YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT STRATEGIC PLAN
LedbyChrisSands–LeadershipStrategist, MinistryDeveloper,andCommunityBuilder
VISION
Tocultivateagenerationoffaith-filled,purposedrivenleaderswhotransformtheircommunities throughspiritualgrowth,service,andleadership excellence—from6thgradethroughcollegeand beyond.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Thisplanestablishesacontinuumofengagementfor youthandyoungadults,designedtoguidestudents throughfourkeyphases:
1.Ignite(6th–8thGrade)–IdentityandFaithFoundation
2.Elevate(9th–12thGrade)–LeadershipandLifeSkills
3.Empower(College/YoungAdults18–25)–Purpose, Career,andCalling
4.Impact(EmergingAdults26–30)–Mentorship,Ministry, andMarketplace
Eachphaseisanchoredinfaith,mentorship,service,and personaldevelopment,ensuringconsistentspiritual growthandpracticalreadinessforlife.
CORE PILLARS
SpiritualFormation
•Weeklyyouthandyoungadultservicestailoredbyage group.
•Monthly“FaithLabs”forrealdiscussionsonidentity, fear,relationships,andpurpose.
•Annualretreat:“DoItScaredWeekend”—focusedon overcomingfear,embracingpurpose,andwalkingin faith.
LeadershipDevelopment
•LaunchaNewBirthLeadershipAcademy(in partnershipwithschoolsandlocalcolleges).
•Offercertificationsormicro-credentialsin leadership,communication,andcommunityservice.
•Buildayouthleadershipcouncilandambassador programforpeermentorship.Highlightallofthe studentsinNewBirththatwouldliketoparticipate inshowcasinggrades(honorroll,starroll,andmost improved).
•Quarterlyleadershiplabsfeaturingcommunity leaders,entrepreneurs,andministryprofessionals.
CORE PILLARS
CommunityEngagement&Service
•Create“ServeSaturdays”—community-basedservice projectsmonthly.
•Establishpartnershipswithlocalnonprofitstoprovide hands-onlearningandcommunityimpactopportunities.
•Introduceanannual“ImpactAtlanta”summermission andserviceweek.
LifeSkills&WorkforceDevelopment
•Host“Faith&FutureForums”—workshopson financialliteracy,mentalhealth,entrepreneurship, andcollege/careerreadiness.
•Createinternshippipelinesthroughlocal businessesandfaith-basedorganizations.
•Implementtrauma-informedcaretrainingfor leadersandvolunteers,equippingthemtosupport at-riskyoutheffectively.
Family&ParentEngagement
•Develop“ParentConnect”—monthlysessionsthat empowerparentstoengagetheirchildren’sfaithjourney.
•Providementalhealthandfamilycounselingresources throughpartnershipswithlocalagencies.
IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK
Phase1:Foundation(First90Days)
•Conductlisteningsessionswithyouth,parents,andleaders.
•Recruitandtrainadiverseleadershipteam(Youth,College,andYoungAdult coordinators).
•Launchmonthlyyouthserviceandsmallgroupsbyagebracket.
•IntegrateDoItScaredcurriculumasapilotdiscipleshipprogram.
Phase2:Development(Months4–9)
•RolloutLeadershipAcademypilot.
•Partnerwithlocalschoolsandcolleges(Morehouse,Spelman,ClarkAtlanta,Georgia State).
•Introducequarterlyserviceprojectsandfamilynights.
•Launchsocialmediaengagementcampaign(@NewBirthNextGen).
Phase3:Expansion(Year2andBeyond)
•Developfull-scalementorshipandinternshipnetworks.
•Launch“ImpactConference”foryouthandyoungadults featuringworship, workshops,andleadershipdevelopment.
•Expandmentalhealthandtrauma-informedministrypartnerships.
•Createscalablemodelsthatcanbesharedwithotherchurchesandministries.
HOW CHRIS SANDS CAN IMPLEMENT THIS PLAN
Chrisbrings:
•ProvenleadershipexperienceasExecutiveDirectorof CommunitySafetyandanationalministrystrategist.
•Auniqueblendofministryandcommunityexpertise, integratingfaith,leadership,andtrauma-informedcare.
•Trackrecordinyouthengagementthroughinitiativeslike 423ChainBreakers,DoItScared,andLifeNationYouth.
•AscalablecoachinganddiscipleshipmodelusingtheDoIt Scaredframeworkandworkbook.
ImplementationStrategy:
1.ServeasStrategicDirectororNextGenPastortodesign andleadtheNextGeninitiative.
2.Developcurriculum,trainstaffandvolunteers,andcoach ministryleadersinimplementation.
3.FacilitatepartnershipsbetweenNewBirthandcommunity organizations,schools,andlocalgovernments.
4.Overseethelaunchandevaluationofprogramoutcomes (attendance,engagement,spiritualgrowth,leadership participation).
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
•75%increaseinyouthandyoungadultengagementwithin12 months.
•Establishmentofasustainableleadershippipelinefrommiddle schoolthroughadulthood.
•Enhancedchurchvisibilityasahubforyouthempowerment andfaith-basedleadership.
•Documentedgrowthincommunityimpactandmember retention.
Strongmediapresencefromstudents,staff,andcommunityon what’shappeningintheministry.