Purpose

The Growth for the Next Generation pillar exists to ensure that Asbury Grove remains a place where children, youth, young families, and future generations encounter the living presence of God and grow in faith within a vibrant, Christ-centered community. It provides long-term strategic direction so that youth programs, family retreats, Kids Camp, leadership development, and church affiliations flourish as intentional pathways for the next generation—honoring our historic camp-meeting roots while preparing the Grove for lasting spiritual fruitfulness in the decades ahead.

Guiding Question: “How will Asbury Grove intentionally prepare children, youth, young families, and future generations to encounter God in the years ahead?”

Alignment with Vision and Mission

• Vision: Experience the presence of God in a vibrant, Christ-centered community. 

• Mission: Inspire people to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ, cultivate community, and faithfully steward our heritage and resources, so that residents, guests, and future generations may be transformed by God.

This pillar is the primary means by which the Grove intentionally prepares and invests in children, youth, and young families so that the next generation encounters God and carries forward the spiritual life of the community.

Scope

This pillar encompasses all efforts that shape the spiritual formation and engagement of the next generation at Asbury Grove, including: 

• Youth programs, family retreats, kids camp

• Leadership development among youth

• Local church youth affiliations and shared ministry opportunities

• Age-appropriate discipleship, engagement, and recreational initiatives

• Assessment of the needs of children, youth, young families, and Grove demographics

• Alignment of next-generation priorities with Board and committee planning and resourcing 

• It does not own operational details of other pillars, but closely partners with Community Life and Spiritual Life to ensure the spiritual growth and belonging of the next generation permeate every aspect of the Grove experience. 

Strategic Objectives (Multi-Year)

• Articulate and implement a clear, compelling multi-year strategic plan that sets priorities, measurable goals, and developmental milestones for strengthening youth programs, family retreats, Kids Camp, leadership development among youth, and local church youth affiliations.

• Design, implement, and evaluate high-quality, age-appropriate discipleship, engagement, and recreational initiatives that help children and youth experience God’s presence, form lasting faith, and develop a deep sense of belonging in the Grove.

• Ensure oversight of child safety compliance, abuse prevention training, and protective policies (e.g., Safe Sanctuary standards) across all youth and camp programming.

• Build and strengthen strategic relationships with local churches to expand youth affiliation and shared ministry opportunities without diluting the Grove’s distinct identity and heritage.

• Regularly assess the needs of children, youth, and young families, along with Grove demographics, so that programming anticipates future opportunities and challenges.

• Cultivate a culture of next-generation leadership by identifying, mentoring, and empowering emerging leaders among youth and young families within the community.
  

Leadership & Governance

• Pillar Leader: Responsible for owning, developing, maintaining, and refining the multi-year strategic plan; setting direction; aligning a team; establishing metrics; and partnering with the Board and related committees.

• The Leader works with other Strategic Pillar Leaders, including the Steering Oversight Committee, to ensure strategy alignment and determine resource needs. 

• The Leader, with the Oversight Committee, reports progress to the Asbury Grove Board.

• Decision-making authority for next-generation programming direction rests with the Pillar Leader in consultation with the Board, while day-to-day youth ministry, camp, and family programming remain coordinated with the pastor and related ministry teams.
  

Key Success Indicators

• Clear, documented multi-year strategic plan that is reviewed and updated annually

• Measurable growth in participation, engagement, spiritual growth, and leadership development among children, youth, and young families

• Demonstrated partnerships with local churches that expand youth affiliation and shared ministry

• Regular (at least annual) assessments of next-generation needs and demographics that inform planning

• Visible pipeline of emerging youth and family leaders within the community

• Alignment of next-generation priorities with overall Grove budgeting and long-term resource allocation

• Evidence of long-term fruitfulness in faith formation and belonging across multi-year periods
  

Time Horizon

This is a multi-year pillar with a rolling 3-5 year strategic planning horizon, reviewed annually and adjusted as the  community needs evolve.