Welcome to Next Gen Ministries!

Next Gen is an incredible place to find authentic community for middle school or high school students. Our vision: We want to be a place to belong, where students, believing in God and trusting in his Word, are becoming passionate disciples of Jesus Christ.

We offer many opportunities to help your teenager find a place to belong and to grow as a disciple. Below you will find information on our weekly gatherings as well as upcoming events and retreats. You can also sign up to receive our weekly parent emails, sign up your student to be prayed for in our Pray For Me campaign, learn about our Next Gen staff and see what is coming up in the months ahead on our calendar.

Contact Melissa Contact Alex

Sullivan's Island

We will be hosting Youth Group at the Church of the Holy Cross on Sullivan's Island on Sunday evenings with dinner, a lesson, games and breakout groups. 

Life Groups will meeting during the week and will be more flexible in timing, activity and location. These are designed to be specifically for our students to gather together over food, activities, games to do life together.

This fall we will be joining our Diocesan Retreats for both Middle School (Mondo) and High School (Regenerate). These are awesome ways to connect with students from churches all over our area to learn, grow and worship together during a really fun weekend!


Find out more information on our events page. 

More Info

Your prayers matter. Your prayers can make a difference in the lives of teenagers in our church family! Intergenerational relationships are God's design for passing on the faith. Will you commit to be a Prayer Champion for our teens for the 2023-2024 school year?

Parents - sign your child up to be prayed for!

Adults - sign up to be a Prayer Champion this year!

Be a Sullivan's Island Prayer Champion Signup Your Student to be Prayed For

Daniel Island

Middle School and High School Life Groups meet almost every week throughout the school year. (During the summer we have The Noise and High School Summer Group). Life Groups are the perfect place for your child to build community and live out the Christian life together with their peers. The purpose of Life Groups is to care for each other and grow as disciples of Jesus. We offer Life Groups that are based on grade level and geographic location. 


MS Girls' Life Group - Sundays at 6:30-8pm

HS Co-ed Life Group - Sundays at 6:30-8pm

MS Boys Life Group - TBD

MS Fun Night - Sept 15

MS Youth Group - Sept 24

MS Youth Group - Oct 29

MS Fun Night - Nov 17

MS Youth Group - Dec 17

Learn More

Retreat Date: October 13-15, 2023

We are so excited that your middle school student(s) will be joining us for our diocesan middle school retreat, Mondo! Mondo will be held at Camp Bob Cooper in Summerton, SC.

This fun weekend will include: 150-200 peers from around the diocese, spirit-filled worship and teaching, opportunities to grow relationships with students from Holy Cross and other churches, and so much fun!

Registration will close on September 27th at midnight. 

This awesome weekend costs $130. (A deposit of $65 is required when registering your child). Any outstanding balance will be due by September 27th. If you need financial help, pause this registration and contact Melissa for a discount code you can enter on the financial page of the registration.

Register Now

Retreat Date: November 10-12, 2023

We are so excited your high schooler will be joining us for Regenerate this fall! This awesome diocesan retreat will be held at Camp Bob Cooper in Summerton, SC. We'll be joining with 150 students from around coastal SC to worship the Lord, hear great Bible teachings, and to have lots of fun!

Registration will close on October 25th at midnight.

Cost: This awesome weekend costs $130. (A deposit of $65 is required when registering your child). Any outstanding balance will be due by October 25th. If you need financial help, pause this registration and contact Melissa for a discount code you can enter on the financial page of the registration.

Register Now

Your prayers matter. Your prayers can make a difference in the lives of teenagers in our church family! Intergenerational relationships are God's design for passing on the faith. Will you commit to be a Prayer Champion for our teens for the 2023-2024 school year?

Parents - sign your child up to be prayed for!

Adults - sign up to be a Prayer Champion this year!

Be a Daniel Island Prayer Champion Signup Your Student to be Prayed For

Confirmation

Becoming a follower of Jesus Christ requires a public and personal profession of the Faith from every believer. Confirmation by a bishop is its liturgical expression, and at Holy Cross anyone who is at least High School age, and is ready to commit their life to following Jesus, can be confirmed. 

In the months leading up to Confirmation, we host Family Confirmation Classes to prepare the student and parent together for this incredible step. 

Learn More

2024

Camp Next Gen

Camp Next Gen is our awesome week long Camp for all rising sixth to ninth grade students (as of summer 2024).


This special week will, without a doubt, create incredible new friendships & memories and grow your child's faith. We are so glad your child is going to join us!


More info coming soon!

If you need financial assistance, please pause your registration, contact Melissa and ask for a discount code which you can use on the financial page of this registration.

Registration Coming Soon

Melissa Bennett

Student Minister, Daniel Island

I have been doing youth ministry in some way, shape or form since 1998 and in June 2015 I joined the staff of Holy Cross and the Next Gen team. I am passionate about teaching students God’s Word, helping them learn how to read the Bible for themselves, and steering them in the direction of Jesus as they navigate this world…and adolescence!

I am married to the Rev. Jonathan Bennett and together we have three children: Hannah, Caleb and Lizzie. In my free time I enjoy: sewing, baking, cooking, reading novels, exercising, playing games, and being active.

Cell: 843-469-2201

Contact

Alex Hays

Student Minister, Sullivan's Island

Alex went to Church of the Holy Cross as a middle school student after a friend invited him when he lost his dad. He has been either a part of, volunteering or working in youth ministry in some capacity since 2012. Alex believes in and values building students and families relationships based on the unchanging love of God in the middle of a world that often pulls us apart. He loves hiking, all sports Minnesota, running, the water, animals, and eating. Alex married his wife, Ceiledh, in on April 17th, 2021 and have the sweetest little puppy Nala.

Cell: 843-469-9469 

Next Gen Ministry Email

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