The GenSend Podcast

In episode 2 of Season 7 of The GenSend Podcast, Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor discuss how complicated dating can be to single leaders called to ministry, especially when it feels like their life, leadership, and future are already under a microscope. Listen in as the hosts offer practical biblical wisdom to help you navigate dating with clarity, integrity, and mission-first conviction. You’ll learn how calling, chemistry, and commitment work together, and what happens when one is out of alignment. From avoiding casual dating to setting wise boundaries, this conversation equips you to pursue relationships that strengthen your walk with Christ rather than distract from it. Whether you’re single, dating, or discerning next steps, this episode will help you honor Jesus, the church, and your future. Also in This Episode, Learn:Why commitment to Christ and the mission must come before chemistryHow to discern calling without becoming overly rigid or overly casualWhy casual dating is especially dangerous for ministry leadersRed flags to watch for when dating with a call to ministryHow to pace relationships wisely while trusting God’s timingHelpful Resources:You Can’t Talk About ThatYouth Leader Coaching NetworkGenSend on Instagram and YouTube★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shareable Quotes:“A healthy Christian relationship is two complete people in Christ already that Christ brings together and He's the center of.” —Shane Pruitt “Singleness is not an obstacle to overcome—it’s an opportunity to embrace.” —Paul Worcester “Who you marry will either be your greatest help or your greatest hindrance in ministry.” —Lacey Villasenor“What example would you want set before your kids one day? That’s what you are right now for someone else’s kids.” —Shane Pruitt “If you idolize a dating relationship, you’ll make the same mistake in marriage.” —Paul Worcester “Specific boundaries help everyone know what questions to ask.” —Lacey Villasenor  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the season 7 premiere of The GenSend Podcast, Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor address how growing polarization has fueled cynicism, legalism, and unnecessary division within the church, and especially among young leaders. As a next-gen or collegiate leader, listen in to help students hold biblical convictions with humility and grace. Learn practical frameworks to keep unity in your ministry without compromising truth, and discover the antidote to criticism and spiritual arrogance. This episode will remind you of the mission and give you the fuel to carry it out with convictional kindness and collaborative kingdom work.Also in This Episode, Learn:The importance of modeling humility, especially when addressing disagreements on social media or cultural issuesHow to train students to differentiate conviction from preferenceTo anchor students in Scripture, not just podcasts, influencers, or theological personalitiesWhy evangelism must remain front and center, remembering that winning souls reorients ministries toward what matters mostTo address cynicism early, especially when students fixate on niche theological debates instead of prayer, Scripture, and mission Helpful Resources:Messiology, George VerwerGenSend Youth Leader Coaching NetworkGenSend SummerGenSend on Instagram and YouTube★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shareable Quotes:“I don’t want to be a jerk for Jesus, but I can’t be a coward for Christ either.” —Shane Pruitt “Pride, jealousy, and competition may be one of the greatest hindrances to revival.” —Paul Worcester “Young people are tired of seeing church leaders act just like the culture.” —Lacey Villasenor“If learning theology makes you more arrogant, then you don’t understand good theology.” —Shane Pruitt “What we do in moderation, our students will do in excess.” —Paul Worcester “Convictional kindness is what this generation is longing to see.” —Lacey Villasenor Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 7 of Season 6, Shane Pruitt, Lacey Villasenor, and Paul Worcester unpack why getting Jesus right is essential for every ministry leader and every student we shepherd. Hear the most common cultural distortions of Jesus and how to help students rediscover the biblical Jesus revealed in Scripture. Be equipped with tools for teaching repentance, lordship, the exclusivity of Christ, and the urgency of evangelism with clarity and compassion. Take away practical strategies such as gospel appointments, three evangelism habits, and how to correct false views of Jesus without shame or fear. Be encouraged to preach the real Jesus boldly and train your students to do the same.Also in This Episode, Learn:To identify and dismantle cultural “false Jesus” narratives using Scripture, not opinion.The importance of teaching a full biblical gospel every time you present Jesus.To equip students to normalize hard conversations about hell, eternity, and exclusivity, topics Jesus spoke about often.How essential it is to model tears and compassion for the lost, showing students that passion flows from understanding the gospel.To prioritize gospel appointments with new students and train them to do the same with others. Helpful Resources:Not My Jesus - Teen Bible Study Book: Reclaiming the Truth, Rejecting the IdolsNot My Jesus - Bible Study Book with Video Access: Reclaiming the Truth, Rejecting the IdolsLife on Mission AppCreating a Culture of Evangelism for Youth LeadersCreating a Culture of Evangelism for Collegiate LeadersGenSend on Instagram and YouTube★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shareable Quotes:“If we don’t get Jesus right, we don’t get anything right—evangelism, discipleship, missions.” —Shane Pruitt “What this generation wants more than anything else is for you to open the Bible and explain it clearly and boldly.” —Paul Worcester “Those with the greatest