Meet the Coaches!
Welcome friends! I bet you found your way here because you love family ministry or care for someone who loves family ministry. A little bit about me, I have served in Kids Ministry for almost 15 years. I was born and raised in Southern California and moved to Colorado as a young adult. Growing up in the church, I knew from a young age that God was calling me into Kids & Family Ministry. I graduated from Colorado Christian University with a degree in Communications and a minor in Psychology with an emphasis on Family & Child. Over the years, I have served in a staff role at a handful of churches and experienced everything from a church plant to multi-site congregations and from set up and tear down to big budget renovations. I have served alongside volunteer teams of 50 people to 200+ people and I can surprisingly
Founder + CEO of Next Gen Ministry Network
Lauren Jackson
say, led a kids ministry through a global pandemic! Kids Ministry Circle launched in Fall of 2021 out of a desire to help equip and encourage kids ministry leaders and build a community for leaders to build each other up rather than compete against one another. It has grown into being a space for the entire Next Gen Ministry Staff and we are confident that ministry is not meant to be done alone. My hope is that this can be a space for ministry leaders to come link arms with other ministry leaders, feel encouraged, prayed for, have space to learn and grow and then go and serve their communities.
My husband, Luke, and I live outside of Denver, CO with our two kiddos, Ruby (5yrs) & Noah (2yrs).
Matt McDermott
My journey in student ministry began back in 2007 when I took on the role of leading mission trips. I graduated from Messiah College with a degree in Biblical Studies and received my Masters of Divinity from Western Seminary. I firmly believe that a student ministry leader can profoundly impact the lives of teenagers and the Kingdom of God. Adolescence is a critical time of growth and self-discovery, and investing in these young lives as they explore questions about faith and life is a privilege and a responsibility I hold dear.
I have seen and experienced everything from leading at a small church to larger, multi-site churches. My story testifies to the truth that while there is no secret sauce that will revolutionize your student ministry, what matters most is faithfulness to the Lord through gospel-driven effort. Through real-life scenarios and practical wisdom, we hope the
Director of Student Ministry Circle
Student Ministry Circle cohort provides a platform for youth ministry leaders to connect, learn, and thrive in their mission to reach and disciple teenagers for Christ. Mentorship and community are at the core of our mission because we firmly believe that effective ministry happens together in a community. Learning from others who have faced similar challenges or have unique experiences is invaluable for growth.
My wife, Christa, and I live outside Denver, Colorado, and have three boys, Jack, Clark, and Luke!
Becca Harris
Becca serves as the Central Family Ministry Director at The Austin Stone in Austin, TX. More about Becca coming soon—she’s the greatest!
Director of Next Gen Ministry Cohort
Brooke Green
I am a special needs ministry advocate with a unique degree tailored for special needs ministry. I work to make the Church a more accessible place for individuals with special needs and their families. I have been a behavioral therapist, a kids ministry director, and a special needs ministry coordinator in the life of several churches. I am currently a Behavioral Specialist at Rocky Mountain Classical Academy and pursuing my masters in special education. I am excited to tailor my experience & expertise in this field where ministry & the special needs world intersect.
My husband, Rory, and I live in Colorado Springs with our two kiddos, Huck & Maisy.
Special Needs Specialist