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.
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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.
Intro Episode: Why the Next Gen Matters podcast: The Purpose Behind the Podcast
NextGen Matters
11 minutes
2 months ago
Intro Episode: Why the Next Gen Matters podcast: The Purpose Behind the Podcast
Welcome to the first episode to the NextGen Matters Podcast, where in this episode, Rich Brown introduces the NextGen Matters Podcast, a show created to support ministry leaders who are striving to lead with clarity, confidence, and consistency in the face of today's cultural and ministry challenges. Rich shares his heart behind launching the podcast, the mission of Next Gen Matters, and the vision for future episodes that will engage, encourage, equip, and empower leaders serving the next generation. Drawing on over 40 years of ministry experience, Rich explains how this show will deliver biblical solutions, practical frameworks, and honest conversations for ministry leaders.
Resources Mentioned:
• Next Gen Matters - https://nextgenmatters.org/
• The Bible (2 Timothy 4:7 reference)
Timestamps:
• 00:02 – Welcome to the Next Gen Matters Podcast: A show for ministry leaders seeking clarity and confidence.
• 01:16 – Why start another ministry podcast? Rich shares the calling behind launching the show.
• 02:23 – The challenges of leading in today's culture and the heart to impact the next generation.
• 04:09 – Beyond survival: Finding victory in ministry through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• 06:03 – Rich's 40 years of ministry experience and the vision behind Next Gen Matters.
• 07:25 – The importance of spiritually healthy leaders creating spiritually strong ministries.
• 08:34 – The promise of every episode: biblical solutions, practical tools, and honest conversations.
• 09:59 – Common pain points in ministry and upcoming topics for the show.
• 11:40 – Closing encouragement: Your leadership matters because your ministry matters because the gospel matters.
NextGen Matters
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.
