Born Into the Algorithm: Figuring Out Ministry with Gen Alpha

Ginny Olson
University of Northwestern, St. Paul

They’ve been shaped by YouTube Shorts, Roblox, and AI “friends” that blur the line between real and virtual—digital life is simply home for them.

We’ll explore how to nurture faith in a short-form, high-anxiety, high-creativity world, and how to create ministry experiences that help Gen Alpha feel seen, grounded, and ready to grow in lasting faith.

Ginny Olson has spent her career walking alongside youth leaders and the next generation. Based in Minneapolis, she serves as Director of Next Gen Ministry for the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. She’s the co-author of Youth Ministry Management Tools 2.0 and author of Teenage Girls. Ginny’s passion is helping churches nurture young leaders and navigate the ever-changing world of youth culture with wisdom, creativity, and hope.