“Faith That Leaves a Legacy: Raising the Next Generation” Pastor Vicki Harrison with Bobby & Katherine Lain and Eric & Catherine Stout
How can the church leave a lasting spiritual legacy for the next generation? Listen to Pastor Vicki Harrison and a panel of young parents share insights on parenting, discipleship, and welcoming Millennials back into the fold.
This week’s message centers around a vital question for the church family:
Are we intentionally leaving a legacy that honors God and makes a lasting spiritual imprint on the next generation?
Pastor Vicki opens with Deuteronomy 6:4-9, reminding us that forming a spiritual legacy is a sacred calling: loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength—and passing that love down to our children in our daily rhythms. She also highlights Deuteronomy 4:9, which challenges us to be mindful not to forget what we’ve seen God do—and to intentionally teach it to our children and grandchildren.
The core of today’s message is a panel conversation with two couples from our church community, each raising young children. Together, they reflect on parenting challenges, share how New Hope has helped them stay grounded in faith, and offer guidance on how the church can better support families.
Discussion Questions
From the sermon handout:
According to the panel, what are some of the challenges that parents today are facing?
How can the church come alongside to support them?What are some specific ways that New Hope can help young families...
grow deep roots in Christ as a family
develop strong marriages
grow individually as disciples of Jesus
While we are seeing a resurgence in Generation Z (born 1997–2012) coming to Jesus,
the generation before them (Millennials, born 1981–1996) have left the church in droves.
What can the older generations do to welcome Millennials back into the fold?
According to the panel, what does their generation need most from the church?
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“Faith That Leaves a Legacy: Passing The Paton” Graduation Sunday - Julie Hamilton and the Next Gen Teams
On May 18, 2025, New Hope celebrates Graduation Sunday with a powerful service led by the Next Gen team. Discover what it means to live a life that matters and pass on your faith legacy.
Graduation Sunday at New Hope is always something special—and this year is no exception. We celebrate not just academic accomplishments, but the faith journeys of our students and the spiritual impact of their families, mentors, and the church community that have walked with them every step of the way.
High school senior Brindley Rhodes kicked off our message by sharing her testimony of transformation, how her individual faith matured into shared community after years of praying for meaningful connections. She reminded us that we are not just small groups scattered through a congregation—we are one unified body in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–20). Her challenge was simple: take time to truly connect with one another and recognize the legacy we are all helping build, together.
Then we heard a video message from college graduate Rosie Harrison. Rosie offered powerful insights on what her generation longs to see in the church—genuine, lived-out faith. She emphasized that her peers are not interested in tradition for tradition’s sake, but in churches that prioritize justice, compassion, humility, and mercy—the kind of radical love Jesus taught and lived. She called on the church to be bold, to stand with the vulnerable, and to live out Micah 6:8 in both word and action.
After the students spoke, graduates symbolically passed red batons to the next generation—an act of spiritual commissioning. They then handed out roses to someone in their “village,” honoring those who shaped their faith. The moment was emotional and unforgettable.
Pastor Vicki Harrison concluded with a heartfelt charge to the graduates, encouraging them to live lives that truly matter by embracing:
Passion: Find joy in your journey and live fully.
Humility: Serve others with the heart of Jesus.
Purpose: Let your life reflect the light of Christ and draw others to God.
She reminded us all that the greatest legacy we can leave is not material—but spiritual. Our job is to love deeply, disciple well, and trust that God is working through us in every season.
As the baton is passed, the mission continues. To our graduates: remember who and Whose you are. You will always have a home at New Hope.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
What does it mean to you to “live a life that matters”?
In what ways can you live with passion, humility, and purpose this week?
How are you helping pass the baton to the next generation?
Who has been part of your faith journey—and who are you helping shape spiritually today?
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“Faith That Leaves a Legacy: Spiritual Parenting” Pastor Betty Bricker
In this powerful Mother’s Day message, Pastor Betty Bricker shares how spiritual parenting can shape lives and leave a legacy of faith. Learn from Matthew 20:20-23 and discover the call to influence others through prayer, encouragement, and love.
In this heartfelt Mother’s Day message, Pastor Betty Bricker explores the spiritual legacy of motherhood—both biological and spiritual—through the story of the mother of James and John in Matthew 20:20-23. Known as the "sons of thunder," these disciples had a bold and passionate mother who approached Jesus with an audacious request: that her sons sit at His right and left in His kingdom. While the request may seem brash, Pastor Betty encourages us to look deeper.