grasp of the gospel have the greatest compassion for the lost.” —Paul Worcester “The longer someone talks about their Jesus, the less he sounds like the Jesus of the Bible.” —Shane Pruitt   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 6 of Season 6, Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor sit down with speaker, comedian, and K-LOVE radio host Lacy Abercrombie to talk about a topic every student leader needs to think through: how Christian-influencer culture shapes your faith. Be equipped to help your students discern truth online, stay rooted in the local church, and use their influence for the glory of God—not personal brand-building. Walk away ready to lead students to engage the digital world with wisdom, guard their hearts from comparison, and lead others toward authentic discipleship that happens face-to-face, not just through screens.Also in This Episode, Learn:How to use social media as a tool for evangelism and encouragement without losing your focus on the gospelThe difference between being discipled and simply consuming Christian contentWhy online influence should supplement, not replace, local church communityHow to stay rooted in biblical truth when loud voices online sound convincing but lack depthPractical guardrails for pastors, ministry leaders, and students using digital platformsHelpful Resources:GenSend on Instagram and YouTube★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shareable Quotes:“We can replace time with God by consuming content about God. And that’s dangerous.”  —Lacy Abercrombie “An influencer can’t replace your church. We were made to be known and known in community.”—Lacy Abercrombie“Look down at your two feet. Right there is your mission field. Even your digital footprint is ground God can use.”—Shane Pruitt “There’s an idolatry of cool in our culture. We’ve started equating influence with wisdom.”—Paul Worcester “There’s a difference between being inspired by someone online and being discipled by someone who knows you.”—Lacey Villasenor“There’s so much beauty in being shepherded, known, and held accountable.”—Lacy Abercrombie  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 5 of Season 6 of The GenSend Podcast, Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor sit down with worship pastor Ben Halsey to talk about the heart of worship in a culture shaped by influencers. What happens when the platforms and performance are stripped away and students encounter the presence of God through worship? Hear practical guidance for training young worship leaders to stay grounded in Scripture, walk closely with Jesus, and lead with humility. Discover the balance between excellence and authenticity in ministry, whether you’re developing a student worship team or discipling young believers. Lead your ministry to focus on what truly matters: worshiping Christ above all else.Also in This Episode:Be reminded to teach young worship leaders to walk with Jesus daily before releasing them to step on stage.Learn strategies to train students to evaluate songs and lyrics through the filter of God’s Word.Consider how modeling humility teaches student worship leaders to value servanthood over stardom.Discover how to equip students to plan well but ultimately let God lead the moment, holding everything with open hands to give space for the Holy Spirit to move.Explore conversations with young leaders to keep motives pure, asking the “why” behind every element of setlists, technology, and production choices.Helpful Resources:The Reset: Returning to the Heart of Worship and a Life of Undivided Devotion by Jeremy RiddleThe Selfless Way of Christ: Downward Mobility and the Spiritual Life by Henri NouwenWhy Revival Tarries by Leonard RavenhillThe Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine by A.W. TozerGrowing Up: How to Be a Disciple Who Makes Disciples by Robby GallatyGenSend on Instagram and YouTube★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shareable Quotes:“It all comes down to the leader. Are they putting truth in a song that helps mature this generation, or are they offering a shallow faith because they themselves have a shallow faith?” —Ben Halsey “Some of the most powerful worship moments happen when the technology fails.” —Shane Pruitt “We value training people up more than we value perfection in every environment.” —Paul Worcester  “How can we help students focus more on God’s glory than on style?” —Lacey Villasenor  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 4 of Season 6 of The GenSend Podcast, Shane and Kasi Pruitt join cohosts Paul Worcester and Lacey Villasenor to talk about leading “the unique kids,” the ones who don’t always fit the mold. Gain biblical wisdom and practical insight to shepherd every student with patience and purpose. Hear stories of transformation and learn how to see disruptive or quirky students the way God does: as image bearers with potential for kingdom impact. Be encouraged to fight against the instinct to pull away from chaotic situations and instead see them redeemed into powerful ministry moments. Also in This Episode:Learn to redefine success by laying down the idol of a perfectly polished ministry and embracing a messy but meaningful ministry. Discover how to create space for every personality where quirky, loud, or “extra” kids can belong and contribute.Explore how to set the tone for your leaders, building a culture where gossip or sarcasm about students cannot exist. Consider how to channel disruptive energy into leadership, giving high-energy students ownership and responsibility.Find strategies to diversify your leadership team by recruiting volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to connect with every kind of student.Helpful Resources:Youth Leader Coaching NetworkGenSend Resources for LeadersGenSend on Instagram and YouTube★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareable Quotes:“Some of the hardest kids in ministry end up being the ones who make such a difference for the kingdom.”