NextGen Matters

Rich Brown
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Those leading in Next Generation ministries are navigating a complex landscape of relational, emotional, and organizational pressures that demand resilience, creativity, and deep community connection to sustain impactful ministry in a rapidly changing world.  Does this sound like you?  Then we're glad you're here! NextGen Matters and this podcast are here to guide you through the complexity by providing you with Biblically sound solutions to meet your ministry needs. Why this podcast? Our show helps NextGen ministry leaders overcome the stress of ministry by covering topics that matter for leaders that matter.  With over forty years of continual practical youth ministry experience, Rich understands the journey of where student ministry has been, the challenges facing ministry leaders today, as we prepare another generation to follow Jesus into tomorrow.  His desire is to see this podcast be a resource for those who are professional NextGen Ministry leaders, volunteer NextGen Ministry leaders, and anyone who cares about the Next Generation.   "If we are going to have spiritually healthy students, we must have spiritually healthy local church student ministry cultures, which must come from a place of spiritually healthy ministry leaders.  This podcast exists for that reason!  I want to come alongside you by engaging with you, encouraging you, equipping you, and empowering you to fulfill the God-given calling He has placed on you in your ministry to this current generation of adolescents."  ~ Rich Brown Each episode deals with the real issues today's youth leaders are facing with real solutions based on the timeless truth of God's Word.  And that is a promise! About our Host Rich grew up in a small town in central New York, which featured one stop light and two gas stations. Born into a godly ministry family and consistently seeing and hearing the gospel, Rich gave his life over to Jesus as a young age. During college, he met the young lady of his dreams! Rich says, "Jesus and Janet were the two best decisions I’ve ever made!” They have been married since 1985. Rich and Janet have three adult children (two married), and five grandchildren. His two sons are ordained pastors in ministry, and his daughter owns her own salon. Most important, they all love Jesus! While in college, God called him to student ministries and Rich has been working with students ever since, even now volunteering in his church’s high school ministry. With over 20 years as a student pastor in the local church followed by over 20 years in teaching student ministry in higher education, he loves students and student ministry leaders. In 2019 God called him to begin his own ministry, NextGenMatters, where he seeks to “relationally equip today’s leaders for tomorrow’s generation.” While his primary ministry is now ministering to adults, it all centers back to seeing teenagers be fully mature lifelong disciples of Jesus. He avidly follows baseball, loves landscaping on his two acres, is a history nerd, and doesn't know a day without coffee. His lifelong desire is to live out Colossians 1:28-29.

  1. 4d ago ·  Bonus Video

    #36: Leading with Gratitude

    Episode Summary Would the people closest to you describe you as a grateful person? In this episode, Rich Brown shares a deeply personal journey of how God has transformed his heart from complaint to gratitude. Drawing from Psalms, Philippians, Romans, Acts, and the teachings of Jesus, Rich explores why gratitude does not come naturally to our fallen human nature, how entitlement and complaining can crowd out thankfulness, and why gratitude is a key marker of spiritual maturity. He offers biblical insights and four practical habits that have helped him cultivate a heart of gratitude, while challenging ministry leaders to intentionally recognize God's goodness in both difficult seasons and everyday blessings. Discover how leading with gratitude can influence your family, strengthen your ministry, and create a culture of thankfulness in your home, church, workplace, and community. Resources Mentioned Next Gen Matters -  https://www.nextgenmatters.com/Gratitude Kit - https://nextgenmatters.kit.com/5140078d44Email for Rich Brown (NGM): rich@nextgenmatters.comWatch this episode on YouTube The Bible (Scripture references in order: Romans 1:21; Psalm 95:2; Psalm 100:4; Psalm 147:7; Colossians 3:16; Romans 16:3-4; Philippians 1:3-4; Acts 16:22-34; Luke 17:11-19; Philippians 4:4-9; James 1:17; Matthew 7:11; Psalm 26:7.)Timestamps 00:00 – Are You a Person of Gratitude?01:18 – Learning to Lead Through Gratitude03:11 – Entitlement vs. Thankfulness04:24 – What Scripture Teaches Us About Gratitude06:09 – Expressing Gratitude in Our Relationships08:01 – Paul and Silas: Worshiping Through Adversity12:47 – Gratitude in Times of Blessing13:55 – Finding Peace Through Prayer and Thanksgiving17:54 – Four Ways to Cultivate Gratitude20:11 – The Three Gs: Building a Gratitude Journal27:56 – Leading Others Through Gratitude29:16 – The Gratitude Kit and Ministry Resources31:21 – Grateful Leaders Create Grateful Ministry Cultures33:06 – Your Challenge: Practice Gratitude for Seven Days33:42 – Closing: Gratitude Shapes How We Live and Lead Suggested practical next steps: Personal - Every day, write down three specific gifts from God. Don't repeat yesterday's answers. Train your eyes to see His goodness in both the big moments and the small ones. Then pray those three things back to the Lord in gratitude. I believe if you'll do that consistently, you'll begin to notice God's faithfulness in ways you've been overlooking. Ministry Focused - Don't just teach gratitude, model it. This week, intentionally thank three people in your sphere of influence. Thank a volunteer. Thank a parent. Thank a student. Be specific and sincere. You may be surprised how one expression of gratitude becomes the spark that creates a culture of gratitude around you.

