NextGen Matters

Episode Summary In this episode, Rich Brown sits down with his brother-in-law, Peter Pizzuto, to discuss the tension between ministry programs, attendance metrics, and genuine discipleship as this relates to how ministry leaders define success. Drawing from their decades of ministry experience, they examine the strengths and weaknesses of ministry structures, the danger of measuring success primar...

Episode Summary In this episode, Rich Brown sits down with longtime friend and student pastor Matt McClay to discuss how intentional outreach events can become powerful tools for gospel engagement. Broadcasting from Barboursville, West Virginia, the conversation centers around Lewis Memorial Baptist Church's annual Color War outreach event, which recently drew nearly 400 students and resulted in m...

This episode is going to dive into the reality of what so many of today's culture, including those within the church, are facing. This interview deals with the existence of the dark side which too many in the church are not aware of and or just do not want to face. Rich sits down with his nephew Shane Miller and has a rather honest conversation of his own spiritual journey. Shane grew up in a sing...

Episode Overview In this deeply personal and Scripture‑saturated episode, Rich walks through Psalm 71 and shows how an aging, battle-worn King David becomes a surprising mentor for today’s NextGen leaders. Drawing from David’s life in his early 60s during the heartbreak of Absalom’s rebellion, Rich unpacks what it means to declare God’s greatness to the next generation even when we feel tired, lim...

This episode is a rich, relational deep‑dive into how student ministry can move beyond programs and personalities and into genuine disciple‑making. Rich sits down with longtime friend and former student, Dakota Gregg , to explore how a nearly collapsed student ministry was rebuilt into a thriving, mission‑driven culture where students pray, serve, lead, and share the gospel. Dakota shares candidly...

Episode Show Notes In this episode, Rich sits down with longtime friend and student‑pastor Mike Camire of Parkway Baptist Church (Moseley, VA) to explore what it really takes to build a culture of witness in student ministry. With only 4% of today’s adolescents affirming core Christian beliefs and professing faith in Christ, the urgency is real — and the opportunity is massive. Mike shares how Par...

Episode Show Notes In this episode, the host welcomes Justin Lucas, student director at Mercy Hill Church, to unpack the critical role of creating a truly welcoming culture in student ministry.  Together, they explore why even the best worship and teaching fall short if students don’t feel seen, valued, and connected.  Drawing from nearly two decades of ministry experience, Justin shares...

In the second episode in the five-part Vital Signs series of the NextGen Matters podcast , Rich sits down with Kyle Hoffsmith—family ministry pastor and fellow podcast host to tackle one of the most urgent questions facing NextGen leaders today: Is the Word of God truly at the center of our ministries? From the opening minutes, Rich and Kyle go straight at the real issues: Are we teaching Scriptur...

Show Notes  In this first of five episodes speaking into the Five Ministry Vital Signs , Rich is joined by student pastor Ryan Brown and worship leader Jimmy Gillespie to unpack a foundational question for every ministry leader: Why does worship matter? Together, they explore how worship is far more than just a musical set before a message—it is a spiritual catalyst that prepares hearts for a...

In this episode, Rich Brown walks ministry leaders through a practical diagnostic for evaluating the spiritual health of their ministry. Using the metaphor of a medical checkup, Rich introduces five essential markers of spiritual health . As Rich says, “Spiritual health grows in ministries that intentionally are cultivating five essential markers.” . Drawing from decades of ministry experience and...

Episode Show Notes Ministry comparison is one of the quietest and most corrosive forces shaping the hearts of NextGen leaders. In this episode, Rich continues the conversation he began with his son, Ryan Brown, and takes us deeper into the internal, external, and spiritual pressures that make comparison so powerful—and so destructive. But comparison doesn’t have to be a trap.  When handled wi...

Episode Overview Comparison is one of the most exhausting and unspoken pressures in ministry. In this father–son conversation, Rich and Ryan Brown unpack how comparison sneaks into our leadership—through social media, ministry highlight reels, church metrics, and even well‑meaning comments from others. Together they explore the roots of comparison, the ways it can be both healthy and destructive,...

In this powerful conversation, Rich sits down with longtime friend Cody Mummau, high school pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church, to unpack the heart, vision, and behind-the-scenes journey of transforming a long-standing single-church winter retreat into a citywide, multi-church movement called Episode. What began as one church’s long‑standing winter retreat has transformed into a multi‑church, ki...

