Next Generation Ministries has selected Eric Drew, GNJ’s Director of Worship, to serve as the Executive Director. Drew has served as GNJ’s Director of Worship since 2015 and has championed IGNITE youth conference, was an integral part of the relaunching of the camping programs and initiated the annual IGNITE Youth Leaders Day resourcing program.
The hiring committee, which included members of the Next Generation Board and GNJ staff leaders, conducted a national search and considered several highly qualified candidates. Drew stood out for his experience, vision and enthusiasm for the mission of the organization which is charged with building a pathway for the next generation of disciples.
“I’m so excited to step into the role of Executive Director for Next Generation Ministries,” said Drew. “Since Annual Conference 2017 approved the Next Generation Ministries strategic plan, I’ve seen us take important steps forward. I celebrate that this summer we had three weeks of camp at the Pinelands Center in Mt. Misery. I celebrate three campus ministry partnerships and others that are emerging. I celebrate IGNITE’s continued growth in number of students, leaders and churches. And I celebrate that through our Miracles Everywhere Campaign, we are making all of this possible. In GNJ, God is truly doing something new and exciting in the next generation of disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Next Generation Ministries is a Vital Mission Partner of the United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey. A separate 501c3 organizations, Next Gen has a mission of cultivating and catalyzing new generations of enthusiastic disciples of Jesus Christ that connect, engage, and lead in their congregations and communities to transform the world.
In 2017, United Methodists of Greater New Jersey approved a bold Next Generations Strategic Ministry Plan which included folding all young people’s initiatives under the same umbrella including IGNITE Youth conference, IGNITE Leader’s Day, the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministries, the Councils of Youth and Young Adults, and camping and retreat ministries at Pinelands Center at Mt. Misery and Aldersgate. Theplan will be implemented through 2020.
Next Generation Ministries is a focus of GNJ’s newly launched Miracles Everywhere Campaign. The $5.2 million campaign will invest $3.2 million in ministries for young people in the next three years.
“Next Generation Ministries has laid a strong foundation for future work and growth,” stated Drew. “I’m inspired by the Miracles Everywhere campaign which will invest significantly in the next generation of disciples here in GNJ. Partnership with Miracles Everywhere, GNJ leadership and local churches will continue to provide the next generation of disciples in our midst the opportunity to connect with our local churches, growth in their faith, and lead the church into the future. We serve the church in an important time for our nation and denomination; I believe that the next generation of disciples will lead the way as we work toward the future of the church and great opportunity which lies ahead.”