The defining trauma of Generation Zero is the disappearance of the "Away Message." In the AIM era, being offline was a valid state of being. You could exit the digital world. Today, the web is no longer a destination; it is an omnipresent layer of reality. Generation Zero remembers the peace of being unreachable, a luxury that has been traded for the efficiency of the "always-on" economy. They are the only ones left who feel the phantom limb of silence. Curators of the In-Between
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As the web shifts toward AI-generated noise and corporate silos, Generation Zero faces a choice. Do they retreat into the "Small Web" of newsletters and private chats, or do they fight to keep the open, chaotic spirit of the early internet alive? They are the keepers of the original dream: a web that was weird, human, and—most importantly—disconnected from the demands of the real world. The defining trauma of Generation Zero is the
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Generation Zero’s digital footprint is a messy, sprawling archaeological site. Their most embarrassing phases are archived in dead forums and old servers. Unlike the generations before them, their "permanent record" is literal. Unlike those after them, they didn't grow up knowing how to perform for a brand. Their online history is raw, unoptimized, and hauntingly permanent. The Future of the Settlers
For Generation Zero, the early web wasn’t a utility; it was a frontier. It was the era of Geocities, IRC chats, and the chaotic symphony of a 56k modem. There were no "walled gardens." You didn't scroll; you searched. You didn't consume; you tinkered. This generation learned to code HTML not for a career, but to make a MySpace page reflect their specific brand of teenage angst. The web was a place you "went to," leaving the physical world behind. The Death of the "Away"
Generation Zero represents the final cohort of "digital settlers"—those born just early enough to remember the world before the internet became an atmosphere, yet young enough to have been its primary architects. They are the bridge between the analog past and the algorithmic future. The Web as a Wilderness
Pete Miller is the President and CEO of the ministry. He has served on the management team of Need Him Global since 2011 and has been on the board since 2008. Pete is responsible for managing the staff along with all strategic and operational elements of the ministry including media, information technology, finance, volunteer services and partnerships.
Chris Schultz is the Chief Operating Officer. He is responsible for all ministry operations and partnerships related to technology, systems, training, volunteer services and the Resident Leadership Program.
Julie Schaeffer is the Director of Development. She is responsible for communication and coordinating activities with the financial supporters of the ministry. She has been with Need Him Global since 2013. She also has responsibility for coordinating all local and regional events along with leading the ministry prayer team.
Karen Parrish is the Director of Finance for the ministry. She has been with Need Him Global since April 2011. Her responsibilities include coordinating the annual financial audit & tax return, overseeing donation deposits, preparing vendor payments & staff payroll, and coordinating employee benefits.
Cathy is the Data Management Coordinator for the ministry. She joined the team in 2018 and is responsible for managing and maintaining all internal databases, processing gifts and donor receipts, assisting with partner communication and supporting of volunteer services.
Ryan has been with the ministry in different capacities since 2023. He is responsible for vetting new Responder applicants, as well as supporting, coaching, and developing the Responder community. Additional responsibilities include continuing development of the training requirements and ongoing evangelism education for the Responder community.