MEET THE Next gen team.

A big thank you from the team in NZ, Fiji, Tonga & Samoa

  • ALANA LEPINE

    TERRITORIAL YOUTH SECRETARY

    Alana is our queen! She is passionate about young people having trusted people in their lives that give them a place to belong, an opportunity to thrive in every aspect of their lives, and relationships that ultimately help them see and know our loving God. She is also passionate about developing and supporting leaders in this important area of ministry!

  • VANESSA SINGH

    MISSION RESOURCE DEVELOPER

    Vanessa's main role in the Next Gen Team is 5% of her entire workload, and is mainly to back up our Queen, hold knowledge about whats happened before, and encourage what will happen in future! She has retired from Amplify (territorial creative arts camp) after 15 incredible years of mahi. Majority of Vanessa's work is for another department, she just can't let go of youth ministry, and is also involved in leading young people at her corps. Vanessa enjoys initiating office sing-alongs to Ron Kenoly and '90s Hillsong, and if you bring her Krispy Kremes, you're automatically her new BFF!

  • LESLIE D'MELLO

    ADMINISTRATOR & YOUTH PROGRAMME ADVISOR

    Leslie is the only person on THQ that knows what’s going on, and what he doesn't know he makes up. Without him, the youth department is like a confused huddle of penguins on a drifting iceberg. He's a cheeky bloke but is the kind of guy you want on your quiz team.

  • MISSY DITCHBURN

    CHILDRENS MISSION OFFICER

    Missy is a part of the childrens mission team and is passionate about young people being seen, heard and included in the family of God. She loves coffee, friends, and her two schnauzers! Missy recently relocated with her AO husband Jordan to Feilding in the Mighty Manawatū. In the Next Gen Team, she's here to encourage leaders in children's discipleship and loves supporting churches journey towards engaging all generations in the faith community.

  • JAMES ADAMS

    ASPIRE & YOUTH WORK CHAMP

    James comes from Ōwairaka in Tāmaki Makaurau, has been doing Youth Work for over a decade, and is still passionate about giving young people a voice and encouraging opportunities for their development. He is currently looking after Aspire and supporting quality Youth Work, as well as journeying with young people however he can. He has one cool wife, two great kids and a community of friends who love and laugh in his presence!

  • SARAH BRIDLE

    LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

    Sarah covers all things leadershippy and instagrammy. If you want to develop yourself, or your volunteers further - get in touch with her! She oversees programs like LAB, Foundations, and MORE Conference. Sarah is in the midst of a home reno with her new husband where shes learning heaps, sweeping often, and getting her diploma in Interior Design. Shes super grateful to be a part of this team, advocating for young people and cheering leaders on!!

  • MICHAL BAKEN

    CHILDRENS MISSION OFFICER

    Michal is from Palmerston North (whoop whoop!) and is currently living in Ōtautahi Christchurch with her little dog Chimmy. She is passionate about young people being part of the church now and of doing ministry with young people, not just for young people. Michal is a bit of an odd duck – she thinks that filling out a mileage form with a cup of tea is a form of relaxation. That being said, if you’re wanting help with proposals, RAM forms, or theology – she’s your girl.

  • NAOMI TONG

    NORTHERN YOUTH SECRETARY

    Kia ora, I’m Naomi and I get to support the youth work that happens in Te Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau. I’m passionate about seeing people (especially young people) come to know Jesus in a life-changing way where they can experience freedom and all that God has for them, and it’s pretty cool that that is a part of my role. I love spending time with people and I’m always up for a new adventure!

  • SARAH OPIE

    YOUTH MISSIONS DIRECTOR

    Sarah has two children and a husband. She loves finding time to connect in with God with a good devotional, worship music and with a book that challenges her faith. She enjoys camping, reading, sewing, and spending lots of time with friends. She is passionate about connecting with people and helping them discover more about themselves and building a strong relationship with our loving Father. She loves having fun – earning a nickname of prankster at home and in the office. As the youth mission director she is looking forward to hearing stories of our rangitahi and their leaders walking alongside them.

  • STEPH LIMMER

    CHILDRENS

    Steph is based in tamaki makaurau, Auckland and gets along well with children because she likes to think she still is one. She is single handedly keeping Whittaker's in business unless it's Easter when Cadbury cream egg season begins. Steph is an orange curriculum and intermediate ministry expert. She's here to help you develop leaders and create environments where young people encounter Jesus.

OUR VALUES.

MAKE, GROW & RETAIN YOUTH DISCIPLES.

We want to grow dynamic youth disciples who are totally committed to following Jesus within The Salvation Army— risk taking, incarnational, fighting injustice and committed to the salvation of the lost. When youth are actively being discipled and growing in their faith journey this is when we will see transformation take place personally and socially.

WORK TOGETHER.

We want to achieve synergies for mission by working in partnership with other organisations. In doing so we better support youth as they transition from children, through their teenage years and on into adulthood. We are at our strongest when we are working together and coordinating a unifi ed approach to mission.

RECRUIT, DEVELOP & RETAIN YOUTH LEADERS.

We want to ensure every youth service has trained, competent youth leaders. A big part of this is ensuring we retain our experienced youth leaders and hold the learnt knowledge. It is important that we not only value our leaders but that we ensure they have proper training to equip and retain them for the long term.

OFFER WELL RESOURCED & CONSISTENT SERVICES.

We want to provide consistent, high quality services that can be funded and replicated around the country. It is important that we share in our strengths and our weaknesses to learn lessons for improving our ministries to young people. If something is working well we want to encourage it and share that success so it can be replicated. If something is struggling we want to learn the key lessons to better facilitate mission into the future.