Next Generation Advance Conference 2025

Reaching Everyone Requires Everyone – Every Person, Every Generation, Empowered by God’s Spirit to Advance!

This year’s Next Gen Conference met in Bogor, Indonesia on July 8 to 10. Organized by South-East Asia Assemblies of God Fellowship (SEA-AGF), the biannual conference hosted its second run at GSJA Betlehem. Next Gen ministers from all over Indonesia and from Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Japan and Mongolia, gathered for a Spirit-empowered time of Encounters, Idea Labs and Collectives.

All five speakers spoke with great passion and anointing and yet proclaimed with unity on God’s heart to reach the next generation. Rev Mavis Wong[1] launched off the conference with a strong start on the three types of empowerments needed in reaching the next generation: 1) We need God’s Power; 2) We need God’s Presence over Performance; 3) We need God’s Fire that Transforms.

Next in Idea Lab #1, based on his personal experience with cancer, Rev Austin Westlake[2] shared authentically and inspiringly on “10 Things I’ve Learnt About Going Through Difficult Seasons”.

Idea Lab #2 had Ps Thony Ronaldo[3] providing practical training on evangelism and rousing delegates with his amazing evangelistic accounts.

The next morning, Rev Dr Terry Parkman[4] zoomed in from the States sharing rich insights from his doctoral research on discipling Generation Alpha. He described the discipleship win with Generation Alpha as “navigating culture biblically and redeeming culture transformatively” and gave some examples on how to do that.

Rev Austin then preached on the story of Paul and Silas worshipping in prison (Acts 16:22-37). He spoke on how commitment changes our perspective of seeing situations as risks to resources. For Idea Lab #3, he taught on Discipleship Essentials: The Seven Timeless Principles for Discipleship. He also shared several practical discipleship tools and resources developed by the Assemblies of God for Next Gen ministries.[5]

Just landed from a 16-hour flight, Rev Kendall Alfaro[6] used the acronym “HEART” to challenge delegates to have “The Heart of a Leader” for the next generation. H – Hunger for Wisdom; E – Expect the Best; A – Accept Responsibility; R – Respond with Courage; T – Think Others First.

The night sessions were free and opened to the public. Since it was the local school holidays, hundreds of youths attended. Rev Austin and Rev Kendall took turns to preach, and Ps Thony interpreted for them in Bahasa Indonesia. The ministry time was packed at the altars. The atmosphere was electrifying, as the youths cried out in repentance and in hunger for God! The leaders ministering were also visibly moved by the spiritual needs of the youths and by God’s power!

For the final day, Rev Austin exhorted delegates based on Mark 14:32-42 to “Lead on Standby”, to not just sign up but to be ready to show up for God. The conference concluded with a time of meaningful reflection and prayer led by Rev Mavis. Many went up for prayer and renewed their call to serve the next generation for God. Surely, many have been empowered by God’s Spirit and were ready to advance!

As the conference drew to a close, 13 delegates were getting ready for their Three-day mission trip (July 11-13) to a nearby town. Made up of delegates from Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Mongolia, the international team met up together for the first time at the conference and had a short time to plan for the ministry.

Despite the short preparation time, the team worked incredibly well together and ministered in the Spirit’s power at the local church that serves an unreached people group. The preaching of the word and testimonies shared at the services were apt, the prayer ministries witnessed tears flowing freely and people encountering the move of God, and the house visitations were filled with testimonies of healing, encouragement and words of knowledge shared.

Moreover, the team was also richly blessed by the strong faith of the pastors and leaders in the church and the deep love that they have for the people and towards the team. What powerful testimonies of advance from Next Gen Advance!

Some thoughts from the delegates on Advance:

Tsenduukhei Burenbayasakh (Joe) from Huree/Urban Church, Mongolia, who serves in Media Service and as a Youth Cell Group Leader, shared, “I had an amazing time at the Next Gen Advance Leadership Conference in Bogor, Indonesia in July! After a long trip from Mongolia, it was so inspiring to see how God is giving fresh visions and special gifts to the next generation of leaders.”

Sarah Anbu Nithiya Gunalan, from Grace Assembly Klang, Malaysia, serving as Head of Children Ministry, commented, “I found the conference to be quite valuable and advantageous for the Next Gen leaders, offering a refreshing and enlightening experience. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to rest, learn, and recharge, feeling inspired to continue the journey of nurturing a Godly, strong, and God-fearing generation.”

Edmund Chai Wee Kiat, from Zion Full Gospel Church, Singapore, who serves as a Youth Worker, remarked, “The conference was truly refreshing. The teachings stirred my heart and deepened my hunger for Jesus. I walked away encouraged, equipped, and more in love with Him.”

Elizza Marie Ticar, from Lily of the Valley Community Church, Philippines, serving as Pastoral Staff (Youth), observed, “The conference was a great experience and a reminder for me personally by the Lord, the very reason why He allowed me to be out of my comfort zone and be in a foreign place where there’s a difference between culture and belief. It ignited me once again and made me much more excited for the things Jesus will do in the place where He is planting me as of now, a reminder of His grace and love for us.”

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[1] Rev Mavis Wong (SEA-AGF Next Gen Chair)

[2] Rev Austin Westlake (National Youth Director for AG Youth Ministries, USA)

[3] Ps Thony Ronaldo (Youth Pastor in Next Generation Department, GSJA Betlehem)

[4] Rev Dr Terry Parkman (NextGen Pastor of River Valley Church, Minneapolis, MN; Global Next Gen Ambassador of OneHopeMinistry; Global Next Gen Lead of Empowered21)

[5] https://discipleship.ag.org/

[6] Rev Kendall Alfaro (District Next Gen Director for North Carolina)