NEXT GENERATION
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
The primary purpose of the Next Generation Youth and Young Adult Ministry is to call youth and young adults into lifelong discipleship; to identify the call and commitment to the family, church and the community; and to apply the teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through God’s word to their lives. Led by Rev. Joshua and Sis. Sana Cotten, Next Generation provides the proper background for strong, confident and educated Christian youth and young adults.
Next Generation seeks to:
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Integrate the youth and young adult departments with the church ministry as extensions of each other.
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Reach out to those youth and young adults who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ and encourage those who do.
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Teach, prepare, and train all youth and young adults for contributing roles in life and in the mission of the church.
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Encourage our youth to develop a meaningful and devotional prayer life.
NEXT GENERATION SCHEDULE
2nd Sunday of the Month @ 12 pm
Youth Worship Service
A service designed to empower, inspire, motivate and encourage youth and young adults to live their faith. Youth participate in praise and worship (youth style), testimonies, and powerful sermons.
Youth Church is held downstairs every Sunday during the
12 pm worship service.
TNT Bible Study
Tuesday Night Teaching: Focuses on dealing with specialized topics for youth and activities designed to help discover, develop and defend their faith in God. Small and large group centered activities challenge and energize youth to approach and deal with real life issues.
Dinner is served free of charge for all participants.
Next Generation Ministries
Youth Ushers
Youth Choir
Bible Studies
Sunday School
Creative Arts Dance Ministries
Youth Church
CONTACT US
For more information regarding youth and young adult programs and activities within Next Generation Youth and Young Adult Department, please contact our Youth Director, Rev. Joshua Cotten, at (860)346-8295 or via email at jcottensyip@gmail.com.
Rev. Joshua Cotten
Rev. Joshua E. Cotten is a dedicated and passionate youth pastor and mentor, as well as a working professional in the secular world. He was born and raised in New Haven, CT and attended Co-Operative Arts and Humanities High School, where he focused on music and theater. After completing high school, he pursued his theological education at Christian Leadership Bible College in New Haven, CT and received his Bachelor of Theology in 2017.
Currently, Rev. Cotten serves as the Youth Pastor at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Middletown, CT. In this role, he actively engages with and supports young individuals in their spiritual and personal growth. Additionally, he is employed as a Residential Treatment Assistant at CT Valley Hospital, demonstrating his commitment to helping others and making a difference.
Rev. Cotten's passion for youth extends beyond the church walls. He has taken on the role of mentor to countless young boys and men in the Middletown community, providing guidance, support, and encouragement. He has also served as the Director of Camp Shiloh, a licensed youth summer camp that has catered to the needs of Middletown's youth for over 12 years.
Furthermore, Rev. Cotten, together with his wife, actively serves as the Director of Mentorship for Unashamed Inc., a nonprofit organization with the mission of fostering emotional well-being in disadvantaged families who have experienced incarceration, foster care, and teen pregnancy.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the community and his unwavering dedication to helping others, Rev. Cotten was honored as one of the 100 Men of Color in 2018. He is happily married to Sana Cotten, and together they have been blessed with over 17 years of marriage and two wonderful children, Jamir and Janai. Rev. Joshua E. Cotten continues to make a significant impact in the lives of young individuals, and his dedication and compassion are a true inspiration.