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NextGen Discipleship Pathway
Partnering With Parents
At Northshore Community Church, we believe parents are the most important spiritual influence in a child's life. Our role is not to replace you, but to partner with you.
THE JOURNEY
The Pathway at a Glance
Six stages. One journey.
As children grow, they move through six developmental stages that build upon one another. Along the way, they begin embracing the same discipleship commitments we hope every adult at Northshore will live out.
| Stage | Age | Commitment(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Birth–Kindergarten | I Have a Gift to Receive |
| Discovery | Grades 1–4 | I Have a Gift to Receive + I Have a Person to Follow |
| Ownership | Grades 5–6 | I Have a Person to Follow |
| Identity | Grades 7–8 | I Have a Life to Share |
| Calling | Grades 9–10 | I Have a Part to Play + I Have a Difference to Make |
| Launching | Grades 11–12 | I Have a Story to Tell |
Each Stage, Up Close
What to expect at every age
Foundation
I Have a Gift to Receive
God loves me. I am safe. Jesus is good.
Every disciple's journey begins with receiving God's love. At this stage, children are learning to trust that God made them, loves them, and welcomes them into His family. Before they learn what they can do for God, they first learn who they are because of Him.
What we're hoping they'll discover
- God made me
- God loves me
- Jesus is my friend and Savior
- I belong in God's family
Key Milestones
Discovery
I Have a Gift to Receive · I Have a Person to Follow
God's story is true. I am loved, forgiven, and part of His family.
As children grow, they begin discovering God's story and their place within it. At this stage, children learn who Jesus is, what He has done for them, and how His love changes their lives.
What we're hoping they'll discover
- God's story is true
- Jesus loves and forgives me
- The Bible helps me know God
- I am part of God's family
- Following Jesus changes how I live
Key Milestones
Ownership
I Have a Person to Follow
Faith is mine. I can trust God, pray, serve, and follow Jesus.
As students mature, faith becomes personal. At this stage, students begin taking ownership of their relationship with Jesus and developing spiritual habits that will sustain them for life.
What we're hoping they'll discover
- Faith is becoming my own
- I can trust God
- I can pray and read Scripture
- I can follow Jesus every day
- My relationship with God matters
Key Milestones
Identity
I Have a Life to Share
My identity is rooted in Christ — not peers, culture, or performance.
Middle school is a season of questions, change, and discovery. At this stage, students learn that their identity is found in Jesus and that following Him was never meant to happen alone.
What we're hoping they'll discover
- I am known and loved by God
- My identity is rooted in Christ
- I belong in authentic Christian community
- My faith grows through relationships
- I can be honest about struggles
Experiences
Calling
I Have a Part to Play · I Have a Difference to Make
God has gifted me and called me to lead and serve.
As students grow in confidence and maturity, they begin discovering how God wants to use their gifts and influence. At this stage, students learn that they are not just participants in the church — they are contributors to God's mission.
What we're hoping they'll discover
- God has uniquely gifted me
- I can serve His church
- Leadership is influence through service
- My contribution matters
- I can make a difference in the lives of others
- My faith impacts the world around me
Experiences
Launching
I Have a Story to Tell
I am sent with purpose. My faith goes with me.
Our hope is not simply that students attend church. Our hope is that they become disciples who help make disciples. As students prepare to graduate, we help them carry their faith into adulthood with confidence, conviction, and purpose.
What we're hoping they'll discover
- God's love is the foundation of my identity
- Following Jesus shapes every area of my life
- I belong in authentic Christian community
- God has gifted me to serve and lead
- I can make a difference in the world around me
- I am equipped to share my faith and help others follow Jesus
Key Milestones
Discipleship Commitments
Six declarations for a lifetime of faith
Every disciple's journey is marked by these commitments. We hope every child and student — and every adult at Northshore — will be able to say each one with confidence.
How We Partner With Parents
You were never meant to do this alone.
We support families by providing practical tools, trusted relationships, and meaningful experiences that help faith become part of everyday life.
You do not need to do everything perfectly. What matters most are consistent moments that point your child toward Jesus.
We Provide
Partner With the NextGen
Every week, children and students are discovering God's love.
Following Jesus, building meaningful relationships, discovering their purpose, and learning how to share their faith. You can help make that possible.
Pray
Pray for children, students, families, volunteer leaders, camps, retreats, and the next generation of Christ-centered leaders. Your prayers matter. God uses them to shape lives, strengthen families, and prepare hearts to follow Him.
Serve
Invest in the next generation by serving alongside our Kids and Student Ministries. One caring adult can make a lasting difference in the life of a child or student.
Opportunities to Serve
- Northshore Kids (Sundays)
- MDWK Student Ministry (Wednesdays)
- Camps, Retreats & Special Events
- Small Group Leadership
- Hospitality & Check-In Teams
Give
Your generosity helps create environments where children and students can encounter Jesus, build lasting relationships, and grow into lifelong disciples.
Your Giving Helps Provide
- Camp Scholarships for Kids, Middle School & High School Camps
- Student Ministry Pastors and Leaders
- Outreach Events and Mission Experiences
- Volunteer Training and Development
- Resources for MDWK and Student Gatherings
- Ongoing NextGen Ministry Support
Together, We Are Investing in Future Generations
When you pray, serve, and give, you help children and students:
Our Shared Hope
When a student graduates from Northshore, our prayer is that they can confidently say:
And because of that, they are prepared to help others say "yes" to Jesus and follow Him in every part of life.
Together, we are helping the next generation receive God's love, follow Jesus, build authentic community, discover their gifts, make a difference in the world, and share their faith with others.