Interviews with Christopher Simning, Kanyere Eaton, and Kristen Ivy who will be speaking at the NextGen Conference for children, youth, and young adult ministry leaders in January.
Christopher Simning
Christopher Simning is a motivational speaker who will be speaking on Saturday night at the NextGen conference for all children, youth, and young adult ministry leaders in January.
Hometown
I was born in Fairfield, California. I now live in Gilbert, Arizona.
What are you reading?
In the Bible, I am reading 2 Samuel and Psalms. The last book I read outside of Scripture was Simple, by Brian Holland.
What do you hope ministry leaders who attend NextGen will take away from your talk?
I pray they will be encouraged with a fresh perspective in living life with Jesus.
What does the conference theme, “Immeasurably More,” mean to you in your life and ministry context?
There is power in the name of Jesus. “Immeasurably More” is about faith. So many times in life and in ministry we “do” on our own power. “Immeasurably More” is about “being” while maintaining an expectancy that God will act according to his purpose. We need to practice being still. This does not mean being idle in our pursuits, but rather knowing that God will work when we seek his guidance. Often this prompts us to trust in those things we deem impossible about our lives and ministries. “Immeasurably More” leads us to worship.
What would NextGen attendees be surprised to learn about you?
One thing people might be surprised to learn about me is that I wrote a book. It’s an autobiography. I say this because writing is something that is not natural for me—it takes me 10 times as long to write an email, a text, because I must work at formulating and using the right words. It was a discipline that was grueling. In many ways, getting my college degrees was much easier for me than writing about my life.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a lawyer. As a kid, I always enjoyed taking the opposing side—even when I didn’t agree with that viewpoint—just to push people to contemplate why they believe what they believe. I was told that I was good at challenging people to think outside the box.
Kanyere Eaton
Kanyere Eaton is pastor of Fellowship Covenant Church, a 123-year-old congregation in Bronx, New York. She is a speaker at the NextGen conference for all children, youth, and young adult ministry leaders in January.
Hometown
Born in San Francisco, California, but grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Currently the Bronx.
What are you reading?
I am reading a number of books including, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma, by Bessel Van der Kolk.
What do you hope ministry leaders who attend NextGen will take away from your talk?
I hope they will recognize the vital importance of their contribution to the body of Christ and the kingdom of God.
What does the conference theme, “Immeasurably More,” mean to you in your life and ministry context?
“Immeasurably More” is such an inspired theme! It suggests that God is going to blow our minds with what he will do in the lives of believers who give his power free course. Our challenge in living supernatural lives is to give God’s power a free course.
What would NextGen attendees be surprised to learn about you?
I was a promising ballet dancer in second grade….a very long time ago!
What was the last song you sang along to?
Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough.”
Kristen Ivy
Kristen Ivy is the CEO and president of Orange, a nonprofit committed to supporting churches and families as they nurture the faith and future of the next generation. She will be speaking on Monday morning at the NextGen conference for children, youth, and young adult ministry leaders in January.
Hometown
Houston, Texas
What are you reading?
I recently finished From Strength to Strength, by Arthur C. Brooks
What do you hope ministry leaders who attend NextGen will take away from your talk?
A better understanding of parents and guardians who are raising young people today.
What does the conference theme, “Immeasurably More,” mean to you in your life and ministry context?
I’m reminded of Paul’s words to Ephesus that when we are able to understand how wide and high and deep is the love of Christ, we will realize that God’s love surpasses our understanding. And when we fully realize that God’s love overshadows our own knowledge, then we live with the awareness that God is capable of doing immeasurably more than what we have words to ask for or thoughts to imagine.
What would NextGen attendees be surprised to learn about you?
Surprised . . . I’m not sure what they would expect from me. Nearly everything might be a surprise. Maybe that I taught high school English literature and biology (that always strikes people as an odd pairing).
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Many things. Maybe a missionary. Maybe a fiction writer. Maybe an Olympic gymnast (always an Olympic gymnast). Maybe an OB/GYN. Maybe a physical therapist. Maybe an acrobat in Cirque Du Soleil!
What was your first job?
Chick-Fil-a and a gymnastics coach (I started both in the same year).
What was the last song you sang along to?
No idea. I love song lyrics. I sing along to everything.