—Kasi Pruitt“Jesus was constantly interrupted, and He welcomed it.”—Shane Pruitt “Put the unique kids on your prayer list and give them a place to serve.”—Paul Worcester “The most important thing is that they matter to God. So, how do we shepherd them really well?—Lacey Villasenor Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 3 of Season 6, Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor tackle the increase of spirituality among Gen Z and how leaders can respond. They explore how today’s students are open to spiritual conversations but are also deeply influenced by new age practices, DIY spirituality, and false gospels. Gain practical tools to help students discern truth from error, anchor their faith in Scripture, and avoid the temptation to “add to Jesus.” Be better equipped to shepherd students toward the real Jesus in a culture full of counterfeits. Also in this episode:Recognize the rise of DIY spirituality and new age practices influencing Gen Z.Teach students that Jesus is enough and that faith is not “Jesus plus” anything.Discover how to leverage students’ hunger for spiritual experience by pointing them to the Bread of Life.Be encouraged to boldly call out false spirituality while modeling true prayer, worship, and Scripture engagement.Learn how to equip students to identify false gospels and cultural lies by comparing them with Scripture.Helpful Resources:GenSend Webinar, “Who is the Real Jesus?”Not My Jesus Bible StudyDiscovery Bible StudyGenSend on Instagram and YouTube★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareable Quotes:“If we don’t get Jesus right, we don’t get anything right.”—Shane Pruitt “Two-thirds of Gen Z is moderately spiritually open … whoever gets to them first matters.”—Paul Worcester “So much of this DIY spirituality requires extra things to connect to God to get a spiritual high, but it doesn’t last. With the Holy Spirit, you’re connected to God 24/7.”—Lacey Villasenor“The test of true spirituality is: what does it say about Jesus?”—Paul Worcester   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 2 of Season 6, Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor explore the hot topic of artificial intelligence. AI is reshaping the way the world thinks, plans, and communicates, but is it a tool pastors should leverage or a danger to be avoided? Next-gen leaders will gain insight into how to approach AI with wisdom, use it with integrity, and disciple students already engaging with it daily. Hear stories, practical examples, and biblical reminders to keep Christ at the center of the cultural AI conversation. Also in this episode:Discern how AI can assist in streamlining administrative tasks, planning trips, or creating resources—ultimately freeing leaders to focus more on the students they serve.Warn students about the dangers of relying on AI for truth, identity, or belonging, reminding them that only Christ can provide real hope.Address tough questions directly, like whether AI-generated pornography or avatars still fall under lust and sin, so students don’t look elsewhere for answers.Guard your own integrity as a leader by avoiding shortcuts in sermon prep and letting your teaching overflow from personal time with God’s Word.Discover how to use AI as a practice tool for evangelism by simulating gospel conversations that can help prepare students for real-life encounters.  Helpful Resources:ChapGPTWho’s Your One in a MillionYouth Leader Coaching NetworkCollegiate Coaching NetworkGenSend on Instagram and YouTube★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Shareable Quotes: “We never want to call ChatGPT ‘Pastor Chat’ or ‘Counselor Chat.’ We have to encourage students and help them understand where they can go for real, actual help.”—Shane Pruitt  “People are already using AI as a pastor, a friend, even a significant other. That’s not real relationship.”—Lacey Villasenor “Let’s be wise and tread carefully into the waters of AI. But if we can use it with integrity for the glory of God, let's use it.”—Paul Worcester  “The best sermons are those that you've bled over the Scriptures yourself, when the Holy Spirit's worked out things in you rather than receiving a response back from ChatGPT in 10 seconds.”—Shane Pruitt  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to Season 6 of The GenSend Podcast! Join hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor as they launch the new season with shortened episodes to serve you as you lead the next generation. Listen in to episode 1 as they discuss how to reach and disciple Gen Alpha, students born 2010–2025. Discover what makes Gen Alpha unique, how the church can minister to them in the areas of their greatest needs, and how you can help them leverage their strengths for the gospel. Also in this episode:Be equipped to disciple the digital generation by leaning into their online presence while helping them build stronger in-person relational skills.Recognize and respond to Gen Alpha’s awareness of brokenness with the hope of the gospel, pointing them to Jesus as the true Savior.Develop clarity in preaching and teaching, offering biblical depth that students are hungry for rather than relying on shallow entertainment.Model healthy family life within your church community to fill in the gaps many students experience in fractured or nontraditional homes.Adopt a missionary mindset by going to where students are, engaging their friend groups, and contextualizing ministry for their world. Helpful Resources:Theology Masterclass by New ChurchesGenSend on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission athttps://GenSend.org★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareable Quotes:“Students can get entertainment elsewhere. They just want the Word of God. They have a hunger for that.”