Before You Mobilize Gen Z

Gen Z isn’t a problem to fix—they may be the generation that helps reshape how we do missions. In this episode, Andrea Kroeze joins Dave Jacob to explore why the future of mobilization depends on building trust, investing in mentorship, and walking alongside young people before sending them. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience with Touch the World, Andrea shares what she’s learned from Gen Z: their curiosity, honesty, empathy, desire for authenticity, and potential to bring adaptability and fresh thinking to cross-cultural ministry. Together, Dave and Andrea discuss why assumptions about anxiety, authority, and readiness can hold mission agencies back—and how a longer, more relational path can help young adults prepare for the field. They explore practical preparation, short-term experiences, mentoring, and the importance of giving Gen Z a genuine voice in the future of missions. If you’re a mobilizer, missions leader, or next-generation ministry worker, this conversation offers an encouraging challenge: move beyond stereotypes and invest in the people, skills, and relationships so you can send more young people to the nations.

Show Notes:
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Touch the World
Missions Gap Year Program
The Missions Academy
ServiceReef
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The Mobilizers Retreat May 2027
Gen Z as the Corrective Generation - Christianity Today article
The Future Begins with Z book by Tim Elmore
Faithful Futures book by Josh Packard
Cafe 1040
GoCorps