Next Generation

Gracious and loving God,

Today, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude.

Thank You for the two congregations — Eben-Ezer Lutheran Church of Berlin & Immanuel Lutheran Church of Wiedeville who opened their doors, their hearts, and their worship spaces to Next Generation. Thank You for trusting our young people with the opportunity to serve, to lead, to share their gifts, and to grow deeper in their faith.

Thank You for these congregations who recognize that our youth are not simply the church of tomorrow — they are the church of today.

Thank You for every person who encouraged them, welcomed them, listened to them, prayed with them, and gave them a place at the table. May these young people know that their voices matter, their gifts matter, and their faith matters.

Lord, continue to give our youth courage when they are nervous, confidence when they doubt themselves, and hearts that are willing to serve. Remind them that ministry is not about being perfect; it is about being willing to say, “Here I am, Lord. Use me.”

Lord, bless these two congregations for their generosity and willingness to invest in the next generation. May the relationship between our youth and these congregations continue to grow into something beautiful — a ministry where generations learn from one another, worship together, and discover the many ways we can serve Your people.

And Lord, bless Next Generation.

Keep calling these young people forward. Give them opportunities to serve. Give them people who will believe in them. Give them places where they can ask questions, make mistakes, discover their gifts, and grow in faith.

May we always remember that when we make room for young people to lead, we are making room for Your Spirit to move.

Thank You for this morning.
Thank You for these congregations.
Thank You for these young people.
And most of all, thank You for allowing us all to be part of Your work.

In the name of Jesus, who calls us all to serve, lead, and love one another,

Amen. 🤍

The Holy Spirit is moving! 🤍

Tonight, Brazos Supak met me at Christ Lutheran Church as he prepares a sermon to preach this Sunday at Eben-Ezer Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church. Brazos is a member of Zion Lutheran Church and an active part of Next Generation. Please hold him in prayer!

We give thanks for young people who are willing to step forward and proclaim the Word of God. What a gift it is to witness the Church working together and making room for young voices to lead, preach, and serve. It’s also a beautiful example of collaborative ministry, different churches, one community, one God, and a shared desire to lift up young people as they proclaim the Gospel.

We are excited to be invited back to share the Good News at Eben-Ezer & Immanuel Lutheran Church of Wiedeville this coming Sunday.

And... BBQ! Good neighbor Sunday is so fun and welcoming! 🤍

Time for another Good Neighbor Sunday at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Wiedeville. Join us this Sunday, August 30, for worship at 10:30am followed by a BBQ brisket, pork butt and Shelby sausage meal. Allison Crowson will provide music entertainment and worship will be lead by the youth group Next Generation. We promise to feed your souls and fill your stomachs.

There is something truly amazing about stepping back and watching these young adults use the spiritual gifts God has given them. They never cease to amaze the adults who have the privilege of guiding, encouraging, and walking alongside them.

Their compassion, leadership, servant hearts, and willingness to say “yes” to God’s call inspire us every day.

We are so proud of each one of them, continually amazed by who they are becoming, and incredibly blessed to be a small part of their faith journey.

The future of the Church is bright. 🤍✨🕯️

So proud of this girl! She has spent hours in the office prayerfully crafting a sermon to share what she experienced at Leadership Lab. As a leader in Christ Lutheran’s Youth Group and an active member of Next Gen, our collaborative community youth ministry, she has been part of a team providing pulpit supply throughout the area. This Sunday, Autumn will be serving in Greenvine.

Please keep Autumn in your prayers as she prepares to share God’s Word, and lift up the congregation as they wait for the pastor God is preparing for them.

We’ve had the privilege of watching Autumn grow up at Christ Lutheran from someone who could barely say her name in front of a congregation to someone boldly proclaiming the Gospel. Watching her grow as a leader in Christ Lutheran’s Youth Group and then seeing that leadership extend into our community through Next Gen has been such a blessing. Her faith and willingness to answer God’s call bring me so much joy. God is doing amazing things through her, and I couldn’t be more proud. ❤️

Go preach the Good News, Autumn. We’re cheering you on every step of the way!

