CITY
MISSION TRIP
$439
HOW WE SERVE
Cleveland is a resilient and diverse community that has been reconstructing itself for the past several years. Your students will have the opportunity to serve alongside local organizations and families, with a focus on those experiencing poverty, in Cleveland through construction and relational ministry.
THE MISSION IN
CLEVELAND, OHIO
On the shores of Lake Erie in the heart of Cuyahoga County sits the historic Cleveland, Ohio. A major Rust-Belt city, Cleveland is a community that boomed with various industry jobs in the early 1900s, leading people to flock from across the country and across the world to call it home. This created a beautifully diverse community that is still very present today.
However, as changes began to take place in these different industries, jobs began to dry up leaving several challenges in its wake. As families scrambled to find employment, basic needs such as adequate food and shelter proved hard to meet. Cleveland suffered another hit in 2008, when our country faced its greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression. Across the U.S. savings were lost, jobs disappeared, and poverty swelled. Cleveland was no exception to these events.
In 2013, Next Step began a relationship with Lorain County, just west of Cleveland, after a local pastor extended the invitation to be a part of the community restoration effort that was taking place. Next Step's work here was led by local organizations who are working day in and day out to serve their community holistically. We have loved serving in Lorain County, and cherish the relationships that we have been able to make here. Over time, community relationships have evolved, and we have found ourselves connected with many new partners just east of Lorain County, in Cleveland, Ohio. On your trip, your students will be able to offer home repair assistance to those in need throughout both of these communities, as well as possibly help with community gardens, sorting through donations, and more. When it comes to home repair, we believe this is just a platform to form deep and genuine relationships rooted in the love of Christ. When they open their door for construction work to be done, we see it as an open door to show the love of Christ in a way that offers hope and dignity.
Next Step students will also have the opportunity to serve alongside several local churches and organizations in community projects and outreach as part of the beautiful restoration process taking place in Cleveland. Every person you meet, nail you hammer, and organization you work with, is an opportunity to come alongside the momentum taking place in Cleveland. A momentum of renewal and hope.
PARTNERSHIPS
NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE
Senior Meal Program
Through their Senior Meal Delivery Program, Neighborhood Alliance delivers hundreds of meals each day to elderly residents across Lorain County. Next Step offers physical assistance through home repair to clients in this program. Through our relationship with Neighborhood Alliance we are assured that we are meeting true needs.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Community Education
The Lorain Historical Society has been long committed to engaging members of the community and visitors on the unique history of Lorain in order to learn from the past, develop pride, and transform the future. The historical society plays a vital role in the trip by educating Next Step students on both past and current happenings of the city.
CHURCHES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Local Churches and Organizations
The heartbeat of renewal in Lorain County rests with multiple churches & organizations that serve year round. They provide support in areas including Next Step lodging, project selection, outreach, and discipleship. Students will meet several of these partners during the trip, and can be confident that their work has been coordinated by these groups.
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
This ministry is devoted to serving the community around them in a variety of ways, including programs geared toward the elderly, disabled, refugees, and more. We are excited to get to partner with them as we stay at their facility and help serve at some of their worksites. The facility is approximately 10-30 minutes from all work projects. The facility includes two dorm room style sleeping areas. One for boys, and one for girls. It also has an indoor gym as an overflow sleeping area if needed. In the dorm rooms, there are bunk bed frames which will fit a twin size mattress. With this, please plan to bring a twin size air mattress and your desired bedding (sheets, sleeping bag, pillow, etc). Please let us know the male/female breakdown of your team, and we will let you know as soon as possible which spaces your team will be sleeping in. There is also a kitchen, restrooms, and sanctuary for worship, as well as space outside to hang out and run around. There are showers located inside the facility in each of the women’s and men’s restrooms with individual shower stalls. There will be separate shower times for youth and leaders. Please be mindful that we are guests at this facility. We are confident your team will treat their facilities with respect and gratitude. Accommodations: Bathrooms with showers, Kitchen, Ceiling fans in dorm rooms, Internet (leaders only) Bedding & Pillow MONDAY – THURSDAY (WORK DAYS) FRIDAY (COMMUNITY / FUN DAY)
Water Bottle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
Towel
Toiletries
Swim Suit
Work Shoes
Work Clothes
Casual Clothes
Work Gloves
Safety Glasses
Hammer
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
7:00 am – Wake Up
7:15 am – Eat Breakfast & Lunch Preparation
8:00 am – Morning Devotional
8:15 am – Depart for Worksites
12:00 pm – Lunch & Devotion
1:00 pm – Resume Working
3:30 pm – Clean Up
6:00 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – Worship
8:00 – Church Time/Small Groups/Free Time
11:00 pm – Lights Out
8:00 am – Wake Up
8:15 am – Eat Breakfast & Lunch Preparation
9:00 am – Leave for Free Day Activity!
12:00 pm – Lunch and Devo
1:00 pm – Community Activities
3:30 pm – Shower Time/Free Time/Leader Meeting
6:00 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – Worship
8:00 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 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.
