Date
12-16-2025
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD)
Chair
Michael Grayston
Keywords
Young Adults
Disciplines
Christianity | Classical Literature and Philology
Recommended Citation
Taste, Antonio Anshawn, "The Impact of Nextgen Ministries on Long-Term Engagement: Recruiting and Retaining Young Adults in the Church" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7802.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7802
Abstract
This dissertation explored the decline in young adult engagement within the church community, which presents a significant challenge for faith-based religious communities. This dissertation examines the causes of disengagement and proposes the development of a Next Generations (NG) Engagement Framework. The framework includes digital platforms, diverse experiential worship, small group interaction, and mentorship programs to address young adults' spiritual, social, and cultural needs. From the integration of high schools in the city of Lexington, KY, local, State, and Federal agencies assisting in grants, and other formative organizations to support teen pregnancies, to organizations that help with rehabilitation from drugs and addiction, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and homelessness. Next Generartions Ministries (NGM) serves as the primary initiative for this program, and Rev. Dr. Keith G. Tyler, Sr., oversees its implementation at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. This initiative aims to increase young adult participation in four of the current generations: Baby Boomers, Generation X 1965-1980, Millennials 1981-1996, Generation Z 1997-2010, Generation Alpha 2010-2024, and the now Generation Beta 2025-2039 “the future,” encouraging spiritual growth, and create sustainable models for church engagement. Anyone between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five fits in the category of ages that we will focus on in this study. By leveraging innovative strategies and collaborative leadership, this research seeks to reconnect youth and young adults with their faith and establish a replicable blueprint for other faith-based communities. The research’s primary target is young adults, but the youth will be included in some studies because they are the future and must be included.
