***The application for this trip will be opening on November 1. This trip is not first come first served and students should not expect to hear back immediately regarding their application status as the FGS team will spend time reviewing all of the submitted applications. Students can expect to hear back about the status of their application by the end of January.***
Next Step Ministries is a Christ-centered, organization with the heartbeat to do missions differently. They are passionate about the experience students can have on a mission trip—serving others while encountering a living God who offers freedom and grace. They are passionate about communities thriving—developing from within and restoring dignity.
This summer, FG Students will be taking a team of middle and high schoolers to Lexington to work in partnership with Next Step Ministry. Participants will work with families in Lexington directly doing home repair and construction (both in Belle Meade and Happy Town communities) as well as developing relationships with organizations such as LICS and EmmanuWheel and the families they serve.
Grace Chapel Church in West Columbia partners with Next Step to provide a home for all the Next Step teams during the summer. This will be the team's landing place for the week after each workday. They'll have free time here, worship time, meals, etc. Our students will also enjoy this week getting to interact with our volunteer leaders as well as students and volunteer leaders from other churches. Check out Next Step's website for more information.
From July 6-12 a team of students will serve with no expectation of return in Lexington. The cost of this trip is $595. Upon approval of the application, each participant is required to pay a $50 deposit. This trip cost covers transportation, lodging, food, insurance, team outings, and admin fees. Next Step also designates a portion of the funds to go back into the community through project costs, building materials, outreach costs, and ongoing programs in the community.
*Trip is subject to postponement or cancelation*