CITY
MISSION TRIP
$469
HOW WE SERVE
Columbia is the state capital of South Carolina and is located between sandy white beaches to the east and rolling Appalachian Mountains to the west. Next Step students have an opportunity to engage in community transformation through home repair and relational ministry.
THE MISSION IN
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA
In 2013, Next Step was invited by a group of local churches and nonprofits to join in a holistic approach to ministry. We are hosted at a local church located in West Columbia called Grace Chapel Church. West Columbia is a city and commuter town in the suburban eastern sections of Lexington County and is a part of the greater Columbia, SC metropolitan area. There is about a 30 minute difference in location and it is near the downtown district as well as the South Carolina State House and Congaree Vista, known locally as “The Vista.”
Here in South Carolina we partner with local churches, businesses, and nonprofits and look to them in order to know how to best serve this community. Our current community partners are The Scooter Scott Project, Mission Lexington, Turner AME Church, Grace Chapel Church, and Emmanuwheels.
Next Step volunteers have simply become an extension and resource to these local partners through the efforts of work projects and relational ministry opportunities. These community leaders are committed to serving their neighbors in dignifying and uplifting ways, and desire to equip and empower individuals and families through giving a hand up rather than a hand out. In meeting the more immediate physical needs, our hope is that those we are serving alongside would come to know and experience the life changing love of Christ.
PARTNERSHIPS
AME TURNER
Local Church in Columbia
Located in the West Columbia. Their mission is to serve their community through church services, daily feeding programs, child development, health services, counseling, and summer kids programs. Next Step partners by sending volunteers to assist in the summer kids programs and by being a resource for home repairs.
MISSION LEXINGTON
Local Community Services
The story of Mission Lexington is one of compassion for neighbors in crisis. It began with the faith community seeking better ways to serve individuals and families faced with emergency needs for food, clothing and shelter. Next Step partners with ML by volunteering at the mission and doing various upkeep tasks.
SCOOTER SCOTT PROJECT
Christian Youth Program
Faith-based, Christ centered organization helping kids in the Lexington Community become future leaders of tomorrow. The SSP offers a variety of programs to the students as well as adults that assist and guide them in practical and spiritual ways, building them hope for a future. Next Step partners with the SSP through community events and home repairs.
GRACE CHAPEL CHURCH
Local church in West Columbia
This church has extended their building as a home for all Next Step volunteers. A healthy and energizing partnership has been formed between Next Step and Grace Chapel. Eager to work alongside Next Step and this community, you'll find that this church has a real and tangible desire to partner while also expressing true southern hospitality.
EMMANUWHEELS
Local Community Services
The mission of EmmanuWheel is to provide wheelchair ramps to mobility-impaired individuals who cannot afford the cost of the ramps. By addressing the specific needs of mobility-impaired individuals, EmmanuWheel aims to share the love of Christ in a practical way. Next Step volunteers can expect to be apart of the ramp-building process from start to finish.
SITE PHOTOS
YOUR EXPERIENCE
WORSHIP
Next Step wants your students to grow together in faith and understanding who Jesus is. Each year we create new devotionals for you to guide your students through at different times during the day, and each evening includes worship, a speaker to challenge them through a brief message, and a new video series created by Next Step for your mission trip. All of our program materials are designed to help you get the conversations started, and then let you do the framing and guiding of your students in the specifics of their faith! Each night ends with your chance to gather in your group and go over the day's lessons.
CONSTRUCTION
At Next Step, we partner with local community leaders and organizations to ensure that the projects are meaningful to them and the work they are doing in the community. Not all of our sites have construction based ministry ..or may have it every week, but on sites that do, your students will work on projects ranging from full home builds and home additions, to drywall, siding, flooring, wheelchair ramps, and more. Feel free to contact us and see what projects might be in store this year for your community and week of choice!
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Do you want your short term mission trip to make a real difference? At Next Step, students serve alongside local community members, churches and nonprofits, as we meet the needs of the community together. With projects being selected by our community partnerships, you will be part of a movement in ethical and responsible short-term missions. We actively pursue this as more than just buzz words. We strive to continue to be a forerunner in the collision of short term missions and sustainable community development!
LOGISTICS
Grace Chapel Church
663 Dixiana Rd
West Columbia, SC 29172
Next Step Ministries is excited to host your mission trip at Grace Chapel Church this summer!
The facility includes 2 large spaces that will be designated as separate sleeping areas for boys and girls. You will be sleeping on the oor so you will need to bring an air mattress, sleeping bag, and pillow. The church will also provide a kitchen, restrooms, hang out areas and air conditioning. Worship is held in an air conditioned sanctuary.
Showers will be available in a shower trailer located on site. We will have designated times for adults and students to take turns.
Accommodations:
Air Conditioning
Bathrooms
Showers
Internet (leaders only)
Kitchen
This mission site is bus and van accessible. Some groups choose to fly and then rent vehicles for the week. The nearest airports are the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) located just 25 minutes away, or Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) located just one hour away from Lexington.