—Paul Worcester  “As an evangelist, it excites me that Gen Alpha knows they’re messed up and that they’re already at a young age looking for more.” —Shane Pruitt  “This generation is all in on the few things they care about, especially their close friends. They’ll protect and advocate for them fiercely.”—Lacey Villasenor“Like missionaries, we need to contextualize ministry for this generation. Let’s stay focused on the basics and let God’s Word do the work.”—Paul Worcester “If we’re spending more time on developing bumper videos and planning games than we are in the Word and preparing to teach the Word, we’re missing it. And this generation will reject that.”—Shane Pruitt  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 8 of Season 5 is a recording of the recent GenSend Webinar, The Handoff. Hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor are joined by respected ministry leaders, Josh Stephenson and Trace Hamiter as they discuss how essential it is to connect with college freshmen during their first months of college to ensure they remain solid in the faith. Josh shares his top 10 ways to close the gap between youth and college ministry, while Trace emphasizes the critical role of relationships and community even before day 1 of college for freshmen. Gain additional insights as the hosts answer questions from webinar participants.Also in this episode:Discover how youth and collegiate leaders can connect with one another to help their students quickly build relationships in collegeGain knowledge on how best to structure college/young adult ministry based on your local contextLearn new ways youth ministry can prepare graduating seniors for a successful launch into college lifeDevelop strategies to keep high school seniors from prematurely checking out of youth ministry before graduationLearn how church-based college ministries can partner well parachurch organizations that also serve college studentsHelpful Resources:The Oaks CollaborativeCampus Community Connect Appcollegeministry.com★     Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★     Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Shareable Quotes:“One of the most strategic moments in a person’s life is that first month of transitioning from high school to the college years.” — Paul Worcester“Ministry happens at the speed of relationships. We have to create deepening relationships quickly among college freshmen.” — Josh Stephenson “College fraternities spend their summers connecting with potential freshmen who could rush their fraternities. Why do secular organizations outpace churches and ministries when it comes to intentionality and recruiting?” — Paul Worcester“The main reason students fall away from their faith in college is actually social, it’s community. And so, how do we connect them to Christ-centered community quickly?” — Trace Hamiter, The Oaks Collaborative“The largest missing segment in any church is the 22–35 age range, but ironically, that’s the largest population segment. We need the Lord to raise up missionaries to be sent out among this people group.” — Shane Pruitt“People become who they will be for the rest of their lives in college. That’s why I’ve served college students my entire adult life.” — Trace Hamiter, The Oaks Collaborative Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 7 of Season 5, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor are joined by guest Preston Perry, an apologist, evangelist, and poet. Tune in as they discuss the importance of evangelism for the growth of the Church and how to make it a natural part of daily life. Learn practical strategies and the spiritual disciplines needed to engage in more meaningful, Spirit-led gospel conversations. Find the courage to step out in evangelism with boldness and love even when you don’t have all the answers.Also in this episode:Discover the significance mentors play in training and modeling evangelism for the next generation Gain insights on why evangelism hasn’t been prioritized among believers in the Western Church and how to remedy these issuesLearn how the Holy Spirit equips and empowers believers to boldly speak the name of JesusBe reminded of how essential kindness is in evangelism since the gospel message is already offensive enough to the lostFind resources on how churches can create a culture of evangelism within the church and equip members to share the gospel   Helpful Resources:How to Tell the TruthEveryday EvangelismNAMB Evangelism KitConnect with Preston Perry:Instagram, YouTube, X, Facebook,preston-perry.com★     Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission athttps://GenSend.org★     Subscribe to “The GenSend Podcast” on your favorite podcast platform.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Shareable Quotes:“Why am I doing evangelism? Am I doing this to look intelligent, like I’m better than the next man? Am I doing this to feel good about myself or because I have a savior complex? Or am I doing this to lead somebody to the Lord? Am I doing this to win a heart?”—Preston Perry“Let’s redefine the win. The win is not getting the person to pray to receive Christ on the spot. The win is just starting a spiritual conversation.”—Paul Worcester“Every heart has a cry. We must ask the right questions to hear it. A lot of times, we don't hear the cry because we’re so busy arguing. I try to ask the right questions so I can hear the cry. And then, once I hear the cry, I can serve.”—Preston Perry“Evangelism is not just going and telling people about your church. Telling people about your church is good marketing, but good evangelism is telling people about Jesus.”—Shane Pruitt“Trusting in the Holy Spirit and being led by the Lord will help us avoid arguments during spiritual conversations. I think we often get into arguments because we are trusting in our own knowledge.”—Preston Perry“We’re not talking about Jesus because we’re not excited about Him ourselves. The first step to evangelism is sitting at the feet of Jesus.”