How vocational service will empower the next generation of

How vocational service will empower the next generation of LEADERS for Christ

w w w . i m n e x t g e n . o r g

doesn’t take long to survey the landscape of the next generation to see things are not what they should be. Something’s not quite right, and it’s not just the usual struggles that come with growing up. Youth leaders, teachers, and parents, probably all have their thoughts and examples of “kids these days.” It might be those phones — the surprising anxiety — lack of motivation — or just their relentless expertise at wasting time. While it’s not all apocalyptic — we probably all have imagery of young people fitting these descriptions. But there is something else, something more concerning than what we observe about their actions. Our current young people, known as Gen Z, have become the least religious generation in American history. Over 27% of them now identify as atheists or having no religion. Of those with faith, it’s fading at sobering rates as they get older. Needless to say, it’s — not good. The current state of the next generation needs to change. Not just because they need it — but we need it too. Our world desperately needs leaders. More specifically, we need Godly

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“27% of Gen Z identify as

atheists or

having no religion”


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leaders who will influence and inspire the world around them for the Kingdom of God. We need our future generations to be agents of change — leading others in every aspect of family, community, church, and places of work. We need them to be motivated to fulfill the mission of Christ and driven to make a difference to others. For a multitude of reasons — it’s not been happening. At the very least, we should be doing a lot better. For a long time, I believed a high-quality education was the best way to cultivate the next generation into the leaders described above. But through my experiences working with youth in

education, I began to realize something was missing. Why was a kid who was maybe a good or even great student — struggling with life as they entered their 20s? Why were they aimless and unmotivated? They were smart, talented, by all appearances, solid believers, and yet —they were still lost. And maybe they weren’t exactly a wreck, (some were) no one would describe many of them as thriving. Even if some ended up “figuring it out” (as older generations might say) as they get older, they have missed years of opportunities to influence others for the Gospel of Christ. What a waste!! I will always believe in an excellent education, it still matters, but if we are going to raise up the next generation of Christ-filled leaders, it’s going to take more. I believe the next generation is desperately searching for a story, a story for life that not only matters but their part in it matters too. They want to have a role in something greater than themselves, and they are grasping for purpose. According to Barna, 75% of young followers of Christ are searching for a way to connect their faith to the real world. The missing element for the next generation may involve leading them through a more robust understanding of how they can live out their daily lives for Christ. They need to be discipled to understand what they are made to do — why their work will matter — and how God has called them and every one of us to fulfill His purpose. Everything we do — matters. Before we lead them, we must really know who they are, and that starts with looking deeper into how Gen Z comes with a set of challenges unlike any other.

“75% of young followers of

Christ are searching for a way to connect their faith to the

real world”


For starters, today's young are not Millennials anymore — they've aged out. Gen Z is the name given to those born somewhere after 1996, making them the current teenagers and young adults. To Gen Z, most Millennials are now — old. That's what hitting your 30's will do to you. But is Gen Z that different?? They think so — and they're probably right. This generation is acquiring experiences, unlike any other before them. Never before has a teenager had in their hands endless access to everything — at any time — and doing so at ALL TIMES. They are also the first to spend most of their adolescence on social media, and they will enter adulthood having learned more from their phones than from people. Sprinkle in the chaos in our world from a divisive political climate, racial unrest, LBGTQ activism, (now pandemics) and you have some powerful influences we see in Gen Z.

Who is Gen Z? & their challenges

We’ve got a problem

ANXIOUS

So what is going on with Gen Z?? Take a look…

Gen Z is stressed, depressed, and an emotional mess. The mental health of this generation is downright scary. Their angst levels equal to that of a psych patient from the 1950s. As many as 25% have anxiety disorders, and 62% (college age) have reported “overwhelming anxiety.” They sleep less, live busier lives, and struggle to handle the pressures of life. It’s the real deal.

ADDICTEDBeing so tech-savvy comes with a price — their time. Gen Z spends an average of 60+ hours per week on their screens! Social media is their #1 time consumer…by A LOT. It's become an addiction — and they know it. 50% of teens admit they "feel addicted," and they have earned the "screenagers" name often give to them. They are stressed with keeping their image up, what others think, and they are hooked to the "pings" of feedback.

There isn't a silver bullet to what ails Gen Z, but the key to leading the next generation should probably start with their understanding that God has a greater purpose for their life. I truly believe, whether they know it or not, every kid has an internal desire to do something productive — for something important — and in service of something bigger than themselves. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works." We need to help Gen Z discover that God has a purpose for them being here. The problem is most of Gen Z (Christians included) don't understand how that should look. They question why they are here, and are confused and overwhelmed with what they are supposed to do. Too often, Gen Z has been turning to their phones to find these answers. It hasn't been working. If we are going to right this ship, we need to show them they were made for something more. Our focus should center on leading Gen Z to discover their unique calling and purpose.

