Most ministry resources frame youth discipleship as the responsibility of the church and home, overlooking the broader “village” of everyday influencers, coaches, mentors, educators, and neighbors, who shape young people’s formation daily. The cost of this narrow focus is staggering: the Pinetops Foundation’s The Great Opportunity warns that, based on current trends, 42 million young people could walk away from the church by 2050.
BOON - The Black Next Gen Network confirms a related crisis: there is a consistent underinvestment in those leading the faith development of Black children and youth. Seventy-five percent of Next Gen ministry roles in Black faith-based contexts are more likely to be volunteer than paid, and among those compensated, 47% earn less than $20,000 annually. While this speaks to financial investment, it raises a deeper question: if faith-based institutions aren’t investing in those discipling Black youth, then who is?
Through the Pastoral Study Project, I will explore what discipleship practices most effectively support Black teenagers in their theological development and practice, and in experiencing and sustaining a meaningful relationship with God. This work will engage theological, cultural, and developmental dimensions of discipleship, honoring the wisdom that already exists in Black communities while critically examining gaps in both scholarship and practice.
My approach will combine an analysis of existing studies and listening within communities. The goal is to surface a framework that can be translated for practical use by the everyday influencers shaping Black teens’ faith. As Founder of BOON, I see this study as foundational, not just for my leadership, but for equipping the broader “village” to disciple Black youth with care, clarity, and confidence.