Methodist Youth President for 2025/2026
09 January 2025
The Methodist Youth President for 2025/2026 will be Genesis Padgett, a member of Emmanuel Methodist Church near Barnsley.
Genesis, aged 19, was elected by the children and young people of the Methodist Church across the Connexion. The Methodist Youth President is a salaried position working full-time for one year to serve the children and young people of the Methodist Church in Britain. The role involves meeting and representing the young Methodist people to ensure that their voices are heard and to help them be involved in every aspect of Church life.
Genesis will become part of the Connexional Team from 1 August 2025 and will succeed Bea Hulme as Youth President from 1 September 2025. They will be formally welcomed at a service that will take place in September 2025.
Genesis has been attending a Methodist Church since they were three, but feels they came to faith at around the age of twelve while attending Cliff Festival at Cliff College, the same college where Genesis is currently studying theology. After the festival, Genesis began volunteering at church, helping serve coffee, undertaking readings and becoming a worship leader. “The more I helped, the stronger I found my faith,” says Genesis and so, at the age of 17, Genesis began training to become a Local Preacher.
“I applied for the Youth President role because I believe I can make a difference,” says Genesis. “I want all the young people in the Methodist Church to be excited about God. I want everyone to know they are loved, to keep everyone interested and excited about God. To be willing to evangelise, to want to be Christian.
“I want to help encourage all young people to understand that God loves them. I want to encourage them all to be as excited about their faith as I am and to help them do more in their churches.”
The current Youth President, Bea Hulme, congratulated Genesis commenting, “A huge well done to Genesis, I’ll be praying for them in the run up to their appointment as Youth President. The Youth Presidency is a really exciting role and I look forward to working together with Genesis from next August, as we start the handover process to explore what the year will look like. Please keep Genesis in your prayers through the process of preparing for their year of office.”
The Revd Lyn Gregg, Genesis's minister, commented, "Having come to know Genesis during my time in the Barnsley Circuit, I am delighted they have been appointed as the next Youth President. I have every confidence in Genesis' ability as an advocate for young people and an ambassador for the Methodist Church. I know they will serve both with the commitment and integrity of a true disciple of Christ."