Intergenerational Ministry

When we read the Bible from cover to cover, never once do we encounter a “JV (or junior) Holy Spirit.” So why do we often treat the spiritual formation and faith journey of our children and teens this way? If God spoke to a young Samuel in the temple (1 Sam 3), who is to say God won’t also speak to our youth today? We invite those whose heart is ministering to the youngest generations (children and teens) to join us as we wrestle with these questions and learn from Eli the priest—who encouraged Samuel to recognize and respond to the voice of God. Together we will explore how to create safe intergenerational spaces for believers to truly encounter the Spirit of the Living God. Come ready to be nurtured, encouraged, and maybe even a little challenged, as we grow in community with one another and the Holy Spirit.

 

FACILITATORS

Kaya Coleman

KAYA COLEMAN

Kaya Coleman is the Children's Minister at Sugar Grove Church of Christ in Meadows Place, Texas. She holds a bachelor's degree in Theology & Ministry from Lipscomb University and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry at Abilene Christian University. Kaya's foundational ministry belief is that no child is too young to encounter the Holy Spirit. She likes to spend her free time visiting museums and local brunch spots in Houston!

 

Kevin Barnett

KEVIN BARNETT

Kevin Barnett is the Youth Minister at Sugar Grove Church of Christ in Meadows Place, Texas. Before that, he received his bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministries with a Biblical Studies minor from Biola University in La Mirada, California. Kevin is passionate about gathering people to “live life together” and the power that community has in the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. He enjoys being a part of his kids’ (ages 8 and 5) extracurricular activities, watching musicals/plays with his wife, and coaching baseball at the local private school.

 

CYNTHIA SMITH

Cynthia Smith graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1987 and has been a member of Sugar Grove Church of Christ for twenty-four years. She and her husband (Roger Smith, ACU Class of 1984) have served in the Live Wire ministry, Sugar Grove’s ministry for 5th and 6th graders, for nineteen of those years. She is blessed to be a part of the lives of her Live Wire students and families. She has recently retired from teaching and is enjoying gardening and quilting classes. She and Roger have two sons, Warren (28) and Wesley (23).

Session Information

The intergenerational ministry community, led by Kaya Coleman, Kevin Barnett and Cynthia Smith, will explore the importance and impact of a less-siloed way of doing ministry. They will examine the benefits as well as the challenges in order to help churches and church leaders think about how an intentional, multigenerational community strengthens the faith development of all. They will be joined by Stacey Losher and Jennifer Schroeder as they enter into this vital discussion.

ADDITIONAL SPEAKER

Stacey Losher

Stacey Losher began serving as the Director of Marketing and Recruiting for the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University in January 2025. Prior to this role, she served for 24 years in congregational ministry—primarily focused on children’s ministry and next-gen ministry.

 

JENNIFER SCHROEDER

Jennifer Schroeder is the Summit director, but prior to coming to ACU, she served in congregational ministry for almost two decades. Jennifer regularly partners with churches to explore what intergenerational ministry can look like within their own contexts, and she is dedicated to helping churches imagine what it means to be a community that reflects the “whole people of God.”

 

THURSDAY MORNING

Introduction

Spiritual Practice

Break

Session 1: Telling the Sugar Grove Story | Cynthia Smith

Cynthia will provide an overview of the history of Sugar Grove ministry transitions and how major losses led to purposeful discussions about the church’s identity and function.

Session 2: “Parents Under Pressure” and the Case for Intergenerational Ministry | Kevin Barnett

Kevin will introduce the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory Report, “Parents Under Pressure,” and highlight how its findings reveal a growing need for a return to multigenerational community gatherings and togetherness.

 

THURSDAY AFTERNOON

Four Corners Check-in

Session 3: Introducing the Discipleship Pipeline | Cynthia Smith and Kaya Coleman

This session will invite you to envision the whole believer’s journey, from birth through adulthood and beyond. We will discuss why this lifelong perspective of spirituality matters and explore the benefits of aligning ministry practices around it.

Break

Spiritual Practice

Session 4: Discipleship Pipeline (continued) | Cynthia Smith and Kaya Coleman

This session will return to the earlier conversation, diving deeper into practical examples and discussion ways to begin mapping or reshaping a “discipleship pipeline” in your own ministry setting.

 

FRIDAY MORNING

Session 5: Round Table Discussions

  • Moving to a Next-Gen Ministry Model | Stacey Losher

  • Embedding Intergenerationality into Your Church’s DNA | Jennifer Schroeder

  • Experiential Practices in Children’s Ministry | Kaya Coleman

Spiritual Practice