—Shane Pruitt Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 6 of Season 5, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor welcome very special guests: Paul’s son, Owen, and Shane’s daughter, Harper. Instead of discussing strategies about the next-gen, we hear from Gen Alpha themselves. Discover what today’s middle schoolers wish youth leaders and pastors knew from their perspective and hear what’s impacted them most in their walk with the Lord. Learn fresh ways to reach students who need the gospel and how to equip believing students with gospel-sharing tools.Also in this episode:How to encourage students as they stand out from the culture because of their faithHow to strategically leverage students’ hobbies and interests for greater gospel impactThe significant and influential role volunteer small group leaders play in students’ livesIdeas for equipping your students to reach their public-school peers with the gospelPastor and youth leader sermon-prep tips from the next-genHelpful Resources:S.O.A.P Bible Study MethodG.O.S.P.E.L. Tool for Sharing the GospelFellowship of Christian Athletes★     Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★     Subscribe to “The GenSend Podcast” on your favorite podcast platform.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Shareable Quotes:“I didn’t expect anyone to show up at our first FCA meeting, but 150 students came, and we had to move out of the classroom to a hallway.”—Harper Pruitt“Using the S.O.A.P. method helped me read the Bible more consistently.”—Owen Worcester“Personal is most powerful when it comes to discipling the next generation.”—Paul Worcester“There are so many ways to live on mission; a lot of that is just taking the interests and passion God’s given you and using it for His glory. It’s cool to see young people doing that.”—Shane Pruitt“It’s hard to be a Christian on my school team. Some girls will make bad decisions, so it’s tempting to follow them, but I keep my faith in the Lord. It’s made me a better leader.”—Harper Pruitt“Living on mission is intentionally engaging people with the gospel where you live, work, and play. And so, pastors and leaders, encourage your students to leverage what they’re already doing to be a light and point people to Jesus.”—Lacey Villasenor“There is a hunger for truth with young people. They want to know the Bible. They want to know doctrine and theology. They want to understand truth. This is not us just saying this for a generation; it’s them saying it themselves: ‘Hey, teach us the text. Teach us the word. Teach us how to live this out.’”—Shane Pruitt Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 5 of Season 5, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor welcome guest Ellington Crabtree to the show. Ellington is a junior at the University of Kentucky and discusses how she is leveraging her life as a college student for the glory of God. Be encouraged as she shares how God is actively moving to ignite students with a passion for sharing the gospel and following Him fully in every aspect of their lives, on and off campus. Also in this episode:How to strategically reach college freshmen during their first weeks on campus The impact of intentionally training and equipping the next generationWhy mentorship and church community are vital for college students to live on mission and thriveHow youth and college pastors can collaborate to bridge the gap for incoming freshmenThe role of the Holy Spirit to work in both large-scale revival as well as in the mundane moments of obedienceHelpful Resources:GenSend Webinar: The HandoffPersonal Ministry Impact WorksheetSpiritual Leadership, J. Oswald SandersReplicate, Robby GallatySacred Fire, Ronald RolheiserNot a Fan, Kyle Idleman★     Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at GenSend.org★     Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Shareable Quotes:“The most important thing that the Lord has been teaching me is to include Him in everything that I do and getting to see college students join in on that. It expands, and you see the brokenness on the campus and want to see Jesus make change in that.” —Ellington Crabtree“Shout out to our college ministries that are focused on reaching freshmen. I want to double down on the reminder that this is such a pivotal moment, maybe one of the most pivotal moments in someone’s entire life.” —Paul Worcester“Life change is walking day by day, moment by moment, discipleship, walking in holiness, in righteousness, in the right direction. Ministry is not a sprint; it's a marathon.” —Shane Pruitt“This is a revival generation where we're seeing the resurgence of a new passion for evangelism and for discipleship.” —Lacey Villasenor“College pastors have the opportunity to strategically help students think through their personal ministry, their spheres of influence. They can consider that their mission field.” —Paul Worcester Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 4 of Season 5, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor welcome guests Everett and Olivia Sinclair, who discuss leveraging their post-grad years for the gospel. Hear insights from their journey as they participated in GenSend Summer during college and intentionally chose to live on mission in Boston after graduation. Discover the essential role of the local church in equipping and preparing college students to fulfill the Great Commission after college ministry and graduation.Also in this episode:The role of prayer in living on missionHow to leverage your non-ministry vocation for the gospelHow church leaders can best prepare students for post-grad missional living The impact of faith-filled, multigenerational church lifeHow to intentionally establish newlywed life for the gospel Helpful Resources:Every Good Endeavor by Tim KellerSpiritual Multiplication in the Real World by Bob McNabbMeet Generation Z by James Emery WhiteLoveology by John Mark ComerChurch