Do you care deeply about youth? And are you concerned about their faith development, especially as some head off to college or university?
Are you open to exploring resources, tools, and partnerships to help students launch well into the next chapter of their life?
The NEXT Initiative seeks to come alongside you so that together we can help those heading to post-secondary bridge a connection to future Christian communities.
We have 8 main resources for you to explore below:
- NEXT Steps Awards
- Help make connections
- Newsletter: NEXT for Leaders and Connectors
- Resources
- Presentations and workshops
- Mentorship resource cards
- Blog articles for students
- Support for parents
1. NEXT Steps Awards
The NEXT Steps Awards support healthy transitions to post-secondary education by providing financial aid and connections to faith communities on campus. And the application process itself encourages students to reflect on their faith journey and the steps of faith they want to take in college or university. We want to help students connect their studies and their spirituality, that they might walk closer to Jesus.
In 2024, we have over 100 awards between $200-$5000 in value, totalling $50,000.
2. Help make connections
The Canadian Hemorrhaging Faith study revealed that “transitions are often exit points (of faith) for young adults.” More recently, we learned from the Renegotiating Faith study that only 30% of Canadian youth workers have a plan for helping their students make connections with new Christian communities after they graduate. Yet for those who do, their students are four times more likely to stay connected to the church. This is a huge opportunity for us!
We need to build partnerships with organizations and churches in these new communities that share our values and passion for the faith formation of our kids.
Sid Koop with Canadian Youth Worker Community
We’d love to help your youth step into life at university or college by introducing them to Christian students there. Please invite them to fill out our connect form and to follow their new local campus community on our Find your campus page.
3. Newsletter: NEXT for Leaders and Connectors
The NEXT Initiative is passionate about resourcing pastors, parents, teachers, and youth workers to help their graduating Grade 12s further their walk with Christ in local Christian community.
To receive resources, stories, and encouragement, please subscribe to our newsletter called NEXT for Leaders and Connectors. You will also find great content for your post-secondary-bound students!
We’ll send out emails every few months and you can opt out at any time. Emails will come from NEXT@p2c.com via MailChimp.
4. Resources
Podcasts
Blogs
For youth leaders: Help your graduating students into new healthy friendships
Life after youth group: 7 ways for youth leaders to help with the big change
Video
Shift >> Enter: a video resource to help facilitate your own small group or one-on-one mentoring discussion
5. Presentations and workshops
Do you have a group of students you would like to have us engage in a topic related to their transition out of high school and their next steps in following Jesus in college or university?
Book a speaker to come into a youth group, a classroom, a chapel, or an assembly time. Our engagement could include a simple intro to Power to Change with a clear invitation to get connected, or we can provide an interactive workshop for students (45 minutes).
Sample slide decks and handouts:
*dependent upon location and staff availability
The students really benefited from our annual springtime conversation about transitioning from high school into the next stage of their lives and from being exposed to some of the key ideas from Renegotiating Faith. I appreciate how the presenters communicated this in a relevant and relatable way and how they speak to all of our students—not just those heading to a university campus. Having one of our recent alumni discuss the impact of being connected with a Christian community after high school really hit home for our graduating class. I look forward to doing it all again next year.
N. Johnson [Woodland Christian School, Guelph]
Contact us by email (next@p2c.com) with a brief description of your need and context. Please provide your students’ context (classroom, assembly, grade range, etc.).
6. Mentorship resource cards
The Mentorship Resource cards (in print and digital) offer a series of conversation starters designed to facilitate a relationship between a Christian mentor and a mentee who is transitioning into their next stages of life in post-secondary.
Click here for FAQ and order details.
7. Blog articles for students
These six blog articles are worthwhile for students or for someone who cares about students. Whether it’s a friend or high school student that you’re helping or mentoring, your investment in their life matters.
3 myths I fell for in university
- Busting these myths ahead of time can help your student walk out their faith journey in university/college. Read more
5 pivotal decisions you’ll face during your first year of university
- Your students are about to enter a season of immense opportunity. How will they make the most of it? Thinking through these decisions now may help. Read more
Surviving transition, without transitioning out of your faith
- Dallas, a youth leader, shares insight on how students can survive major life transitions. Read more
Let’s deconstruct “deconstruction”
- Do you know someone facing a “mid-faith crisis”? Help them know that they’re not alone, and encourage them to find answers with others. Read more
I almost walked away from my faith
- This is Sarah’s story of re-framing her faith. Instead of deconstructing, she “renovates.” Read more
How to handle change
- Transitions are naturally messy. Whenever change happens, a mix of emotions will inevitably ensue. Help your students navigate these emotions well. Read more
8. For parents
You are on a journey as much as your child is as they head to university or college. Chances are, you’re looking for some insight, perspective, and help to continue preparing them for their next chapter. We hope this article written by parents will address and explore various questions, concerns, and challenges you have as a parent of students headed to college or university.
We hope that you will be reassured of three things:
- You are not alone
- It is never too late to prepare your child
- God cares about your child and you through this journey
Connect with us
We want to equip you by pointing you to resources and events that help you assist your college/university-bound students connect with a Christian community. We’ll send out emails every few months and you can opt out at any time. Emails will come from NEXT@p2c.com via MailChimp.