that lead to revival Helpful Resources: Revival Generation – Student Bible Study Book: Awakening to a Movement of God by Shane Pruitt Youth Leader Coaching Network Collegiate Coaching Network Shareable Quotes: “We can’t force revival to happen, but we can sure posture ourselves in case the Lord chooses us to do it. And when we say revival, this is what we mean. We don’t mean necessarily crying or emotionalism or Holy Spirit goosebumps.” – Shane Pruitt “My heart is just to encourage and tell stories and see how low we can go with Jesus. He’s inviting us to descend into humility, and the lower we’ll go, the more He’ll fill up, the higher He will go.” – Zach Meerkreebs “If your ambition is to advance the gospel among the lost, it’s almost impossible to have too much ambition there because our heart is for the mission field that God has called us to. It’s not about us, it’s about these people” – Paul Worcester

In Episode 6 of The GenSend Podcast, Kourtney Vier, Director of Salt Company National, joins Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor to discuss the vital role of student discipleship and leadership in the context of college ministry. They delve into the strategies and heart behind mobilizing students to not only serve within their campuses but also to be prepared for lifelong ministry. The conversation highlights the Salt Network’s commitment to reaching university centers through church planting, focusing on the transformative power of student leadership and the importance of creating a sending culture within the ministry. Also, in this episode: Practical insights on how to identify, train, and empower student leaders. The significance of embedding a multiplication mindset from the onset of students’ ministry involvement. The challenges and rewards of cultivating a culture that celebrates “gospel goodbyes.” Tips for ministries desiring to initiate or enhance a culture of student leadership and multiplication. Helpful Resources: Salt Network Creating Your Collegiate Leadership Pipeline Shareable Quotes: “We really believe that the best person to reach a college student is a college student.” – Kourtney Vier “We also really want to train and equip the next generation to reach their peers, not just in college but for a lifetime. And so, we have this four-year time zone where we’ve got them in an incubator, for lack of a better term, where they are there, they’re doing life, they live in the same places, they’re doing the same things. They’re considering who am I going to be after?” – Kourtney Vier “Celebrate what you want to replicate. Whatever you’re celebrating the most is typically what you’re going to replicate the most.” – Shane Pruitt “Training your student leaders in evangelism and creating expectations and goals together will be a great kickstart to creating some high buy-in with your student leaders.” – Paul Worcester

In Episode 5 of The GenSend Podcast, Jon Chasteen joins Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor in an enriching discussion on how to spark a deep-rooted love for the local church among the next generation. They explore the critical role of the local church in believers’ lives, emphasizing its significance not just as a community but as a family bonded through Christ. The conversation covers the impactful experiences of GenSend students in Boston, shedding light on how such mission opportunities cultivate a lasting dedication to church planting and evangelism. They also address the challenge of navigating church hurt and the importance of integrating young believers into the fabric of church ministry, ensuring they see themselves as active members of the church today, not just in the future. Also, in this episode: Insights into the low church attendance in Boston and the transformative power of GenSend missions. Strategies for churches to attract, include, and disciple the next generation, even with limited resources. The importance of empowering young believers to serve and lead within the local church to foster a sense of ownership and belonging. Encouragement for listeners dealing with church hurt, offering a biblical perspective on reconciliation and community. Helpful Resources: Connect with Jon: jon@nextgenboston.com GenSend Summer Program Don’t Forget, There’s a Lot Right With the Church, Too article by Shane Pruitt Shareable Quotes: “I’m adopted; God’s my father, but also, I’ve got brothers and sisters in Christ. So, we like to talk about this in Boston. The church isn’t just like a family; the church is a family. So, when I think about the local church and its importance, I would encourage it to not first think building—think family. This is something that is a part of the gospel.” – Jon Chasteen “You can’t be a solid Christian and not be a part of a local church. That’s not a thing.” – Paul Worcester “The way you break down barriers of distrust is you out-love and you out-serve their distrust of you with no strings attached.” – Jon Chasteen “15-year-olds are creating their own brands on social media. 16-year-olds are operating motor vehicles. 17-year-olds are in the workforce. 18-year-olds are serving in the military, holding weapons, protecting our freedoms. College students are starting businesses and nonprofits and living on mission and serving in church plants and all those kinds of things. Meaning this: if they can do those things, they can be the church right now. They can serve now. Will they mess up? Yes. Will they make a mess of things? Probably. Are they going to run late? Most definitely. You know what I mean? All those things, but that’s part of the discipleship process.” – Shane Pruitt

Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, Lacey Villasenor and Evan Vela tackle the sensitive and crucial topic of navigating purity culture in modern Christian ministry. They delve into the complexities surrounding purity culture’s impact on millennials, Gen X and older generations, questioning its benefits and pitfalls. The team offers biblical insights and personal experiences to redefine purity in a gospel-centered manner, emphasizing the importance of understanding and teaching Scripture’s stance on purity and love. Also in this episode: Debunking common misconceptions about purity culture Strategies for addressing sexual purity from a gospel perspective The impact of pornography on relationships and individual spiritual growth Encouraging honest, open discussions about sexual sin and redemption Helpful Resources: TheFreedomFight.org Loveology by John Mark Comer Covenant Eyes Shareable Quotes: “The biggest lie that I hear, by far, is this sin is affecting me and me alone; it’s something I do by myself. It doesn’t affect anyone.” – Evan Vela “The only thing that will bring life change of a deep addiction, a breaking of a stronghold, will be running to the foot of the cross. And that sounds super spiritual, but I truly mean that because of what happened in my life.” – Shane Pruitt “I’ve found Scripture memory as a habit and a tool can really help a new believer or someone that’s stuck in these things renew their mind over time.” – Paul Worcester

In Episode 3 of The GenSend Podcast, Evan Vela joins Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor to dive into the challenges and strategies for maximizing time effectively as a Next Gen Leader. They discuss the importance of prioritizing ministry and personal life, ensuring that both are aligned with God’s calling. They dive into practical tips for managing responsibilities, the significance of delegation, and the necessity of setting healthy boundaries for both personal and ministry life. Also, in this episode: Practical strategies for time management in ministry The importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing personal relationships Tips for delegating tasks and empowering others within ministry Encouragement for single and married ministry leaders to maintain healthy rhythms Helpful Resources: Do More With Less Time Article by Paul Worcester Creating Your Collegiate Leadership Pipeline by Paul Worcester and Wes Smith Shareable Quotes: “Every time you say yes to an event, every time you say yes to a speaking engagement, every time you say yes to doing something in ministry, you’re always saying no to your family. You’re always saying no to relationships you’re trying to build.” – Shane Pruitt “If my intimacy with the Lord gets out, so does my intimacy with others.” – Evan Vela “Suffering and hardship in ministry can pull you apart, but actually if you’re doing it right, it can pull you together where you can be more united. And that’s what we see in the Bible. And then as you read missionary biographies, you see that these families, they have this deep love and respect for one another.” – Paul Worcester