    #36: Leading with Gratitude

  2. Oct 20 ·  Video

    #35: The Power of the Open Home

    Episode Summary In Episode 35 of NextGen Matters, Rich Brown explores the power of opening your home as a place of ministry, hospitality, and spiritual growth. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by decades of personal experience, Rich shares how God can use an ordinary home or apartment to create extraordinary opportunities for discipleship and connection. Beginning with the example of the early church gathering both in large groups and from house to house, Rich establishes the biblical foundation for home-centered ministry. He reflects on his own upbringing in a family deeply invested in youth ministry, where his parents consistently welcomed teenagers into their home. Those early experiences shaped his own approach to ministry, from opening his home to high school students and college students to creating spaces for worship, biblical teaching, leadership development, and meaningful conversations. Rich then unpacks five benefits of opening your home for ministry: a modeling environment, a relaxed environment, a personal environment, a conversational environment, and a connecting environment. In a home, students don't simply hear biblical principles taught—they get to see faith lived out in everyday life. They experience hospitality firsthand, develop deeper friendships, ask honest questions, and build relationships that often continue well beyond the gathering itself. Resources Mentioned Next Gen Matters – https://www.nextgenmatters.com/ Email for Rich Brown (NGM): rich@nextgenmatters.com Watch this episode on YouTubeThe Bible (Scripture references in order: Acts 2:46; 5:42; Romans 12:13; Colossians 4:15; Titus 1:8; John 14:2–6; 2 Timothy 2:1–2) Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to NextGen Matters 00:19 – Three Areas of Podcast Focus 01:17 – The Biblical Foundation for Home Ministry 03:14 – Jesus and the Ministry of the Home 05:04 – Growing Up in a Home Open to Ministry 07:00 – A Childhood Shaped by Student Ministry 09:03 – Continuing the Legacy of Hospitality 09:53 – Opening a Home to College Students 10:52 – Home-Based Student Ministry in Action 12:45 – Celebrating the Impact of an Open Home 13:29 – Five Benefits of Opening Your Home 14:33 – Benefit #1: Creates a Modeling Environment 20:32 – Benefit #2: Creates a Relaxed Environment 21:25 – Benefit #3: Creates a Personal Environment 22:54 – Benefit #4: Creates a Conversational Environment 24:41 – Benefit #5: Creates a Connecting Environment 25:05 – Helping Students Build New Friendships 26:13 – From Ministry Gatherings to Lasting Community 26:35 – Creating Space for Genuine Connection 26:49 – Reviewing the Five Benefits 28:13 – The Call to Action: Just Do It! 28:57 – Opening Your Home to Ministry Teams 29:37 – Start Small and Take the Next Step 30:06 – Closing - Your Leadership MattersSuggested practical next steps: Invite a few students over for a meal, watch a sporting event, or have a game night. Host a backyard gathering, campfire, or simple cookout. Create an opportunity for worship, prayer, and Scripture discussion in your living room. Invite your ministry volunteers or leadership team into your home for a shared meal. Reach out to a student who may need a place to belong and invite them over.

