There is a special feeling when you see a community serving together, sharing a meal together, and worshipping together. Continue Reading…
The summer is right around the corner! Church groups are signed up, leaders are preparing, students are feeling that anticipation of what their experience out on mission is going to look like. Thinking about maybe who will they meet, what will their project could be, or what type of video series is going to be shown. The excitement is heightened as we approach the start to many weeks of groups being out in numerous communities.
If you’re reading this, maybe you’re headed to South Carolina this summer and you want to gain more insight on this community. Let me just tell you, you picked one of the best locations! That is a biased opinion, but I know you will find joy when entering into this community. If you are going to be serving here, I want to challenge you with this: when walking into your week, shift your mindset to think about the many gifts and assets this community possesses. Literally look for it, in your homeowners, the partnerships, the local churches. Choose to see the good and beauty that already vibrantly resides here. Yes, you will have the opportunity to bless others in your time here, but I can assure you that you will in return be blessed.
Choose to see the ways God is as work, and how you are able to join him in what He is already doing. God is alive, active, and pursuing unity amongst our community. God is restoring and reconciling individuals. He is bridging the gap in communities, creating a sense of knit together community. These things don’t happen overnight, or even in just a few years. But you have the opportunity to be part of that process. Commit to being a learner of this community, seeking to understand rather than assume. Choose to see people through the lens of Christ, rather than the lens of humans. If there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s that we are all broken people, in desperate need of a Savior. You might find that we are not all so different as you’d think.
We can’t wait to love and serve with you!
South Carolina in the summer is a place with many perks. Here you get to take in the beauty of bright colors on trees and flower bushes that have come to full bloom. Dance in the spontaneous rain showers that pour in the afternoon just in time to cool you off from worksite. Continue Reading…
What’s been happening at the Scooter Scott Program?
The Scooter Scott Program is an amazing ministry doing so much in our community for years now! Next Step has personally partnered with them for almost six years, which has been a tremendous honor and blessing. Continue Reading…
As I visited with a lady in our community this past week, we took some time to pray together before I headed out. Afterwards she shared in great depth the way prayer makes her feel, especially when others pray for her intimately and out-loud. Continue Reading…
This past summer a few of our groups volunteered their time and energy to an outstanding program in our Happy Town community for two consecutive weeks. These two weeks were a trial run to see if it was the right fit for our community kids, if all went well then the program would be extended to go six weeks the next summer. Continue Reading…
WHY:
This passion project was envisioned because of it’s value to our homeowners and community partners. In South Carolina we often run into situations while working alongside homeowners where we need additional support during the course of the construction project. We often need professionals with expertise in services such as HVAC, electric, and plumbing to provide a long term solution to issues homeowners are facing. Next Step can easily fix the surface level project needs such as installing new flooring or drywall, but we can’t always meet the larger internal needs that are causing the problems in the first place.
Often times there are leaky air units or broken pipes that contribute to the rotting of floor joists, which then cause floor to decay, and even water damage in the insulation under a home. This can lead to poor air retention and increases bills for heating and air because the home cannot hold in the proper elements to insulate the home adequately. Other times we may have leaky roofs and the water manages to seep into the ceiling insulation where electrical wires lay. We can fix a lot of these issues through the efforts of our participants, but if that water has damaged the electric wires in any way, that family could have hazardous wires that either don’t work, or are a potential fire hazard later on. If we could provide a solution for these things, imagine the impacts it could have one a single family long term.
WHAT:
To make this passion project a reality, we need the help of community resources and financial support. We hope to start partnering with local HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies who are willing to provide services for families in the Lexington County District either through charitable generosity or discounted rates. As we all know, these things come at a cost, so as we pursue the partnership with these companies we are also pursuing fundraising. All the funds will go to these types of services for homeowners. We are looking to raise $6,000 for the 2019 summer.
HOW:
You can be part of this vision by choosing to play a small BUT SIGNIFICANT role. If we have 100 people commit to giving $2.50 every week for 6 months, we can raise $6,000 by the start of Summer 2019. The dedicated and consistent commitment of each person is essential to making this come to fruition. You can donate weekly, monthly, or give a one time donation. You’re giving will be handled with integrity and will, without a doubt, have a significant effect on families in Lexington County.
Please join us prayerfully as we have conversations with local service companies with the desire to partner together for the families in this community. Pray about being part of this opportunity to make a long term impact in South Carolina. Thank you in advance for your generosity, we are eternally grateful.
Here is the link to contribute (nextstepministries.com/donate) when donating select the drop down “Lexington County” if you wish to give to this community.
Blessings!
It’s finally starting to look and FEEL like fall here in the south! The weather has been an on and off mixture of 65 degree days and then some 40 degree days. The trees have started to change color, the rain-sun showers have been more frequent, and the cool breeze has been refreshing. It’s starting to look a lot like Thanksgiving as our community starts to put together a game plan for the upcoming Holiday season.
We have been getting cards, baskets and meals planned up for families here in the midlands. We will be working together as a community to make sure every family has a Thanksgiving meal, along with baskets full of yummy foods to make at home for the Holidays, and encouraging cards to reflect on the gratitude we have for our Lord and Savior. Without Him, none of this would be possible.
Please keep us in your prayers as we prayerfully approach this time of giving and loving our neighbors. Pray that they would feel God’s love through us as we meet them where they are at, and that we would be blessed in return by them as we have the privilege to call them friends and develop new and lasting relationships. Pray for unity within churches, ministries and organizations as we all do this side by side. We sure are better together!
You may have come on your mission trip knowing that you weren’t the only group on a trip to South Carolina. Perhaps you were here with multiple groups, serving in different communities the week you were here. Whatever experience you may have had, know that it wasn’t viewed as “just a week” in the books for our community. Continue Reading…
While starting on the community partnership and homeowner follow-ups from this summer, I was really excited to hear from the individuals our groups had served closely with. I was overjoyed by the feedback I received and was deeply encouraged. Continue Reading…
A sweet lady living Lexington, SC has experienced and felt the love of Christ this summer through our volunteers. Through coming to meet the physical needs on her home, so much more was accomplished. Continue Reading…
It’s a beautiful thing. To watch the process of this community working WITH groups, rather than groups working FOR this community. The idea sounds great, the heart behind it is so rich, but how does this happen on a week long trip?
The Scooter Scott Program is a local program in Lexington County and was the first partnership formed with Next Step when we entered Lexington County. This program strives to create a loving, Christ centered environment that meets students and families where they are and to walk life out with them. Continue Reading…
Have you ever met someone who you knew had a million things on their plate but would still take the time out of their day to have a conversation with anyone who walked into their office? I’m not just talking about some small talk “how are you” and a “good” response. I am talking about a conversation where intentionality was radiating throughout.
Perseverance. When I think of this word it makes me think of steadfastness in difficult times. That’s simply what this word means, to do something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. We live in a culture where giving up is a trend. Continue Reading…
Indispensable Love (1 Corinthians 13)
Definition of Indispensable: absolutely necessary, essential, all-important, required, vital, must-have, KEY. Continue Reading…
“I don’t believe God wants our church life to be centered on buildings and services. Instead, God wants our churches to be focused on active discipleship, mission, and the pursuit of unity.”
-Francis Chan & Preston Sprinkle
Erasing Hell Continue Reading…
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Matthew 17:20