Coming Alongside Youth & Young Adults | An Interview with Steve Hitz

Steve Hitz describes himself as a Baby Boomer with a Millennial heart. He studies, thinks like, celebrates, and advises what he calls “a great new generation.” As a company founder, president, and CEO, he employed more than 10,000 Millennials; he has also served as a young single adult bishop. Steve is a founding member of Launching Leaders Worldwide Inc., a faith-based nonprofit leadership program which helps young adults examine their lives, determine where they are now, where they want to be, and how to create their future while embracing their faith. Steve and his wife Ginger are blessed with three sons, two daughters, and eleven beloved grandchildren. In this podcast, Kurt and Steve discuss how to address the concerns of the rising generation. Highlights 2:45 Launching Leaders is an online personal leadership course. It’s facilitated by youth to empower youth. 7:20 How to address the concerns of the rising generation. Loneliness Connecting with God 9:30 Lessons Steve has learned from his cows and his coming alongside theory. 10:50 Example of coming alongside theory. We need to lead, not force. 16:30 Steve quotes President Nelson, “Ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, how he feels about you and your mission here on earth.” 17:30 What’s more important than knowing our true identity? 19:15 How can youth leaders help their youth with knowing their identity? 22:00 As teachers we want to have everything planned out to the minute. Plans are great but following the spirit is more important. Be vulnerable and trust the spirit. 25:15 Young people believe they can live compartmentalized lives. They have their church life, school life, ect. Many youth are unhappy because of this. 32:00 Steve talks about the things that he has learned in his studies and working with youth. Implement and learn the doctrine come alongside theory Allow youth to discover their own answers even if it’s different from ours. Let them progress and use their free agency. 34:00 Relationships are the key to everything. Youth today don’t want us to tell them what to do but they want us to listen. 35:20 Give space to your youth so that they can find their identity. 37:40 Giving people love is more important than trying to push religion on them. Creating loving relationships is the most important thing. 39:30 Opportunities to share the gospel come when we have a foundation of community and deep relationships. 45:50 Steve’s final encouragement on how leaders can connect with youth. Links Launching LeadersLaunching Leaders: An Empowering Journey for a New GenerationSteve’s articles and previous podcast at LeadingSaints.org