Next Gen is Nativity’s Ministry for Kids and Students of All Ages.
From six weeks to 18 years old, there is a Gospel message and program at Nativity for every age and stage where you will be known and noticed, grown and focused on what matters most. We are ready to hear and be part of the stories our young people are living and to invite them to the greatest adventure of their lives, reminding them week after week, year after year that our Father is madly after their hearts.
Find the perfect program for any age.
- 6 Weeks to 5 Years
- Grades 1-4
- Grades 1-4
- Grades 5-8
- Grades 9-12
- Grades 5-12
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All Stars
Our youngest children will dance, sing, play, and use their imagination as they hear Bible stories, meet heroes of our faith, and become familiar with God, their Heavenly Father. All Stars isn’t babysitting but a worship experience for preschoolers starting as young as six weeks and going all the way to age five. Watch this week’s Kids message online here.
In person All Stars occurs during every weekend Mass
Saturday 5pm
Sunday 9am
Sunday 11amIf you are interested in coming in person, let us know ahead of time by registering here.
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Time Travelers
The Word of God comes alive for kids in grades 1-4 as they join Time Travelers during Mass for a special message that takes them back in time to the same Bible stories adults are hearing in the Sanctuary. Through music, videos, stories, games, and friends, Time Travelers will learn how God’s Word can help them make wise choices, that they can trust God no matter what, and how to love God with their whole heart, soul, and mind.
Time Travelers occurs during every weekend Mass
Saturday 5pm
Sunday 9am
Sunday 11amWatch this week’s Time Travelers video online here.
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Quest
Kids find friends in faith and experience everything from science experiments to brain teasers to laugh-out-loud skits that help them know Jesus loves them (and that’s cool!). We learn and worship in Mass, and we grow in small groups. In Quest, kids are in a consistent group each week that prays together and plays together. Their faith will change and grow, they will laugh, they will ask questions, and they will start with a small group that we hope will be consistent throughout their childhood and adolescence in Next Gen Ministry.
Quest Times
Saturday 6:05-6:35pm
Sunday 8:25-8:55am
Sunday 10:25-10:55am
Interested in registering for Quest? Register here. -
Resurrection
In one power-packed hour per week, middle schoolers compete over meaningful games, enjoy a message for their growing faith, and start a conversation with friends. We pack the theater for a live message, worship with the Student Band, and get a sense that we are part of something big together. As middle schoolers rise, their small groups become more independent: Their discussion can go a little longer and deeper, we break them into boys and girls groups, and they continue to receive a message tailored to their age and stage.
Resurrection Rise Time
Sundays 6:30pm-7:45pmIf you would like to register for Resurrection, click here.
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Uprising
Once teens reach high school, they are dared to make faith their own through weekly commitment, more challenging messages, questions, and activities. Small groups meet at a time and place of their choosing. Often in Uprising our leaders don’t offer answers but questions because we want to teach high schoolers how to think rather than what to think since they increasingly face adult decisions.
Uprising Times
Sunday 4:00pm-5:15pmIf you would like to register for Uprising, click here.
What is a Kid?
Nativity Kids are anyone from six weeks old to 4th grade. Kids participate in All Stars, Time Travelers, and Quest.
What is a Student?
Nativity Students are preteens and teens from 5th-12th grade. Students participate in Resurrection and Uprising.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What will my child learn in Next Gen?
Our mission in Next Gen is to connect kids and students with leaders, peers, and parents who help them to love God, love others, and become disciples. Through this mission, each of our programs is rooted in Basic Truths. In All Stars (our preschool program), we teach three Basic Truths: God loves me, God made me, and Jesus is God’s son. Each age group has further Basic Truths all the way through Uprising when our high schoolers cover our final three Basic Truths: I have a faith of my own, I am not alone because God is always there, and I can share my faith.
How do I check my kids into Next Gen?
Each program differs slightly. If your children would like to be in a Quest, Resurrection or Uprising small group you will register ahead of time and we’ll give you a time for your group. Once you’re at church, you will check in on our kiosks where a nametag will be printed. For Time Travelers, there is no check-in. Kids are walked to the theatre and returned to their seats by our friendly ministers at each weekend Mass. Parents check their kids into All Stars before Mass and pick them up after Mass using the name tags printed at our kiosks in the Next Gen Wing. Our friendly staff and ministers are standing by in Next Gen shirts ready to help.
How do I find out more about sacraments?
We love to help kids connect with Jesus through the Sacraments no matter their age. First Communion and Reconciliation are available starting in elementary school, and Confirmation is available to high schoolers. To find out more, check out First Communion or Confirmation.
What safety measures do you take for kids?
We want you to have confidence that our systems and spaces are good places for kids. We have emergency plans, a uniformed police officer at programs, and well-trained, background-checked, and thoroughly screened volunteers and staff. We also have a secure check in-check out system for preschool and elementary-age programs. The environment we aim for is one of understanding, openness, and support. No question is stupid, no opinion is unheard, and no secret is unsafe. We want kids to trust us enough to tell us anything, and we reassure them that God will love them no matter what.
Do I need to register my child for programs?
The registration we need from you depends on the program. For All Stars and Quest, we need prior registration to participate. For Time Travelers, Resurrection, and Uprising, there’s no sign up–just show up! If you like it, we will capture your information and follow up with you to register.