Membership by Jonathan LeemanGenSend Summer★    Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★    Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Shareable Quotes:“Through college I saw the value of the local church, so I knew that I wanted to be invested in that post-grad as well. Our ministry gave us a solid foundation in the Word and taught us through example of how families and young adults live on mission.” —Olivia Sinclair“They're actually helping students think through what they're going to do post-grad, not just occupation-wise, but thinking through where they're going to go live and to let it be a place of impact, and then find a job in that city, find a place to live on mission in that city.” —Shane Pruitt “Through college I was wrestling with whether to go into ministry or the workplace. During my last summer of GenSend, I was a part of a Faith and Work cohort and caught a vision for God's view of work and different ways to leverage a secular job for the kingdom.” —Everett Sinclair “Pray for B.O.B. Pray for a Burden for the lost, an Opportunity to witness, and Boldness to proclaim Christ every morning.” —Paul Worcester“Especially today, as we become more and more digital, people crave that in-person connection, and it's so rare. We have an opportunity as believers to show some gospel hospitality and open up our tables, open up our homes to lost people.” —Lacey Villasenor Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 3 of Season 5, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor meet with pastor and licensed professional counselor, Dr. Shannon Thomas, to discuss the mental health crisis of the next generation and to answer the question, “Have we started to lean on therapy too much?” Join the GenSend team as they unpack the role of mental health resources in light of the victory found in the gospel. Discover the truths found in Scripture and what it looks like to live resiliently with the hope of Christ.Also in this episode:The impact of social media on our anxiety and lack of connectionHow to recognize the signs of a mental health crisisThe role of biblical community in times of struggleHow a right view of God’s sovereignty helps us in our sufferingThe ways we’ve allowed culture to sway our values as the churchHelpful Resources:The Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtBad Therapy by Abigail ShrierThe Calvary Road by Roy HessionWhy Revival Tarries by Leonard RavenhillGoing Higher with God in Prayer by A.W. TozerA Creative Minority by Jon Tyson and Heather Grizzle★   Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★   Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.Shareable Quotes:“Students are living in a fear of missing out in real time. They’re aware of everything going on around them and what they’re being left out of. It drives up that fear and anxiety.” —Shane Pruitt“If my entire world is really in the palm of my hand, and if you take that away, what else do I have? There’s not much social connection or community when all community happens electronically.” —Dr. Shannon Thomas“When life gets hard, boredom hits, or you are getting anxious, you just turn to your phone to numb it out instead of learning to cope with your feelings or the situation you got yourself in.” —Lacey Villasenor“We’re almost building a community around how we label ourselves. There’s been a high focus on transparency and authenticity as core values for young people, and then we turned this cliche into a core value of the church when it really started in culture.” —Shane Pruitt“Part of what we have to do is teach ourselves and each other is, ‘Okay, when I’m experiencing anxiety, what is really going on? What am I anxious about? Or what is causing this anxiety?’” —Dr. Shannon Thomas“In terms of our relationship with Jesus Christ, we have victory, hope, and a deep sense of wellbeing—to know that no matter what my circumstances are, victory is on the other side of this.” —Dr. Shannon Thomas Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 2 of Season 5, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor meet with Brandon Gilbert and Cody Carroll, the residency director and college director of Redeemer Church in Lubbock, Texas. Tune in as the GenSend team unpacks the impact and inner workings of the residency program at Redeemer from those who have led, built out, and participated in the early days of the program. Be inspired to raise up the next generation of ministry leaders through a meaningful residency that can change lives—and leadership trajectories—for the gospel.Also in this episode:The benefits of support raising and how you can get started with confidenceWhy grittiness, creativity, hunger, accountability, and teachability are essentials for prospective residentsWhy seminary and residency training do not have to be at odds within your ministryHow you can effectively develop your program’s interview and pipeline processesWhy the freedom to fail is so vital for the next generation of ministry leadersHelpful Resources:Calling Out the Called by Scott Pace and Shane PruittReliant MissionThe Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan“Creating Your Collegiate Leadership Pipeline” by Paul Worcester and Wes SmithLeaders Eat Last by Simon SinekCenter Church by Tim KellerGaining by Losing by J.D. GreearThe Making of a Leader by J. Robert ClintonThe Critical Journey by Janet O. Hagberg and Robert A. Guelich★   Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★   Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Shareable Quotes:“The biggest thing I gained was the freedom to fail, to learn what does or doesn’t work, and to be really, really safe in the midst of figuring out if ministry was what God was calling me to.” —Cody Carroll“The skills you develop in raising support are the same kind of ministry skills that you develop when starting a new church or ministry.” —Paul Worcester“The people we want are