Next Generation Leaders Gather to Shape the Future of Global Church Leadership

Leaders from around the world gathered in October 2025 to explore leadership across generations and cultures, focusing on listening, collaboration, and preparing the next generation to serve the global church.

Alliance leaders gathered In Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire with a shared question in mind: how can the church faithfully prepare the next generation of leaders while honoring the generations already serving? During the Alliance World Fellowship (AWF) Quadrennial gathering held earlier in October 2025, a series of workshops created space for that question to be explored through listening, Scripture, and shared experience.

Held from October 8-12, the Next Generation Leaders workshops brought together national leaders, pastors, and emerging voices to address leadership across generations and cultures. Rather than offering formulas or programs, the sessions focused on relationships, trust, and the biblical call to serve one another within the household of God.

Creating Space for Honest Conversation

The workshops began by naming realities that are often left unspoken. Participants were invited to acknowledge assumptions that exist between generations and to reflect on how those assumptions shape leadership, communication, and decision-making.

Leaders were grouped by generation and given time to speak openly about their fears, challenges, and strengths. This structure allowed each group to be heard without interruption before the room came back together to listen across generations.

“A highlight was sitting with the different generations in the room and allowing each generation to express their voices, fears, and strengths to one another,” said Kim Chau. “It revealed the misunderstandings and assumptions each group had of one another. We finished by dreaming about the future together, showing that we need every generation, every part of the body of Christ.”

Leading Across Cultures and Generations

For many national churches, leadership today involves navigating generational differences while serving in multicultural settings. Using the Cultural Iceberg model, participants examined how values beneath the surface influence behavior, leadership expectations, and conflict.

Through case studies, including the story of Living Hope Hmong Alliance Church, leaders reflected on what sustains ministry over time. The conversation highlighted the importance of creating intentional spaces where people of different ages and cultural backgrounds are not simply included, but honored.

“I was struck by the strong connection and deep conversations that took place in such a short time and among so many diverse people,” said Jessie Ritchey.

Looking Toward the Year 2040

The final session invited participants to consider what leadership may look like in the years ahead. Attention turned to leaders who naturally bridge cultures and generations, often shaped by multiple contexts and experiences.

Rather than envisioning a single model of leadership, participants reflected on the image of the global church as many voices working together in harmony. Wisdom shaped by experience and innovation shaped by new perspectives was seen not as among competing forces, but as complementary gifts.

“I was moved by what God is doing around the world through the Alliance,” said Jeff Amstutz, who attended his first global gathering this year. “I appreciated the Next Generation Leaders workshop because it included multiple generations and showed the intentional work already taking place to identify and develop young leaders. My prayer is that young leaders find a place within the Alliance and the local church to live out their call to serve.”

Running The Race Together

The Next Generation Leaders initiative is not limited to a single event. It reflects a long-term commitment to building leadership marked by humility, trust, and shared mission. As participants returned to their home countries, the focus remained clear: leadership is not a baton handed off in isolation, but a race run side by side.

The future of the global church will be shaped not by one generation alone, but by many serving together in faithfulness to the gospel.