Emerging Generations exists to disciple children, youth, and young adults in the love and holiness of Jesus Christ, while equipping and training local churches across North Georgia to build lasting ministries that reach and raise up the next generation for Christ.

Elevating Emerging Generations: The Isaiah Delegate Program

Every generation of leaders must reckon with the reality that we are all interim in our service to the kingdom. Therefore, it is imperative in every season for the people of God to explore avenues through which emerging leaders may experience and respond to the call of God to serve in leadership both in their local congregation and in the global Church. In response to this ever-present reality the North Georgia Conference is launching a new initiative designed to invest in the next generation of church leadership: the Isaiah Delegate Program. Inspired by the prophet’s response—“Here I am. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)—this program equips and empowers high school students to participate meaningfully in the life and decision-making of the Annual Conference.

The Isaiah Delegate Program invites rising 9th–11th grade students; who are active participants in a North Georgia GMC congregation and demonstrate Christian character, maturity, and a desire to grow as leaders; to serve as full voting delegates at Annual Conference. Over the course of a two-year experience, these young leaders will not only observe the work of the Annual Conference but actively participate in it—offering their voices, gifts, and perspectives as part of the connectional body.

The vision behind the program is both simple and significant: to assist local churches in forming a generation of disciples who are rooted in Scripture, grounded in Wesleyan tradition, and engaged in the mission of the church. By welcoming students into the conference’s discernment and governance processes, the Isaiah program helps ensure that emerging generations are not merely the future of the church—they are participants in its present ministry.

Isaiah Delegates will receive mentorship from clergy and lay leaders while developing practical leadership skills. The program emphasizes communication, discernment, parliamentary procedure, and collaborative ministry. These experiences are intended to help young people grow in confidence as Christian leaders while deepening their understanding of how the wider church functions.

In addition to voting and participating in conference sessions, Isaiah delegates will serve in gift-based ministry roles during the second year of the program. These opportunities may include worship leadership, hospitality, communications, missions support, technology and production, administration, or prayer ministry. By aligning responsibilities with each student’s gifts and interests, the program highlights the diverse ways God calls individuals to serve within the body of Christ.

Spiritual formation is also central to the program. Delegates will participate in opportunities for prayer, reflection, and fellowship with peers and mentors throughout the conference experience. These moments are designed to help students discern how God may be calling them—whether to ordained ministry, lay leadership, or faithful service within their local church and community.

The Isaiah Delegate Program also strengthens the connection between the Annual Conference and local congregations. Before the conference, delegates will review materials and engage their church communities in conversation about relevant issues prior to Annual Conference. Afterward, they will share reflections and insights with their congregation or youth group, helping others understand and engage with the wider life of the church.

By inviting young disciples into the work of the conference, the Isaiah Delegate Program represents a meaningful investment in the future of the church. As these students step forward to say, “Here I am—send me,” the North Georgia Conference is helping raise up leaders who will carry the mission of Christ forward for generations to come.