hungry, faithful, available, and teachable. We’re not looking for perfect, polished people. We’re not looking for who has it all together.” —Brandon Gilbert“In college ministry, if you can create an almost staff-level, intern-level role, you can do a lot of good training and utilize their gifts through your college ministry.” —Paul Worcester“Is there a passion for the Lord and for spiritual disciplines? If we’re having to convince people to surrender to a calling to ministry leadership, then that hunger for the work is probably not there.” —Shane Pruitt“Both seminary and residency training can be super helpful in sharpening you for the kingdom and for the local church.” —Shane Pruitt Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to Season 5 of The GenSend Podcast! Join hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor as they launch the new season and are joined by special guest and friend of the podcast Mauricio Villasenor. Tune in as this campus-pastor-turned-church-planter shares his experiences in navigating his calling into vocational ministry. Discover your next steps in discerning where God is leading you to live on mission in leadership, as well as how you can move with confidence as you follow God’s calling upon your life.Also in this episode:The impact of mentorship and a deep prayer life as you navigate your callingKnowing when to transition from one role to the nextKey characteristics to develop within yourself as a prospective ministry leaderWhat you should ask from others as you discern your calling into ministryHelpful Resources:Calling Out the CalledYouth Leader Coaching NetworkThe Insanity of God by Nik RipkenDisappearing Church and Reappearing Church by Mark SayersThe Pastor’s Justification by Jared WilsonTactics by Greg Koukl★   Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org★   Subscribe to “The GenSend Podcast” on your favorite podcast platform.Shareable Quotes:“I’m so thankful for the leaders who discipled me and then even let me start serving, knowing that I was going to make a mess of things, but who also knew that serving would be a part of that journey.” – Shane Pruitt“It’s a combination of the Lord putting burdens and passions on your heart and then people speaking into your life, and doors of opportunity opening up.” - Lacey Villasenor“Your primary job is to focus on the depth of your ministry, sit at Jesus’ feet, and grow in godly maturity, character, wisdom, and integrity. Then, the Lord will take care of what the platforms look like.” – Shane Pruitt“God is a lot more likely to direct us if we’re moving full-speed towards His mission.” – Paul Worcester“God is not the changing God who changes His mind on things. He’s consistent. So, if He called you to something, He’s not going to call you out of that thing unless He releases you.” - Mauricio Villasenor“It's good to be patient. When you have a call to ministry, it doesn’t mean you’re going to be on stage rocking the mic right away. Sometimes, you grow into ministry; you don’t go into ministry.” – Paul Worcester Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 7 of Season 4, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor meet up with author, apologist, pastor, and professor Lee Strobel to discuss his insights on training the next generation of Christ followers to engage those outside the Christian faith with the hope of the gospel. Discover new, practical ways that you and your leaders can engage the lost with the love of Christ and go deeper in relationship with those who are searching for answers. Learn why the Lord is calling us away from earthly comforts so that we can see lives changed through the power of His Word. Also in This Episode: The biggest hurdle young people have when engaging others in gospel conversations The #1 tool for Next Gen evangelism (and why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach!) Why relational connection is essential for training students to share the gospel Effective questions you can ask to gauge a person’s spiritual openness How your awkward conversations could change the trajectory of a person’s life forever! Helpful Resources: The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith: Check out Lee’s series that takes a deeper look into many of the hard questions of Christianity, as well as the most common “heart barriers” to accepting the Christian faith Is God Real?: Check out Lee’s new book that considers the bigger questions surrounding God’s existence amidst the reality of human suffering. Explore these questions as you engage more deeply in the world of apologetics. Contagious Faith: Discover your own natural style for sharing the love of Jesus with others and unpack Mark Mittelberg’s five approaches to evangelism. How to Share Jesus Using Gospel Appointments: Nervous about sharing the good news with others? Read through our step-by-step guide to having intentional gospel conversations with strangers. Life Essentials: These 6 short videos by Shane and Paul discuss what to do now that new believers have received eternal life. What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? NAMB Apologetics: As you share the gospel with friends, neighbors, coworkers, and more, you may encounter questions about your faith and other religions. Find answers to the most common questions here. The One-Verse Bridge Diagram: Incorporate this tool into your next gospel conversation to help you demonstrate the truth of Romans 6:23 using a visual diagram to assist you as you engage the lost with the gospel. Q Place: Receive coaching to grow in confidence as you help others discover Jesus in our culture today. Learn how to start and lead a group for the purpose of building relationships and inviting friends into safe spiritual conversations. Shareable Quotes: “Being Jesus to people is much more effective than trying to be ‘Mr. Apologetics’ and giving intellectual reasons for something.” – Lee Strobel “Sharing the hope