Term Four Next Gen News

Written By Naomi Tong

As we head into term four, we again want to thank you for all you do to champion tamariki and rangatahi in your communities.

This term brings opportunities to celebrate, encourage, and invest in the next generation through White Sunday celebrations, training opportunities, 2027 preparation, and Tino Taonga Month! You will find all the information you need for the upcoming term below.

Alongside this we acknowledge that this week is a big one in the Salvation Army world with the news of upcoming changes of appointments for officers across the motu. We are thinking of all those impacted, officers, officers’ children, communities, and friends!

There are also some exciting changes in our Next Gen team!

Our wonderful Naomi, who has been based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, is moving on to a corps appointment in Palmerston North. We are incredibly grateful for Naomi and all she has brought to our team, and especially for the way she has championed the Tino Taonga vision. We’ll miss having her on the team, but we’re excited to see what’s ahead for her!

Ben is making the move north, taking up the Next Gen role based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. We know he has been so loved by whānau and leaders across Te Waipounamu, and we’re sure he’ll be warmly welcomed to the sunny north!

And we’re thrilled to welcome Aimee Noakes to the team next year, based in Ōtautahi Christchurch. We’re so excited for the gifts, energy and perspective she will bring as we continue to see our Tino Taonga vision grow across the motu.

We’re grateful for what has been, excited for what’s coming, and trusting God with every step of the journey.

And again, we say thanks for all YOU are doing. Do not hesitate to reach out if we can support you in any way. We are cheering you on and praying for you.

Ngā mihi,
The Next Gen Team

Resources

Ministry resources for the term:

Important dates

Do not forget that our full Next Gen calendar of events is available. In the meantime, here are a few key dates to put in your diary:

  • Tino Taonga Month is happening in the month of October and is an opportunity to celebrate and learn about the value of young people within the Salvation Army. Over four weeks, we’ll explore how the Salvation Army’s international, biblical beliefs shape how we see and include children and youth. Join us!
  • Grab a group and follow along with our Bible study resource, designed for use with leadership teams, church life groups, staff meetings, and more! Through short videos and small group questions, you’ll discover together what it could look like to see young people as treasures in your own community.
  • Follow our social media for weekly devotions presented by young people on the topics of our Bible study.
  • Win a small group shout! Email us or message us on social media for you chance to win one of five small group snack baskets. Let us know how the resource is supporting your group, and you’re in the draw!
  • You can access the resources directly from our website.
  • Invest, 23-26 October: Invest is an annual Young Adults Conference. For more information about Invest, or follow along at instagram.com/invest.clubhouse.
  • Youth Sports Days, 7 November: Held across the motu, Youth Sports Days are a fantastic opportunity for youth to connect, compete, and build community. This date was set and venues booked before election date was announced. Please chat about how you and your teams will be prepared to vote ahead, or before/after the event. More information about Youth Sports Days.
  • Amplify, 12-17 January 2027: Amplify is back for another incredible summer camp experience. Early bird registrations open 1 October. More information about Amplify.

Training and connection

Communities of Practice

All information about our Communities of Practice is on the Resource Hub. We also wanted to highlight the upcoming sessions:

  • Wednesday 16 September, 7:30pm – Children’s Ministry Community of Practice: Trauma-Informed Care: Creating Safe and Supportive Spaces (register for this session)
  • Tuesday 20 October, 7:30pm – Neurodiversity Community of Practice, facilitated by Staci McLean (register for this session)
  • Tuesday 20th October, 12pm-12:45pm - Area Leadership Team Next Gen Reps CoP
  • Thursday 19th November 1:00pm-2:00pm - Aspire CoP

SAMIS webinars

There has been some work done to improve Next Gen SAMIS. The new SAMIS titles and recording functionality will help centres report more accurately on the ministry happening with tamariki and rangatahi. We have two webinars are coming up in term four to walk through the SAMIS changes. These sessions are for key Next Gen leaders, corps officers, and SAMIS inputters and are taking place on Wednesday 14th October and Wednesday 28th October 11-11:45am. Contact Sarah Opie to be added to the calendar invitation or for more information.

2027 opportunities

The Leadership Collective

Applications for this opportunity close soon on 25 September. Please encourage 18–25-year-olds to apply. See further info about the Leadership Collective.

Aspire

2027 site applications and expressions of interest. If you want to know more, please head to how to become an Aspire site and contact James at james.adams@salvationarmy.org.nz.

Foundations of Next Gen Ministry

Applications for the 2027 Foundations of Next Gen Ministry cohort are now open. You can find all information and applications for Foundations. Foundations is a training and development pathway designed to equip and encourage those serving with children, young people, and families. Through practical learning, discussion, and ministry development, participants are supported to grow in confidence, capability, and leadership.

LAB

Applications are now open for LAB, our leadership development pathway for youth workers and emerging leaders. You can find all information and applications for LAB. Through training, mentoring, and shared learning experiences, LAB equips participants with practical tools and insights to strengthen their ministry and leadership in their local context.

Funding

Planning a summer programme or sending young people to Amplify? Check the funding page to see what assistance may be available.

On this page you’ll find information about:

  • Jeff Trust funding
  • Grow local partnerships
  • Outward bound scholarships
  • Aotearoa New Zealand National Camp Funding
  • Youth Worker training and development fund
  • Tindall Foundation

… And other funding pathways!

What are we working on?

Here are some of the things we are working on in the background to help strengthen our work with tamariki and rangatahi across the motu. If you want to know more, let us know!

  • We are developing a participation model that establishes clear pathways for children and young people to participate meaningfully in decision making.
  • Defining what good Next Gen ministry practice looks like and establishing principles to strengthen safe practice across our movement.
  • Developing Sustainability Standards - Creation care is something we all play a part in. We’re exploring how Next Gen can be better kaitiaki of the whenua we call home, including developing sustainability standards for our events. We’re excited to share more as this work progresses.
  • Reviewing the ‘Pastorally Supporting Our LGBTQ+ Young People’ training following the pilot sessions, with a view to further rollout in 2027.
  • We are working with Candidates to shape the weekend leadership content, mentoring, and other key parts of the year-long Leadership Collective journey.
  • Ongoing Communities of Practice development including CoPs for employed youth workers, and youth leader volunteers!
  • Children’s and Youth discipleship resource development to support the roll out of the Territories discipleship framework.
Naomi Tong
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