Next Step Ministries, Inc

My daughter thoroughly enjoyed her trip to Colorado Springs with Next Step! The standout moment for her was the free day hike—the stunning vistas and red rocks are truly breathtaking.  It was the perfect way to wrap up a week of service! A huge thank you to the two women from the Next Step staff who led the group hike; they created such a meaningful experience by stopping at different spots for prayer, devotions, and quiet reflection. The service projects themselves were also incredibly meaningful; she gained so much from the hard work of cleaning up trails and the heart-opening experience of serving the homeless. That balance of hard work and outdoor exploration made for a truly unforgettable summer. The memories made on those trails will stay with my daughter for a lifetime!

Next Step provided a truly life-changing experience for my daughter. She traveled to Colorado Springs, and still talks about the deep impact of the service projects, especially the time spent cleaning up local trails and providing hands-on support to the communities in need. She shared with us that she was happy to have spent her energy working to help others. It was hard work, but seeing the direct benefit to the community clearly left an impression. We can see that it will have a lasting impact, as she continues to express interest in ways to serve God and support the larger world community. It was truly powerful to hear her describe how she saw God working through the hearts of the people she served. Put simply, for my daughter, the trip with Next Step helped make service to God cool.

Our son went on a service trip with Next Steps last summer to Elliot County, KY, and he had a fantastic week of learning to Love God and Love Others through service. He spoke of how friendly all of the Next Steps were to their group and how kind and welcoming the local community was as well. He had the opportunity to learn new skills of using tools and completing tasks for others that provided a sens of accomplishment. He is looking forward his trip this summer as our church has chosen Next Steps for our service trip to Fairbanks, Alaska. I am excited as I get to join my son and the rest of the team this year as a chaperone.

Next Step Ministries is wonderful! My daughter is going on her third trip this summer and loves everything about it—from the high-energy worship and games with the staff to the deep connections she makes with other youth groups. Her favorite part is the service projects, especially her time at Crossfire helping families access groceries and clothing. It’s a well-organized, spirit-filled ministry that she felt so blessed to be a part of! The staff does an incredible job of making every student feel seen and valued while they serve the local community. It is truly life-changing to see her come home with a renewed heart for Christ and a deeper desire to help those in need. Thanks, Joe

My daughter is so excited to be heading out on a mission trip with Next Step Ministries this year after hearing about her friend's incredible experience in Elliott County, Kentucky! Her friend loved the 'free day' —kayaking and swimming in the lake and just soaking in the beauty of God’s creation. Beyond the fun, she loved how easy it was to connect with the other students and bond as a group. A huge shoutout to the Next Step staff as well; she mentioned how they jumped right in to play games and truly took the time to get to know every kid there. Seeing how much impact one week had on her, makes my daughter so excited to get started on her trip!