of Christ with people turns us into listeners. A lot of times in evangelism, it can very quickly turn into us doing all the talking, but asking questions turns us into listeners, which was the model that Jesus often led with.” – Shane Pruitt “A lot of theological and apologetics questions start at the head, but what you’re doing is bringing it down to the heart level and connecting with the person in love. People need to know that we genuinely love them, and love covers a multitude of sins.” – Paul Worcester “When I say the word ‘evangelist,’ I would like your name to come to mind, that you’re an evangelist. Even though you don’t see yourself that way, you can be yourself and share Christ in a way that syncs up with who God made you to be, and God will use you.” – Lee Strobel “The more we hear ourselves articulate the gospel, the more confident we’ll get. And the more confident we are in what we’re saying, the more we will be able to share it.” – Shane Pruitt Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 6 of Season 4, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor team up with pastor Dean Inserra for this virtual webinar to discuss practical insights for navigating election season while still fostering a biblical worldview. Join the over 300 Next Gen leaders who attended this virtual webinar and discover ways to equip your students and leaders to see everything through the lens of the gospel, as well as the church’s role in a polarizing world. Tune in to hear more tangible ways to cultivate an atmosphere of thinking biblically and living missionally from the walls of your ministry to the world beyond. Also in This Episode: How Jeremiah 29 gives us insight as political exiles in a polarizing world The three institutions God calls His people to faithfully invest in The impact of leading with both courage and compassion in the modern political landscape Why it’s essential for Christians to speak into the cultural conversations of today What it means to “be loving anyway” in an affirming culture Helpful Resources: The Unsaved Christian: Check out Dean’s book on reaching cultural Christianity with the truth of Christ’s gospel How Should Leaders Address the Topics of Gender, Sexuality, and LGBTQ+ Issues?: Tune into our episode with Sean McDowell that connects modern-day issues with Scripture’s eternal truth Trevin Wax: Content Creation for the Next Generation: Join the GenSend team as they discuss the importance of holding fast to a Christian worldview in the digital age Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at gensend.org. Subscribe to “The GenSend Podcast” on your favorite podcast platform. Shareable Quotes: “Gen Z enjoys talking about politics more than millennials do. They don’t shy away from it and have been voting at a higher rate than millennials. Not only do they want to talk about it more, but they’re also more engaged in the entire process.” – Paul Worcester “It’s not that the church has gotten more political; politics have gotten more theological and spiritual. We could almost get away with saying the wrong thing theologically or biblically before we could get away with what someone else deems wrong politically.” – Dean Inserra “We make a big mistake when we try to get our churches to think about politics less. I think we just need to think about being salt and light more.” – Dean Inserra “Truly, you’re never going to be loving enough if you go and speak out against the sacred creeds of our culture today. Be loving anyways.” – Dean Inserra “What are we going to do on November 6? I’m going to do the same thing I’ve been doing for over 20 years as a believer: pray for the president and preach about the King.” – Shane Pruitt Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 5 of Season 4, hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor welcome Keith Wieser to discuss the latest challenges and strategies for reaching the next generation of college students. Keith shares insights from his 17 years of ministry, including the key cultural shifts affecting students today, such as the roles of anxiety, identity, and technology in their lives. The conversation dives into practical approaches for discipling students in a rapidly changing culture and highlights the importance of relational evangelism, multiplication, and being led by the Spirit. Also in This Episode: How emotional intelligence plays a greater role in ministering to students Practical strategies for identifying and discipling spiritually open students The critical role of multiplication in maturing student disciples Navigating the impacts of anxiety, social media, and identity in student ministry today How to equip student leaders for mission and evangelism Helpful Resources: The Resonate Collective: Learn more about Keith Wieser’s church planting and leadership resources. Evangelism for Collegiate Leaders: Discover how to equip and empower those in your student ministry to share the gospel with others. eBook Series on Collegiate Church Ministry and Planting: Check out this four-ebook series that explores how to help college students live on mission. Shareable Quotes: “I think almost every college minister I’ve talked to is like, “Man, the challenge is getting people to be in a committed thing. ‘Are you coming to this event?’ So, there’s a sense of needing to recognize and recalibrate to that lower level of commitment.” — Keith Wieser “It’s okay to not be okay, but it ain’t okay to stay that way when there’s another way. And Jesus is the way.” — Shane Pruitt “I haven’t found anything better to help someone overcome that inward focus, that anxiety, than being a part of the movement of God on mission via evangelism, disciple-making, and living on mission.” — Paul Worcester “Non-believers have more clarity related to their spiritual interests. Either I’m interested in spiritual things, or I’m not.” — Keith Wieser Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.