Twin Size Air Mattress
Bedding & Pillow
Water Bottle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
Towel
Toiletries
Swim Suit
Shower Sandals
Work Shoes
Work Clothes
Casual Clothes
Work Gloves
Safety Glasses
Hammer
SUNDAY (ARRIVAL DAY)
3:00-5:00 pm – Arrive to Mission Location
6:00 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – Worship & Weekly Orintation
9:00 pm – Church Time, Small groups, Free Time
10:30 pm – Lights Out
MONDAY – THURSDAY (WORK DAYS)
7:00 am – Wake Up
7:15 am – Eat Breakfast & Lunch Preparation
8:00 am – Morning Devotional
8:15 am – Depart for Worksite & Begin Working
12:00 pm – Lunch & Devotion
1:00 pm – Resume Working
3:30 pm – Depart Worksites
4:00 pm – Showers and Free time
5:30pm – Dinner
6:45 pm – Worship
7:45 – Church Time
9:00 pm – Church Time, Small groups, Free Time
10:30 pm – Lights Out
FRIDAY (OPTIONAL FREE DAY)
8:00 am – Wake Up
8:15 am – Eat Breakfast & Lunch Preparation
9:00 am – Morning Devotion
9:15 am – Leave for Free Day Activity
4:00 pm – Return and Shower
5:30pm – Dinner
6:45 pm – Worship
7:45 – Church Time
9:00 pm – Church Time, Small groups, Free Time
10:30 pm – Lights Out
FAQS
When should I register for my trip?
Registration opens in July and will be available through early spring. To get your preferred dates, locations, and spaces, it is recommended to secure your spots sometime before October.
What is the min or max people per group?
There is genrerally no set minimum group size for most of our summer mission trips, but based on the location and dates there may be some applicable suggestions and/or restrictions. If you have less than five participants in your group, please contact our office so we can go over the logistics of a trip with a smaller group size. The maximum number of people that can register for a trip will depend on the specific location capacity and availability.
What is the adult to student ratio required?
Next Step Ministries asks each group to bring 1 adult for every 6 students.
Are background checks required?
Yes. Each church group is responsible for conducting background checks on each participant 18 years of age or older.
When will we find out what our work projects are?
Your group will learn about the work projects on the first night of your trip! Our staff will contact you 1-2 weeks prior to the trip to share updates and provide an adjusted tool list.
How are the trips staffed?
A Next Step Area Director facilitates community partnerships, lines up projects, leads the summer staff, and coordinates other logistics such as lodging and accommodations. The trip itself will be facilitated by a team of energetic, mission-minded college-age summer missions staff. The site staff will include a construction team, worship team, speaker, meal coordinators, and administrative leaders to guide you through the week.
What if the trip I’m considering is already full?
Each location has a different max capacity, so please contact our office to learn more about spaces available. In the event we are fully booked for the trip you are interested in, we can put you on a wait list or help find alternative trip options. To avoid these delays, we recommend registering for your trip as soon as you can!
What is the payment schedule?
Payment for a Next Step Ministries mission trip is separated into a deposit and two scheduled payments:
- Deposit - $50 non-refundable and non-transferable deposit per spot reserved due within 30 days of your trip registration date
- March 15th Payment – 50% of remaining balance of trip cost due
- May 15th Payment – 100% of remaining total balance of trip cost due
Is Next Step affiliated with a denomination?
No, we do not affiliate with a particular denomination. Next Step Ministries is an interdenominational organization and we partner with hundreds of churches from all different denominations on our mission trips. Please see our Statement of Faith to learn more about what we believe. In simple terms, we stick to the basics of the Gospel. Our foundation for ministry is to provide opportunities for students to connect and grow in a personal relationship with Christ.
How are the work projects selected?
Next Step Ministries works alongside community leaders, non-profit organizations, and the local church in order to set up work projects. Next Step Staff called Area Directors work closely with our community partners to determine how to multiply our impact in the community and prepare the projects you will be working on in advance.
Will our group be paired with other groups?
You will most likely be attending a trip with 2-4 other youth groups. All groups will share sleeping quarters and we will have meals and worship together as a large group. Many of our mission site locations can accommodate for 80-100 volunteers each week. For work projects, we love to mix students, but also understand many groups prefer to stick together. Please let us know your preference and we will plan accordingly!
Is the mission trip safe?
Yes. Next Step Ministries exists to give middle school, high school, and college students an opportunity to explore their faith, experience God, and extend service to others on a mission trip. Students are our top priority and safety is always our primary concern. Thankfully, because of our long-term commitment and involvement within the community, we have developed many close relationships with local families and organizations. The community is familiar with Next Step and we’ve worked hard to humbly earn their trust and respect. Because of these close friendships we are the first to know if something out of the ordinary comes up or is unsafe.
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
Day or night, Next Step Ministries is happy to hear from you. Whether you have a question, comment or concern, please don’t hesitate to give us a call, or just type "TRIP" in the chatbox to get more information. You can quickly schedule a meeting with us HERE. And feel free to download this brochure below for all of our basic mission trip information.