Episode Show Notes In this deeply personal and joy‑filled conversation, Rich sits down with his youngest son, Ryan Brown—now a student pastor at Waymaker. Church—to explore the long, winding, grace‑saturated journey of a student who once resisted God but is now leading others toward Him. The episode opens with a reminder that “spiritually healthy students come from spiritually healthy ministry sys...

Episode Show Notes Loving Students Who Don’t Love You Back Every NextGen leader knows the sting of pouring into a student who doesn’t respond—or suddenly pulls away. In this episode, Rich Brown unpacks why this hurts so deeply, what might really be going on beneath the surface, and how to navigate the spiritual tension of loving without reciprocity. Drawing from Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians and J...

In this episode, Rich Brown welcomes his very first guest—his wife of more than 40 years, Dr. Janet Kay Brown—for a heartfelt and deeply practical conversation about family, faith, and the quiet power of showing up for kids who may feel on the margins.  In sharing her story, Janet traces God’s faithfulness from a childhood shaped by a local church bus ministry to a life spent empowering famil...

Ministry can feel isolating even when you're surrounded by people. In this episode, Rich Brown unpacks why ministry peer relationships are essential for healthy, sustainable leadership. Drawing from his own journey and from Paul’s ministry relationships in Colossians 4, Rich explains how peer connections combat isolation, strengthen resilience, and provide spiritual, emotional, and practical suppo...

Start Your 2026 Reading With Purpose — How to Build a List That Builds You The first episode of the year drops with energy, honesty, and a whole lot of encouragement for ministry leaders who want to grow with intention in 2026. Rich kicks off the conversation with a confession that sets the tone — he’s a full‑blown book nerd. From Civil War collections to the BookBuddy app to custom bookplates, he...

Episode Show Notes Perseverance is more than pushing through hard seasons—it’s the sacred ground where God shapes character, strengthens faith, and writes a deeper story than comfort ever could. In this episode of the NextGen Matters Podcast , Rich Brown closes out the opening series, Why It Matters , by exploring why perseverance is essential for ministry leaders and followers of Christ. We’ll de...

Episode Show Notes In this episode of NextGen Matters , Rich Brown explores one of the most vital yet often overlooked qualities of leadership: integrity. As part seven of the eight-part Why It Matters series, Rich defines integrity, contrasts cultural and biblical views, and explains why integrity is foundational for leaders who want to honor Christ, build trust, and leave a lasting legacy. Drawi...

Does My Theology Really Matter? If you get this wrong, you are not only damaging yourself, but those you are leading. Episode Show Notes In this episode, Rich Brown challenges ministry leaders to move beyond the external flash of programming and recenter their ministries on the core: theology. Using memorable metaphors, biblical teaching, and decades of ministry experience, Rich unpacks why theolo...

Episode Show Notes In this episode of NextGen Matters, Rich Brown invites ministry leaders to step beyond being busy for Jesus and focusing on the need for the life-giving rhythm of daily time in God’s Word. Drawing from research, personal stories, and biblical principles, Rich highlights why devotional consistency is not optional—it’s essential for each NextGen leader’s ministry and, more importa...

In Episode 4 of the NextGen Matters podcast, Why Does My Struggle Matter, Rich Brown speaks directly to ministry leaders about the reality of struggle and why it carries eternal significance. Whether it’s late nights after youth group, personal hardships like grief or financial strain, or the quiet ache of burnout and imposter syndrome, struggle is part of both life and ministry. Rich shares from...

In this episode of NextGen Matters , Rich takes us deep into the life and calling of Jeremiah, God’s prophet during Judah’s collapse, to remind us of the unshakable difference between calling and ministry . With warmth and clarity, he unpacks four timeless reasons why your ministry matters—today, tomorrow, after you, and for eternity. Through powerful stories of faithfulness within unseen impact,...

In this episode, Rich Brown invites ministry leaders to reflect deeply on their personal calling and the profound impact it has on their leadership and service. Through Scripture, personal stories, and practical insights, Rich explores how understanding and stewarding your calling can transform both your ministry and the lives of those you lead. Over a virtual cup of coffee, he encourages listener...