Join us for an eye-opening conversation about parenting, discipling, and reaching Generation Alpha in a digital-first world! 📱✨ In this episode, we sit down with two leading voices on next-gen ministry: Shane Pruitt (@shane_pruitt78) — Next Gen Director at the North American Mission Board (@namb_sbc) and author of Reaching Generation Alpha, 9 Common Lies Christians Believe, Calling Out the Called, Revival Generation, and Not My Jesus. Dr. Shelly Melia (@shellymeliadbu) — Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Ministry and Professor of Childhood Education at Dallas Baptist University. Before DBU, she spent over 25 years as a children's and family minister in Oklahoma, Florida, and Texas. She's also a Licensed Professional Counselor, served as an editor and contributor for Children and Salvation, and co-authored Reaching Generation Alpha with Shane. Together, they unpack what makes this generation distinct, the discipleship war being waged for their hearts and minds, and how parents, grandparents, and churches can step boldly into the conversation. Key takeaways: * Gen Alpha isn't just "changed by technology" like Gen Z was — they're being formed by it from birth, making this the first generation raised alongside AI. * It's no longer a question of whether your kids are being discipled — 100% of them are. The real question is who or what is doing the discipling. * Silence is not neutral. If the church doesn't speak into sexuality, gender, and mental health, culture will fill that void completely. * Kids don't need parents to be perfect — they need parents who are present, honest about their own struggles, and willing to have the awkward conversations first. Connect with Shane and Shelly: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shane_pruitt78 & https://www.youtube.com/@gensend Websites: https://shanepruitt.net/ and https://shellymelia.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Missions Pulse 00:01 Understanding God's Heart for Missions 00:13 Understanding God's Ongoing Mission 01:15 Introducing Generation Alpha 02:46 The Distinct Nature of Generation Alpha 04:40 Hope and Identity in a Changing World 07:48 Building a Biblical Worldview 10:50 The Challenge of Authority and Truth 12:22 Discipleship in a Digital Age 16:04 Defining Discipleship Today 20:44 Navigating Identity and Sexuality Issues 23:50 Creating Open Conversations with Kids 28:53 Understanding Digital Curiosity and Exposure 32:00 Surviving and Thriving in a Digital World 35:35 Navigating Friendships in the Digital Age 37:02 The Future of Ministry and Real-Life Connections 37:56 The Importance of Play in Child Development 40:37 Grounding Techniques for Anxiety Management 42:39 The Power of Presence and Childhood Experiences 49:56 Empowering Generation Alpha in Faith 52:15 The Role of the Church in Shaping Future Generations 56:56 Hope for Generation Alpha and Their Impact What's one insight from Shane and Shelly's conversation that hit home for you as a parent, grandparent, or ministry leader? Drop it in the comments! Subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights on missions and faith! https://withinreachglobal.org/missions-pulse #Missions #GenerationAlpha #Discipleship #Parenting #NextGen