What a blessing it was to watch our Next Generation students live out their faith by serving others!

Not only did they help distribute free socks and underwear to junior high and high school students, but they also stepped up wherever they were needed—helping with distribution of backpacks, hygiene bags, after-school snack bags, the bounce house, the serving line, the hydration station, meal time prayer and so much more.

This is what servant leadership looks like. Young people using their gifts, loving their neighbors, and making a difference in our community. We are incredibly proud of each one of them and thankful for their willing hearts.

Faith isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we live. What a blessing to witness God at work through the next generation! ❤️🙌

Serving is about being part of something bigger than ourselves. ❤️

Last night, Next Generation had the opportunity to volunteer at the Bridge Ministry of Burton, Texas annual fundraiser, giving their time, energy, and hearts to serve the community. Through servant leadership, they are learning that making a difference doesn’t always require grand gestures—just willing hands and hearts that reflect Christ’s love.

We are so proud of these young people for choosing to lead by serving, building relationships, and investing in the community that has invested in them. Together, we’re raising up a generation that lives their faith, serves with compassion, and shines God’s light wherever they go.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” — Mark 10:45 🤍

As we prepare for a new school year, Next Generation was blessed to hold our first distribution of socks and underwear for junior high and high school students this evening at Gather n Grace in Brenham.

Something as simple as a fresh pair of socks or underwear can make a world of difference for a student walking through the school doors with confidence and dignity. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve, make meaningful connections, and remind our youth in our community that they are seen, valued, and loved.

This ministry is about so much more than meeting a practical need. It’s about living in Christian community, building relationships, and being the hands and feet of Christ wherever He calls us to serve.

Our next distribution will be August 3rd Gather n Grace - Burton and we’d love for you to be part of this ministry! You can support this outreach through monetary donations or by purchasing needed items from our Amazon Wishlist.

Our most needed donation is mens socks — Every gift, no matter the size, helps ensure students have the essentials they need to begin the school year with confidence. 🧦🩲

Thank you to everyone who has donated, prayed, and served alongside us. Together, we are making a difference—one student, one family, and one act of love at a time.

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” — 1 John 3:18 💙


Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA

Our Amazon Wishlist will be linked in the comments if you feel called to support this ministry. 🤍

Heavenly Father,

Today our hearts are filled with gratitude as we give You thanks for the Next Generation Youth group who led worship at St. Paul Rehburg. Thank You for the faith You have planted within them, for the courage to step forward, and for the willing hearts that have answered Your call to serve.

We praise You for their leadership, their joyful spirits, and their desire to use the gifts You have entrusted to them for Your glory. Through their voices, prayers, music, dance, Scripture, and service, they remind us that your Church is alive, growing, and filled with hope for the future.

Continue to strengthen them as disciples of Christ. When they face uncertainty, remind them that You go before them. When they feel inadequate, assure them that Your Spirit equips those You call. Fill them with wisdom, compassion, humility, and boldness to share Your love wherever they go.

Lord, help all of us to encourage, support, and walk alongside these young leaders. May we celebrate their gifts, nurture their faith, and create space for them to continue leading your Church with confidence and joy.

As we leave this place today, remind us that worship does not end here. We are gathered by Your grace and now sent into the world to be Your disciples—sharing hope with the weary, kindness with our neighbors, and the light of Christ with everyone we meet.

We give You all glory and thanks for this day, for these faithful young leaders, and for the work You are doing through them.

Thank you to the congregation of St. Paul Rehburg for your welcome and hospitality. It was a blessing to worship with you all this morning.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, we pray.

Amen.

📣 Our First Piece of our BIG Accompaniment Project 📣

✨ What is an
Accompaniment Project? ✨
— a focused initiative of "walking alongside" individuals and/or communities
— emphasizing solidarity, listening, and intentional relationship building
— engaging youth to foster discipleship while making those we meet feel seen, valued, and loved.

We are EXCITED to be distributing NEW socks and underwear to JH/HS students at Gather n Grace & Gather n Grace - Burton • Come see us! 💚🧦🩲