    #35: The Power of the Open Home

  3. Sep 24 ·  Video

    #34: One Team / One Mission (Building a Missional Ministry Culture pt.5)

    Episode Show Notes In this episode, Rich wraps up the Building a Missional Ministry mini‑series on cultivating a missional mindset in student ministry across public, Christian, and homeschool environments. He challenges leaders to help students see their schools not as their ultimate identity, but as their mission field, while cultivating healthy school pride and relationships across different academic settings. Rich also unpacks how you can transform a diverse student ministry into one team pursuing one mission – to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ to the most spiritually lost yet spiritually open demographic – today’s adolescents. He lays out three core goals for building unity: Helping students champion their schools, Creating relational unity across school diversity, and Developing missional unity around the gospel.Resources Mentioned Next Gen Matters – https://www.nextgenmatters.com/Email for Rich Brown (NGM): rich@nextgenmatters.comWatch this episode on YouTube The Bible (Scripture references in order: Jeremiah 29:1–9; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Acts 17:26; Matthew 5:44; John 17; 1 Timothy 2:1–2; Romans 9:1–5; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 2:19; John 10:16; Philippians 1:27; Matthew 28:19: Matthew 9:35–38) Timestamps 00:01–00:55 — The Problem: School Identity Hijacks Ministry00:55–01:44 — The Mini-Series Recap01:44–03:17 — Three Goals for Missional Unity03:35–22:09 — GOAL 1: Students Should Champion Their Schools     1. Groups Are From God (03:51–05:36)     2. Identity vs. Assignment (06:01–07:39)     3. Healthy vs. Unhealthy School Pride (07:53–11:44)     4. Desire to See Schools Prosper (11:56–22:09)22:09–31:47— GOAL 2: Creating Group Unity Across School Diversity     1. Unity in Relationships (22:43–25:51)     2. Celebrating Differences Without Divisions (25:51–27:15)     3. Constructing Cross-School Friendships (27:15–28:35)     4. Communicating Oneness (28:35–31:06)31:47–40:34 — GOAL 3: Creating Unity in Purpose     1. Shared Mission (32:02–33:30)     2. Define Success the Same Way for Everyone (33:30–34:13)     3. Tell Disciple-Making Stories From Every Context (34:13–34:43)     4. Public Schools as “Jerusalem” (34:43–39:18)     5. Cross-School Outreach Teams (39:31–40:34)40:34–43:44 — Closing and Call to Action Three Calls to Action Take one step toward relational unity this week. Take one step toward missional unity this week. Take one step toward school appreciation this week.

    #34: One Team / One Mission (Building a Missional Ministry Culture pt.5)

  4. Sep 8 ·  Video

    #33: Engaging Your Home School Student (Building a Missional Culture Pt.4)

    Show Overview This episode of NextGen Matters pulls back the curtain on the spiritual, social, and emotional realities of homeschool students in youth ministry. Rich sits down with Matt and April McClay of Huntington, WV — both ministry leaders and homeschool parents — to explore misconceptions, discipleship needs, co‑op dynamics, missional engagement, and how churches can better integrate and empower homeschoolers. The conversation highlights the diversity within homeschool families, the balance between protection and mission, the unique struggles homeschool students face, and practical ways parents and ministry leaders can cultivate belonging, spiritual growth, and evangelistic courage. Resources: Next Gen Matters: https://www.nextgenmatters.com/Email for Rich Brown (NGM): rich@nextgenmatters.comEmail for Matt McClay: m.mcclay@lmbc.orgEmail for April McClay: a.mcclay@lmbc.orgSubscribe for NGM Thursday Tools emailatch this episode on YouTubeTimestamps 00:01 — Seeing the homeschool student beyond the stereotype Rich introduces the different school backgrounds represented in a typical student ministry and challenges leaders to see homeschool students as more than observers. 02:28 — Homeschooling doesn't automatically mean spiritual maturity Matt and April explain why homeschool students have varied discipleship needs and why homeschooling families should not automatically be assumed to be Christian or spiritually mature. 08:16 — The McClays' homeschooling journey and the power of community Matt shares how their family began homeschooling during COVID-19 and how their co-op has helped provide connection, community, and ministry opportunities. 17:38 — Helping homeschool students become missional The conversation turns toward evangelism and the assumption that homeschool and Christian-school students don't have opportunities to interact with people who don't follow Jesus. 23:09 — Protectionism vs. mission Rich reflects on his own experiences growing up and the tension between protecting students and teaching them to engage with people who are far from God. Matt emphasizes that wisdom requires both protection and missional engagement. 30:39 — Homeschool students are an asset to student ministry Matt discusses how his perspective has changed over 16 years of ministry—from seeing homeschool students as having limited potential for outreach to recognizing the unique strengths and opportunities they bring. 32:23 — Spiritual struggles homeschool students may face Matt and April discuss isolation, sheltered environments, pride, spiritual vulnerability, and the reality that homeschool students face the same fundamental struggle with sin and the flesh as every other student. 39:24 — Practical advice for parents and ministry leaders Matt and April encourage homeschooling parents to persevere and encourage ministry leaders to build trust with parents, involve them, and treat homeschool students like every other student while validating their experiences and interests.

