Empowered21’s Next Generation Youth Leaders Network Launched
Cleveland, TN. – On October 3-4, 2011 a group of strategic next generation voices across denominational lines and movements gathered at Winshape Resort in Mt. Berry, Georgia. They discussed current issues regarding student ministry leadership and the Spirit-empowered movement and how they could join in ministry with other NextGen leaders around the world. This meeting of key next generation leaders and their discussion resulted in the official formation and launch of Next Generation Youth-Leaders Network (NGYN21).
Leaders from within the Church of God, including state youth and discipleship directors and Lee University, are represented among the NGYN21 group. Dusty Wilson, Director of Youth and Discipleship for the Church of God in Tampa, Florida and NYGN21 Commission member said, “NGYN21 has the opportunity to fan the flame of last days revival among youth leaders around the world. Through social media networking it is our intention to bring spiritual empowerment from house to house around the world.” He continued, “This is the generation to see the coming of the Son of God. NGYN21 is raising the curtain on the stage of empowering leaders around the world.”
Jay Mooney, National Youth Director of the Assemblies of God for the newly formed NGYN21serves as Co-chair along with Billy Wilson, Executive Director for the International Center for Spiritual Renewal and Empowered21. Mooney states, “The inaugural NGYN21 Commission meeting reaffirmed the value and desire of Spirit empowered youth leaders to network on behalf of the next generation. The Commission unanimously voted to accept and endeavor a roadmap for NGYN21 through guiding documents discussed in the meeting. The meetings discussed numerous potential benchmark goals for NGYN21. The cumulative effect will help globally advance the identity of Spirit empowered youth leaders and a movement of the Holy Spirit among the emerging next generation within the Church.” Wilson shared further, “NGYN21 will provide those who are on the front line in connecting new generations to the power of Holy Spirit an opportunity to connect, resource and pray for one another. The vision is that a youth leader in Norway can share with a youth leader in Argentina what God is doing and they can help one another reach this generation. The potential for this network is huge and we are off to a great start!”
Charles Boyd, Director of Youth Ministries for the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma stated, during the meeting, “This was a desire of my heart about 2 years ago to see all Spirit-empowered youth leaders gather and network one with another. NGYN21 is going to make that happen.”
For the very first time, Spirit-empowered next generation leaders from around the globe and across multiple denominations will be able to connect, unite, and resource with one other. All the attendees felt the need for this unified and focused effort. Now, with the vast expansion of web-based technologies, the miles and continents that had separated youth leaders from one another have been removed.
Executive Director and Founder of Essential 2 Life, Vince Hungate, commented, “There are some things we can do alone, but there are other things we can only do together.” Kelly Fellows, National NextGen Director of the Foursquare Church went on to say, “We can’t worry about whether the catch comes in on our boat”. He further stated, “NGYN21 is endeavoring to unify NextGen leaders around the world to share and experience what the Holy Spirit is doing in our circles of influence. I am excited to be a part of this Spirit-empowered Network.”
The feeling expressed in the meeting rooms and during casual conversations was that now is the time to connect movements and focus on preaching Jesus. Reaching the 21st Century global harvest is achievable. Esteban Solis, Director of Youth Ministries, Centro Evangelistico, San Jose, Costa Rica, and fellow NGYN21 Commission member said, “Networking with other ministries who long to see a move of the Holy Spirit and are working to see it happen was incredibly encouraging. A great move of God approaches the next generation and NGYN21 will be a key part of it.”
Serving under the organizational oversight of Empowered21, the entire NGYN21 commission agreed to the initial organizational structure, and documents. They further decided to have in place a functionally active website, www.NGYN21.com, by November 2011. Billy Wilson, Director of Empowered21 communicated, “The site will be a centralized resource platform.” The free membership platform will allow content and resourcing to flow from and to a wider group of participants. In addition, the web-site and associated media will provide opportunities to connect, and network with next generation leaders across the spirit-empowered movement, around the world.
NGYN21 also committed to support and attend the Empowered21 USA Converge21 conference, taking place in Virginia Beach, Virginia, during February 29 – March 3, 2012 on the campus of Regent University. Converge21 is a joint partnership effort between Empowered21 and the Society for Pentecostal Studies. This special invitation event will allow 400 Spirit-empowered church leaders, 400 Spirit-empowered scholars, and 400 next generation voices to discuss and address the needs of the Spirit-empowered church in the USA, in the 21st century.
Near the close of the meeting, John Dougherty, Georgia District Youth Director, Georgia Assemblies of God, Macon Georgia, remarked, “A movement of leaders have come together to establish a network of like-minded, Spirit-led people to reach a world of lost and hurting people. I am energized and encouraged at what God is bringing to fruition through this!”
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To book and interview or speaking engagement with Billy Wilson or an NGYN21 Commission Member
contact Empowered21 • 423.478-7078 • [email protected]
The NGYN21 Commission: Co-Chair, Billy Wilson (International Center For Spiritual Renewal) and CO-Chair Jay Mooney (Assemblies of God), Clay Baird (Free Chapel Church), Charles Boyd (International Pentecostal Holiness Church), Debbie Crumbley (United Pentecostal Assemblies of God), Jeremy DeBoard (North Cleveland Church of God), Linwood Dillard (Church of God in Christ), John Dougherty (Assemblies of God), Kelly Fellows (Foursquare Church), Scotty Gibbons (James River Assembly of God), Blake Hammon (Free Chapel Church), Jimmy Harper (Lee University),Vince Hungate (Essential 2 Life), William Lamb (Lee University), Gary Lewis(Church of God), Ron Luce (Teen Mania), Stevie Mitchell (Grace North Church), Craig Mosgrove (North Cleveland Church of God), Billy Njotorahardjo (Gereja Bethel Indonesia), Jerome Ocampo (Jesus Revolution Now – Philippines), Eric Peterson (Oral Roberts University),Ramiro Quirozy (Assemblies of God), Trevor and Aileen Reid (Church of God of Prophecy), Joyce Rodgers (Church of God in Christ), Timothy Ross (Tim Ross Ministries), P. J. Simmons (Essential 2 Life), Esteban and Cristina Solis, (Centro Evangelistico – Costa Rica), Cameron Strang (Relevant Media), and Dusty Wilson (Church of God).
(Source: Center for Spiritual Renewal)
