By Hadachelle Augustin
When my pastor nominated me to attend the Next Gen 10:2 gathering in Columbus, Georgia, I honestly did not know what to expect. I thought it would be a great opportunity for my friend Oriana and myself, but beyond that, I had very few expectations.
As my plane took off, I prayed a simple prayer: “God, let this weekend be a breakthrough for me. Let it be something I never forget.” Looking back, God answered that prayer in ways I never anticipated.
When I arrived, I was nervous about what the weekend would hold and who I would meet. But as I looked around the room, I quickly noticed that many of the other participants were around my age. There was something comforting about seeing young adults from all over the country gathered together for one purpose. Although we came from different states, churches, cultures, and backgrounds, we had all been chosen to be there.
As I got to know the other participants, I discovered something even more meaningful: every person had a story. None of us were perfect. None of us had life completely figured out. As we began to share testimonies, I realized a common thread among many of us. A lot of us did not encounter God during the easiest seasons of our lives. Instead, we found Him in our lowest moments. We came carrying different struggles, different questions, and different experiences, yet we all shared the same desire to know God more deeply.
Hearing those stories reminded me that I am not alone.
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“A lot of us did not encounter God during the easiest seasons of our lives. Instead, we found Him in our lowest moments.”
Facing Fear With Faith
Like many young adults, I sometimes feel isolated in the challenges I face. It can be easy to believe that everyone else has it together while you are the only one struggling. But throughout the weekend, I was reminded that every person carries battles that others cannot see. We all face different circumstances, but we serve the same God. Despite our struggles, we continue to place Him at the center of our hearts and trust that His will is greater than our own.
One verse that stayed with me throughout the weekend was Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” That reminder became grounding for me every time I felt overwhelmed or uncertain. It reminded me that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to trust that God is present in every step.
One of the most impactful moments of the weekend came through Pastor Ta’Tyana Leonard’s messages. She shared a statement that immediately resonated with me: “Our fears are rooted in statements God NEVER said about you.”
That message hit home for me because I have spent much of my life allowing fear to keep me from stepping into opportunities God placed before me. There have been times when God opened a door, yet I hesitated to walk through it because of doubt, insecurity, or the lies the enemy planted in my mind. Fear convinced me that I was not qualified, not ready, not capable enough, or that I would fail. Looking back, I realize those thoughts were not coming from God.
Her words challenged me to examine the source of my fears. How many of the things I believe about myself are actually rooted in God’s truth, and how many are rooted in statements He never said? Fear has a way of speaking louder than faith if we allow it to, causing us to miss blessings, ignore callings, and remain standing outside doors that God has already opened for us. I left that session determined to trust God’s voice more than my fears.
Another lesson that stayed with me was seeing Pastor Ta’Tyana preach throughout the weekend. As a young Black woman, it meant a lot to see someone who looked like me standing confidently in leadership and delivering God’s Word in a space where representation is not always common. Her presence alone was encouraging, but her message carried even more weight.
Another powerful lesson she shared was this: “You are not the Lord of the harvest.” As Christians, we often place heavy pressure on ourselves to fix people, solve problems, or carry burdens that were never meant for us. But Pastor Ta’Tyana reminded us that our responsibility is not to save people — Jesus already did that.
Our role is to invite people to Him.
We are called to help others by pointing them toward Jesus’ solution rather than trying to become the solution ourselves. That truth brought me a sense of peace I didn’t realize I needed. It reminded me that my job is not to be Jesus, but to faithfully point others to Him. In a world that constantly pressures us to have all the answers, it was freeing to remember that our calling is obedience, not control.
Encouragement and Worship
The entire weekend was filled with encouragement. The pastors, bishops, church leaders, and volunteers welcomed us with open arms. Christ Community Church created an atmosphere unlike anything I have experienced before. Every conversation felt genuine and intentional. Whether talking about ministry, family, education, or personal faith journeys, people were eager to listen and share openly. It felt less like attending a conference and more like being welcomed into a family.
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“We are called to help others by pointing them toward Jesus’ solution rather than trying to become the solution ourselves.”
The worship experience also left a lasting impression on me. I come from Shekinah Worship Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut — a church community where worship is a blend of Haitian hymns, Caribbean gospel, traditional American worship songs, and praise music. The worship style at Next Gen 10:2 was different from what I am used to, but the purpose was the same.
Standing in a room filled with believers from different backgrounds, all singing to glorify God, was powerful. It reminded me that worship is bigger than personal preference, tradition, or culture. At its core, worship is about one thing: honoring God for who He is and what He has done.
In those moments of worship, I was reminded of something simple but easy to forget: even being able to stand, breathe, and lift my voice in praise is a blessing. We often ask God for more while forgetting to thank Him for what we already have.
Distractions and Disciples
As young adults, we carry many pressures — school, careers, family responsibilities, friendships, finances, and the weight of figuring out what comes next. Life can feel overwhelming, and it is easy to become distracted by everything competing for our attention.
Yet Jesus gave us a mission that is clear.
We are called to make disciples.
Matthew 28:19 reminds us: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Throughout the weekend, that verse anchored me. We overcomplicate life and faith so often, but Christ’s instruction is simple and steady. Know Him. Follow Him. Make Him known.
No matter where we come from, what we are facing, or what season we are in, our purpose remains the same.
I left Next Gen 10:2 with new friendships, new perspectives, and a renewed sense of purpose. More importantly, I left reminded that I am not walking this journey alone.
My prayer is that the next generation of believers continues to grow stronger, support one another, and boldly answer Christ’s call to go and make disciples. If each of us left that gathering carrying even one truth forward, then we are already one step closer to becoming the generation God has called us to be.
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“My prayer is that the next generation of believers continues to grow stronger, support one another, and boldly answer Christ’s call to go and make disciples.”
The prayer I prayed on the plane was that God would make the weekend something I would never forget. He did. Not because of the event itself, but because He reminded me of what is true: His presence is constant, His purpose is clear, and my fears are not final because they are rooted in statements He never said.
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