    #33: Engaging Your Home School Student (Building a Missional Culture Pt.4)

  5. Sep 1 ·  Video

    #32: Engaging Your Christian School Student (Building a Missional Culture Pt.3)

    Christian school students often appear spiritually strong from the outside but what’s happening beneath the surface? In this episode, Rich takes an honest look at the spiritual condition of students in Christian school environments as he interviews Andy Lawrenson.  Andy is campus pastor. of Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg, Virginia) where he daily shepherds and leads the spiritual formation of over 2,000 students, specifically over 800 Middle and HIgh School student.  With over 35 years in local church student ministry and the last five in this campus role, Andy definitely knows what makes up teenagers and especially those in a Christian School context. The episode also casts a vision for mobilizing Christian school students as missionaries within their own school and their local church student ministry. Rather than seeing themselves as spiritually “set,” these students can become catalysts—students who pray, serve, invite, and live out the gospel with intentionality. Leaders will walk away with tools to help Christian school students embrace a missional identity and engage the world around them with clarity, humility, and courage.

    #32: Engaging Your Christian School Student (Building a Missional Culture Pt.3)

  6. Aug 18 ·  Video

    #31: Engaging Your Public School Students (Building a Missional Culture pt.2 with Travis Deans)

    As summer fades and backpacks reappear, Rich kicks off Part 2 of the Building a Missional Culture series—focusing on the greatest mission field students will ever step into: their local school. Whether public, private, or homeschool, every student has a place to live out the gospel. In this episode, Rich sits down with longtime friend and ministry veteran Travis Deans, Northeast Director for the National Network of Youth Ministries (NNYM). With 30 years of experience helping students bring Jesus to their campuses, Travis unpacks the vision behind the Nine-Month Mission Trip and shares how youth leaders can cultivate a unified, missional mindset across all school environments. Together they explore how to equip students to pray for, care for, and share the gospel with their friends—and how public school, Christian school, and homeschool students can truly become one team on one mission. The conversation also highlights practical ways leaders can model evangelism, connect students across churches and campuses, and create space for students to share stories of what God is doing through them. “We want to challenge you—think of your school as a nine-month mission trip.” — Travis Deans Travis’ call to action: Use the free resources at 9monthmissiontrip.com. Access the Dropbox toolkit full of videos, training, and club-launch materials. Download the Nine-Day Devotional (Daniel & Esther) on Download Youth Ministry. Schedule a brainstorming call with Travis as he loves helping leaders strategize.“We’d love to help you help your students make this spiritual for eternity.” — Travis Deans

    #31: Engaging Your Public School Students (Building a Missional Culture pt.2 with Travis Deans)

  7. Aug 11 ·  Video

    #30: Students Reaching Students (Building a Missional Culture Pt. 1)

    Episode Summary:In this episode, Rich unpacks why students are uniquely positioned to reach other students with the gospel of Jesus Christ. You’ll hear why the school campus is the greatest mission field your ministry touches, how today’s 34 million teens are spread across public, Christian, and homeschool environments, and the five ways Jesus reached people that students can imitate right now. He challenges ministry leaders to stop thinking merely in terms of “youth group” and instead build a missional student ministry where students are equipped and unleashed to reach their own generation. Rich explores the need to see your ministries become one team on one mission and identifies six reasons Christian students have a unique opportunity to reach their peers: identity, empathy, relationships, proximity, social connection, and credibility. The episode closes with a challenge: build a ministry structure that’s intentionally missional—and equip your students to own the mission themselves. Resources Mentioned: Next Gen Matters: https://www.nextgenmatters.com/Email for Rich Brown (NGM): rich@nextgenmatters.comSubscribe for NGM Thursday Tools emailWatch this episode on YouTubeStudent Ministry Essentials co-authored by Dr. Richard Brown and Dr. Steve Vandegriff (Moody Press). The Bible: (Scripture references in the order of their mention): John 1, 4, 13; Mark 10:21; Luke 4:16–21; Matthew 4; 1 Timothy 4:12 Timestamps: 00:01–00:48 — Friday night football scene; emotional and spiritual realities01:04–01:28 — Individual student stories01:42–02:26 — 4% saved / 96% unsaved breakdown02:26–03:07 — 77% come to Christ before age 2103:25–04:01 — Introduction to the four‑week missional series04:01–04:45 — Why students reach students04:45–06:17 — Public, private, homeschool environments06:17–07:35 — Academic breakdown: 34 million students07:35–08:15 — One team, one mission08:15–09:07 — Signature talk setup09:07–12:28 — Five ways Jesus reached people12:28–14:18 — Personal story: praying over school campuses14:18–18:39 — Who actually reaches students? Data from Liberty University classes18:39–23:56 — Six reasons saved students reach their peers23:56–27:55 — Relational, proximity, social, credibility explained27:55–30:23 — Student ministry is missional ministry30:23–35:22 — Missionary kid story; comparison to student mission field35:22–36:33 — Students as players; adults as coaching staff36:33–40:06 — Final challenge + call to action

