From the time I entered public ministry 37 years ago, I was attending conferences. The sum total of conference messages I’ve heard and taught—by my rough estimate—is somewhere near 1 gazillion (which is 1,000 zillions).

Some conferences were average, some good, and some excellent. But Next is special. Here are a few reasons why.

First, the Next conference was designed, and is very effectively led by Josh Harris and Grant Layman, to reinforce several important, theologically informed objectives for college students and young adults. These include transferring the gospel to the next generation, reinforcing sound doctrine, building a biblical worldview, spreading a passion for the local church, and encouraging personal evangelism.

The Psalmist captures the priority of entrusting the gospel to those coming after us: “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4). At my age, whatever remaining moments, days, years, decades I have left, I want to represent one generation commending the works of God—and in particular the gospel—to another generation.

And there are plenty of immediate benefits to the conference as well. In my experience, young adults who attend the conference will experience God’s nearness during corporate worship, the gift of illumination during each sermon, and opportunities to cultivate friendships with other young adults.

Preaching is a priority at this conference (as it should be). The preaching at this conference is excellent. It makes an immediate impact and has an enduring effect, too. Although world-class teachers are invited to address those at the conference, the conference leaders recognize and express their appreciation for local pastors—those who are doing the most important work. The conference is carefully designed not to build young men and women into well-known speakers, but to build them into their pastors and their local church.

The effects of the conference continue as young adults return home from Orlando, inspired to invest in their local churches. And that is why, when I was pastoring Covenant Life Church, I used the New Attitude/Next conference strategically. I viewed this event as a unique opportunity for college students and young adults in the church to be equipped to serve the church. So I did all I could to inspire them to attend, knowing the difference this conference would make in their lives and the life of the church.

I would encourage pastors to announce this conference, feature this conference, encourage all to attend this conference, and find ways of supporting young adults in their churches who are limited financially from attending.

The Next conference will not only prove formative in the souls of those who attend, but will also transfer the gospel to the next generation, and I think you will find it to be a fruitful investment in the future of your church.

The Next conference runs May 28–31 in Orlando, Florida. For more information, see the website: http://www.thisisnext.org/