scripture has become the driving force
behind nextTalk. It provides four
essential times for parents to talk with
their kids. “Talk with your kids. On the
go, at home, going to bed and getting
up,” she explains. In other words, talk
to your kids—anytime, anywhere.
What has become clear is that
parents can delay access to technology
or devices, but parents can’t delay
these tough conversations. The
nonprofit explores topics like sex
trafficking, cyber bullying, suicide and
sexuality. “Parents get squeamish, but
we need to shift our thinking,” says
Mandy. “It’s shocking at times, but we
have to think of it as saving our kids.”
Parents also learn about various
loopholes, hidden social media
accounts, and unfamiliar messaging
systems from nextTalk. Or, they learn
how a simple web search can involuntarily
lead to pornographic or harmful
content. “We have to be their Google,
so we can speak truth into these
topics,” says Mandy. “Kids are getting a
lot of false information from their
friends and online.”
If you’re a parent and don’t know
where to begin, you’re not alone. “I had
to submit to the Deuteronomy scripture
and show that no topic was
off-limits in our home,” says Mandy.
The nextTalk video series and podcasts
present Christ-centered principles
while encouraging open and honest
discussion. “The mission isn’t to tell
people how to live their lives or
parent,” says Mandy. “The mission is to
get parents talking with their kids.”
Kelli Ayres, a co-pastor at Cross
Mountain Church and parent, agrees
that nextTalk provides a valuable
service. “It’s opened our eyes to many
of the negative and harmful things our
kids are facing. The good news is this
team gives us the tools we need to face
these problems, along with encouragement
through God’s word to turn it
around in our homes.”
Mandy now describes her life in
terms of “before and after” her daughter’s
unexpected question. “This has
changed everything. I can’t imagine
parenting any other way.”
The nonprofit gives a wakeup call.
It gives parents a newfound awareness
of the culture we’re living in—however
scary. “I also want parents to walk
away filled with hope,” says Mandy.
“God knew this was going to happen
and gave us a roadmap in Deuteronomy.
Instead of worrying, we need to
pour that time and energy into building
a healthy dialogue with our kids."
www.nextTalk.lk
org
P.O. Box 160111, San Antonio, TX 78280
Be A Light.
Donate at www.nextTalk.org/give.
Help spread the nextTalk message! Your
donations will support a new 24/7 online
help desk to assist parents in crisis. Your
giving will also help produce new podcast
and video series content. Volunteer. The
staff members at nextTalk all have busy
schedules and familial duties. Expand
their efforts and become trained to lead
the nextTalk message. Partner. Contact
nextTalk to host a fundraising event, speak
with your congregation, or form a local
support group.
S TOR Y MADE POS S I B L E B Y:
www.sprcpas.com
8000 IH-10 West, Suite 705, SAT 78230
(210) 561-2668
We love our city. We specifically hire people
with community minded efforts in their
hearts. In fact, our people make SPR the firm
that it is. We are smart, hard working professionals
who share a common vision for how
to serve our clients. We are a true team in
every sense of the word. And while we work
hard, well, we play hard too. We provide tax
accounting and advisory services with a
focus on value added planning and
consulting for sophisitcated individuals,
families, and closely held businesses. We give
our clients peace of mind knowing that they
have a trusted advisor behind them every
step of the way so they can focus on what
matters most to them, both professionally
and personally.
May / June 2019 www.saBeacon.com 17
“ At SPR, one of our core values is family. To be able to
support Mandy and her team’s work at nextTalk
means we are building safer and stronger families in
our community. The propensity of technology, smartphones
and social media make parenting very different
than just 25 years ago. The efforts of nextTalk
provide the knowledge we need as parents to keep
our kids safe. We love nextTalk! We encourage you to
connect with Mandy, attend one of
her events and support the efforts of
this vital ministry.“
Michael D. Perkins, CPA, CFP,® Managing Partner & CEO,
Slattery Perkins Ramirez P.C.
Thank you SLATTERY PERKINS RAMIREZ P.C. for making this story possible to share.
Cross Mountain Church in Boerne, Texas hosts the
nextTalk video series curriculum. Mandy will also be
speaking there on Sunday evening, August 25.
Mandy Majors speaks at Oak Hills Church in
San Antonio.
Top three strategies for
honest conversations at home
from nextTalk
• Always remain calm. When we
react negatively, yell, or take a
phone away, our kids shut down.
We’re teaching them not to talk to
us. Instead, try positive reinforcement
like, ‘I’m so proud of you for
telling me.’” As James 1:19 says,
“Everyone should be quick to
listen, slow to speak, and slow to
become angry.”
• Create a safe place. Build their
trust, and don’t broadcast their
business on social media.
• It starts with you. As parents,
maybe we're screamers, poor
listeners or on autopilot. We may
be creating an environment where
our kids don’t feel comfortable
talking to us. If we can pinpoint
those weaknesses in ourselves, we
can strengthen our conversations
with our children.