The Youth President of the Methodist Church
The Youth President is elected annually by both the children and young people attending 3Generate, the Methodist Children and Youth Assembly, and from across the Connexion. This way, all our children and young people have an opportunity to vote for who will be their Youth President. Assisted by a team of Youth Representatives, they work full-time for one year as a member of the Connexional Team (Connexion is what we call the work of the Church across Britain) to serve the children and young people of the Methodist Church in Britain.
They are not part of the formal governance of the Methodist Church in Britain, but act as the voice of children and young people across the Church and beyond.
Their duties include:
- Visiting children and young people across the Connexion to hear their views on issues
- Encouraging, enabling and advocating for children and young people to be fully involved in all aspects of the life of the Church
- Ensuring the voice of children and young people, their needs, issues and concerns, are considered by leaders and decision-making bodies in all levels of the Church
- Acting as a spokesperson for, and a channel for the voices of, young Methodists both within and outside the Church
- Hosting 3Generate
- Being a member of various committees
- Writing and presenting their report to the Methodist Conference
To see what Genesis is getting up to throughout the year, you can follow them on Facebook, Instagram or X.
You can also email them direct on youthpresident@methodistchurch.org.uk.
Genesis Padgett
Youth President 2025-2026
Hi, I'm Genesis (they/them) and I was elected by delegates at 3Generate 2024 and by children and young people across the Connexion to be your Youth President from September 2025 to August 2026.
I’m 19 years of age and a member of Emmanuel Methodist Church near Barnsley. I have been attending a Methodist Church since I was three, but feel I came to faith at around the age of 12 while attending Cliff Festival at Cliff College, where I have recently been studying theology. After the festival, I began volunteering at church, helping serve coffee, doing readings and then becoming a Worship Leader. The more I helped, the stronger I found my faith. I am now in training to become a Local Preacher.
I’m passionate about making sure all young people in the church are heard and valued. I have seen first-hand how much creativity, energy and faith our youth have. I really want to keep experiencing that, and keep guiding everyone to encourage this in all aspects of church life. I want to help encourage all young people to understand that God loves them and to be as excited about their faith as I am and to help them do more in their churches.
I am really looking forward to meeting young people from all over the Connexion, hearing their stories, and especially learning about what matters most to them. I want to visit as many districts as possible this year and to encourage all young voices to shape the future of the Church.
Outside of church life I enjoy playing board games and long walks (but not at the same time!).
Five questions with Genesis
We sat down with Genesis to ask them more about being our Youth President...
What are you hoping to achieve during your year as Youth President?
I want to interact with children and young people in the Connexion in new and creative ways. I also want to try different ways to encourage everyone to share their faith, no matter their age.
Who in the bible do you most relate to and why?
I think I most relate to Timothy. He was young, but still called to lead and encourage others in faith. Sometimes I feel too young or inexperienced, but Timothy reminds me that God will use us wherever we are.
Where would you would love to visit?
I have always wanted to visit Noah’s Ark in Kentucky so that I can experience what it could have been like in biblical times.
What’s the best piece of advice someone has given you?
Don’t try to be the best version of someone else, just be the best version of yourself, the person God made you to be.
If you had to describe yourself as a dessert, what would it be?
I have to say a chocolate chip cookie - something comforting and simple, but always there if you want a bit of happiness.
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