Next Step Ministries โ Organization Profile
Next Step Ministries is a Christ-centered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that leads youth mission trips where short-term missions connect with long-term community development. Since 2007, the organization has focused on helping middle school and high school students take next steps in faith through service, worship, discipleship, and responsible mission experiences.
The ministry is based in Madison, Wisconsin, and serves churches and student groups through mission trip locations across the United States and Guatemala. Current trip locations include Fairbanks, Alaska; Cheyenne River, South Dakota; Columbia, South Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Kansas City, Missouri; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Knoxville, Tennessee; Boston, Massachusetts; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Elliott County, Kentucky; San Augustine, Texas; and Sumpango, Guatemala.
Next Step Ministries operates through one-week mission trips designed for youth groups, with other groups and families also welcomed. The organization describes its model as โsummer camp with service projects and missions outreach.โ Each trip includes service projects selected with community partners, evening worship, teaching, group discussion, and intentional time for students to process what they are learning about faith, service, and community.
A key distinctive of Next Step Ministries is its commitment to community-led service projects tied to sustainable local initiatives. Rather than choosing projects apart from local context, Next Step works alongside community members, churches, and nonprofit partners. Project types vary by location and may include construction, home repair, wheelchair ramps, drywall, siding, flooring, outreach, and other community development work based on local needs.
The ministry also invests in programming beyond the worksite. Its Programming and Worship emphasis includes original video series, evening messages, worship, and group discussion resources. Its Stay Connected resources are designed to help students continue spiritual growth after the one-week trip ends. Next Step also offers paid summer internships in areas such as youth ministry and leadership, construction, worship and programming, missions, and media.
Churches and individuals can engage with Next Step Ministries by registering for mission trips, applying for summer staff internships, giving to support mission work, connecting with the staff team, or using the organizationโs resources to help students grow beyond the trip week. Its distinct contribution is combining student discipleship, responsible short-term missions, worship, leadership development, and year-round community partnership.
Key Links
- Website: https://nextstepministries.com/
- About: https://nextstepministries.com/about-us/
- Our Team: https://nextstepministries.com/about-us/our-team/
- Mission Trips: https://nextstepministries.com/mission-trips/
- Mission Trip FAQ: https://nextstepministries.com/mission-trip-faq/
- Internships: https://nextstepministries.com/internships/
- Stay Connected: https://nextstepministries.com/stay-connected/
- Contact: https://nextstepministries.com/contact/
- Give: https://nextstepministries.com/give/
Contact Information
- Email: mi******@****************es.com
- Phone: 866-534-2009
- Mailing address: 717 Post Road, Madison, WI 53713
Socials
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nextstepmissiontrips/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextstepministries/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextstepministries
Leadership
- Todd Gehrmann โ Spiritual Director
- Jake Hollman โ Finance/Operations Director
- Barak Tschirhart โ Missions Director
- Brian Tschirhart โ Church Relationship Director
- Bridget Greenwood โ Internship Director
- Neil Rowe โ Creative Director
- Nick Knapp โ Senior Project Manager
- J.M. Greenwood โ Senior Project Manager
- Asher Schroeder โ Recruiting/Office Admin
- Ashley Lawlor โ Graphic Designer
- Betty Merida โ Guatemala Area Director
- Wyatt Forney โ South Carolina Area Director
- Kegan Reeves โ Colorado Area Director
- Steve Grabosch โ Kentucky Area Director
- Ed Bennett โ Boston Area Director
- Mollee Hooter โ South Dakota Area Director
- Madison Myatt โ Oklahoma Area Director
- Emily Colborne โ Alaska Area Director
- Kristen Liechty โ Ohio Area Director
- Lauren Liecthy โ Kansas City Area Director
- Shane Lively โ Milwaukee Area Director
- Emily Hanrahan โ Knoxville Area Director
