CITY
MISSION TRIP
$439
HOW WE SERVE
Next Step began serving in Oklahoma City after a devastating tornado tore through the neighboring community of Moore in 2013. Today our efforts have moved beyond immediate disaster relief to focus on long-term, community development within the city.
THE MISSION IN
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
In May 2013, a devastating F5 tornado ripped through Moore, Oklahoma, a community on the edge of Oklahoma City. The statistics were heart-breaking – 24 deaths, 140 injuries and countless homes obliterated. The storm caused millions of dollars in damages and would require a massive, coordinated effort to rebuild.
In 2014, Next Step joined the city of Moore in their relief efforts. We partnered with Serve More to come alongside those who lost everything and help them rebuild. Through this partnership, we had the opportunity to not only help repair homes, but to also watch as God restored hope in the wake of devastation. With every new project and relationship, it was clear that God was moving in Oklahoma. As the clean-up from the tornado came to an end, our partners began to shift their focus from disaster relief to long-term restoration in Oklahoma City.
Next Step is excited to join our community partners as they serve families in downtown Oklahoma City, continuing their vision of renewal and restoration. Next Step student teams get the opportunity to work alongside Project 58, and Restore OKC in construction work on community centers, transitional homes, city beautification projects, and residential homes. But our efforts aren’t only focused on construction. There is a real need for community outreach. Many people in Oklahoma City are experiencing homelessness, battling addictions, and coping with dysfunction in the home. By serving alongside community partners like Cross and Crown, students aren't only rebuilding neighborhoods, they are also helping to give them access to vital, Christ-centered resources and support.
Next Step’s hope is that Oklahoma City would see Kingdom restoration come alive — see addictions beaten, relationships renewed, and houses become homes. Our goal is to see Oklahoma City become a beacon of hope for those experiencing brokenness.
Join Next Step this summer and serve in Oklahoma City!
PARTNERSHIPS
CROSS AND CROWN
Local Cristian Services
Cross and Crown is a hub for the community in a variety of ways, including offering food pantry, counseling, legal, laundry, and medical services. Next Step has helped to renovate several of their properties that are used as transitional housing for individuals enrolled in their training program. This program teaches job and financial skills to keep people off the street long-term.
RESTORE OKC
Community Rehabilitaion
Next Step began partnering with Restore OKC in 2018 when we got word of a local school’s desperate need for school supplies. Restore OKC also hosts a job training ministry, coordinates mentoring efforts for children, as well as facilitates a community garden that supports local neighborhoods. Next Step and Restore OKC hope to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in Oklahoma City.
PROJECT 58
Community Restoration
Project 58 was formed when a group of friends moved into an overlooked neighborhood in Oklahoma City and were led by God to enter into real community and relationship with the residents who lived there. This organization has since continued to work to restore and transform their neighborhoods housing to bring the love of Christ to its residents through meaningful relationships.
SITE PHOTOS
YOUR EXPERIENCE
WORSHIP
We’ve been told our worship experience is where summer camp meets mission trip. At Next Step, your students will create unforgettable memories and friendships while worshipping and growing together in their understanding of who Jesus is. Each evening will include great bands, challenging speakers and a powerful video series created and filmed exclusively for your mission trip.
CONSTRUCTION
Have you ever gone on a mission trip and been disappointed by the work projects? You’re left wondering— isn’t there something more we could have done? At Next Step, we have partnered with local community leaders to ensure that the projects are meaningful and alleviate vital building needs. Your students will work on projects such as full home builds, home additions, drywall, siding, flooring, wheelchair ramps, and more.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Do you ever wonder if your short-term mission trip really made a difference? At Next Step, students serve alongside local community members, churches and nonprofits, as we meet the needs of the community together. With our full-time staff living in the communities we partner with, and projects being selected by the community, you will be part of a movement in responsible short-term missions.
LOGISTICS
The trip is hosted at Southpark Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Here we will worship, eat meals, sleep, shower, and hang out! Guys and girls will be separated into different rooms for sleeping arrangements. Sleeping will be on the floor so please bring a twin air mattress and bedding. There are bathrooms in the facility and a shower trailer on site with individual shower stalls.
This mission site is bus and van accessible. Some groups choose to fly and then rent vehicles for the week. The nearest airport is Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) in Oklahoma City and is a 15 minute drive from where we stay.
Twin Size Air Mattress
Bedding & Pillow
Water Bottle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
Towel
Toiletries
Swim Suit
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 Orientation
8:30 pm – Church Time, Small groups, Free Time
11:00 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 – Clean Up/Return
4:00 pm – Free time/Showers/Leader Meeting
6:00pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – Worship
8:30 – Church Time/Small Groups/Free Time
11:00 pm – Lights Out
FRIDAY (COMMUNITY / FUN 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 – Shower Time/Free Time/Leader Meeting
6:00 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – Worship
8:30 pm – Church Time/Small Groups/Free time
11:00 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?
For summer mission trips you must have a minimum of five participants to be eligible for a group. If you have less than five participants on your team, please contact our office. The maximum number of people will depend on 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 Partnership Coordinator 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 8-12 energetic, mission-minded, and highly trained college interns. 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. Full-time Next Step Staff called Partnership Coordinators live and serve within the community year round and are well connected. Next Step collaborates with the community to plan 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. As an additional resource, feel free to download this brochure for all your mission trip information in one place.