The Spiritual Growth Of Gen Z & Alpha Gen Through Global Causes 
One of the characteristic traits of the Gen Z & Alpha Gen sets is their passion for a cause. From civil rights, poverty, the sexual revolution, human trafficking, water wells, and now war, there is no denying that young adults and teenagers today want to make a difference.
But there has always been one cause that rises to the top of the social concerns of young people.
“So what do the 60 million Gen Z and Alpha Gen kids care about? A lot of different things, but research shows some trends. According to research from Cone Communications, almost 40 percent of young people are very concerned about the impact of poverty and hunger and prioritize it over the issue of race, identity, economic development, or other issues.”
This is compiled from The Renewal Project and Pew Research Forum studies on causes and the involvement of young people.
Enter the NGO and para-Church organizations that have become conduits of compassion. Whether it is Convoy of Hope, feedONE campaign, Samaritans Purse, Red Cross, or other humanitarian programs, compassion is a marked trait of young people.
feedONE is the Assemblies of God campaign that supports Convoy of Hope’s children’s feeding program. Currently feeding more than 700,000 children in almost 40 different countries. The feedONE campaign believes a nutritious meal shares hope in the form of a meal — which then becomes an opened door for a child to be healthy and well-nourished. The campaign also has an education arm that doesn’t just give children fish, but, teaches them how to fish for themselves. feedONE has a deep meaning that was derived from maybe the world’s foremost advocate for children.
Mother Teresa famously said, “If you can’t feed a hundred, then just feed one.”
The campaign has taken her words to heart. And I believe that the causal trait of this generation will be unleashed through feedONE to help solve the planet’s great challenges as it relates to starvation and child welfare.
How Can Next Gen Ministries Help?
When your Next Gen ministry supports feedONE, it is helping open the door for a child to be healthy and well-nourished and educated. And your support will make sure that child has a chance to rise out of the poverty they may be surrounded in globally. There are more than 1,100 centers globally that are feeding children and your students could be a part of this great campaign.
Getting involved is easy!
With your partnership, your church can help eradicate hunger and provide children with hope for a brighter future. It is so simple. You decide as a Next Gen ministry how many children you want to feed. The monthly cost is $10 per child. If you shared this with your students, I don’t think you would be shocked to see how many of them would be on board.
Secondly, one of the great outcomes of humanitarian campaigns is connecting the need with a generation who wants to do something about it. It is obvious that young people want to have an impact on poverty and many other causes.
Giving is actually a discipleship tool that we must teach our young people. I have watched missions trips and giving transformed the life of my students.
Generosity is a discipleship accelerator.
Looking to learn more? Get all of the resources you need right here.
Here are a few benefits of involving our students with a cause:
1. Connecting your students on a humanitarian trip transforms their lives
A humanitarian or missions trip will transform the spiritual and practical life of your students. That only did they grow up spiritually, but, they will grow up socially and relationally through the experience. I have often seen that the impact on our students lives is as great as the impact on the city or mission they may visit.
2. Your church will reap the benefits because of the mission or humanitarian efforts of the young people.
Students who have attended causal events such as missions trips or visiting a clothing or feeding program tend to be involved and take ownership of their church.
3. The missions program of the church will reap the benefits of students who get involved in a cause.
The best way to increase your funding in a church is to see the children catch a vision for giving and generosity at an early age. Talk about sustainability in giving, When children learn the importance of generosity, they will become lifelong givers.
4. Involvement in a cause will result in the spiritual maturity of teenagers
Apologetics is powerful. A missions or humanitarian trip will challenge young people to spiritual formation in unique ways. For example, one of the things that will grow your students spiritually is evangelism and humanitarian work. Student’s who share their faith, grow in their faith.
5. Organize a humanitarian party with your friends.
You might be thinking that you don’t have any money to give. Well, that is not true. Money follows a giving heart. So, throw a party and support as many children as you can by teaming up with your friends. You can do more together.
“I grew up with water all around me in Michigan. It’s so direct to me. My friends are willing to spend more money on something if it’s ethically sourced or has an environmental benefit.” — Paige Johnson, proud Gen Z’er from Michigan
6. Involve students in giving first and then going.
When our students give financially and support a mission or humanitarian need, it can actually be an opportunity for them to visit in person. Your students could find themselves right alongside of the children they are supporting. Now that is a missions minded event!
Finally
A Next Gen ministry that connects the generational trait of a compassionate heart for causes of our young people with the organizational network of humanitarians puts their students on a fast track of discipleship.
Leveraging the network of organizations who are already doing missions and humanitarian work is easy. There’s very little you have to do to create opportunities for giving. There are plug and play organizations that would be able to host a youth ministry that wants to give or go.
The vehicles, equipment, and expert staff and volunteers In an organization are ready to serve. Through local procurement, program implementation, and oversight, The work is already done for you.
All you need to do is connect your students with the providing organizations. And you will see the benefits.