AIMLESSWhat should I do with my life? Does any of it really matter? Today’s young people are increasingly aimless, wandering lost about their future and the meaning of life. It’s partially how you get stats that say 26% think they will definitely or probably be famous by 25. Or almost half wanting to be an assistant to a celebrity for their career. They are confused, and too many are just drifting through life.

Not only are they increasingly without faith, but their morals are all over the place. A growing number view right or wrong to be determined by how it makes them feel, what others think, and what happens due to their choice. As one example, more view its morally intolerable not to recycle than to watch porn.

AGNOSTIC


What is the key?

How will Gen Z discover their purpose and calling? Where will they learn about how they can use their gift and abilities to change the world? And more importantly, how do we motivate and equip them to live it out? We believe the solution involves getting the next generation in the action — meaningful, others-centered experiences that actually matter. Gen Z needs relevant experiences to use their abilities to serve others. It will help reveal who they are and activate their sense of purpose. If their actions could involve using vocational skills while also in the act of serving— we call that Vocational Service. It’s about understanding that our gifts and abilities in the work world can and should be used to serve those around us. It would help create purpose — self-discovery — selflessness — and, most importantly, Godly leaders of influence. Serving Christ through serving others in our work could be a revolutionary concept for the next generation. It could be a primary motivator to follow Jesus with their daily lives and provide purpose to live for Him. Gen Z could lead the way to the world to show we are not just saved from but saved for something more. It would be infectious, inspirational, and, most importantly — influential. Gen Z is more ready than most would believe. So how can Gen Z get that kind of experience and understanding? They need our help.

Vocation + Service


For Gen Z to acquire the experience they need to develop insight into their gifting and abilities, they need opportunities. Opportunities to explore — to serve — and to also have those experiences matter. They need opportunities to evaluate what they are good at, what they could learn to be good at, or maybe what they should probably never do again. Gen Z needs to be given a chance to lead through the work they provide and accomplish something real — for someone else. And if those opportunities were accompanied by someone who could help them understand how their actions could be used by God to redeem the world, you may have hit the sweet spot. This is what ImNextgen is all about. It is a 501c3 nonprofit leadership organization that seeks to equip the next generation to discover their unique calling through vocational service.


Our Purpose

Our Vision

Our Process

To see young people answer the call to influence others for the Gospel RIGHT NOW and in their future endeavors.

We provide a way for youth to participate in meaningful experiences in their community. We facilitate self-driven opportunities to use various vocational

skills to serve others. Here is the framework for what we call The Experiment.

We want to help young people understand what they are made to do.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.


Empathy Exposure Evaluation

We challenge youth to see the needs of others as

opportunities to serve. We work with other nonprofits, businesses, and ministries

to gather ideas to help contribute to the

community.

Through the use of vocational skills such as

photography, design, video, engineering, and

entrepreneurship, youth will creatively serve others.

The exposure to different areas, especially through

the act of service, generates self-awareness, leadership, and insight into what they

have to offer.

We learn wisdom through experience. God provides growth opportunities and directs our steps through

experiential and trial-and-error learning. We help

youth process their experience and equip them

to become leaders for Christ.

THE EXPERIMENT

ImNextgen exists to develop motivated young leaders who wish to impact others for Christ. It doesn’t have to wait. There should be opportunities NOW for every young person to influence others through their abilities. One experience can literally change their life. We hope it will.

“One experience can change their life”

The anxiety — the screens — the aimlessness — and the confusion of Gen Z's identity and purpose creates an uphill challenge of developing Christ-filled leaders. They are walking away from their faith in alarming numbers, and they are primarily living in a post-Christian culture. Despite these truths, they are primed and willing to apply their lives for something bigger. They have a desire to be contributors — not just consumers. Gen Z is looking for something or some reason to be a part of a gripping story. We all do — but the next generation has always yearned to get in the game. The next generation is our future. We need Gen Z to become the servant leaders God intended us to become to restore a lost and broken world. In The Connected Generation, Dr. Kinnaman writes, "If we're not making room for younger leaders today, they won't be around tomorrow." Part of that space we need to create involves the purpose behind ImNextgen. There is no better avenue to develop leadership than through meaningful acts of selfless service. For Gen Z, there may be no greater opportunity and importance to become those leaders than in their future vocations. It is the perfect convergence of faith, purpose, and our daily lives. We need these leaders — and we need them to be ready and able to change our world for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In His service,

Jordan Mayer Founder — ImNextgen

Let’s Go


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How vocational service will empower the next generation of