    #30: Students Reaching Students (Building a Missional Culture Pt. 1)

  8. Aug 4 ·  Video

    #29: Making the Mission Last (Interview with Tim Wadsworth)

    Episode Summary Every mission trip ends with students returning home inspired and full of stories about what God has done. But what happens when everyday life begins again? School starts, schedules fill up, and the excitement fades. In this follow-up episode, Rich Brown sits down with veteran student pastor Tim Wadsworth to discuss how ministry leaders can intentionally help students carry the spiritual momentum of a mission trip into everyday life. Using the Five Pillars of Mission Trip Follow-Up as the framework, they explore practical ways to partner with parents, engage the local church, disciple individual students, strengthen the student ministry, and maintain relationships with the host ministry. The conversation reminds leaders that success isn't measured by what happens during the mission trip but by how students live on mission long after they return home. Resources Mentioned:Next Gen Matters: https://www.nextgenmatters.com/Email for Rich Brown (NGM): rich@nextgenmatters.comSubscribe for NGM Thursday Tools emailWatch this episode on YouTube The Bible (Scripture references in the order of their mention): James 1:23; Ephesians 4:12; 1 Timothy 4:12; Luke 10:17–20; Philippians 1:27; Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 20:32; Matthew 9:37–38; Luke 12:48; Matthew 25:21; Isaiah 14:12–15

    #29: Making the Mission Last (Interview with Tim Wadsworth)
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About

Those leading in Next Generation ministries are navigating a complex landscape of relational, emotional, and organizational pressures that demand resilience, creativity, and deep community connection to sustain impactful ministry in a rapidly changing world.  Does this sound like you?  Then we're glad you're here! NextGen Matters and this podcast are here to guide you through the complexity by providing you with Biblically sound solutions to meet your ministry needs. Why this podcast? Our show helps NextGen ministry leaders overcome the stress of ministry by covering topics that matter for leaders that matter.  With over forty years of continual practical youth ministry experience, Rich understands the journey of where student ministry has been, the challenges facing ministry leaders today, as we prepare another generation to follow Jesus into tomorrow.  His desire is to see this podcast be a resource for those who are professional NextGen Ministry leaders, volunteer NextGen Ministry leaders, and anyone who cares about the Next Generation.   "If we are going to have spiritually healthy students, we must have spiritually healthy local church student ministry cultures, which must come from a place of spiritually healthy ministry leaders.  This podcast exists for that reason!  I want to come alongside you by engaging with you, encouraging you, equipping you, and empowering you to fulfill the God-given calling He has placed on you in your ministry to this current generation of adolescents."  ~ Rich Brown Each episode deals with the real issues today's youth leaders are facing with real solutions based on the timeless truth of God's Word.  And that is a promise! About our Host Rich grew up in a small town in central New York, which featured one stop light and two gas stations. Born into a godly ministry family and consistently seeing and hearing the gospel, Rich gave his life over to Jesus as a young age. During college, he met the young lady of his dreams! Rich says, "Jesus and Janet were the two best decisions I’ve ever made!” They have been married since 1985. Rich and Janet have three adult children (two married), and five grandchildren. His two sons are ordained pastors in ministry, and his daughter owns her own salon. Most important, they all love Jesus! While in college, God called him to student ministries and Rich has been working with students ever since, even now volunteering in his church’s high school ministry. With over 20 years as a student pastor in the local church followed by over 20 years in teaching student ministry in higher education, he loves students and student ministry leaders. In 2019 God called him to begin his own ministry, NextGenMatters, where he seeks to “relationally equip today’s leaders for tomorrow’s generation.” While his primary ministry is now ministering to adults, it all centers back to seeing teenagers be fully mature lifelong disciples of Jesus. He avidly follows baseball, loves landscaping on his two acres, is a history nerd, and doesn't know a day without coffee. His lifelong desire is to live out Colossians 1:28-29.

Information

  • Creator
    Rich Brown
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    NextGen Matters