This mother’s actions reveal a powerful truth: she prayed for her sons to be part of God’s kingdom and to have an active role in it. Her boldness challenges us to ask: are we praying bold prayers for the next generation? Are we spiritually parenting the people God has placed in our lives—children, friends, students, neighbors?
Pastor Betty reminds us that spiritual parenting doesn’t require a biological connection. It means being present in the lives of others, walking with them through both pain and joy, and being the hands and feet of Jesus. In doing so, we leave behind a lasting legacy of faith.
This message is a call to intentional spiritual influence: to raise others up in faith through prayer, encouragement, and example—because a spiritual legacy is the most important gift we can leave.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
A mother’s love, a bit brash and presumptuous in many ways—but what can we learn from her?
She prayed for her sons to be a part of the Kingdom.
She prayed that her sons would be actively involved in the work of His Kingdom.
She had big expectations.
A spiritual legacy is the most important thing we can leave our children, those we have brought into this world and those we have adopted into our world.
Reach out to those around you this week and bring them into the kingdom. Pray unceasingly!
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“Faith That Leaves a Legacy: Spiritual Legacy” Rev. Vicki Harrison with Miriam Swanson
In this opening message of the Faith That Leaves a Legacy series, Pastor Vicki Harrison (she/her) explores how the church can pass on its faith to the next generation. Featuring insight from Miriam Swanson of Fusion USA, this sermon challenges believers to prioritize presence over programs and commit to spiritual investment.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4–9, Deuteronomy 4:9, Mark 10:13–16
Pastor Vicki Harrison opens our new series, Faith That Leaves a Legacy, with a powerful message on what it means to pass on our faith to the next generation. She challenges us to think beyond material inheritance and instead consider the spiritual mark we leave on our children, our church, and our community.
Drawing from Deuteronomy, Pastor Vicki reminds us that God calls His people to impress His commands on their children—not casually or occasionally, but as part of daily life. In Mark’s Gospel, we see Jesus welcome and bless children, making it clear that they matter in the Kingdom of God.
The message features a video interview with Miriam Swanson, Global Student Mission Leader and Director of Fusion USA. Miriam shares insight on what young adults today are longing for: not perfect programs, but people. Real connection. Authentic love. Presence over performance.
Pastor Vicki reflects on the church’s responsibility to walk alongside young people. She shares personal stories, including how difficult it was for her own children to find churches that welcomed them during college. Her reminder is clear: one person showing up can make all the difference.
This week’s takeaway: the next generation doesn’t need another polished event—they need someone who cares. Leaving a spiritual legacy starts with showing up, speaking life, and living the Gospel with humility and love.
Discussion Questions
What is the role of the church for the next generation?
What are some practical steps you can take to reach youth and young adults?
What are some challenges the church faces as we seek to reach the next generation?
What does it mean that presence is more important than programming? How did Jesus exemplify this?
What might we need to let go of in order to reach both the lost and the next generation for Jesus?
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More Sermons in this Series
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August 4, 2024 | “So The Next Generation Will Know” | Julie Hamilton and the Next Gen Team
“So The Next Generation May Know” by Julie Hamilton emphasizes the importance of passing on Christian faith to the younger generations. She discusses the necessity of fostering relationships with young people in church, not just as a duty but as a privilege that enriches the community. Hamilton underscores that young people need mentors and friends within the church who view them as integral parts of the congregation. Her message is clear: the church must actively engage and include young people to ensure the faith continues robustly into the future.
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
“So The Next Generation May Know” by Julie Hamilton emphasizes the importance of passing on Christian faith to the younger generations. She discusses the necessity of fostering relationships with young people in church, not just as a duty but as a privilege that enriches the community. Hamilton underscores that young people need mentors and friends within the church who view them as integral parts of the congregation. Her message is clear: the church must actively engage and include young people to ensure the faith continues robustly into the future.
Listen to and subscribe to the audio-only podcast with your favorite podcasting app below.
How can the church leave a lasting spiritual legacy for the next generation? Listen to Pastor Vicki Harrison and a panel of young parents share insights on parenting, discipleship, and welcoming Millennials back into the fold.